Hostinger Domains Review: Are They Really the Cheapest?
Choosing the right domain registrar is a crucial first step when building your online presence. With countless options available, Hostinger has positioned itself as a go-to platform for budget-conscious users—boasting some of the lowest prices in the industry. But are they really the cheapest, and does their low cost compromise quality?
In this review, we’ll take a close look at Hostinger Domains, breaking down their pricing, features, performance, and overall value for money to help you decide if it’s the right domain registrar for you.
What Are Hostinger Domains?
Hostinger Domains is the domain registration service provided by Hostinger, a popular web hosting company known for its affordable plans. Hostinger offers domain names across a wide range of extensions (TLDs), including:
.com.net.org.online.store- Country-specific TLDs like
.co.uk,.in,.us, and more
Whether you’re creating a business website, personal blog, portfolio, or eCommerce store, Hostinger has a domain option to match.
Hostinger Domain Pricing: Is It the Cheapest?
.COM Domains
- Starting price: $9.99/year (first year)
- Renewal price: $13.99/year
Compared to:
- GoDaddy: ~$19.99/year + WHOIS privacy extra
- Namecheap: ~$13.98/year + free WHOIS privacy
- Google Domains (now Squarespace): ~$12/year
👉 Verdict: Hostinger’s initial price is cheaper than most top competitors.
Other TLDs (Top-Level Domains)
| Extension | First-Year Price | Renewal Price |
|---|---|---|
.online | $0.99/year | $39.99/year |
.tech | $2.99/year | $44.99/year |
.xyz | $0.99/year | $14.99/year |
.store | $1.99/year | $49.99/year |
.net | $12.99/year | $14.99/year |
.org | $13.99/year | $15.99/year |
Verdict: Some of these prices (especially .online, .xyz, .store) are promotional and ideal for short-term or testing projects, but renewal rates can be steep.
Free WHOIS Privacy Protection
Many registrars charge extra for WHOIS privacy protection, which hides your personal information from public domain databases.
Hostinger offers WHOIS privacy for free with many domains, especially .com—a major cost saver when compared to GoDaddy or Bluehost.
Domain Features Included
When you register a domain with Hostinger, you get more than just a name:
- Free WHOIS privacy (on eligible TLDs)
- DNS management tools (A, MX, CNAME records)
- Domain forwarding
- Easy integration with Hostinger hosting
- Domain transfer support
- Email forwarding (basic)
Domain Transfers
Already have a domain with another provider? Hostinger allows easy domain transfers with competitive transfer pricing.
- .com transfers: $9.99 (includes 1-year renewal)
- .net transfers: $10.99
- .org transfers: $11.99
Speed & Performance
Since Hostinger is primarily a hosting company, domains purchased through them integrate seamlessly with their hosting plans. This allows you to manage everything—domain, hosting, email, SSL—under one dashboard.
This simplicity can save time, reduce tech headaches, and speed up site deployment.
Any Downsides?
While Hostinger offers excellent first-year prices, there are a few things to keep in mind:
1. High Renewal Rates for Some TLDs
Cheap TLDs like .online, .tech, and .store renew at much higher prices—some up to $49.99/year.
Tip: Read the renewal pricing carefully before buying a promotional domain.
2. Limited Advanced Domain Tools
Power users may find Hostinger’s domain tools more basic compared to platforms like Namecheap or Cloudflare Domains.
3. No Domain Auctions or Marketplace
Unlike GoDaddy, Hostinger doesn’t offer domain auctions or reselling features (yet).
Who Should Buy Domains from Hostinger?
Hostinger Domains are best suited for:
- New website owners & beginners looking for cheap, no-frills domain registration
- Freelancers & small businesses who want a reliable, cost-effective domain provider
- People already using Hostinger hosting (easy integration)
- Users needing WHOIS privacy protection at no extra cost
Hostinger vs Other Popular Registrars
| Feature | Hostinger | Namecheap | GoDaddy | Google (Squarespace) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| .com price (1st yr) | $9.99 | $13.98 | $19.99 | $12 |
| Free WHOIS Privacy | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Renewal price | $13.99 | $14.98 | $19.99 | $12 |
| DNS management | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Domain email | Basic | Basic | Paid add-on | Basic |
| Advanced tools | Basic | Advanced | Advanced | Basic |
Final Verdict: Are Hostinger Domains Really the Cheapest?
Yes—for many common TLDs like .com, Hostinger is among the most affordable registrars, especially for the first year. Their inclusion of free WHOIS privacy adds even more value. If you’re already using Hostinger hosting or just want a simple, low-cost domain provider, it’s an excellent choice.
However, watch out for promotional domains with steep renewal prices. For long-term projects, you might want to compare renewal rates before locking in.