Google Domains Alternatives 2026: Best Replacements After Squarespace Migration

Google Domains was acquired by Squarespace in 2023 — and millions of users are now looking for a better alternative. We compare the 8 best replacements with full pricing, feature analysis, and a step-by-step migration guide.

13 min read Updated March 2026 High CPC Topic Names.Center Editorial Team
What Happened to Google Domains?

In June 2023, Google sold its Google Domains business to Squarespace for approximately $180 million. The deal closed in September 2023. All ~10 million domains previously managed through Google Domains are now under Squarespace. The product is called "Squarespace Domains" and .com registration prices have increased from $12/year to $20+/year for new customers. Millions of Google Domains users are actively migrating to better alternatives.

Table of Contents
  1. What Happened to Google Domains
  2. Top 8 Alternatives: Comparison Table
  3. Cloudflare Registrar — Best Value
  4. Namecheap — Best All-Around
  5. Porkbun — Closest to Google Domains Feel
  6. Names.Center — Best for Premium Domains
  7. How to Transfer from Squarespace
  8. Pricing Comparison Table
  9. Frequently Asked Questions

What Happened to Google Domains

Google Domains launched in 2014 as a simple, clean domain registrar that appealed strongly to developers and technical users. It offered transparent pricing ($12/year for .com), free WHOIS privacy, Google Workspace integration, and excellent DNS management. It quickly built a loyal user base of millions.

The acquisition by Squarespace surprised many in the domain industry. Google's rationale was straightforward: domain registration is a low-margin commodity business that falls outside Google's core focus areas. For Squarespace — a website builder — owning a registrar creates a vertically integrated product that keeps users inside the Squarespace ecosystem.

What Changed for Users
  • New .com registrations now ~$20+/year (was $12)
  • Login now through Squarespace interface
  • Google Workspace integration less seamless
  • Interface redesigned around Squarespace products
  • Support now via Squarespace (not Google)
What Stayed the Same
  • Existing domain registrations carried over
  • DNS settings preserved
  • Free WHOIS privacy
  • Email forwarding still works
  • Auto-renewal still active

Top 8 Google Domains Alternatives: Comparison Table

Registrar .com Renewal WHOIS Privacy DNSSEC Support Best For
Cloudflare Registrar Top Pick ~$9.15/yr Free Yes Email/docs Lowest cost, best DNS performance
Namecheap Best Value ~$13.98/yr Free Yes 24/7 live chat Best overall balance of cost + features
Porkbun Dev Friendly ~$10.36/yr Free Yes Email/chat Clean UI, closest to Google Domains feel
Names.Center Premium marketplace Included Via transfer Dedicated support Premium aftermarket domain buying
Dynadot ~$10.99/yr Free Yes Live chat + email Affordable, good for portfolios
GoDaddy ~$21.99/yr Paid ($9.99/yr) Yes 24/7 phone + chat Beginners needing phone support
Squarespace Domains Current ~$20+/yr Free Yes Email/chat Squarespace website users only
Hover ~$14.99/yr Free Yes Email/chat (business hours) Clean UI, good for non-technical users

Cloudflare Registrar — Best Overall Alternative

Pros
  • At-cost pricing — no markup over ICANN rates
  • Best-in-class DNS infrastructure (global anycast network)
  • Free WHOIS privacy on every domain
  • Free DNSSEC
  • DDoS protection included
  • No upsell attempts during checkout
Cons
  • Limited TLD support compared to competitors
  • No phone support
  • Support tickets can be slow
  • You must already have a Cloudflare account
  • Interface is powerful but can feel complex for beginners

Cloudflare Registrar is the clear winner for any user who wants the absolute lowest long-term cost. The at-cost pricing model means you pay exactly what Cloudflare pays ICANN — roughly $9.15/year for .com domains — with no markup. For a portfolio of 20 domains, that can save $200–$300 per year compared to Squarespace. The DNS is powered by Cloudflare's 1.1.1.1 network — the fastest globally — which translates to better page load times and higher reliability than most competitors.

Namecheap — Best All-Around Google Domains Replacement

Pros
  • Free WHOIS privacy (WhoisGuard) on all domains
  • Excellent DNS management panel
  • 24/7 live chat support
  • Wide TLD support (500+ extensions)
  • Competitive renewal pricing
  • Free email forwarding
  • Regular promo deals on new registrations
Cons
  • Interface slightly more complex than Google Domains was
  • First-year promotions lead to higher renewal expectations
  • Support quality varies by agent
  • Premium domain aftermarket (Namecheap Marketplace) is smaller than Sedo/GoDaddy

Namecheap is the best alternative for former Google Domains users who want a full-featured, well-supported registrar at a fair price. The interface is intuitive enough for non-technical users but powerful enough for developers. Live chat support 24/7 is a significant advantage over Cloudflare. At ~$13.98/year for .com renewal with free WHOIS privacy, Namecheap beats Squarespace Domains on price by $6–$7 per domain per year.

Porkbun — The Closest to Google Domains' Spirit

Pros
  • Very low .com renewal (~$10.36/yr)
  • Free WHOIS privacy
  • Clean, modern interface developers love
  • Free SSL certificate included
  • DNSSEC included
  • Excellent new TLD pricing (very competitive)
  • No dark patterns or hidden upsells
Cons
  • No phone support
  • Smaller team — less robust support operation
  • Less brand recognition (newer market entrant)
  • Fewer ecosystem integrations

Porkbun is beloved in the developer community precisely because it shares Google Domains' original philosophy: transparent pricing, clean interface, no upsells, and included features (free WHOIS privacy, free SSL, free DNSSEC) that others charge extra for. If you loved Google Domains for its simplicity and honesty, Porkbun is the most direct spiritual successor.

Names.Center — Best for Premium Domain Acquisition

While the registrars above handle new domain registrations, Names.Center serves a different but complementary need: buying premium, already-established domain names from the aftermarket. If you are looking for an exact-match keyword domain, a strong brand name, or a short .com that's already registered, Names.Center offers:

  • Curated inventory of premium .com and other TLD domains
  • Secure escrow-protected transactions
  • Live auction platform for competitive bidding
  • Transparent pricing and seller verification
  • Domain appraisal tools
  • Sell your existing domain portfolio
Browse Premium Domains on Names.Center

How to Transfer from Squarespace (Google Domains) — Step-by-Step

Timing note: Domains must be at least 60 days old and not have been transferred within the past 60 days before you can initiate a transfer. Plan accordingly.
1
Log into Squarespace Domains

Go to account.squarespace.com and log in with your credentials. If you used Google login before, use the same Google account — Squarespace migrated your credentials.

2
Navigate to Your Domain

Go to Domains > select the domain you want to transfer > click on Advanced Settings or Domain Settings.

3
Disable WHOIS Privacy (Temporarily)

Some registrars require WHOIS privacy to be disabled before transferring. Check if your gaining registrar requires this — Namecheap and Cloudflare do not require it, but some do.

4
Unlock the Domain

Find the Transfer Lock or Domain Lock option and turn it off. This allows the domain to be transferred to another registrar. Without unlocking, any transfer attempt will be rejected.

5
Get the Auth/EPP Code

Request the Authorization Code (also called EPP Code or Transfer Code) from Squarespace. It will be emailed to the address on your account. This is a required password for the transfer.

6
Initiate Transfer at New Registrar

Go to your chosen registrar (Cloudflare, Namecheap, Porkbun) and start a domain transfer. Enter your domain name and EPP code. The registrar will verify it and begin the transfer process. You will typically pay one year of renewal at the new registrar's rates.

7
Approve the Transfer Email

Squarespace will send a transfer approval email to the address on your account. Click Approve (or do nothing — after 5 days, the transfer auto-approves). The full transfer completes within 5–7 days. Your DNS settings carry over automatically.

Pricing Comparison: Google Domains vs. Alternatives

Registrar .com 1st Year .com Renewal WHOIS Privacy 5-Year Total Savings vs Squarespace
Squarespace (Google Domains) $20 $20/yr Free $100 —
Cloudflare Registrar $9.15 $9.15/yr Free $46 Save $54
Porkbun ~$6 promo $10.36/yr Free ~$52 Save $48
Namecheap ~$9 promo $13.98/yr Free ~$70 Save $30
Dynadot ~$8 promo $10.99/yr Free ~$55 Save $45
GoDaddy $0.99 promo $21.99/yr Paid ($9.99/yr) ~$160 +$60 more

Frequently Asked Questions

In June 2023, Google announced it would sell its Google Domains business to Squarespace in a deal worth approximately $180 million. The transaction closed in September 2023, and all ~10 million domains previously registered through Google Domains were migrated to Squarespace. Google Domains no longer exists as a separate product — it is now 'Squarespace Domains.' Pricing changed significantly: while Google charged $12/year for .com domains, Squarespace charges $20+/year for new registrations, though existing customers were grandfathered at lower rates temporarily.

The best Google Domains alternative depends on your priority: For lowest cost, Cloudflare Registrar charges at-cost (~$9.15/yr for .com, renewal included) with free WHOIS privacy. For best overall value with features, Namecheap offers free WHOIS privacy, excellent DNS management, and ~$13/yr renewal. For developers who loved Google's clean UI, Porkbun is the closest equivalent with low prices and a modern interface. For premium domain shopping, Names.Center offers curated aftermarket domains.

To transfer from Squarespace: (1) Log into your Squarespace account. (2) Navigate to Domains > select your domain > Advanced Settings. (3) Unlock the domain (disable transfer lock). (4) Request and copy the Auth/EPP code. (5) Initiate the transfer at your new registrar using that code. (6) Approve the transfer confirmation email Squarespace sends you. (7) The transfer completes in 5–7 days and adds 1 year to your registration. Note: domains registered or previously transferred within the last 60 days cannot be transferred.

Yes. Cloudflare Registrar charges at-cost pricing — what Cloudflare pays ICANN/registries wholesale, passed directly to you with zero markup. For .com domains this is approximately $9.15/year (as of 2026). This is the same renewal price every year — no first-year promotional tricks. WHOIS privacy is free. DNSSEC is included. The catch: Cloudflare Registrar does not support all TLDs, and its customer support is less robust than Namecheap or GoDaddy.

Yes. Your domain continues to work exactly as before — DNS settings, nameservers, email routing, and WHOIS information all carried over to Squarespace. The only functional change is the management interface. Your renewal dates remain the same. The main concern for most users is the price increase on new registrations and renewals after any grandfathered period ends.

Yes, you can use Squarespace Domains to register and manage domains independently of Squarespace's website builder or hosting. It supports custom DNS records, custom nameservers, and email forwarding. However, many users find the interface is optimized for Squarespace website customers and feels awkward for DNS-only users, which is a key reason many are transferring to alternatives like Cloudflare or Namecheap.
Switching from Google Domains?

While you transfer your registrar, browse premium established domains on Names.Center — often better value than new registrations.

  • Premium domain inventory
  • Existing SEO authority
  • Secure escrow transfers
  • Sell your current domains
Browse Domains Sell Your Domain
Squarespace vs. Cloudflare

Savings per domain transferred to Cloudflare Registrar over time:

  • 1 year Save ~$11
  • 3 years Save ~$32
  • 5 years Save ~$54
  • 10 domains, 5 yrs Save ~$540
Related Guides

Made the Switch? Now Find Your Next Great Domain

Browse premium domain names, participate in live auctions, or list your domains for sale on the marketplace built for domain professionals.

Browse Premium Domains Find Cheapest Registration
?>

Recommended Reading

Essential books for domain investors and entrepreneurs

DotCom Secrets

By Russell Brunson. The underground playbook for growing your company online.

View on Amazon →

Zero to One

By Peter Thiel. Notes on startups, or how to build the future.

View on Amazon →

Building a StoryBrand

By Donald Miller. Clarify your message so customers will listen.

View on Amazon →

As an Amazon Associate, we may earn from qualifying purchases.