SideBySide Domains

DEVELOPER GUIDE

Domain Registrar API Comparison

Need to automate domain management? Here's how registrar APIs compare for developers.

API Comparison

Registrar API Type Docs Quality Rate Limits
CloudflareRESTExcellentGenerous
DynadotRESTVery GoodGood
NamecheapXMLGoodModerate
PorkbunRESTGoodGood
NamesiloRESTBasicGood
GoDaddyRESTGoodStrict

Top Picks for Developers

BEST OVERALL

Cloudflare API

Modern REST API, excellent documentation, generous rate limits. Also includes DNS, CDN, and security APIs.

api.cloudflare.com/client/v4/
BEST FOR BULK

Dynadot API

Great for bulk operations, domain marketplace integration, and reseller automation.

api.dynadot.com/api3.xml
SIMPLE & CLEAN

Porkbun API

Clean REST API, easy to implement, good for smaller projects.

porkbun.com/api/json/v3/

Common API Features

  • ✓ Domain availability check
  • ✓ Registration and renewal
  • ✓ DNS record management
  • ✓ WHOIS privacy toggle
  • ✓ Transfer initiation
  • ✓ Nameserver updates
  • ✓ Domain lock/unlock

Developer Recommendation

Cloudflare offers the best developer experience—modern REST API, excellent docs, and you get their entire platform API. For domain-focused work, Dynadot's API is also excellent.

Compare Registrars →