vs
Namecheap vs Porkbun: 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 | 1 year (renewable) | 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 .com renewal is clearly higher than the first-year price, so check the cart before you pay. | Cheap banner prices on .site, .xyz and similar are first-year sales; .site renews at $28.84. |
| Paid from | .com registration | .com renews $11.81/yr |
| Source | Official pricing for Namecheap (opens in a new tab) | Official pricing for Porkbun (opens in a new tab) |
Which one should you pick?
Pick Namecheap if…
- your project is: first domains and student .me
Pick Porkbun if…
- your project is: cheap domains with flat renewals
Questions
Which is better for free, Namecheap or Porkbun?
Both free plans are on a par by our score. The differences below decide it.
Does Namecheap or Porkbun need a credit card?
Namecheap: yes. Porkbun: yes.
What is the catch with Namecheap and Porkbun?
Namecheap: The .com renewal is clearly higher than the first-year price, so check the cart before you pay. Porkbun: Cheap banner prices on .site, .xyz and similar are first-year sales; .site renews at $28.84.