Namecheap vs Porkbun 2025: Which Budget Registrar is Better?
Compare Namecheap vs Porkbun domain pricing and features. Both offer low prices and free WHOIS privacy—find out which is the better value.
Namecheap and Porkbun are both beloved by price-conscious domain buyers, but they're targeting slightly different audiences. Namecheap is the established player with 15+ years of reputation for transparent pricing and no-nonsense service. Porkbun is the newer challenger that's gaining rapid popularity with even lower prices and a quirky, developer-friendly brand.
Both registrars include free WHOIS privacy and avoid the aggressive upselling common at larger registrars. The differences come down to pricing nuances, TLD selection, and ecosystem features. This comparison will help you decide which budget-friendly registrar deserves your business.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Namecheap | Porkbun |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Winner | ✓ Winner | |
| Best Pricing | ✓ Best prices | |
| Best Renewals | ✓ Lower renewals | |
| Best Features | Similar | |
| Best Support | ✓ Better support |
Full Price Comparison (21 TLDs)
Select which price to compare
| TLD | Namecheap | Porkbun | Winner | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| .ai | $39.99 | $72.40 | Namecheap | $32.41/yr |
| .app | $22.98 | $14.93 | Porkbun | $8.05/yr |
| .biz | $24.98 | $16.99 | Porkbun | $7.99/yr |
| .blog | $32.98 | $21.11 | Porkbun | $11.87/yr |
| .co | $39.98 | $27.09 | Porkbun | $12.89/yr |
| .com | $18.08 | $11.08 | Porkbun | $7.00/yr |
| .de | - | $4.07 | - | - |
| .dev | $20.98 | $12.87 | Porkbun | $8.11/yr |
| .info | $32.98 | $20.08 | Porkbun | $12.90/yr |
| .io | $66.98 | $46.65 | Porkbun | $20.33/yr |
| .me | $23.98 | $17.27 | Porkbun | $6.71/yr |
| .net | $18.58 | $12.52 | Porkbun | $6.06/yr |
| .online | $34.98 | $26.26 | Porkbun | $8.72/yr |
| .org | $15.98 | $10.74 | Porkbun | $5.24/yr |
| .shop | $48.98 | $31.41 | Porkbun | $17.57/yr |
| .site | $27.98 | $26.26 | Porkbun | $1.72/yr |
| .so | $68.98 | - | - | - |
| .store | $50.98 | $41.71 | Porkbun | $9.27/yr |
| .tech | $47.98 | $46.86 | Porkbun | $1.12/yr |
| .us | $10.98 | $7.00 | Porkbun | $3.98/yr |
| .xyz | $13.98 | $12.98 | Porkbun | $1.00/yr |
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Namecheap
Pros
- ✓ Established reputation (15+ years in business)
- ✓ Free WHOIS privacy on all domains
- ✓ Consistently low renewal rates
- ✓ Strong track record for security
- ✓ Comprehensive knowledge base and guides
- ✓ Reliable 24/7 support via chat/email
- ✓ Good selection of hosting and email services
Cons
- ✗ Slightly higher prices than Porkbun on many TLDs
- ✗ Interface feels dated compared to newer competitors
- ✗ No phone support
- ✗ API less developer-friendly than Porkbun's
- ✗ SSL certificates cost extra (not free)
Porkbun
Pros
- ✓ Often $1-2 cheaper per year than Namecheap
- ✓ Free SSL certificates included
- ✓ Modern, user-friendly interface
- ✓ Excellent API for developers
- ✓ Free WHOIS privacy included
- ✓ Generous referral program
- ✓ Fun, approachable brand personality
Cons
- ✗ Newer company with less track record (founded 2015)
- ✗ Smaller support team (longer wait times possible)
- ✗ Less educational content/documentation
- ✗ No dedicated business/enterprise services
- ✗ Smaller ecosystem than Namecheap
Compare All Namecheap vs Porkbun Prices
Use our interactive comparison tool to see live pricing across all 2100+ TLDs, filter by price type, and find the best deals.
Compare All TLDsFrequently Asked Questions
1 Is Porkbun cheaper than Namecheap?
For most popular TLDs, yes. Porkbun is typically $1-3 cheaper per year for .com, .net, .org, and many other extensions. However, pricing can vary by TLD and promotions, so check current prices for your specific domain. Both registrars are transparent about renewal pricing, unlike registrars that hide renewal costs.
2 Which is more reliable: Namecheap or Porkbun?
Namecheap has a longer track record (since 2000) and serves millions more customers, giving it more proven reliability. However, Porkbun has built a strong reputation since 2015 with no major outages or security incidents. Both are reliable choices for most users. If you're managing critical domains for a large business, Namecheap's longer history may provide more confidence.
3 Does Porkbun or Namecheap have better domain management tools?
Porkbun has a more modern interface and better API, making it popular with developers. Namecheap has more mature bulk management tools and a wider range of domain services. For 1-10 domains, Porkbun's interface is more pleasant. For 50+ domains, Namecheap's bulk tools are more powerful.
4 Which registrar is better for privacy?
Both include free WHOIS privacy protection on all eligible TLDs, which is excellent. Neither has had major privacy breaches. Namecheap has a longer track record of privacy advocacy and is based in privacy-friendly jurisdictions. Both are solid choices for privacy-conscious users.
5 Can I transfer domains between Namecheap and Porkbun easily?
Yes, domain transfers between these registrars are straightforward. Both follow standard transfer procedures: unlock the domain, get the authorization code, and initiate transfer at the receiving registrar. Transfers typically complete in 5-7 days and include one year of renewal with the transfer fee.
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