Key takeaways:
- Many registrars offer low introductory rates, but their renewal fees can greatly increase over time. Always compare both initial and long-term renewal prices to save money.
- Reputable registrars offer free perks like domain privacy protection and SSL certificates. These free add-ons can prevent you from spending extra money on security and privacy features later on.
- You need prompt assistance if you encounter technical issues with your domain. Choose an ICANN-accredited registrar with positive reviews regarding their customer support quality.
As a small business owner who has just started their venture, it’s ideal to go for cheap business decisions. But if you’re hesitant about registering a domain for a lower price because of quality concerns, don’t worry.
“Cheap” doesn’t always mean low standard. Sometimes, it means “best value for your money.”
This article will cover some of the cheapest domain registrars for small businesses and discuss a few factors to consider when choosing one.
6 best value domain registrars
A domain registrar is an entity that sells and manages internet domain names. When you want to create a website, you buy your unique domain name from one of these registrars, and they register it with a domain registry.
This process ensures that no one else can use your chosen domain name. Here are six budget-friendly domain registrars that are ideal for small businesses:
- Network Solutions
- Namecheap
- IONOS
- Dynadot
- Porkbun
- Cloudflare Registrar
Network Solutions
Network Solutions is a solid option for an affordable domain registrar. Initial registration for our .com domains costs only $11.99 for the first year, while .net domains cost $14.99.
With hundreds of other domain extensions available, we give you plenty of choices under $15 for initial registration, even if you’re after niche domains like .company, .app, or .business.
Features
- Free one month of Starter Hosting plan that renews at $8 per month for a one-year term
- An AI-powered website builder, FTP tools, and several open-source applications
- Can be forwarded to an existing website
If you choose to host your website with us, our Essential and Premium Hosting plans includes a free domain for the first year (.com, .net, .org, .info, .store, .biz, or .us extensions). You can also get other features like:
- An AI-powered website builder
- A free Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) certificate for the first year
- 20 GB disk space (Essential) and 40 GB disk space (Premium)
- 1,000 email boxes (Essential) and Unlimited email boxes (Premium)
- 50 FTP accounts (Essential) and Unlimited FTP accounts (Premium)
- Unmetered bandwidth
On top of that, we provide other domain services, such as Domain Privacy + Protection free for the first month and Domain Expiration Protection at reasonable rates.
The former protects your private information in the public WHOIS database, while the latter keeps your domain safe in case of failed renewal transactions.
Additionally, we offer Domain Transfer and Domain Forwarding services. These make switching providers easy and ensure your site gets all the traffic when users click on multiple versions of your domain.
Pricing
| Domain extension | Initial registration price | Renewal price |
|---|---|---|
| .com | $11.99 | $28.99 |
| .net | $14.99 | $32.99 |
| .org | $14.99 | $34.99 |
Note: Prices are accurate as of July 2025 and may change at any time. For the most up-to-date pricing, please contact us directly.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Wide selection of top-level domains (TLDs) | Lack of advanced features for tech-savvy users |
| Easy domain registration and management | Limited free inclusions |
| 24/7 customer support (via chat) | |
| Comprehensive domain services | |
| Reliable domain security features |
Namecheap
Namecheap is another option for those looking for a low-cost domain registrar. They offer competitive introductory pricing, starting at $12.98 for the first year for a top-level domain (TLD) like .net, and a good selection of unique domain extensions.
Additionally, Namecheap is known for their frequent sales and discounts. For example, new customers can get a .com domain with a discounted price of $6.49.
It applies to new customers’ first-year registrations and is limited to one domain purchase per user or household.
Features
- Free domain privacy protection for life
- Free private email plan (with a two-month free trial, renews at $14.88/yr)
- Free Domain Name System Security Extensions (DNSSEC) security to prevent malicious attacks
Like Network Solutions, Namecheap also offers Shared Hosting plans that include a free domain with your annual hosting plan (.fun, .host, .online, .site, .press, and more).
Plus, you get the following features with all their Shared Hosting plans:
- AI website builder
- AI tools
- Free SSL certificates for the first year
- Unmetered bandwidth
You can also take advantage of Namecheap’s user-friendly account panel where you can easily manage your domain. Plus, you can use their URL forwarding feature to direct visitors to your existing social media or eCommerce website.
Pricing
| Domain extension | Initial registration price | Renewal price |
|---|---|---|
| .com | $11.28 | $16.98 |
| .net | $12.98 | $16.98 |
| .org | $7.48 | $14.98 |
Note: These prices are subject to change. Please contact the provider directly for more up-to-date pricing.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Cost-effective introductory rates | Performance issues for high-traffic sites |
| User-friendly control panel | Limited customer service |
| Free domain privacy |
IONOS
IONOS is one of the cheapest domain registrars that offers value for money. Currently, the lowest introductory price they offer is for the .website domain, which costs $0.50. As for other domain extensions, such as .tech, .info, and .online, their initial registration fees cost $1.
Like Namecheap, IONOS is also known for offering constant discounts, particularly for new customers. And beyond domains, they provide a range of valuable tools for small businesses, including:
- Hosting
- Website creation
Features
All domain registrations with IONOS come with comprehensive features, such as:
- A Wildcard SSL certificate per contract to protect your domain’s data and all its related subdomains
- Domain Connect to link your domain with any IONOS product, social media, and 110+ third-party services
- Domain Lock to prevent unauthorized parties from changing, transferring, or hijacking your domain
- Free private domain registration
- 24/7 customer support
- A professional email address + 2 GB of mailbox space with your initial contract
- Can create up to 10,000 subdomains
Pricing
| Domain extension | Initial registration price | Renewal price |
|---|---|---|
| .com | $1 | $20 |
| .net | $5 | $20 |
| .org | $3 | $20 |
Note: These prices are subject to change. Please contact the provider directly for more up-to-date pricing.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Low introductory pricing | Domain transfer challenges |
| Free domain (for the first year) included in their web hosting packages | Hidden fees for add-ons or premium features |
| No hidden Internet Corporation of Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) fees |
Dynadot
Dynadot offers low initial registration fees for several extensions. Like .shop, for instance, which costs $1.49, while .store and .online cost $2.50. These low prices make Dynadot a cost-effective choice for small businesses that are just starting to take off.
Features
When you register your domain with Dynadot, you get features like:
- A drag-and-drop website builder
- Domain privacy protection
- A DNS management feature to easily set up for subdomain creation, email forwarding, and domain forwarding
- Custom email address
One notable feature this platform provides is its Bulk Domain Search, which lets you search for and register multiple domains at once. This tool is available to registered and non-registered users.
Pricing
| Domain extension | Initial registration price | Renewal price |
|---|---|---|
| .com | $10.88 | $10.88 |
| .net | $12.52 | $12.52 |
| .org | $6.99 | $10.53 |
Note: These prices are subject to change. Please contact the provider directly for more up-to-date pricing.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Transparent pricing | No integrated web hosting services |
| Intuitive domain management dashboard | Website builder limitations |
| Bulk Domain Search |
Porkbun
Porkbun consistently offers competitive pricing for their domains, especially for the first year of registration. You’ll often find introductory offers that make popular extensions highly affordable.
For example, you can secure .beauty and .club domains for as low as $1.54 for the first year. Meanwhile, you can get .today for $2.06 and .fitness for $5.66.
While some initial registration prices are for the first year, Porkbun generally maintains reasonable renewal rates. This makes this registrar a low-cost option for long-term purposes.
Features
Every Porkbun domain registration comes with the following:
- WHOIS privacy
- SSL certificates
- URL forwarding
- Email forwarding
- DNS management powered by Cloudflare
They also offer paid add-on services like:
- Web hosting
- Email hosting
- Domain transfers
Lastly, you can leverage their Quick Connect feature, which enables you to link your domain to third-party website builders, such as:
- Weebly
- Squarespace
- Wix
Pricing
| Domain extension | Initial registration price | Renewal price |
|---|---|---|
| .com | $11.08 | $11.08 |
| .net | $12.52 | $12.52 |
| .org | $6.88 (for the first year; ongoing sale) | $10.74 |
Note: These prices are subject to change. Please contact the provider directly for more up-to-date pricing.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Extensive TLD selection and availability | Limited advanced hosting features compared to competitors |
| User-friendly domain management | Fewer integrated marketing tools |
| Fast domain transfers |
Cloudflare Registrar
Cloudflare offers domain registration at wholesale prices. This means they don’t add any markup to the cost domain registries charge them.
You only pay what Cloudflare pays, which helps avoid hidden fees or inflated renewal costs. This approach makes them one of the most budget-friendly domain registrars.
Features
Upon registering a domain with Cloudflare, you get immediate access to their reliable suite of performance and security tools. This includes features like:
- One-click DNSSEC activation
- Two-factor authentication
- Domain lock
- WHOIS privacy protection
These built-in features ensure your domain remains secure and help you avoid additional costs when dealing with cyberattacks.
Pricing
| Domain extension | Initial registration price | Renewal price |
|---|---|---|
| .com | $10.44 | $10.44 |
| .net | $11.84 | $11.84 |
| .org | $7.50 | $10.11 |
Note: These prices are subject to change. Please contact the provider directly for more up-to-date pricing.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| No additional fees or markups | Domain transfer restrictions |
| No upsells and unnecessary add-ons | Can’t use third-party DNS servers |
| Supports over 390 of the most popular TLDs |
What to consider when choosing a low-cost domain registrar
Apart from the introductory prices, you should also look at other factors when finding a cost-effective domain registrar. These aspects can help you reduce your total costs in the long run as a small business owner.
Consider the following factors:
- Initial registration price vs. renewal fees
- Features
- Transfer costs
- Customer support
- Reputation
So, how do you pick a good, affordable domain registrar? Let’s break it down.
Initial registration price vs. renewal fees
As you plan to buy a domain name, the initial price is only part of the bigger picture. Many registrars offer tempting low prices for your first year, but then greatly increase the cost when it’s time to renew.
Some registrars are transparent about their pricing, while others might hide higher renewal rates in their terms and conditions. Before you commit, find out exactly what you’ll pay each year after the initial registration period.
Paying a little more upfront for a registrar with consistent pricing can save you a lot of money in the long run.
Features
Many domain registrars include features with your domain registration that help you avoid spending more money on separate services.
Some of these common features are WHOIS privacy and an SSL certificate. Find registrars that offer these as part of their standard package.
Other useful features to look out for are:
- Basic email forwarding
- Simple DNS management tools
- A basic website builder
Evaluating these inclusions lets you choose a registrar that gives you the most value beyond the domain name itself.
Transfer costs
Most domain transfers involve a small fee, which often includes an additional year of registration that extends your domain’s expiration date. Meaning, transferring your domain can sometimes be cheaper than simply renewing it with your current registrar.
Before you initiate a transfer, confirm any fees your current registrar might charge to release your domain. Also, check what the new registrar charges for the transfer itself. Knowing these potential costs helps you plan and avoid unexpected expenses if you switch providers.
Customer support
Good customer support from a domain registrar is important, especially for new small business owners. You might encounter technical issues with your domain name, like connecting it to your website or adjusting DNS settings.
When you encounter issues, you need quick and useful assistance to get your site back online or resolve configuration errors.
Look for registrars that offer multiple support channels and confirm their availability. It’s best if you choose a platform that has all three of these modes of communication:
- Live chat
- Phone support
Read reviews about a registrar’s support quality to help you gauge their team’s responsiveness and knowledge.
Reputation
You basically entrust your website’s online address to domain registrars, so choose a company with a strong track record. Before you register a domain, research the registrar’s standing in the industry.
Look for reviews on independent platforms and check if the registrar is ICANN accredited. It also helps to find out how long they’ve been in business.
Other factors you can expect from a reputable domain registrar include:
- Stable service
- Reliable domain protection features
- Secure data handling
Find the best value for your domain name with Network Solutions
Finding the right domain registrar on a limited budget is achievable. As technology advances, the quality of domain services and their features continue to improve while remaining affordable. Choose the right registrar that will give you the proper resources for your needs.
However, while budget-friendly options exist, not all cheap domains provide the best long-term value. Finding the right balance between affordability and quality is important.
Network Solutions has the services a small business or a startup needs to build their first website—all at competitive prices. Plus, with a hosting purchase, you can get a free domain for the first year.
Register your domain with us today!
Frequently asked questions
Yes, some registrars offer free domain registrations like Freenom. But, they usually come with less common domain extensions like .tk or .ml. Additionally, many web hosting companies include a free domain name for the first year when you sign up for their hosting plans.
Always check the terms, as these free offers might have limitations or higher renewal fees later.
To renew a domain cheaply, you should compare renewal rates across different registrars, as these can vary greatly from the initial registration price.
Consider transferring your domain to a registrar known for transparent and low renewal fees. Also, look out for promotional offers or discounts that some registrars provide for renewals.
Cheaper domain registrars aren’t necessarily less reliable, but you still need to be cautious.
Many reputable registrars offer competitive pricing for the first year; however, some less established ones might have hidden fees or poor customer support.
Opt for an ICANN-accredited registrar to ensure they meet industry standards for security and service.
Yes, some cheap domain registrars are reliable for long-term business, given that you research them thoroughly.
To help you choose, find registrars with transparent pricing and excellent customer support. You should also include security features like two-factor authentication and WHOIS privacy in your checklist.
