Domain Registrars
Top Companies in 2026
HostGator vs Hover
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- Extensive video tutorials
- Scalable hosting and domain ecosystem
- Security-first operations
- Transparent billing
- Clean interface focused only on domains and email
- Free WHOIS privacy on supported extensions
- Transparent pricing
- Wide selection of over 300 domain extensions
- Renewal savings for portfolios with 10+ domains
- No free trial option
- Upselling and extra fees
- No web hosting, SSL certificates, or site-builder tools
- Higher prices than many budget-focused registrars
- Mixed feedback on billing and transfer support
- Limited advanced DNS record options
HostGator was founded in 2002 in Boca Raton, Florida, and has grown into one of the most recognizable names in domain registration and web hosting. They offer a full suite of services, including shared, VPS, dedicated, and WordPress hosting, as well as domain registration with clear pricing and transparent renewals. Their platform emphasizes ease of use, featuring an AI-powered domain generator, intuitive DNS management, automated renewals, and privacy protection options. Users can also access cPanel for streamlined hosting control and take advantage of free SSL certificates that enhance both site security and SEO performance. Customer experience remains a strong point for HostGator, supported by 24/7 availability through live chat, phone, and social media, along with a detailed Help Center offering video tutorials and a regularly updated blog. When it comes to pricing, HostGator’s domains start at $12.99 per year for .com extensions, with options like .site or .website available for under $1 for the first year.
Founded in 2009 and based in Toronto, this domain registrar operates as the retail division of Tucows, one of the largest ICANN-accredited providers worldwide. Their platform focuses on simplicity by offering hundreds of domain extensions, clear pricing, and an intuitive dashboard designed for easy domain and email management. They include free WHOIS privacy on supported domains, provide helpful tools for DNS configuration, and support users who manage anything from a single website to a larger portfolio. Customer feedback varies across review platforms, reflecting both positive experiences with ease of use and concerns about pricing or support responsiveness. Backed by a well-established parent company with a long history in the industry, this provider delivers a streamlined approach that appeals to users who prefer a clean, domain-focused service. Readers exploring different registrars may find their combination of transparency, reliability, and practical features worth a closer look.
- BBB Rating : 1-year
- Renewal Price (.com) : $17.99
- Bulk Management Tools : WHOIS privacy protection for $14.95 per year
- Starting Price (.com) : $12.95
- BBB Rating : F
- Renewal Price (.com) : $18.99/year
- Bulk Management Tools : Unavailable
- Starting Price (.com) : $14.99/year
- Marketplace : Unavailable
- Customer Experience : Good
- WHOIS Privacy : Free for life
- Number of TLDs : Over 300 available
- Money-Back Guarantee : Available (30 days)
- Comprehensive SSL coverage
- Scalable hosting and domain ecosystem
- AI and automation integration
- Free WHOIS privacy automatically included on eligible domains
- Hover Connect for quick integrations with major website platforms
- Bulk-discount renewals that lower costs as your portfolio grows
- Auto-Renewal—Undisclosed
- Domain Backordering—Undisclosed
- Domain Locking—Undisclosed
- Domain Marketplace or Auctions—Undisclosed
- Domain Transfers In/Out—Undisclosed
- Free ICANN Registration—Undisclosed
- Grace Period (Min. 30 Days)—Undisclosed
- International Domain Names—Undisclosed
- Supports DNSSEC—Undisclosed
- Supports Handshake / Blockchain Domains—Undisclosed
- Auto-Renewal
- Domain Backordering
- Domain Locking
- Domain Marketplace or Auctions
- Domain Transfers In/Out
- Free ICANN Registration
- Grace Period (Min. 30 Days)
- International Domain Names
- Supports DNSSEC
- Supports Handshake / Blockchain Domains
- API Access—Undisclosed
- Bulk Search/Registration Tools—Undisclosed
- Custom Nameservers—Undisclosed
- DNS Management—Undisclosed
- Reseller Program—Undisclosed
- API Access
- Bulk Search/Registration Tools
- Custom Nameservers
- DNS Management
- Reseller Program
- 24/7 Support Availability—Undisclosed
- Free SSL Certificate—Undisclosed
- Free WHOIS Privacy—Undisclosed
- GDPR-Compliant Privacy Policy—Undisclosed
- Knowledge Base—Undisclosed
- Protection from Unauthorized Changes—Undisclosed
- Registry Lock—Undisclosed
- Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)—Undisclosed
- 24/7 Support Availability
- Free SSL Certificate
- Free WHOIS Privacy
- GDPR-Compliant Privacy Policy
- Knowledge Base
- Protection from Unauthorized Changes
- Registry Lock
- Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
- Community Forum—Undisclosed
- —Undisclosed
- Live Chat—Undisclosed
- Phone—Undisclosed
- Social Media—Undisclosed
- Ticketing Support—Undisclosed
- Community Forum
- Live Chat
- Phone
- Social Media
- Ticketing Support
- Bank Transfers—Undisclosed
- Cryptocurrency—Undisclosed
- Major Credit Cards—Undisclosed
- PayPal—Undisclosed
- Provides Renewal Reminder—Undisclosed
- Bank Transfers
- Cryptocurrency
- Major Credit Cards
- PayPal
- Provides Renewal Reminder