After deciding on a name for your website, the next step is choosing a domain registrar.
The process of registering your domain isn’t difficult, but it’s a key step. Yet, when it comes to choosing an affordable registrar, it's not just about the price. It’s also about the features, privacy protection, ease of setup, and customer support. While there are some more affordable options in our list of 10 registrars, there are pros and cons to each.
In this guide, we'll cover everything you need to know to help you choose the domain registrar that best fits your needs. From pros and cons to detailed overviews, we'll discuss what to look for when comparing registrars and provide the necessary information to make your decision easier.
Why cheap domain registrars matter
Before diving into specific features, it helps to know how domain registration works and why cost plays a big role. The domain registrar is the service authorized to register and oversee your chosen domain's technical setup. They interact with ICANN to keep domain records accurate and guarantee your domain name points to the right address. Paying attention to pricing differences — from first-year deals to renewals — can save you money down the road.
Things to check before buying a domain
Not all domain registrars are the same. Pricing and services offered vary. Some work independently of hosting services, while others work exclusively with web hosting companies for a more seamless user experience. That said, consider these features when choosing a domain registrar:
- Cost
- Ease of use
- Privacy
- Associated services
- Support
- Possible pitfalls to avoid
Overview of features
Keep an eye on what each registrar offers beyond the initial domain cost...
Cost
You’ll find that domain prices vary widely, often dependent on the extension. Some extensions are more desirable than others, hence the higher cost. Even if an extension is unfamiliar to you, it’s wise to consider all of your options. Since they’re newer, you may luck out and get a really cool domain name for branding purposes and SEO.
Watch out for registration prices that skyrocket after the first year. While the headline cost may look appealing, renewals can jump significantly once your introductory period ends.
The prices for domain registration can range from $0.99–$20 per year on average. Demand plays a significant role in the price. Some so-called premium domains, such as .auto or .jobs, can run even higher. That’s another reason you should give careful thought to your choice of an extension with cheap domain names.
The other pricing factor is the availability of a domain name. Unfortunately, just because your heart is set on a particular domain name doesn’t mean you’ll get it, especially if you’re trying to score a .com domain. Nevertheless, most domain registrars will offer other suggestions that may include the name you want with different domain extensions.
One thing you should check is the price difference between buying a new domain and its renewal cost. Often, the first year is reasonably priced, while subsequent years boast a heftier price tag. Also, look for what the cost includes. Does it offer an SSL certificate, available hosting packages, and e-commerce offerings? Determine your needs and align them with the platform’s offer that best suits them. Not every offer is the same, as they vary from platform to platform.
Pro tip: The best domains have short and memorable names. Lengthy URLs are harder to remember, meaning you could miss out on potential visitors.
Ease of use
Consider how easy (or difficult) it'll be to set up your new domain or transfer one if it exists elsewhere. This area is where you want to pay attention to any hidden fees. Some domain registrars may charge extra for either of these services. The cost you see may only be the ICANN fees combined with the cost to register the domain name, not transfer it.
Usually, once you’re good to go, you won’t visit the domain registrar’s website until it’s time for renewal. Some sites are less user-friendly than others. However, you should be able to find what you need to do with a well-written, detailed tutorial to walk you through the renewal process.
Privacy
When you first register a site, you’ll need to provide contact information for the website administrator. It’s an ICANN requirement to put the contact info in the Whois database, so don’t get frustrated by having to provide your name, address, and phone number. Every domain has this information available publicly.
You’ll find that domain registrars offer varying degrees of Whois privacy with ICANN. Some provide this service for free as long as you keep your site with them. Others will offer a free first year and charge for it afterward. Some treat it as an add-on service for a price.
Pro tip: You’ll receive notifications to verify your info every year. Make sure it’s current; otherwise, you may miss your renewal and domain name. Trust us, missing your renewal is a pain.
Associated services
Many domain registrars offer add-on services by default, such as domain privacy and hosting, and some for an additional fee. We suggest reviewing the charges carefully before you hit ‘Pay Now.’ Also, check if they include these additional services in the renewal pricing, as some domain registrars may include these add-on services only as a first-year promotional offer.
Support
Tech support is very important if you have issues with a domain name. We appreciate an extensive knowledge base, but it’s also essential to have a means to contact a live person. We suggest checking out the options for getting help by email, phone, or chat. After all, customer support is paramount, whether you’re trying to change your nameservers or configure your DNS.
Pro tip: Don’t forget to check the support hours. While many domain registrars provide 24/7 help, others may have set times that can leave you hanging if you need help on a weekend.
Registration and renewal pricing
Transparency is another feature that stands out regarding renewal pricing. Not every domain registrar offers the same pricing for both initial registration and renewals. We suggest checking out the fine print no matter which one you choose. The best domain name registrars make the process seamless without a pushy sales pitch.
Possible pitfalls to avoid
Hidden fees are a frequent source of frustration about domain registrars, especially the cheapest domain offerings. That’s why we suggest taking your time through the checkout process. Another annoying pitfall is the auto-renewal for your domain name registration. Be sure to check if it’s turned on by default. Also, find out if the registrar reminds you before they run your credit card. We appreciate domain name registrars that let users know 30 days, 15 days, and 5 days before the domain expires and they charge your card.
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10 best cheap domain registrars
Here are some of the best cheap domain registrars to consider.
| Registrar | Starting Price | Renewal |
|---|---|---|
| Namecheap | $11.28/yr (.com) | $16.88/yr |
| GoDaddy | $0.01/yr (.com for first year) | $21.99/yr |
| NameSilo | Day-to-day promos (.com ~ $10.95) | $17.29/yr |
| Domain.com | $8–$15 (varies) | $12–$18 (varies) |
| BuyDomains | Varies by domain | Varies |
| Hover | $18.99/yr (.com) | $18.99/yr |
| HostGator | $12.99/yr (.com) | $19.99/yr |
| Bluehost | $12.99/yr (.com) | $19.99/yr |
| OVHcloud | $11.75/yr (.com) | $11.75/yr |
| Porkbun | $11.08/yr (.com) | $11.08/yr |
1. Namecheap
Namecheap offers several eye-catching benefits, starting with its low prices. The first-year costs are quite affordable for TLDs. Namecheap also offers free goodies that many will appreciate, including privacy protection for life — no one can access your Whois information. The domain registrar also provides DNSSEC to protect the security of your website and its DNS.
Namecheap will give you a free professional email address, but it’s just for a two-month trial. After that, you’ll have to pay for one of their three subscription plans. The beginner tier doesn’t offer a lot, making it a poor choice for businesses. While Namecheap doesn’t have phone support, chat is available 24/7 if you have any problems with your domain name.
Pros:
- Excellent live chat support
- Free WhoisGuard privacy protection
- Intuitive, user-friendly interface
- A decent slate of additional services, such as a VPN
Cons:
- No phone customer support
- Higher renewal costs for ongoing domain registration
Currently, Namecheap frequently offers promotional codes for domain registration. Check their coupons page to secure a discount before checkout.
Best for: Small businesses seeking a range of hosting services at an affordable cost.
Overall value: A solid pick if you want low-cost privacy and a straightforward interface, though expect average renewal fees.
2. GoDaddy
GoDaddy offers a complete website service with both domain registrar and web hosting plans at several price points. It also has name recognition going for it since it’s been around so long. While its prices are more expensive, GoDaddy offers a decent lineup of domain extensions and three levels of privacy protection, including malicious domain transfers.
GoDaddy allows up to 100 subdomains, making it an excellent choice for small businesses. You can also purchase domains in bulk, and the domain management interface has improved in recent years.
The company has 24/7 phone support but limited live chat. GoDaddy also offers Linux servers for experienced users. One thing we didn’t like is the nickel-and-dime approach to additional services on its hosting packages.
Pros:
- Complete service
- Easy checkout process
- Extensive selection of domain extensions
Cons:
- Extra costs for additional services
- Pushy upsells
- Higher priced renewals
Currently, GoDaddy offers occasional coupons for first-year domain registration. Check their promotions page or search for valid coupon codes before checkout.
Best for: Businesses or individuals seeking cheap domain registrars, domain auctions, and broker services.
Overall value: Great for brand recognition and quick domain setups, but watch out for upsells and higher renewal costs.
3. NameSilo
NameSilo is a low-cost domain registrar known for having some of the cheapest domains, particularly for discounted bulk pricing. With free email forwarding, Whois Privacy protection, domain defender protection, custom Whois Records, and DNS management, NameSilo offers a full suite of hassle-free domain, web hosting, and email hosting services, including enterprise-level security and 24/7 customer support every day of the year — yup, all 365 days.
Unfortunately, NameSilo does not offer SSL certification as a part of their base pricing; instead, SSL certifications start at $9.59 a year. Further, domain-based email hosting is limited to Titan or Google Suite. Businesses or individuals using Microsoft or other email platforms will need to migrate to one of the two services to get NameSilo’s email hosting service or make do with email forwarding.
Pros:
- Free WHOIS Privacy protection
- Free custom WHOIS Records
- Free DNS management
- Free domain defender protection
- Free email forwarding
- Discount pricing on bulk domains
- 24/7 customer support
Cons:
- Base pricing doesn’t include SSL certification
NameSilo may provide coupon codes or bulk purchase discounts. Check their website or trusted coupon sites for potential savings.
Best for: Businesses, organizations, or individuals seeking a premium, low-cost domain registrar with quality support, including web hosting and email hosting services.
Overall value: Offers budget-friendly deals and strong support, but remember SSL certification costs extra.
4. Domain.com
The name only scratches the surface of the services that Domain.com offers. They start with domains and branch out into much more. The domain registrar has over 300 TLDs, making it an excellent choice if you have a small, niche market. They also offer web hosting with a DIY website builder interface that is easy to use.
The downside is that the checkout process isn’t streamlined. The checkout process can feel cluttered with optional add-ons. If you do opt to use Domain.com’s web hosting, you can bundle it with your domain. That’s one reason you need to consider both pieces when choosing a domain registrar, especially if you don’t have tech experience.
Pros:
- One-stop service
- Unlimited subdomains with all hosting plans
- Over 300 TLDs
Cons:
- The checkout process can feel cluttered with optional add-ons
- Limited support team response
- Higher renewal prices
- Extra cost for privacy protection
Domain.com sometimes offers seasonal sales. Keep an eye on their promos or coupon sites for potential deals.
Best for: Businesses, organizations, or individuals looking for unique domain extensions.
Overall value: Handy if you want many TLD options, but expect a cluttered checkout experience and potentially higher renewal fees.
5. BuyDomains
BuyDomains’ name says it all. That’s their business model: snatching up and selling premium domains. This site is great if you want to get a specific name for SEO and you’re willing to pay the price. It’s not so good if you’re the person who lost their domain because it expired. BuyDomains will handle transfers — for a price.
That said, BuyDomains isn’t like other registrars. They’re in the secondary market as a reseller. That means the pricing depends on the domain name and its popularity. You can easily pay into four or more figures for the right domain. They also offer web hosting services if you want an all-in-one service for small business owners researching registration services.
Pros:
- Excellent customer support
- Ideal for users in search of a particular name
Cons:
- History of buying up expired domains, sometimes inappropriately
While premium domains can be expensive, BuyDomains may occasionally offer promotions on standard domain purchases or transfers. Check their site or coupon listings for possible savings.
Best for: Businesses, organizations, or individuals seeking to purchase premium domains at a premium price.
Overall value: Ideal if you're set on a premium domain and can afford it, otherwise standard domains may be pricey.
6. Hover
Hover isn’t the best source of cheap domain names, but the domain and email hosting platform is more transparent than a lot of domain registrars. They increase prices for renewals, but not as drastically as GoDaddy. Hover throws in free Whois privacy protection, taking the sting away from the uptick in the renewal price. The domain registration process is simple, with upfront pricing to make it even more straightforward.
Unlike many other services, Hover goes the extra mile to help you set up your site with third-party hosting packages. They also offer bulk pricing, a boon if you want to buy several domains simultaneously. They score high marks on the support front, too. Their support team provides an online ticket system, chat, and phone options, making Hover a perfect domain registrar for artists, creatives, freelancers, and small businesses alike.
Pros:
- Simple checkout process
- Sales on domain extensions
- Free Whois Privacy protection
- Bulk pricing
Cons:
- No additional services available
Hover occasionally runs promotional deals. It's worth checking their site or searching online for any active coupon codes.
Best for: Businesses or organizations seeking discounted bulk pricing.
Overall value: Transparent pricing with minimal upsells, though renewal costs remain on the higher side.
7. HostGator
HostGator is an older domain registrar known for their user-friendly features. They also offer a free domain if you host your website through them — an attractive offer if you’re new to running a website. Like many services we reviewed, the discounted pricing is reasonable for one year.
HostGator offers several support options, making it easy to get answers to your questions, which beginners will appreciate. However, domain prices are slightly higher when considering the renewal increase. While HostGator offers domain locking, privacy comes at a cost. If you opt for it, there are tons of upsells through the registration process and hosting. They do offer a 45-day money-back guarantee if you bundle your purchase.
Pros:
- Intuitive, user-friendly interface
- Excellent knowledge base
- Free domain with a hosting plan
- 24/7 year-round support
Cons:
- Higher renewal costs
- Whois Privacy protection not included in pricing
HostGator often offers discounts for annual hosting or domain bundles. Watch their promotions page for coupon codes.
Best for: Businesses, organizations, or individuals seeking a popular domain registrar with web hosting services and 24/7 customer support year-round.
Overall value: A user-friendly service with decent bundles for new site owners, though domain privacy costs extra.
8. Bluehost
Bluehost is another all-in-one service for small businesses if you’re starting from the ground up with your website and need a web host. Bluehost offers value-priced web hosting plans. Your domain is free if you choose any of their subscriptions. Managing your domain is easy with its cPanel interface for handling things like nameservers. Bluehost’s hosted websites are monitored 24/7 — so you can rest assured that your domain is safe.
Pros:
- A decent lineup of other services
- Affordable web hosting plans with a free domain
- Unlimited subdomains
- No pushy add-on sell
Cons:
- Higher renewal prices
Bluehost frequently offers special promotions with domain and hosting bundles. Keep track of ongoing deals for extra savings.
Best for: Small businesses looking for a full suite of web hosting services, including domain registrar with a user-friendly interface.
Overall value: Good all-in-one web hosting and domain arrangement, but be prepared for typical renewal hikes.
9. OVHcloud
OVHcloud has it all. This leading global domain registrar offers VPS (virtual private server) cloud services and web hosting, and it also has some of the cheapest domain names and domain name extensions on the market.
OVHcloud offers protection against DNS server attacks, including protection against fraudulent transfer requests. They also provide domain redirects and DNS redirection management to easily direct your domain name to a webpage, as well as subdomains and email addresses to websites, right from the in-platform OVHcloud control panel.
Pros:
- Free domain name with select web hosting plans
- 800+ domain name extensions
- DNS server protection, including fraudulent transfer requests
- DNS redirection management
- Offers affordable VPS services
Cons:
- Limited customer support
- Higher domain reactivation pricing
OVHcloud runs specials throughout the year for domain registrations and cloud services. Search for coupons or check their site for updates.
Best for: Businesses and organizations looking for a reliable, global domain registrar with a wide range of cloud services and web hosting services.
Overall value: Global reach and stable pricing, though limited support might be a drawback for some users.
10. Porkbun
Named the #1 domain registrar by USA Today, Porkbun is an ICANN-accredited domain name registrar offering cheap domains, web hosting, and email hosting. Boasting premium features for every Porkbun registered domain, individuals and businesses can enjoy free Whois Privacy, SSL certifications, URL forwarding, email forwarding, as well as Cloudflare DNS management.
What makes Porkbun stand out as an emerging favorite is the domain registrar’s comprehensive customer support services, providing USA-based phone support, email, and chat, as well as an extensive knowledge base — perfect for every customer type.
Pros:
- Hundreds of domain name extensions (TLDs) available
- Standout customer support
- Free Whois Privacy protection
- Free SSL Certificates
- Free URL & email forwarding
- Free Cloudflare DNS management
Cons:
- Pricier premium domains
- Base pricing doesn’t include email hosting
Porkbun has seasonal discounts for domain registrations. Check their promotions page or coupon sites for current offers.
Best for: Businesses, organizations, or individuals looking for a low-cost domain name registrar with premium web hosting, email hosting, and domain auction services.
Overall value: Impressive freebies alongside low pricing, especially if you catch one of their promotional deals.
Finding the right domain registrar
While snagging a domain for a dollar may be tempting, the longer-term renewal fees can catch you off guard. Always factor in what you'll pay after the first year before committing.
Domain registrars vary significantly. Some are more user-friendly, some offer various protection and security services, and some charge higher domain renewal prices. Our advice is to check out the fine print no matter which one you choose. Again, the best domain name registrars often avoid pushy sales pitches.
Although it’s tricky to pinpoint a winner for cheapest domain registration, NameSilo is a true contender. While the domain registrar doesn't offer SSL certification with its domain pricing, NameSilo offers 24/7, 365-day customer support for phone, email, and chat — covering all bases for everyday communication. The registrar frequently lists domains starting at $0.99, which is appealing for those wanting a budget-friendly deal.
Once you register your domain, host it with Webflow. With Site plans available for every type of website, you can connect your custom domain to your Webflow website in minutes.
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