A domain registrar is where you buy and manage domain names like yournewsletter.com. The right registrar makes it easy to set up your custom sending domain, configure DNS records, and keep your domain secure.
The most important factor? If you already have an account with a registrar and it's working fine, there's usually no compelling reason to switch. The differences between reputable registrars are marginal, and the hassle of transferring domains rarely justifies the savings.
When comparing registrars, you'll want to consider:
- Pricing transparency: Some registrars offer low first-year prices but charge significantly more on renewal. Look for consistent pricing.
- Included features: WHOIS privacy (hiding your personal info from public records), DNS hosting, and email forwarding are often sold separately, but many registrars include them for free.
- Transfer policies: Make sure you can easily transfer your domain to another registrar if needed.
- Price shopping by TLD: Prices vary wildly across different domain extensions. One registrar might be cheapest for
.combut expensive for.io. If you're buying multiple domains with different extensions, compare prices for each specific TLD.
Most registrars charge around $10-15/year for a .com domain. The main differences come down to what's included, how easy the interface is to use, and whether they try to upsell you on unnecessary add-ons.
Each price listed below is a composite of ten sample domains we checked across each registrar.
Which one should I use?
For most people: Porkbun or Cloudflare. Porkbun has transparent pricing, free WHOIS privacy, and the cheapest .io domains. Cloudflare sells at cost (no markup) but requires you to use their nameservers.
For developers: Cloudflare, Vercel, or DNSimple. All offer robust APIs. DNSimple requires a monthly subscription but has excellent DNS management features.
For simplicity: Squarespace (formerly Google Domains) or Hover. Both have clean interfaces with minimal upselling. Hover has no API access, which may matter if you're technical.
Avoid: GoDaddy and IONOS. Both use aggressive upselling tactics and have confusing pricing with high renewals.
Tool details
AWS Route 53 integrates tightly with other AWS services, making it ideal if you're already in that ecosystem. DNS hosting costs $0.50/month per hosted zone (not free like most others). No email forwarding built in.
Cloudflare sells domains at cost with zero markup. The catch: you must use Cloudflare's nameservers. If you're already using Cloudflare for CDN or security, this is a no-brainer. Free email forwarding, WHOIS privacy, and DNS hosting.
DNSimple is developer-focused with an excellent API and advanced DNS features. Requires a monthly subscription ($15+) on top of domain costs, so it's overkill for simple use cases but great for managing many domains programmatically.
DreamHost offers low intro pricing ($8 for .com) but renewals jump to ~$16. Free domain included with hosting plans. Full-featured with free SSL, email forwarding, and API access.
DynaDot has clean, transparent pricing and offers bulk discounts if you're registering multiple domains. Good API support and all the standard features included free.
Gandi.net was once known for "no bullshit" pricing, but renewal prices have increased significantly. Still includes free email forwarding and first-year SSL. Good API support.
GoDaddy is one of the largest registrars but notorious for aggressive upselling, confusing pricing, and dark patterns. Intro prices look cheap but renewals are high. We'd recommend avoiding them.
Hover has a clean, no-upsell interface that's refreshing compared to competitors. No API access, which limits automation. Renewal prices are slightly higher than average but consistent.
IONOS has extremely low first-year pricing ($1 for .com) but renewal jumps to ~$17. Heavy upselling in the interface. Proceed with caution.
Name.com is part of Identity Digital. WHOIS privacy costs extra ($4.99/year), unlike most competitors who include it free.
Namecheap offers good intro pricing ($7 for .com first year) with renewals around $15.88. Solid support and all standard features included. API access available.
Porkbun is highly rated for transparent pricing and quirky branding. Cheapest .io domains at $28/year. Everything included free: WHOIS privacy, DNS, SSL, email forwarding.
Squarespace (Google Domains) acquired Google Domains and maintains its clean interface. Consistent pricing without intro gimmicks. No API access, which may matter for developers.
Vercel is ideal if you're already hosting on Vercel. At-cost pricing similar to Cloudflare. No email forwarding, so you'll need a separate solution for that.
Any other noteworthy alternatives?
- Epik offers competitive pricing and has a loyal following among domain investors.
Why does this matter for newsletter authors?
If you're running a newsletter on Buttondown, you'll likely want to set up a custom sending domain to improve deliverability and brand recognition. Your domain registrar is where you'll add the DNS records (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) that make this work. A registrar with a clean interface and free DNS hosting makes this process much simpler.
Before migrating subscribers to a new domain, consider running your list through an email verification service to clean out invalid addresses and protect your sender reputation.
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Last updated: December 28, 2025, with a new round of price discovery.