Hide filters
TOP domain endings
Search domain extension
TOP Features
DNS edit.
Name server including
Maximum Cost
0 £
  • 0
  • 25
  • 50
  • 75
  • 100
Recommendation Rate
0 %
  • 0
  • 25
  • 50
  • 75
  • 100
Satisfaction
Search Provider
Display
New domain endings
Show more options
Payment Method
Minimum Cost
0 £
  • 0
  • 25
  • 50
  • 75
  • 100

* At hosttest, only a selection of providers can be found. Offers marked with an asterisk have additional conditions on the offer detail page. More information about our ranking and sorting details.
* All prices on this page are net prices and are subject to the applicable VAT.

Didn't find the right one?

Now post an individual tender for free & without obligation and receive offers in the shortest possible time.

Start tender

Christopher Prüfer
by Christopher Prüfer Web hosting expert
Why you can trust hosttest
Since 2006
active
6.165
Customer reviews
14.133
Offers compared
> 400
Providers
Domain comparison

Domain providers compared

Do you want to register a new domain, secure your preferred address or compare suitable domain extensions for your web project? A good domain is the foundation for any professional website, individual email addresses and a recognisable online presence. Compare suitable domain providers here and find the right internet address for your project.

Simply explained

What is a domain?

A domain is the unique address of a website on the Internet. It ensures visitors do not have to access a website via a hard-to-remember IP address, but can simply use a name, for example deine-marke.tld. In addition to websites, domains are also used for professional email addresses.

A domain consists of two central components: the freely selectable domain name and the domain extension. The domain name is the individual part before the dot. The domain extension, also known as the top-level domain or TLD for short, follows the dot. Together both components form the complete Internet address.

Choosing the right domain is important because it can have a major impact on recognition, trust, brand building and the public perception of a web project. Therefore it is worth carefully comparing domain names, domain extensions, prices and providers.

Tip: Use our domain check to see whether your desired domain name is still available!

🌐

The domain is the address of your web project

Whether a company website, online shop, blog, association, portfolio or landing page: without a domain a professional online presence is hardly conceivable. It makes your project discoverable, recognisable and provides the basis for your website and email.

Use cases

What is a domain used for?

Domains are used for many different online projects. They serve not only as a website address but also as the basis for email, brand building, campaigns and international websites.

Websites

Every professional website needs its own domain. It makes the site accessible via an easy‑to‑remember address and appears much more professional than a free subdomain.

Online shops

For online shops a trustworthy domain is especially important. Customers should recognise the address, be able to enter it easily and trust the provider when making a purchase.

Email addresses

With your own domain you can set up professional email addresses such as info@deine-domain.tld or kontakt@deine-marke.tld.

Brands & companies

A suitable domain supports brand building and protects important names on the internet. Many companies therefore secure several relevant domain extensions.

Landing pages & campaigns

For marketing campaigns, product launches or regional promotions, separate domains or additional domain extensions can be useful.

International projects

If you target multiple countries or language regions, you can use country‑specific domains or international extensions to provide a clear structure.

Benefits & Selection

Why compare domain providers?

Domain providers differ in prices, available extensions (TLDs), DNS features, contract terms, support and additional services. A comparison helps you not only find a low-cost domain but also the right provider for your project.

Benefits of comparing domains

  • find low prices for desired domain extensions
  • compare registration and renewal costs
  • choose suitable TLDs for country, industry or project
  • check DNS features and nameserver management
  • consider customer reviews and experiences
  • compare additional services such as e-mail, SSL or web hosting
  • avoid hidden costs and setup fees
  • manage multiple domains centrally with a single provider

What to watch out for

  • low introductory prices may increase significantly later on
  • not every domain extension is available from every provider
  • some TLDs have special registration rules
  • Domain costs vary widely depending on the extension
  • DNS features vary between providers
  • domain, web hosting and e-mail should be suitable for your project
  • exercise particular caution with trademark or name rights
Domain structure

Choosing the right domain name and extension

A good domain consists of an appropriate name and a sensible extension. Both elements should fit the project, the target audience and the long-term strategy.

01

The domain name

The domain name is the unique part of your internet address. It should be as short as possible, clear, easy to remember and simple to type. For businesses the brand name is often the best choice. For projects, descriptive terms or relevant keywords may also be useful.

02

The domain extension

The domain extension comes after the dot. It can be country-specific, for example for a particular country, or generic, for international, commercial or topical web projects. The appropriate extension depends on which audience you want to reach.

03

Country-specific domains

Country-specific domains are especially suitable if your offering is clearly aimed at users in a particular country. They can build trust and immediately make clear which market the website is intended for.

04

Generic domains

Generic extensions such as .com, .net, .org or new thematic extensions can be appropriate if your project is aimed internationally or does not require a clear country association.

05

Check availability

A domain check can verify whether the desired domain is still available. If the chosen domain is already taken, alternative extensions, name variants or useful additions can help.

06

Observe trademark rights

Before registration you should check whether the desired name could infringe third-party rights. Caution is particularly important with trademarks, company names, product names or protected terms.

Terms explained

Key domain terms simply explained

When comparing domains, many terms appear. The most important are easy to classify once you know the role they play in registration and management.

Domain

A domain is a website's address on the Internet. It consists of a name and a domain extension.

TLD

TLD stands for Top-Level Domain and denotes the domain extension, for example a country code or a generic extension.

ccTLD

ccTLD stands for country-code Top-Level Domain. It refers to country-specific domain extensions.

gTLD

gTLD stands for generic Top-Level Domain. These include classic generic extensions and many new themed domain extensions.

Domain check

A domain check verifies whether a desired domain is still available, or whether alternatives can be registered.

DNS

The Domain Name System links domains to technical targets, such as servers, websites or email services.

Nameserver

Nameservers store DNS settings and ensure that a domain correctly points to websites, mail servers or other services.

Domain transfer

A domain transfer refers to moving a domain from one provider to another.

Selection guide

Which domain extension suits which project?

The appropriate domain extension depends heavily on the target audience, market, language and type of project. For regional offerings, country-code extensions are often the most obvious choice. For international projects, a generic extension can be more suitable.

For local projects

  • choose a country-specific domain extension
  • suits regional businesses and target audiences
  • can build trust in the local market
  • ideal for local shops, service providers and associations
  • also consider regional alternatives

For international projects

  • .com domain is often the obvious choice
  • also .net, .org or suitable new extensions can be used
  • structure multiple language or country versions sensibly
  • check trademark protection across multiple extensions
  • prefer short and easy-to-understand names

For businesses

  • secure the brand name as a domain
  • check important country-code extensions and .com
  • plan for professional email addresses
  • consider DNS and nameserver functions
  • check rights and trademark availability

For blogs & projects

  • a memorable, easy-to-understand name is important
  • thematic extensions can be useful
  • prefer short names
  • use hyphens only sparingly
  • consider social media names
Country version

Choose a suitable country domain extension

Depending on the country where the website’s target audience is located, appropriate country domain extensions can make sense.

🇬🇧

Domains for the UK: .uk, .co.uk and suitable alternatives

For websites targeting the United Kingdom, .uk domain and .co.uk domain are particularly relevant. .co.uk has been established for many years and is often used by companies, shops and service providers. .uk is shorter and more modern, but can also be a very good fit depending on the project.

For international projects, .com is often a strong addition. Depending on the sector, .net, .org or thematic extensions such as .shop, .online, .store, .app or .cloud may also make sense. Companies with a UK focus should consider whether to register both .uk and .co.uk.

Choosing a provider

What should you consider when comparing domain providers?

A good domain provider should not only offer competitive prices but also reliable management, transparent terms and suitable additional features. Particularly important are DNS, nameservers, support and clear renewal fees.

01

Available domain extensions

Check whether the provider supports the desired TLD. If you want to cover multiple countries or brand variants, look for a wide selection of domain extensions.

02

Registration and renewal costs

Pay attention not only to the first-year price. Also important are the regular renewal fees, any promotional pricing and charges for add-on services.

03

DNS management

Good DNS management is important if you want to connect domains to websites, email services, cloud services, e-commerce platforms or external platforms.

04

Email features

Many users want to set up professional email addresses with their domain. Check whether email mailboxes, forwarding or suitable mail hosting plans are available.

05

Domain transfer

If you want to move an existing domain, the provider should offer a simple domain transfer. Clear processes, support for auth codes and minimal downtime are important.

06

Support & reviews

Good support is especially important for DNS issues, domain transfers or technical questions. Customer reviews and experiences can help with your choice.

Buy a domain

How to find and register your desired domain

Registering a domain is usually quick. However, it's worth checking the name, extension, availability and provider carefully beforehand.

01

Define the project and target audience

First consider which country, which language and which audience the website is intended for. This will often indicate whether a country-code extension or an international extension is more suitable.

02

Develop domain names

Gather short, clear and memorable names. Avoid unnecessarily complicated spellings, too many hyphens or terms that can easily be misunderstood.

03

Check domain availability

Use a domain check to see if your desired domain is still available. If it is taken, try alternative TLDs, different spellings or sensible additions.

04

Compare providers

Compare price, renewal costs, DNS features, email options, support, customer reviews and possible additional services.

05

Register the domain

If the domain is available and you have chosen a provider, you can register it. Afterwards it can be connected to web hosting, email, a website builder, an online store or external services.

Recommendation

How to find the right domain

The best domain is short, clear, memorable and matches the target audience. For regional projects a country-specific extension is often sensible. For international offerings .com or another generic extension may be more appropriate. It is also important that the domain name, domain extension, email usage and long-term brand strategy align.

For local projects:

choose an appropriate country-specific extension and, if necessary, secure important alternatives.

For businesses:

check the brand name, .com, relevant country-specific extensions, email usage and possible spelling variants.

For international projects:

ensure simple spelling, cross-language clarity and a clear domain strategy.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about domains

What is a domain?

A domain is a website's address on the internet. It consists of a domain name and a domain extension and makes a website easy for visitors to find.

What do I need a domain for?

A domain is required for websites, online shops, blogs, landing pages and professional email addresses. It is an important part of a professional online presence.

How much does a domain cost?

The cost depends on the chosen domain extension and the provider. Common country-code extensions and classic generic extensions are often cheaper than specialised or particularly sought-after TLDs. It is also important to look at the renewal costs.

Which domain extension is right?

For regional projects, the respective country-code extension is often appropriate. For international projects, .com is often a good choice. Depending on the industry, .net, .org, .shop, .online, .app or other thematic extensions may also be suitable.

What is a domain check?

A domain check verifies whether a desired domain is still available. If the desired domain is already taken, alternative extensions or name variants may be suggested.

Can I register a domain for free?

A proper domain of your own is usually not free, because registries and providers charge fees. Some hosting packages include a domain free for the first year. In the long run, regular renewal costs usually apply.

What is the difference between a domain and web hosting?

The domain is the address of your website. Web hosting is the storage space or server where the website files are located. For a functioning website, you generally need both.

Can I transfer a domain to another provider?

Yes, registered domains can generally be transferred to another provider. This usually requires an authorisation code (Auth-Code), which you obtain from your current provider.

Can I sell a domain?

Yes, a domain can generally be sold if you own it and it does not infringe third-party rights. The sale can be carried out directly or via specialised domain marketplaces.

What should I consider when comparing domain providers?

Important factors are available TLDs, registration and renewal costs, DNS features, email options, domain transfer, support, customer reviews and transparent terms and conditions.


Tags for this comparison

  • Domain

  • Articles related to this comparison

    Domain Snapping and Domain Grabbing - what do the terms mean?

    What exactly do the terms Domain Snapping and Domain Grabbing entail and why should website operators be aware of them?

    What is the AUTH or transfer code for a domain?

    We explain what the Auth Code is and what it is needed for when transferring a domain.

    What is a Top-Level Domain

    The present-day Internet emerged from the military and scientific ARPA-Net, in which various institutions from both area...