Compare the Best Domain Registrars of 2026
We registered the same .com at eight registrars, renewed it, and transferred it out. The score is weighted to the renewal price and what the checkout adds by default — not the first-year promotion.
Last Updated: Sep 2026Suggested domain registrars for you
CCloudflare Registrar
Very Good
8.7
Registry wholesale price plus the ICANN fee — no...Learn More
NNamecheap
Good
8.4
Free WHOIS privacy with no time limitLearn More
All 8
Cheapest Domain Registrars (.com renewal under $17)Place to buy a domain nameDomain registrar for small businessDomain registrars with free whois privacyDomain registrar for developers
1
Porkbun - The cheapest full-service registrar we tested: free privacy, free SSL, free email forwarding and a renewal price that matches the first year Tested Aug 2026 by Team RankingRight
- .com renews at the same price you paid
- WHOIS privacy, SSL and email forwarding included
- Clean DNS editor with an API
Excellent
9.0
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$11.06 · checked Sep 11
11.06 USD
11.06 USD/yr
2
Cloudflare Registrar - Domains at wholesale cost with no markup, ever — if you are happy to use Cloudflare DNS Tested Aug 2026 by Team RankingRight
- Registry wholesale price plus the ICANN fee — no margin
- Free WHOIS redaction, DNSSEC and email forwarding
- Same account as Cloudflare DNS, CDN and security
Very Good
8.7
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$10.44 · checked Sep 11
10.44 USD
10.44 USD/yr
3
Namecheap - The mainstream registrar that got privacy right: free forever, a good DNS panel, and 24/7 chat that answered in two minutes Tested Aug 2026 by Team RankingRight
- Free WHOIS privacy with no time limit
- Two-minute chat support, 24/7
- Regular first-year promotions on .com
Good
8.4
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$16.98 · checked Sep 11
10.28 USD
16.98 USD/yr
4
Squarespace Domains - The former Google Domains: one flat price, privacy and DNSSEC on by default, and no upsells — but $20 for a .com Tested Aug 2026 by Team RankingRight
- Flat, transparent pricing with nothing added at checkout
- Privacy and DNSSEC on by default
- Google Workspace setup in a few clicks
Fair
7.6
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$20 · checked Sep 11
20 USD
20 USD/yr
5
Name.com - A solid mid-price registrar with free privacy, a good API and reliable support; renewals are higher than the leaders Tested Aug 2026 by Team RankingRight
- Free WHOIS privacy since 2022
- Full API and bulk tools
- Broad TLD list
Fair
7.5
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$18.99 · checked Sep 11
12.99 USD
18.99 USD/yr
6
GoDaddy - The largest registrar with 24/7 phone support in every language you can name, and the most expensive .com renewal here Tested Aug 2026 by Team RankingRight
- Phone support answered in 3 minutes, 24/7
- Every service a small business might bundle
- Basic WHOIS privacy now free
Tested
6.9
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$22.99 · checked Sep 11
11.99 USD
22.99 USD/yr
7
Domain.com - A cheap first year that becomes one of the more expensive registrars once privacy and renewal are added Tested Aug 2026 by Team RankingRight
- $9.99 first-year .com
- Straightforward DNS panel
- Phone support
Tested
6.2
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$19.99 · checked Sep 11
9.99 USD
19.99 USD/yr
8
Network Solutions - The original .com registrar, still trading on the name: the highest prices we recorded and privacy as a paid extra Tested Aug 2026 by Team RankingRight
- Phone support and account managers for large portfolios
- Longest track record of any registrar
- Premium domain brokerage
Tested
5.2
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$39.99 · checked Sep 11
25.99 USD
39.99 USD/yr
Frequently asked questions about domain registrars
Why is the renewal price the one that matters?
A domain is renewed every year for as long as you own it. A $0.99 first year that renews at $22.99 costs more over five years than a $10.44 flat price. Our pricing score uses the renewal.
Do I need WHOIS privacy?
Yes. Without it your name, address, email and phone are published in the public registry and harvested by spammers within days. Namecheap, Porkbun, Cloudflare, Squarespace, Name.com and GoDaddy include it free; Domain.com and Network Solutions charge for it.
Should I buy the domain from my web host?
Only if the renewal is competitive and privacy is free. Keeping the domain at a separate registrar makes it easier to change hosts and protects the domain if the hosting account is ever suspended.
How do you test registrars?
Same .com registered at each registrar, then DNS changes, privacy, two-factor, a renewal and a transfer-out to another registrar, timed. We record the price on the checkout page with every pre-ticked add-on removed.
*Scores: Pricing 35 · Privacy & security 25 · Management 20 · Support 20; score = Σ ÷ 10, ties break on the earlier test date. Prices shown were checked on the date beside each and may change. Affiliate links are added only after a score is locked and can never change it. How we rank.
#1 Porkbun9.0 · $11.06
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