Both Namecheap and Godaddy are domain registrars which later expanded into the web hosting business. The duo are among the top 5 domain registrars in the world. While they are into the same business, there are unique differences between them.
In this article, we will share these differences to help you decide which domain registrar suits your needs.
Contents
Overview of Namecheap and Godaddy
Founded in the year 2000 by Richard Kirkendall, Namecheap is a domain registrar and web hosting company that boasts of over 10 million customers from around the world and approximately 20 million domains registered. Namecheap’s strategy is to sell domains at the cheapest rate in the industry. This is obvious in the company’s name. Namecheap offers over 1,000 domain name extensions to customers.
Godaddy is acclaimed to be the biggest domain registrar in the world. It was founded in 1997 as Jomax Technologies before changing its name to Godaddy in 1999. Godaddy is also a publicly traded company on the United States Stock market. Godaddy has a total of 547 domain name extensions in its arsenal.
Importance of Choosing the Right Domain Registrar
If both domain registrars are popular and trusted by millions of people then why do you still need to do further research?
Well, Namecheap and Godaddy might be popular but they do not have the same number of domain extensions, one may have a feature that is absent in the other and they may not treat customers the same way.
It is important to do your research and make a choice on which domain registrar is best for you.
Namecheap Vs Godaddy Comparison
Pricing:
There is usually a discount for first time buyers on both platforms, however, Namecheap offers the best discount at $5.98 for a .com domain name. After applying the discount code for new customers, Godaddy’s domain sells for approximately $12.
On renewals, Namecheap charges about $16 yearly while Godaddy charges $22.
Also, there are features that Namecheap offers for free while Godaddy charges for them. Namecheap protects your domain from third party transfers without your consent with tools like two factor authentication while Godaddy charges for this feature.
If you are considering the cheaper option, then you should go for Namecheap.
User Experience
Namecheap and Godaddy have a user-friendly interface. They are both quite easy to use. On mobile, Godaddy has a sleeker interface without many elements interrupting the domain purchase process. For visitors outside the United states, Godaddy offers more currencies than Namecheap.
While Namecheap has an option to display prices in 7 different currencies, Godaddy displays in 28 currencies with its default in pounds. Godaddy uses an IP detection tool to identify the country you are visiting from and displaying a currency match for your country. It is also easier to switch the currency.
Godaddy wins in this category.
Domain Extensions
Namecheap has over 1,000 domain name extensions while Godaddy has exactly 547. If you are considering going for less popular domain name extensions like .so or .in, Namecheap has got you covered. Godaddy does not offer some country code TLDS for sale.
Namecheap wins here.
Domain Management tools
Domain management tools are extra tools used in managing your domain; Tools like a DNS manager, SSL certificate, Domain Whois privacy, domain transfer, etc. On Godaddy, some of these services are paid for. Like the Whois privacy, Namecheap automatically provides this service to all .com domains for free while Godaddy doesn’t.
When you purchase a domain name, your domain name provider is supposed to protect your domain from hackers or third parties who may want to steal your domain with features like a two factor authentication before the transfer is approved. Namecheap offers this protection for free but Godaddy charges for it.
For these reasons, Namecheap wins in this category.
Value Added Services
Namecheap and Godaddy offer similar value added services that are unique in their own ways. Both offer email hosting services, web hosting, VPS servers, website builders, logo makers and lots more. Some of these tools are essential to grow your business online.
When compared to Godaddy, Namecheap has more value added services. Namecheap has a service for business formation in the United States. They also have a free content delivery network if you use their EasyWP WordPress managed hosting.
If pricing is a factor you need to consider before choosing, Namecheap’s value added services are more affordable.
Customer Support
Namecheap offers better customer service support compared to Godaddy. Namecheap customer service representatives are trained to understand customers’ problems and most times provide assistance. Whether you try to reach them via chat, email or phone call, they respond as soon as possible.
Alternatively, Godaddy has one of the worst customer services for domain name sellers or hosting companies. As a customer of both platforms, I have experienced these first hand and also reviews from other customers share the same experience.
For customer service, Namecheap wins Godaddy hands down.
Reputation
There are reviews online about domain name providers who go out of business and varnish with customer domains. Any domain name seller that does this has little to no reputation. Fortunately, both Namecheap and Godaddy have a good reputation and are unlikely to go out of business anytime soon.
Perhaps they plan to go out of business by chance, they are definitely going to provide options for the customers to move their domains somewhere else.
Conclusion
By all indications, Namecheap has a better priced service, they are reliable and have lots of positive feedback from customers around the world. They also have one of the best customer service in the industry.
If you are considering buying a domain, you should go with Namecheap. Also, some of the services offered on Namecheap are free while customers on Godaddy have to pay for them. The only category where Godaddy supersedes Namecheap is in its user experience. Godaddy is better designed and easy to navigate. This should not pose a problem because Namecheap’s interface is quite easy to understand and if you do not understand a thing, you can easily reach out to customer service for support.
