After a long period of relative stagnation, the internet domains industry has seen a wave of innovation in recent years. From the rise of niche-specific domain extensions like .io and .ai to fractionalized domain ownership and Web3 domains, new technologies are transforming long-standing aspects of the sector and preparing it for the next major shift.
The best domain registries in 2026 are those that embrace the evolving landscape of the internet, for example by significantly simplifying how domains are used as well as by providing access to brand new features. Below are 10 widely used domain registries, all of which now offer novel solutions – including but not limited to Web3 integrations and modern AI-powered tools.
The 10 Most Advanced Domain Registries in 2026
- Freename
Freenameis an ICANN-accredited domain registry that combines the best of Web2 and Web3. Users can register traditional domains with TLDs such as .com or .ai to launch regular websites on the World Wide Web. At the same time, Freename is the first platform that allows owners of Web2 domains to link them to various Web3 services, including digital asset wallets.
Users can also purchase Web3 domains, which run on blockchain infrastructure and can be used for decentralized identities, websites, emails, and even royalty-based monetization. Last but not least, Freename also operates Aftermarket, where both Web2 and Web3 domains can be traded, as well as Domora, a platform that enables fractional ownership of domains (i.e. enabling users to purchase and sell shares of domain ownership).
2. Namecheap
Namecheap is a household name in the domain sector and is primarily known for traditional domain registrations with a focus on simplicity. Users can acquire a broad range of national and international domains, trade existing ones through a marketplace, and purchase hosting and email services.
More recently, the company introduced support for Web3 domains, branded as Handshake Domains, making Namecheap a near one-stop shop for domain services. However, while its Web2 prices are competitive, its Web3 domains tend to be more expensive than alternatives.
3. Spaceship
Spaceship currently supports only Web2 domains, but its features are distinctly modern. Alongside traditional domain registrations, domain trading, and hosting services, Spaceship offers several advanced tools.
These include an AI assistant capable of generating full websites within minutes, the Starlight cloud server, and a novel communication service called Thunderbolt. Thunderbolt lets users communicate via voice, video, and chat using a domain name instead of a phone number. The service supports both Web2 and Web3 domains as identities, thus introducing a completely new way domains can be used in 2026.
4. Hostinger
Hostinger is another traditional domain registry that bets big on AI. In addition to regular features such as domain registrations and web hosting, the company offers a multitude of AI-enhanced services. These include an AI ecommerce website builder, an AI no-code website builder, an AI-managed VPS, and even self-hosted n8n for open-source, node-based workflow automation.
5. GoDaddy
GoDaddy is a legacy domain registry known for its simple, accessible approach to domain and website ownership. While not typically associated with cutting-edge innovation, it earned its place on this list thanks to GoDaddy Airo. This AI-powered tool automates the entire journey from domain purchase to full website creation, including web design and logo generation, making website ownership more accessible than ever.
6. Ionos
Ionos is a German-based internet services provider that offers a range of domain-related services with a particular focus on business and enterprise use. Alongside regular solutions to purchase and manage domains, the platform is known for its wide range of hosting services. In fact, Ionos users can access anything from standard website or e-commerce hosting to highly specific services, such as GPU server hosting, AI model cloud hosting, Linux VPS hosting, and many more.
7. Space.ID
Space.ID is the first Web3 exclusive domain registry on this list. The company refers to itself as a "One-stop Web3 Domain & Identity Platform," with its services being centered around Web3 domain registrations, trading, and payment services. Notably, the platform offers a wide range of some of the most popular Web3 TLDs, including .eth, .bnb, and .floki. Similar to Freename, Space.ID users can link their domains to cryptocurrency wallets in order to accept payments – although, unlike with Freename, Web2 domains are currently not supported for this feature.
8. Squarespace
Squarespace is one of the fastest-growing full-service domain and website platforms. Domain registration is only a small part of its offering—its true strength lies in what users can build afterward. Once connected to Squarespace, users can create no-code websites and online stores (supported by AI tools) and manage everything from invoicing to payments, analytics, and marketing
9. Krystal
Krystal is a UK-based domain registry and hosting platform that is a favorite among experienced web designers, reflected by its impressive 4.9/5 stars rating on Trustpilot. Users praise the company's excellent customer support, high reliability, and attractive pricing. Its solutions are centered around website creation and management, offering a number of cutting-edge tools to simplify processes and customize hosting needs.
10. Endless Domains
Rounding out this list is Endless Domains, another Web3-focused domain registry. The platform offers the purchase of a variety of Web3 domains and TLDs, as well as a marketplace to trade existing Web3 domains. For those who find themselves unable to judge the value of a specific domain, Endless Domains is building a real world data-based domain appraisal tool. Finally, Endless Domains also offers a parked domain feature, focused on registered but unused domain names. This can be used for generating income through ads, safeguarding the domain name for future resale, or redirecting traffic to another site.
