Namecheap
Est. 2000 • 17M+ domains
First Year .com
$6.49
Renewal .com
$16.98
Porkbun
Est. 2014 • Growing fast
First Year .com
$10.37
Renewal .com
$11.06
Pricing: The Full Picture
The pricing difference tells a clear story: Namecheap's $6.49 first-year deal is attractive upfront, but Porkbun wins on long-term cost. Here's how it plays out over time:
| Time Period | Namecheap | Porkbun | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $6.49 | $10.37 | Namecheap saves $3.88 |
| Year 2 | $23.47 | $21.43 | Porkbun saves $2.04 |
| Year 3 | $40.45 | $32.49 | Porkbun saves $7.96 |
| Year 5 | $74.41 | $54.61 | Porkbun saves $19.80 |
| 10 Years | $159.31 | $109.91 | Porkbun saves $49.40 |
💡 The Math
Namecheap's first-year discount saves you $3.88 initially. But their $16.98 renewal (vs Porkbun's $11.06) means Porkbun breaks even by month 8 of year 2. Every year after that, Porkbun saves you roughly $6.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Namecheap | Porkbun |
|---|---|---|
| WHOIS Privacy | ✓ Free | ✓ Free |
| Email Forwarding | ✓ Free | ✓ Free |
| Professional Email | $1.74/mo | Not offered |
| SSL Certificates | Paid ($5.99+/yr) | ✓ Free |
| Web Hosting | ✓ Available | Not offered |
| DNS Management | ✓ Full | ✓ Full |
| Two-Factor Auth | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| API Access | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| TLDs Available | 400+ | 500+ |
User Experience
Namecheap
Dashboard
Feature-rich but can feel cluttered. Lots of upsell prompts during checkout and in the dashboard. Takes some getting used to.
Support
24/7 live chat available. Generally helpful but responses can feel scripted. Knowledge base is extensive.
Checkout
Watch for pre-checked add-ons. Multiple upsell screens during purchase process.
Porkbun
Dashboard
Clean, modern interface. Easy to navigate even for beginners. No clutter or overwhelming options.
Support
Highly praised by users. Responses feel personal rather than templated. Support team is notably friendly.
Checkout
Simple, straightforward. No aggressive upselling. What you see is what you get.
Pricing for Other TLDs
Both registrars offer competitive pricing on popular TLDs. Here's how they compare:
| TLD | Namecheap | Porkbun | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| .net | $14.98 | $12.69 | Porkbun |
| .org | $14.98 | $11.91 | Porkbun |
| .io | $42.98 | $36.59 | Porkbun |
| .co | $32.98 | $27.37 | Porkbun |
| .dev | $15.98 | $16.17 | Namecheap |
Prices shown are annual renewal rates. First-year promotional pricing may vary.
Who Should Choose What
Namecheap is Better For:
- → All-in-one needs: If you want domains, hosting, and email from one provider
- → Short-term projects: If you might not renew, the cheap first year makes sense
- → Budget email: Their $1.74/mo email hosting is affordable
- → Brand familiarity: One of the most recognized names in domains
Porkbun is Better For:
- → Long-term domains: Saves $6/year after year 1
- → Multiple domains: Lower prices add up with a portfolio
- → Clean experience: No upsells, no clutter
- → Great support: Notably friendly and helpful team
Our Verdict
For most people, Porkbun is the better choice. The lower renewal price, cleaner interface, excellent support, and no-upsell experience make it worth the slightly higher first-year cost.
Choose Namecheap if you specifically need their hosting or email services bundled together, or if you're registering a domain you might not keep past year one.