- July 3, 2024
- by Zac Geekie
- Domain Names
- 0 Comments
It only takes a minute or two to register a domain name, but finding the right domain registrar may require more thoughtful consideration and research.
I’ve been in this business for more than 20 years and I’ve seen many domain registrars come and go. Some of the ones that used to be among my favorites have gone downhill, and some no longer exist.
Anyway, I’d like to focus on the most reputable registrars that are trusted by Reddit users.
Best Domain Registrars (Reddit Picks and My Own)
The following are the top names that surface in most Reddit discussions about domain registrars. These are also the ones I recommend based on my experience.
1. NameCheap
NameCheap earns plenty of good reviews on Reddit and it’s my top favorite domain registrar as of 2024. Their prices are affordable and they give you complete Whois privacy for free.
Besides domains, I appreciate NameCheap’s low-cost SSL certificates, premium DNS, and hosting plans. I’ve had a good experience with their shared hosting for a small site, although I wish it included malware protection and a free SSL certificate (it’s only free for the first year).
Pros
- Discounted registration prices for many TLDs
- Complete Whois privacy for free
- Free basic DNS and affordable premium DNS
- Cheap SSL certificates
- Cheap email and web hosting
Cons
- Renewal prices increase from time to time
- Interface hasn’t been updated in a while
2. Spaceship
Spaceship recently launched out of the NameCheap family and it’s already become a top player in the field that is highly recommended on Reddit and webmaster forums.
The main things I like about Spaceship is their low prices (lower than NameCheap) for domain registration, email and web hosting. It also has a nicer interface than NC’s oldish interface.
Pros
- Very low registration and renewal prices
- Modern and clean interface
- Free Whois privacy
- Cheap email hosting
Cons
- No phone support
- Some missing dashboard features (they’re working on it)
3. Dynadot
Dynadot has its fans among tech-savvy Redditors, and you can count me one of those. I have a few domains registered at Dynadot and I’ve never had any issues with their service.
Dynadot is a good place to get a domain name for cheap and they give you one email account for free with each domain. They don’t offer much besides that and they don’t bombard you with gimmicky upselling.
Pros
- Cheap and transparent prices
- Free Whois privacy
- One free email account
- Quick and simple checkout process
- Security PIN for extra protection
Cons
- No web hosting
- Resetting the Security PIN requires identity verification
4. Cloudflare
A lot of developers on Reddit recommend Cloudflare as a domain registrar these days. They have the lowest renewal rates and you can easily integrate with other Cloudflare services.
Let me warn you about a few issues with Cloudflare though: You must use their DNS service (you can’t edit nameservers), and you only get community support with the free plan. They also only offer Whois redaction but not complete Whois privacy.
Pros
- Lowest prices for most TLDs
- No renewal price hikes
- Free DNS and CDN
- Free SSL certificates
Cons
- Can’t change nameservers
- Must manually configure DNS
- Partial Whois privacy redaction
- No support with the free plan
5. NameSilo
NameSilo is another old-time favorite domain registrar among Reddit users. I’ve been using NameSilo on and off for years and my experience with them has been generally positive.
They increased their prices recently, but it’s still one of the cheapest places to register domains with free Whois privacy. Their web hosting isn’t that great so I’d only recommend this company for domain registration.
Pros
- Affordable registration and renewal rates
- Free domain and email forwarding
- Free Whois privacy
- Many payment options
Cons
- Not the best web hosting service
- Dashboard is a bit messy and outdated
Conclusion: Which is The Best Domain Registrar in 2024?
Overall, NameCheap, Spaceship, and Cloudflare are the top recommended domain registrars on Reddit that offer good value for money in 2024. I personally use NameCheap and Spaceship, both of which are good for beginners and small business owners. Cloudflare is better suited for developers and tech-savvy users.
How to Choose The Best Domain Registrar?
These are the most important criteria and factors to keep in mind when choosing a domain registrar:
- Renewal price: Look for a registrar that has reasonable renewal rates and avoid those that overcharge you for domain renewal.
- Whois privacy: Choose a registrar that offers full Whois privacy for free and avoid the ones that charge an additional fee for it.
- DNS service: Make sure that the registrar offers a free DNS service unless you’re gonna use a third-party DNS provider. Consider domain registrars who offer premium DNS for better security and speed.
- SSL certificates: If you need an SSL certificate, pick a registrar that sells those at a low price. You shouldn’t pay more than $10-$20 per year for a basic SSL certificate.
- Security: Opt for a domain registrar that has two-factor authentication for extra account security.
- Support: Make sure the support service is available around the clock via live chat, phone and/or email. Search for other users’ feedback about the company’s support service.
