How to get a free domain name in 2024
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Updated 2:11 p.m. UTC Jan. 18, 2024
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There’s so much to consider when you’re registering a new domain name. First, you need to ensure the name is available, ideally with a common top-level domain (TLD) like .com. Once you’ve figured out the exact domain you want to purchase, you’ll need to pay for registration or find a free domain name promotion.
While renewal rates tend to be higher when you engage in free domain promotions, they can get your bill down to $0 for registration for the first twelve months if you’re already purchasing hosting or website building services.
Read on to learn about the best free domain registrars, the renewal rates to expect and the customer service options available — you don’t want to have limited support options if you aren’t tech-savvy.
Featured domain registrar offers
Domain.com
Starting Price
$8.99
Renewal Cost
$13.99
Free WHOIS privacy
No
Namecheap
Starting Price
$5.98
Renewal Cost
$14.58
Free WHOIS privacy
Yes
Spaceship
Starting Price
$5.91
Renewal Cost
$9.55
Free WHOIS privacy
Yes
Top free domain registrars
The top two free domain registrars offer a wide range of services, including domain registration, website building, hosting and even cloud computing in the case of IONOS.
IONOS is better for those who want comprehensive services, including live phone representatives, while Hostinger is better for those who want to save money. Hostinger’s packages are cheaper and include a free SSL certificate but lack phone support.
IONOS
IONOS provides a litany of services you’ll need as you build your online presence. There’s hosting, website building tools, cloud computing and, of course, domain registration.
Whether you purchase a hosting or website building package, a free domain is included for the first year. Hosting packages start at $6 per month, going all the way up to $16 per month with the highest-tier plan.
Website building packages also come with a free domain for one year. These run from $12 per month to $28 per month, depending on the package you choose. Regardless of which package your free domain comes with, renewal rates currently sit anywhere between $4 and $200, depending on the TLD. The most common .com TLD is renewing for $17 at the time of writing.
WHOIS privacy protection is free. You’ll pay extra for an SSL certificate, though, which costs anywhere between $25 and $200 per year. IONOS provides 24/7 customer service through live chat and phone representatives, with local phone numbers in 14 countries, including the U.S.
Hostinger
Hostinger offers domain registration, hosting and website building tools. When you purchase a hosting plus website builder plan, you’ll get free domain registration for 12 months. Packages start at $2.99 per month for the first two years. After that, prices will jump up to $7.99 per month.
You’ll have to start paying for your domain registration after year one, too. It’ll run you anywhere between $7.99 and $129.99 depending on the TLD. Currently, the most common .com TLDs are renewing for $13.99. Domain registration does include free WHOIS privacy protection and a free SSL certificate.
While Hostinger provides live chat and email customer service, you won’t find phone support.
Free domain with website builders
All of the companies on our list offer hosting, domain registration and web design as base-level services. However, some focus primarily on website building. Squarespace is the prime example, including hosting and free domain registration in each of its website building packages.
If you’re using WordPress to build your site, Dreamhost will get the job done, too, and it also includes free domain registration in its website building packages. Neither company offers free phone support, though Dreamhost will let you speak with a live person for a fee.
Squarespace
You may know Squarespace primarily as a website building tool. It’s particularly adept at serving those with little to no previous web design experience. But it also provides hosting and domain registration. In fact, in September 2023, it acquired all domains previously under the Google Domains umbrella.
All Squarespace packages include hosting and website building – and free domain registration for a year as long as you pay annually. Things aren’t priced a la carte like you might find with other providers. While all packages come with a free 14-day trial, the introductory prices on these packages are a little high. They range from $23 per month to $65 per month, but you do get all three services in one. After the first year, domain renewals will cost you $20.
Squarespace does come with some WHOIS privacy protection, but your state, country and business name will still show. Squarespace offers email and live chat support with live representatives. They’ll even help you if you reach out through X (formerly Twitter) or Facebook Messenger. However, it does not offer a phone line.
Dreamhost
Dreamhost provides WordPress website building tools, hosting and domain registration. As long as you pay for your hosting and website building package on an annual basis, you’ll get one domain registration for free for the first year. Plans range from $2.95 to $13.75 per month when you pay annually.
When the plan renews, the website building and hosting price will increase from $6.99 to $15.99 per month if you pay annually. Domains renew at rates between $9.99 and $2,299.99, depending on the TLD.
You can opt for a free SSL certificate when you sign up or choose a Sectigo SSL certificate for $15 per year. WHOIS privacy protection is included at no extra cost. Outside of free email and live chat services, Dreamhost charges you to talk to a representative.
You can’t contact customer service by phone directly – you’ll have to put in a ticket and wait for them to call you. A one-time call costs $9.99. Alternatively, you can purchase a subscription package that gives you three calls per month for $14.95 each month.
Free domain with web hosting services
GoDaddy and Network Solutions both offer free domain registration for 12 months with their hosting packages. GoDaddy offers great rates during the first year, but they spike at renewal. Network Solution’s rates tend to be more stable and affordable over the long term, though domain renewals do usually cost somewhere around $37.99.
The two companies are competitive when it comes to customer service options. While GoDaddy offers free WHOIS privacy protection, its SSL certificates start at higher price points than the ones you’ll find at Network Solutions.
GoDaddy
GoDaddy is best known for its domain registration services, but it also provides hosting and website building services. You can get a free domain when you purchase a GoDaddy hosting plan or when you engage GoDaddy’s website design services.
Website design requires a custom quote, but hosting services can cost anywhere from $7.99 to $17.99 per month for one to three years. After that, renewal prices are between $12.77 and $22.99 per month.
GoDaddy domain renewals are known for being incredibly expensive. After the first year of your free domain registration, you may start paying renewal rates between $11.99 and $349.99 per year, though you’ll find most TLDs renew somewhere between $30 and $80 per year at the time of writing.
WHOIS privacy protection is free with GoDaddy, but SSL certificates are expensive at $99.99 to $249.99 per year. Customer service is easily accessible, with 24/7 live chat, phone service and even texting available.
Network Solutions
Network Solutions got its start in domain registration. Today, it also provides hosting and website building services, too. If you purchase one of the WordPress hosting packages, you’ll get your domain name for free for the first year.
WordPress hosting packages start at $7.99 per month and range up to $18.98 per month. Domains currently renew at $37.99 per year after the first 12 months.
SSL certificates cost $50.00 to $384.89 per year. WHOIS privacy protection costs $11.99 per year. You can reach out to Network Solutions customer service through live chat, email or phone.
How to choose a domain name
You want your domain name to be something easy to remember. Ideally, it’ll be your business name plus .com. If that name is not available, you’ll want to either consider a different name for your business or come up with a clever URL that people will remember. In some situations, you can purchase a domain name from the current registrant using a domain broker service, but that tends to be a more expensive way to go.
Featured domain registrar offers
Domain.com
Starting Price
$8.99
Renewal Cost
$13.99
Free WHOIS privacy
No
Namecheap
Starting Price
$5.98
Renewal Cost
$14.58
Free WHOIS privacy
Yes
Spaceship
Starting Price
$5.91
Renewal Cost
$9.55
Free WHOIS privacy
Yes
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Look for companies that offer hosting and website building services. Many of these companies provide free, one-year domain registration when you invest in their hosting or design services.
It always depends on who you’re buying from, but yes, there are legitimate, free domain offers out there. Bear in mind that while the first year will be free, your renewal fees may be on the higher side. Sometimes, it can be worth it to pay for the first year as the best domain registrars tend to offer more consistent and lower prices over the long term.
A number of factors go into setting a reasonable budget for your domain name. Your TLD will play a large role in determining your final budget. More common TLDs like .com are likely to cost you more money. Trending TLDs like .travel can come with a higher price tag, too.
Another large factor is availability. If the domain is currently available, it’s going to be relatively rare to find a domain name over $100, though it does happen. Most options are likely to run you somewhere between $8 and $30 for the first year. If the domain is already registered to someone else, you may be looking at a much higher price tag.
Blueprint is an independent publisher and comparison service, not an investment advisor. The information provided is for educational purposes only and we encourage you to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals regarding specific financial decisions. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
Blueprint has an advertiser disclosure policy. The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Blueprint editorial staff alone. Blueprint adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.
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