Company Background
Quick Facts
- Founded: 2014
- Headquarters: Portland, Oregon, USA
- ICANN Accredited: Yes
- TLDs Supported: 500+
- Parent Company: Top Level Design, LLC
Why the Name?
Porkbun's founders wanted a memorable, approachable brand that stood out from corporate-sounding competitors. The pig mascot and playful name are intentional—they aim to make domain management feel less intimidating.
ICANN Accreditation: What It Means
Porkbun is accredited by ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers)—the global authority overseeing domain names. This means they're subject to strict standards for security, transparency, and customer protection.
ICANN accreditation requires registrars to:
- • Maintain accurate WHOIS records
- • Follow domain transfer policies
- • Provide dispute resolution procedures
- • Meet financial stability requirements
- • Submit to regular audits
Pricing Transparency
One reason people trust Porkbun: their pricing is straightforward with no hidden fees. Here's what you pay:
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| .com Registration | $10.37 |
| .com Renewal | $11.06 |
| WHOIS Privacy | Free |
| Email Forwarding | Free |
| SSL Certificate | Free |
| DNS Management | Free |
💡 No Upsell Tactics
Unlike some registrars, Porkbun doesn't aggressively push add-ons during checkout. What you see is what you pay—no pre-checked boxes for unnecessary services.
Security Features
Account Security
- ✓ Two-factor authentication (2FA)
- ✓ Login activity monitoring
- ✓ Security questions
- ✓ Account recovery options
Domain Security
- ✓ Registrar lock (prevent unauthorized transfers)
- ✓ DNSSEC support
- ✓ Free WHOIS privacy
- ✓ Transfer lock protection
Customer Support
Porkbun's support is consistently praised by users. Their team is known for friendly, personal responses rather than templated replies.
Support Channels
- Email: Typically responds within hours
- Live chat: Available during business hours
- Knowledge base: Helpful guides and tutorials
- Social media: Active and responsive
Users frequently comment on how Porkbun's support feels more like talking to a helpful person than navigating corporate bureaucracy. This is one of their biggest differentiators from larger registrars.
Common Concerns Addressed
"Is the name too unprofessional?"
The name has no bearing on the service quality. Major tech companies and serious businesses use Porkbun. Your customers will see your domain name, not your registrar's.
"Are they too new to trust?"
Founded in 2014, Porkbun has over a decade of operation. They've built a strong reputation and manage millions of domains. They're not a fly-by-night operation.
"What if they go out of business?"
ICANN requires all accredited registrars to have contingency plans. If any registrar fails, domains are transferred to another accredited provider. Your domain wouldn't just disappear.
"Why are they so cheap?"
Lower overhead, efficient operations, and a business model focused on volume rather than upselling. They're not losing money—they're just not overcharging like some competitors.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- ✓ Competitive, transparent pricing
- ✓ Free WHOIS privacy and SSL
- ✓ Excellent customer support
- ✓ Clean, modern interface
- ✓ No aggressive upselling
- ✓ 500+ TLDs available
- ✓ API access for developers
Cons
- → No web hosting offered
- → No professional email hosting
- → Smaller company than GoDaddy/Namecheap
- → Brand might feel too casual for some
The Bottom Line
Porkbun is absolutely legitimate. They're ICANN-accredited, offer excellent pricing, and have built a strong reputation for customer service. The playful branding is a deliberate choice to stand out—it has no bearing on service quality.
If you want a reliable registrar with great prices and support that actually treats you like a human, Porkbun is an excellent choice.