Registrar Setup Overview
Compare setup requirements and choose the best registrar for your portfolio.
Use this page to compare registrar requirements and pick the best starting point.
Quick comparison
| Feature | GoDaddy | Namecheap | Gandi | Porkbun | Name.com | Cloudflare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prerequisites | 10+ domains or DDCP ($120+/yr) | 20+ domains or $50 balance/spent | None | None | None | Cloudflare Registrar Domains must be registered with Cloudflare |
| Approval Time | Instant | 24-48 hours | Instant | Instant | Instant | Instant |
| Setup Difficulty | Medium | Hard | Easy | Easy | Easy | Easy |
| Required Fields | 3 fields | 2 fields | 1 field | 2 fields | 2 fields | 2 fields |
| Token Expiry | Never | Never | Expires 7 days to 1 year | Never | Never | Never |
| IP Whitelisting | Not required | Required Whitelist our IPs | Not required | Not required | Not required | Not required |
Which registrar should I choose?
GoDaddy
Best for established portfolios
Choose if you have/want:
- 10+ domains with GoDaddy
- Discount Domain Club membership
- Need for professional API access
Pros:
- Instant API access
- No token expiry
- Large registrar
Cons:
- 10+ domain requirement (or paid DDCP)
- 3 credentials needed
- May 2024 restrictions added
Namecheap
For high-volume users
Choose if you have/want:
- 20+ domains with Namecheap
- $50+ account balance
- IP allowlist setup required
Pros:
- No token expiry
- Affordable pricing
- Good domain selection
Cons:
- 20+ domain requirement
- IP whitelisting required
- Manual approval (24-48hr)
Gandi
Easiest setup for everyone
Choose if you have/want:
- Quick, easy setup
- No prerequisites
- To get started immediately
Pros:
- No domain minimum
- Instant access
- Only 1 credential needed
- Simple setup
Cons:
- Token expires (7 days to 1 year)
- Requires renewal management
- Smaller registrar
Hostinger
Fast setup for growing portfolios
Choose if you have/want:
- Domains already managed in Hostinger
- Need modern API with DNS and protection controls
- Want single-token authentication
Pros:
- Single API token
- Domain, DNS, WHOIS, and protection support
- No IP allowlist requirement
Cons:
- API is newer and may evolve
- DNS operations are grouped by name+type
- Auto-renew data requires billing endpoint matching
Porkbun
Fastest JSON API onboarding
Choose if you have/want:
- Simple API key + secret setup
- No domain minimums
- Developer-friendly docs
Pros:
- Instant API access
- Great for indie builders
- JSON everywhere
Cons:
- Smaller registrar
- Limited enterprise tooling
Name.com
Reliable REST API via Basic auth
Choose if you have/want:
- Existing Name.com portfolio
- Need for quick DNS automation
- Preference for Basic auth flows
Pros:
- Simple username + token credentials
- Instant approval
- Modern REST responses
Cons:
- Rate limits (20 req/s)
- Must generate/store token securely
Cloudflare
Registrar + DNS under one roof
Choose if you have/want:
- Domains already using Cloudflare DNS
- Need wholesale pricing + Cloudflare security
- Automations built on Cloudflare APIs
Pros:
- Single API token controls registrar + DNS
- No token expiry
- Built-in DDoS + performance tooling
Cons:
- Nameservers cannot be customized
- Domains must live on Cloudflare
Need help deciding?
Need Help Deciding?
We recommend starting with the registrar where you already have the most domains.
First time user? Gandi is the easiest to set up with no prerequisites or waiting time.
Have multiple registrars? You can connect all of them to Domain Collective and manage everything in one place.
Last verified: February 2026