Top 7 domain name registrars in 2025

Understanding what is a domain name, extensions and their significance

In the age of internet marketing and online branding, the foremost need of almost every business is to be online as 81% of shoppers conduct online research before making any purchase (MineWhat.com). However, for being found on the web, a business requires a digital address and this is essentially the reason why a domain name is required.

So, domain registration is the first task in building an online presence – a website and choosing a hosting plan is second but in some cases, it can be vice versa as some hosting plans offer free domain names along with the hosting plan itself. But remember, none of the steps can be skipped!

Subscribe to DHN Newsletter

What is a domain name?

A domain name is an address that internet visitors use to reach a website. In general, a website address is a numeric address – a string of characters called IP address that is difficult to remember. So, a domain name is a part of a link called a URL (Universal Resource Locator) that can be read by human beings and functions as an easy to remember a link to the respective IP address.

In addition to naming their business websites, people need a domain name with emails accounts too. To be effective, a domain name should be clear, concise, memorable and easy to spread via word of mouth.

Let’s say, anybody searching for trending news and articles reaches this site – https://www.dailyhostnews.com/. Here, dailyhostnews.com is a domain name with .com as the top-level domain (TLD) and dailyhostnews as the second-level domain (SLD). In short,

SLD + TLD = Domain Name

Be very careful while choosing a domain name as it represents your brand and there are some factors that you need to consider.

Read about them in detail here: How to choose a good and creative domain name?

What domain name extensions to choose from?

TLDs refer to top-level domains like .com, .net, .in etc. These appear next to the dot as shown in examples and are available to be registered by anyone, anywhere across the globe, barring few things, with some guidelines. These domain suffixes can be community-specific, like fashion website can choose .fashion, gaming sites can choose .game, .accountant, .agency, .art, .blog and more

There are other domain extensions that are country-specific (ccTLDs), like .eu for European Union, .in for India and more.

You can choose the best one which represents your business vertical and is expected to establish your brand in the market.

As part of the URL which poses relevance to your business and provides direct information of your products and services, a domain name extension increases the probability of fetching you more relevant leads and thus, increases profitability.

So, choose as per your industry, country or interest.

Where to buy domain names from?

Buying a domain name for a website involves the registration of the chosen and available domain name with ICANN with the help of a domain registrar.

No doubt it is one of the biggest challenges for organizations to find a unique and memorable domain name that can be easily found by their target audience, and optimize the web page for a search.

First, you need to check the chosen domain’s availability and if it’s available, then pay a registration fee for it which may differ from one domain name registrar to another as per the value-added services they provide with a domain name.

This domain name registration gives your website a name for a year and will further require annual renewal at the same or hiked amount, depending upon the registrar. A domain name can be registered for a maximum time period of 10 years. You can renew it after that period as needed.

Read on to get a fair comparison of cheap domain name registrars.

Which are the best domain registrars? Why?

If we go by Wikipedia, it defines a domain name registrar as an organization or commercial entity that manages the reservation of Internet domain names.

When it comes to finding out who is the best domain name registrar in the industry, then the domain seller who provides cost-effective top-level domains (TLDs) with ensured security, a simple user interface and accountable customer support can be termed as the best and cheapest domain name provider.

There is no doubt that there are a number of hosters offering domain names, but of course, not all can be trusted. So now the question arises which domain name registrar is best?

5 key factors to consider when selecting a domain registrar

There are certain considerations that one must take care of while choosing a domain name registration company.

1. Accredited – Choose a registrar that has an ICANN accreditation. Working with an accredited registrar will give a sense of security that you are working with a company that has been approved by a regulatory institution.

2. Customer Support – Support is the backbone of any online business. Check out the availability of the support team, their expertise and the channels of support. The best way to find this is through a web hosting provider’s reviews.

3. Web hosting support – No hosting, no website. So, look for a domain provider who offers different hosting services like shared hosting, WordPress hosting, dedicated servers and cloud services as well. This will help you opt for a hosting service per your needs.

4. Security – Compare the safety measures offered by different domain name providers. A registrar should make available different software that you can buy to make your website safer from cyber threats like malware, phishing etc. You should also go for SSL certificates to secure your data and transactions and gain your customers’ trust.

5. Pricing – The price difference can be huge with different domain providers. So, shop around and check the annual pricing and renewals also, as some charge less for the first year of domain purchase but may charge differently on renewal.

Other factors to be considered are control panel, ability to set up subdomains, privacy protection, free addon services that come with domain purchase etc.

7 Best Domain Name Registrars Comparison in 2025

Choosing the right domain registrar is crucial for building a successful online presence. This comparison table highlights the top 7 domain name registrars in 2025 based on key factors such as pricing, renewal rates, WHOIS privacy, hosting bundles, DNS management, and email forwarding capabilities. Use this quick reference to find the best fit for your personal, business, or professional website needs.

Registrar	.com 1st Yr	.com Renewal	WHOIS Privacy	Free Domain w/ Hosting	DNS Management	Email Forwarding
Hostinger	₹ 499	₹ 1,179	Free	Yes	Full DNS Control	Yes (basic)
Namecheap	₹ 930	₹ 1,405	1st Year Only	No	Full DNS	Yes (advanced)
GoDaddy	₹ 1* (3-yr deal)	₹ 1,499	Paid Add-on	Yes	Basic DNS	Yes (limited)
Bluehost	₹ 0 (w/ hosting)	₹ 1,700	Free	Yes	Basic DNS	No
DreamHost	₹ 760	₹ 1,600	Free	No	Full DNS	Yes
Name.com	₹ 980	₹ 1,400	Free	No	DNS Tools	Yes
Porkbun	₹ 900	₹ 900	Free	No	Full DNS	Yes

Now let’s get see a detailed comparison of features of the domain name providers:

1. Hostinger

Hostinger is a globally recognized web hosting provider known for its budget-friendly pricing, performance-driven infrastructure, and beginner-friendly tools. When it comes to domain registration, Hostinger stands out as a reliable choice due to its competitive pricing, seamless integration with hosting services, and intuitive user dashboard.

Customers benefit from free WHOIS privacy protection with many domains, easy DNS management, and one-click domain linking with Hostinger’s web hosting plans, making it a practical all-in-one solution for personal, business, or professional websites.

What you may like?

• Competitive rates on top-level domains (TLDs) with regular discounts and promotions.
• Free domain for one year with select annual hosting plans.
• WHOIS privacy protection is included at no additional cost.
• One-click domain linking and beginner-friendly dashboard.
• 24/7 chat support with a helpful knowledge base.

What you may not like?

• Limited selection of niche or country-specific TLDs.
• Renewal rates for domains are higher than the promotional initial price.

Hostinger Support Review 

Hostinger’s customer support is often praised for its responsiveness, clarity, and efficiency. Available 24/7 through live chat and ticketing systems, their support team provides timely assistance for both technical and account-related queries. Users especially appreciate the helpfulness of the knowledge base, tutorials, and chatbot, which are useful for resolving common issues without direct support. While phone support is not offered, the live chat experience is generally smooth and well-regarded for its promptness and professionalism.

Use code ZNET and get 10% additional discount on annual domain or hosting.

2. Namecheap

Namecheap is a Phoenix-based domain registrar and hosting company that started operations in 2000. ICANN-accredited and known for its affordability, Namecheap provides access to all major TLDs along with additional security and hosting services.

With domain purchases, you receive WhoisGuard privacy protection (free for life on most TLDs), access to its free DNS service, and the option to purchase a discounted SSL certificate.

What you may like?

• Simple interface and seamless domain management.
• Free WhoisGuard with eligible domains.
• Email and URL forwarding included.
• Additional offerings like PremiumDNS, email hosting, and web security.

What you may not like?

• WhoisGuard is free only for the first year on some TLDs.
• Transfers require domain renewal.
• DNS services only apply when using Namecheap nameservers.

Namecheap Support Review

Support is available 24/7 via live chat and tickets. Their extensive knowledge base and blog offer valuable tutorials for users looking to troubleshoot independently.

3. GoDaddy

GoDaddy is the world’s largest domain registrar, well known for deep discounts on first-year domain purchases. They offer all major TLDs, including .com and .net, with frequent coupon offers and bundled services.

While their base prices appear low initially (e.g., ₹1 for a .com with a multi-year term), renewal pricing can be significantly higher. WHOIS privacy is not included by default for all TLDs and may require an extra charge.

What you may like?

• Large TLD selection and global presence.
• Promo pricing, especially for the first year.
• Broad ecosystem including hosting, marketing tools, email, and SSL.
• 24/7 support, including phone assistance.

What you may not like?

• Steep renewal prices after the first year.
• Add on costs for privacy and security features.

GoDaddy Support Review

GoDaddy offers around-the-clock support via live chat and phone. Support quality varies depending on region and issue complexity, but they maintain strong documentation and community forums.

4. Bluehost

Bluehost is primarily a web hosting provider that offers domain registration as part of its bundled packages. It is an official WordPress.org recommended host and includes a free domain name for the first year with most hosting plans.

While not ideal for domain-only needs due to renewal costs, Bluehost offers seamless integration between hosting, email, and site-building tools.

What you may like?

• Free domain for 1 year with hosting packages.
• Beginner-friendly tools and dashboard.
• Strong WordPress integration.
• WHOIS privacy available for most TLDs.

What you may not like?

• High domain renewal costs/
• Limited if you’re only looking to register domains (no bulk tools). 

Bluehost Support Review

Bluehost offers 24/7 support via live chat and phone. Their agents are helpful with hosting-related queries, especially for WordPress users, but domain-only support may be less emphasized.

5. DreamHost

DreamHost is a US-based hosting provider that also offers domain name registration with transparent pricing. They include WHOIS privacy for free with all eligible domains and are popular among WordPress users.

Their domain dashboard is minimalist, and DNS management is efficient. No flashy deals—but no hidden costs either.

What you may like?

• Free WHOIS privacy included.
• Predictable pricing model.
• Clean interface and DNS tools.
• Ideal if you’re hosting with DreamHost.

What you may not like?

• Limited first-year discounts.
• Domain services are secondary to their hosting business.

DreamHost Support Review

Support is via live chat and tickets, backed by a comprehensive help library. Phone support is available via callback. The company emphasizes transparency and open-source tools, appealing to technical users.

6. Name.com

Name.com, based in Denver, offers a clean, modern interface and access to a broad catalog of domain extensions. It’s known for straightforward pricing and reliable DNS services, though it’s slightly more expensive than competitors.

WHOIS privacy is included with most domains, and they offer web hosting, SSL, and email services.

What you may like?

• Clean user experience.
• Reliable DNS management and domain forwarding.
• WHOIS privacy included with most domains.

What you may not like?

• Higher base prices (around ₹980+ for .com).
• No standout promo deals.

Name.com Support Review

Name.com offers live chat, email, and an extensive help center. While their support team is capable, availability may be limited to business hours in some regions.

7. Porkbun

Porkbun is a relatively new registrar gaining popularity for its transparent, low-cost pricing and user-friendly services. It is ICANN-accredited and based in the Pacific Northwest.

They offer free WHOIS privacy, free SSL certificates, and free email forwarding with domain purchases. Many community sources highlight Porkbun’s consistent pricing and long-term value.

What you may like?

• Competitive registration and renewal rates
• Honest transparent pricing with no hidden markups.
• Free features: WHOIS privacy, SSL certificates, DNS & email forwarding.

What you may not like?

• Slightly less renowned than legacy registrars, so some users may prefer larger brands.
• Interface is clean but less flashy.

Porkbun Support Review

Porkbun offers email, chat, and phone support. Their brand is known for personable, helpful support staff and honest communications—free from upsells.

Summarizing

It is fundamental that all domain name registrars allow you to register and purchase, renew and transfer domain names but still they differ in the pricing, features and freebies that they provide with every purchase.

So, compare different support services and prices before selecting a web hosting provider to buy domain names.