GoDaddy and Namecheap are both excellent ICANN certified domain name registrars. In this Namecheap vs Godaddy comparison, we’re going to be looking at there services for domain names an hosting to determine which one is best.
Why should you trust this comparison?
I’ve used both Namecheap and GoDaddy as a domain name registrar as well as their specific services for website building an email hosting. This guide is based on actually using both companies respectively.
Full disclosure, I keep all of my domain names at Namecheap. I’ve used GoDaddy in the past but have since moved my remaining domain names away from them.
Domain Name Registration
The core service that both these companies provide is domain name registration. When it comes to a registrar, price is the main criteria to look at but it’s not the only criteria to look at. You want a registrar that has good customer service, fast support, an easy interface and so forth.
Regardless, let’s get to the point and look at the prices for Namecheap and GoDaddy. For strictly domain name registration Namecheap is the clear winner.
Namecheap price:
Namecheap offers .com registration between $5-12 per any promotion they are currently running. This low rate can be locked in for up to 10 years in advanced (as is standard with any registrar).
After this introduction price the renewal rate for domain names at Namecheap is $14.98 a year. Last, you get free WHOIS protection with your domain purchase.
GoDaddy price
GoDaddy currently offers new registration of .com and other extensions for only .01 cent for the first year if you register your domain for 3 years.
After this three year period the current renewal rate is $21.99. Last, you don’t get WHOIS protection for free, that’s an added service you must pay for.
So compared to Namecheap, you’re paying more for domain names upfront to register, a higher renewal rate and you need to pay for WHOIS protection which Namecheap provides for free.
Winner: Namecheap
For registering domain, there is not comparison. Namecheap provides more cost effective rates.
Domain name marketplace
Buying and selling domain names can be done on each platform, but the popularity of GoDaddy and the size of their marketplace make is the superior option.
GoDaddy Auctions
GoDaddy Auctions stands as one of the largest and most recognized domain marketplaces in the industry, leveraging the substantial reach of GoDaddy’s extensive user base.
The platform’s reach is further amplified through its sister platform, Afternic, which provides extensive distribution by listing domains across multiple registrars and marketplaces, thereby increasing visibility to potential buyers on a global scale.
Additionally, GoDaddy Auctions offers unique opportunities through its auctions for expiring domains before they become available through drop-catch services, providing buyers with access to high-demand domains that might otherwise be difficult to acquire.
Namecheap marketplace
The Namecheap Marketplace operates on a more modest scale compared to GoDaddy. While Namecheap substantial user base, the platform’s reach is somewhat limited by its restriction to domains registered with Namecheap, which naturally constrains the pool of available domains for sale when compared to the broader networks offered by competitors like GoDaddy.
The marketplace provides flexibility in selling options, allowing users to choose between fixed-price “Buy Now” sales or traditional auction formats, all managed through a straightforward and user-friendly listing process.
Although Namecheap lacks the extensive distribution network provided by platforms like Afternic, which results in reduced exposure for listed domains, the company has a strong reputation as a cost-effective alternative.
Winner: GoDaddy
GoDaddy simply has a larger, more robust marketplace with a huge user base. Namecheap wins on the fees however.
Extensions Available
Both registrars offer all the popular domain name extensions you as an end user care about. From top level domain (TLD’s) extensions like .com, .net, .org and .co to specific country codes like .co.uk or .ca. You will find that both platforms offer the same extensions.
The real difference between the two again comes down to price. GoDaddy for domain names is simply more expensive across the board.
While for some select extensions like .com you can get a better introduction rate, long term you’ll always be paying more. Particularly when you take into consideration the lack of free WHOIS protection at GoDaddy.
Winner: Namecheap
Namecheap and GoDaddy offer the same TLD’s, the same country codes for the most part and the same exotic extensions like .tv, .pizza, .store and so forth. The difference is that GoDaddy is simply more expensive across the board and does not provide free WHOIS protection.
The only time to select GoDaddy is if you need a specific country code that’s only supported by GoDaddy.
| TLD | GoDaddy | Renewal | Namecheap | Renewal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| .com | $12.99 | $18.99 | $10.98 | $14.98 |
| .net | $15.99 | $20.99 | $13.98 | $16.98 |
| .org | $10.99 | $22.99 | $13.48 | $15.98 |
| .co | $14.99 | $32.99 | $8.88 | $24.99 |
| .info | $4.99 | $18.99 | $1.98 | $12.98 |
| .shop | $2.99 | $85.99 | $2.88 | $52.88 |
| .site | $4.99 | $45.99 | $3.98 | $16.98 |
| .ru | $16.99 | $16.99 | not supported | n/a |
| .de | $9.99 | $9.99 | $10.85 | $9.98 |
| .jp | $35.99 | $35.99 | not supported | n/a |
| .uk | $8.99 | $12.99 | $8.58 | $8.58 |
| .it | $14.99 | $14.99 | not supported | n/a |
| .pl | $11.99 | $32.99 | not supported | n/a |
| .xyz | $1.99 | $16.99 | $1.48 | $12.98 |
| .top | $2.99 | $14.99 | $1.98 | $12.88 |
| .win | $29.99 | $42.99 | $1.98 | $1.98 |
| .club | $12.99 | $16.99 | $1.98 | $12.88 |
| .tv | $49.99 | $49.99 | $32.88 | $34.98 |
| .vip | $8.99 | $24.99 | $5.98 | $16.98 |
| .design | $32.99 | $74.99 | $8.98 | $45.88 |
Email Hosting
Both Namecheap and GoDaddy offer dedicated email hosting packages you can take advantage of. So which one is best?
Namecheap:
Namecheap offers affordable email hosting. Their basic plans allow for:
- Starter: $.99 a month / 1 Mailbox / 5 GB storage for emails / 2 GB storage for files /
- Pro: $2.50 / 3 Mailboxes / 30 GB storage for emails / 15 GB storage for files / mobile sync / anti-spam
- Ultimate: $3.99 a month / 5 Mailboxes / 75 GB storage for emails / 30 GB storage for files / mobile sync / anti-spam / high availability mail servers
Namecheap is an excellent provider if you’re a solo creator an just need dedicated email.
GoDaddy:
GoDaddy offers professional level business hosting for small businesses with Microsoft 365 tied in. Their plans are as follows:
- Essentials: $7.99 a month / 10 GB of storage
- Plus: $9.99 a month / 50 GB of storage
- Professional: $14.99 a month / 50 GB of storage / Microsoft office suite / HIPPA compliant emails.
GoDaddy does provide good introduction rates for the first year, but then the standard price is a bit expensive if all you’re looking for is email hosting.
If you do intend to use the Microsoft 365 suite of tools then it’s worth it.
Winner: Tie
Comparing these two is like comparing apples and oranges.
If all you need is a dedicated inbox for a professional email go with Namecheap. If you need Microsoft 365 and email go with GoDaddy.
Web Hosting
It may surprise some to find out that both Namecheap and GoDaddy offer quality hosting solutions. Everything from shared hosting, VPS, WordPress to full on dedicated servers. So which company is best from having used both?
I personally like GoDaddy more for ecommerce hosting and I like Namecheap for anyone looking to start a blog and create an information website.
Namecheap:
Namecheap offers the following hosting options:
- Managed WordPress
- Shared hosting
- VPS
- Dedicated servers
- Reseller hosting
Namecheap offers hosting at significantly cheaper rates across all product verticals.
They also make it easy to upgrade your hosting as your website grows. So if you need to move over to a higher tier shared hosting plan or perhaps their WordPress cloud hosting plan, they make it easy to do so.
Last, Namecheap offers VPS (your choice of managed or unmanaged) and dedicated servers at a great rate.
GoDaddy:
GoDaddy offers a wide range of hosting plans from basic shared hosting to managed WordPress hosting to VPS hosting (they retired their dedicated server option). They also have a Woo Commerce dedicated plan with their WordPress ecommerce hosting package.
Woo Commerce is a plugin that adds powerful ecommerce tools to any WordPress installation. Most needing hosting however will be looking at their shared hosting plans.
GoDaddy offers the following hosting options:
- Managed WordPress
- Shared hosting
- VPS
- Reseller hosting
Winner: Namecheap
Namecheap offers a similar service to GoDaddy at a better price point. They also offer dedicated servers which GoDaddy does not.
Hidden Fees and Up-Sells
GoDaddy used to be the most egregious with hiding the actual cost of any service plan you purchase, even as something as simple as registering a domain name. Over the past few years however, GoDaddy has under gone a re-branding and a redesign.
They are no upfront with pricing but still engage in constant upselling and offering big discounts for the first year while the actual rate is much, much higher.
Namecheap by comparison is simply more upfront about pricing and aims to offer the most cost effective price when possible while with GoDaddy their aim is to extract as much money from you as possible.
Winner: Namecheap
Customer Support
Both Namecheap and GoDaddy offer 24/7 chat support. If you have any questions about your account, or a technical question regarding a DNS setting both Namecheap and Godaddy are fast and professional with assisting you.
Also, Godaddy and Namecheap have specific user and how-to guides. With regards to refunds, GoDaddy is a bit better in that if you change your mind within 10 days for domain names you can get your money back. Namecheap by contrast only gives you store credit.
Winner: Tie
Both offer chat support and knowledge base guides.
Reseller Program
A reseller program is where you can “resell” the companies services as your own under your own branding. Instead of getting a commission, you can set your own margins and build long term customers.
Margins are typically quite small, but this is a good long term revenue stream as hosting and domain names can become recurring purchases for years if not a decade by clients. Allowing you to build up a sizeable passive income stream. So which program is better?
Namecheap:
Namecheap offers affordable reseller hosting. The way it works is you have a WHM account over a VPN and can then add on your clients websites. You setup billing which can be branded as your own company.
Their lowest plan supports 25 cPanel accounts and you get 30 GB SSD. This is adequate enough for around 10 small websites.
Godaddy:
GoDaddy allows you to resell hosting, domains, email and their website builder under your own brand. You can white label all their services and have the branding be your own. In addition, they handle the payments and provide support for your customers.
Winner: Namecheap
For most resellers, Namecheap is the better choice due to its lower costs, transparent pricing, and beginner-friendly interface.
However, if your business focuses on premium domains or requires robust phone support and e-commerce tools, GoDaddy may be worth the higher cost.
Website Builder
Both companies have their own dedicated website builder service you can take advantage of with the purchase of a domain name. You can try out both for free and then pay for hosting for your website.
Namecheap is much cheaper on price, but Godaddy’s website builder is better on all levels. So it’s a trade off of price and quality with this one. Typically, Namecheap offers the same exact service as Godaddy but for less.
Namecheap:
Sitejet Builder is a professional, low-code/no-code website builder offered by Namecheap, integrated into their hosting plans, particularly Shared Hosting, at no additional cost.
It’s designed for users seeking flexibility and control, such as web designers, agencies, or small businesses, while remaining beginner-friendly.
It’s drag and drop, based on templates and is quite good. Namecheap also offer AI tools if you decide to instead use WordPress to build out a website based on prompts.
GoDaddy:
GoDaddy offers a full featured website builder. A perfect alternative to anyone not wanting to use WordPress. With their website builder plans you get all the tools you need to build out a ecommerce focused website.
Their builder is not ideal for anyone wanting to make a high traffic blog, so if you are wanting a quality website builder that has ecommerce functionality, a scheduling system for appointments and the ability to integrate multiple marketplaces like eBay, Etsy and Amazon then GoDaddy is the better option.
Winner: Tie
Both are very good website builders that allow you to create a website via drag and drop functionality. You can also add on ecommerce features as needed.
Namecheap vs GoDaddy Conclusion
As a customer I prefer Namecheap overall. Better prices on domain names, email hosting and web hosting.
GoDaddy is better with regards to their website builder, reseller program and their hosting is generally a bit better for ecommerce websites (for blogs they are equal).
They also have a better domain name marketplace to buy and sell domains. But that’s a niche specific service your average consumer does not care about.
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