💰 Cost Comparison
$16.98
Namecheap .com renewal
$10.44
Cloudflare .com (at-cost)
Save $6.54/year + get Cloudflare's global CDN and DDoS protection
Important: Cloudflare Requires Using Their Nameservers
Unlike other registrars, Cloudflare requires you to use their nameservers. This means:
- ✓ Your DNS is managed through Cloudflare's dashboard
- ✓ You get their global Anycast network (fast DNS)
- ✓ Free CDN and security features available
- ✗ Can't use external nameservers (like Route53)
If you need external nameservers: Consider Porkbun or Dynadot instead.
Step 1: Add Your Domain to Cloudflare First
Before transferring registration, you need to set up DNS at Cloudflare:
- Create a free Cloudflare account at cloudflare.com
- Click "Add a Site"
- Enter your domain name
- Select the Free plan (you can upgrade later)
- Cloudflare will scan and import your existing DNS records
- Review the imported records carefully — make sure nothing is missing
- Note the two Cloudflare nameservers assigned to you
Step 2: Update Nameservers at Namecheap
- Log into Namecheap
- Go to Domain List → Manage next to your domain
- Find Nameservers section
- Select "Custom DNS"
- Enter the two Cloudflare nameservers (e.g., aria.ns.cloudflare.com)
- Save changes
- Wait 24-48 hours for propagation
Why do this first? Cloudflare won't let you transfer a domain until it's already using their nameservers and showing as "Active" in their dashboard.
Step 3: Verify Domain is Active at Cloudflare
- Go to your Cloudflare dashboard
- Click on your domain
- Check the status — should say "Active"
- Verify your website and email are working
If it still shows "Pending," wait longer or click "Check nameservers" to recheck.
Step 4: Unlock Domain at Namecheap
- In Namecheap, go to Domain List → Manage
- Find "Domain Lock" toggle
- Switch to OFF
Step 5: Get Authorization Code from Namecheap
- Still in domain management
- Find "Auth Code" section
- Click to reveal or email the code
- Copy it immediately
Namecheap codes are valid for 30 days.
Step 6: Initiate Transfer at Cloudflare
- In Cloudflare, go to your domain
- Click Domain Registration → Transfer
- Or go to Registrar → Transfer Domain
- Paste your authorization code
- Review pricing (should be exactly at-cost)
- Add payment method and confirm
Step 7: Approve the Transfer
Check your email for transfer approval requests:
- 📧 From Namecheap: Approve to speed up the transfer
- 📧 From Cloudflare: Confirmation (usually no action needed)
Transfer completes in 1-5 days depending on how quickly you approve.
What You Get with Cloudflare
✓ At-Cost Pricing
No markup. You pay exactly what Cloudflare pays the registry.
✓ Free WHOIS Privacy
Included automatically, no extra charge.
✓ Global DNS Network
300+ data centers, lightning-fast DNS resolution.
✓ DDoS Protection
Enterprise-grade protection on the free plan.
Cloudflare vs. Staying at Namecheap
Namecheap is still a good registrar. Consider staying if:
- • You need external nameservers (Route53, etc.)
- • You prefer Namecheap's interface
- • You use Namecheap's email hosting
Transfer to Cloudflare if you want the lowest possible price and best DNS performance.
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