Ask HN: What are some trustworthy Domain Registrars?

#1

Post by madmaze » Mon, Nov 11, 2013, 6:55 PM UTC

I have been looking around for a trustworthy Domain Registrar that provides Whois anonymization. After a few hours of research I have come to the conclusion that the majority of reviews available on are very biased either for or against. It's hard to distil the truth out of these.

So does HN have any recommendations?

Edit: I am looking for a provider that has a powerful/clean interface, provides whois protection and has high reliability.

Re: Ask HN: What are some trustworthy Domain Registrars?

#2

Post by tjr » Mon, Nov 11, 2013, 7:05 PM UTC

What are your criteria for trust?

I've been using Namecheap for several years after seeing it recommended repeatedly on HN. No problems that I have identified.

Re: Ask HN: What are some trustworthy Domain Registrars?

#3

Post by madmaze » Mon, Nov 11, 2013, 7:08 PM UTC

tjr wrote: post #2

What are your criteria for trust? I've been using Namecheap for several years after seeing it recommended repeatedly on HN. No problems that I have identified.

I am looking for a reliable provider, which a good interface allowing me to change subdomains quickly and easily.

Re: Ask HN: What are some trustworthy Domain Registrars?

#4

Post by wikiwatchme » Mon, Nov 11, 2013, 7:12 PM UTC

Anyone except GoDaddy

Re: Ask HN: What are some trustworthy Domain Registrars?

#5

Post by talles » Mon, Nov 11, 2013, 7:23 PM UTC

wikiwatchme wrote: post #4

Anyone except GoDaddy

There are (perhaps literally) hundreds of reasons to not use godaddy. But why exactly aren't they trustworthy?

Re: Ask HN: What are some trustworthy Domain Registrars?

#6

Post by talles » Mon, Nov 11, 2013, 7:24 PM UTC

Have you had any experience with another provider or are you a first timer?

Re: Ask HN: What are some trustworthy Domain Registrars?

#7

Post by madmaze » Mon, Nov 11, 2013, 8:01 PM UTC

talles wrote: post #6

Have you had any experience with another provider or are you a first timer?

I've dealt with Godaddy and Dreamhost. I am trying to consolidate away from both.

Re: Ask HN: What are some trustworthy Domain Registrars?

#8

Post by matthewshalda » Mon, Nov 11, 2013, 8:25 PM UTC

I recommend Hover.

http://www.hover.com/

Re: Ask HN: What are some trustworthy Domain Registrars?

#9

Post by subsection1h » Mon, Nov 11, 2013, 8:55 PM UTC

madmaze wrote: post #3

tjr wrote: post #2

What are your criteria for trust? I've been using Namecheap for several years after seeing it recommended repeatedly on HN. No problems that I have identified.

I am looking for a reliable provider, which a good interface allowing me to change subdomains quickly and easily.

What do you mean by reliable? Good DNS performance?

Re: Ask HN: What are some trustworthy Domain Registrars?

#10

Post by subsection1h » Mon, Nov 11, 2013, 9:08 PM UTC

I've used Name.com for years. Their interface is clean and they offer domain privacy for free when using their coupon.[1] Unfortunately, I wouldn't describe the company as trustworthy for two reasons.

First, Name.com was hacked[2] in May of 2013 and they weren't transparent about it. I learned more about the hack from the attackers[3] than Name.com.

Second, Name.com displays advertisements on parked domains for which the domain registrant may be held criminally liable.[4][5] None of my domains are parked at Name.com, so this isn't an issue for me, but I still hold it against them.

[1] http://www.retailmenot.com/view/name.com

[2] http://www.name.com/blog/general/2013/05/we-got-hacked/

[3] https://www.google.com/search?q=HTP+Zine+5

[4] http://nathanhammond.com/namedotcom-another-unscrupulous-reg...

[5] https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=2443710