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GoDaddy vs Namecheap: which free plan?
Both free plans are on a par by our score. The differences below decide it.
Both checked against their official pricing pages on 1 Nov 2026.
| Type | Domain registrar | Domain registrar |
|---|---|---|
| Free-tier score | 62 / 100 | 62 / 100 |
| Card to sign up | Required | Required |
| Free plan ends | Term you buy | 1 year (renewable) |
| Sleeps when idle | No | No |
| Commercial use | Allowed | Allowed |
| Own domain on free | Not stated | Not stated |
| Free subdomain | None | None |
| Free limits |
|
|
| The catch | The 1-cent year one only applies to a 3-year purchase, and each extra year is $22.99. | The .com renewal is clearly higher than the first-year price, so check the cart before you pay. |
| Paid from | .com renews $22.99/yr | .com registration |
| Source | Official pricing for GoDaddy (opens in a new tab) | Official pricing for Namecheap (opens in a new tab) |
Which one should you pick?
Pick GoDaddy if…
- your project is: people who already use GoDaddy services
Pick Namecheap if…
- your project is: first domains and student .me
Questions
Which is better for free, GoDaddy or Namecheap?
Both free plans are on a par by our score. The differences below decide it.
Does GoDaddy or Namecheap need a credit card?
GoDaddy: yes. Namecheap: yes.
What is the catch with GoDaddy and Namecheap?
GoDaddy: The 1-cent year one only applies to a 3-year purchase, and each extra year is $22.99. Namecheap: The .com renewal is clearly higher than the first-year price, so check the cart before you pay.