Registrar ≠ Registry
Registry runs the TLD (Verisign for .com), registrar sells it to you (GoDaddy, Namecheap). You can’t buy direct from Verisign; picking the right retail partner affects price, support and security.
Core Comparison Table
GoDaddy: largest, $18.99 .com renewal, phone support 24/7, aggressive upsells. Namecheap: $13.98 renewal, free Whois privacy, live chat. Porkbun: $9.73 renewal, free privacy + SSL. Cloudflare: wholesale pricing ($9.15), no markup, but minimal hand-holding. Name.com: $15 renewal, slick UI, occasional flash sales.
Pricing Transparency
Always look at renewal cost in year two, not the 99¢ promo. Some registrars hide the renewal column until checkout; EU rules now force disclosure, but U.S. sites still play hide-and-seek.
Feature Checklist
- Free Whois privacy (GDPR-mandated but some still charge)
- Two-factor authentication (TOTP, not SMS-only)
- Easy DNS editor with CNAME flattening
- Domain lock + registry lock options
- 24/7 support (chat at minimum, phone preferred)
- No outbound transfer fee (ICANN allows up to $25)
Support Quality Test
Open a pre-sales chat asking, “How do I add TXT record for Google Workspace?” Measure response time and clarity. If they paste a generic KB link, move on. Good registrars walk you through the steps in under five minutes.
Transfer Policies
ICANN bars transfers within 60 days of creation or prior transfer. Some registrars add extra red tape (notarized documents). Read the Transfer Out section of their TOS before you commit.
Bulk Management
If you own 50+ domains, look for bulk edit tools, CSV import, and open API. Namecheap and Cloudflare shine here; smaller boutique registrars force one-by-one edits.
Red Flags
- Charges for EPP code
- Obstacle-course phone trees to unlock domain
- Upsells pre-checked in cart every single year
- Poor Trustpilot score (<4.2)
Final Recommendation Matrix
Cheapest long-term: Porkbun. Best support: GoDaddy if you like phones, Namecheap for chat. Tech-savvy: Cloudflare. API/Bulk: Cloudflare or Namecheap. Pick one primary and one backup registrar so you can move quickly if politics change.