Where to buy cheap domain name in 2025?
By David Nge | Last Updated: May 25, 2025
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By David Nge | Last Updated: May 25, 2025
My work is supported by affiliate commissions. Learn More
How does a domain cost $1… and then $20 next year?”
If you’ve ever tried buying a domain name, chances are you’ve seen incredible domain name promos for the first-year price, only to be smacked with an overpriced renewal fee later. Welcome to the wild world of domain registrars.
Domain name registrar can be sneaky with their pricing, that's why I'm here to demystify it. I'll break down for you how much a domain name costs long term, what you should look out for, and registrars where you can snag a value domain name for your next project.
Let’s jump right in.
Related: Do you know that you can build websites with a custom domain for free?
You can’t judge a domain registrar by its first year promotion alone. When evaluating where to register your domain, here’s what actually matters:
Below is a quick comparison of the most popular domain name registrars in the market.
| Registrar | First-Year (.com) | Renewal (.com) | WHOIS Privacy | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IONOS | $1.00 | $20.00 | ✅ Free | Includes free email inbox |
| Namecheap | $6.49 | $14.98 | ✅ Free | Good pricing + extras like SSL & email trials |
| Dynadot | $9.99 | $10.86 | ✅ Free | Great for bulk domains and privacy |
| Porkbun | $7.98 | $11.06 | ✅ Free | Transparent, no hidden fees |
| Cloudflare | $10.44 | $10.44 | ✅ Free | No markups, DNS/CDN included |
| Hostinger | $9.99 | $11+ | ✅ Free | Best for hosting + domain bundles |
Easy to use and they have a wide range of Top Level Domains (unique TLDs like .inc, .pro, etc) available. Best for Beginners and businesses who want a balance between cheap now and not-too-bad later.
Their domain service is essentially nonprofit: they sell thier domains at wholesale price, and you get access to their powerful DNS/CDN services. No upsells. No gimmicks.
Best for: Developers, power users, and anyone who hates surprises at renewal.
Porkbun is often overlooked, but they have one of the best deals around. No upsells, transparent pricing, and a weirdly charming website experience. They’re great for hobbyists, developers, or anyone who hates sketchy registrars.
If you’re watching every dollar, IONOS is compelling for the first year. But beware of the much higher renewal.
Best for side projects, short-term domains, or testing out ideas.
Dynadot is great if you’re managing a portfolio of domains. Their dashboard is clean, pricing is fair, and they don’t nickel-and-dime you.
Best for Agencies or businesses managing multiple domains.
You can get domains and hosting for less than the price of a sandwich. While pricing depends on the plan, it’s a smooth way to get everything you need in one place.
Best for Beginners launching a new website with hosting included.
A domain and hosting bundle can be a smart move if you intend to set up a new website and you’re not too picky about which registrar you use.
Many hosting companies offer free domain registration for the first year when you sign up for a hosting plan. A few popular examples:
1. Compare Renewal Rates (for both domain and hosting)
That $1.99/month may jump after year one and the domain could renew at at a higher cost as well. Always read the fine print.
2. Check for Free WHOIS Privacy
Not all hosting providers include this, which means your personal info could be publicly available. Hostinger includes it; Bluehost and HostGator usually do not. Again double check when you check out.
3. Make Sure You Can Transfer the Domain
Some bundles lock your domain for a year or more. Look for hosts that let you move it to another registrar as soon as after 60 days. Cloudflare or Namecheap offer this.
4. Watch Out for Upsells During Checkout:
Watch out if any of the hosting companies pre-select add-ons like site backups. security monitoring, SEO tools. Be sure to uncheck anything you don’t absolutely need.
Remember, these make sense only if you need the hosting. Otherwise, standalone registrars like Cloudflare or Namecheap will be cheaper long-term.
Not all extensions are priced equally. For example:
Do a quick check across multiple registrars to make sure you get the best price possible.
Here's how to decide:
No matter where you buy your domain, always double-check the renewal rate and read the fine print.
Not really. Domains are leased annually. There's no true lifetime domain purchase plan. But as long as you keep renewing it (and pay your bill), you retain full control over the domain indefinitely.
Yes, through Freenom, which offers domains like .tk, .ml, and .ga for free. However, you don’t legally own the domain. If your site isn’t getting traffic or doesn’t follow their terms, Freenom can revoke it without notice.
A fair price range from $6-$8 for the first year and $8-$15 for renewals. Anything beyond that should come with substantial added value (like premium support or hosting bundles).
Less demand. TLDs like .xyz, .icu, or .sbs are newer and often used in promotions to attract new buyers. They’re cheaper to license, and registrars pass on those savings. While perfectly valid, they’re not as trusted as .com in most markets.
David Nge is the founder and writer behind MakingThatWebsite.com. Since launching in 2021, he’s been on a mission to help non-techies—especially small business owners—build better websites using easy-to-learn tools and smart, time-saving strategies. He specializes in website builders, SEO, and practical AI tutorials for small business owners.
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