Technology Encyclopedia Home >Which domain registrars offer free WHOIS privacy protection?

Which domain registrars offer free WHOIS privacy protection?

Created on 2025-12-12 20:30:51
10

Several domain registrars offer free WHOIS privacy protection, which helps shield your personal contact information from being publicly accessible in the WHOIS database. This is particularly useful for preventing spam, phishing, and unwanted solicitations.

Registrars with Free WHOIS Privacy Protection:

  1. Namecheap

    • Free for most domains: WHOIS Guard is included for free for the first year with many domain registrations (e.g., .com, .net, .org) and can be renewed at a low cost.
    • Example: Registering a .com domain with Namecheap includes free WHOIS privacy for the first year, hiding your name, email, and phone number.

  2. Google Domains (now part of Squarespace)

    • Free for all domains: Google Domains provides free WHOIS privacy protection for all supported domain extensions.
    • Example: If you register a .io or .app domain, your personal details remain hidden without extra fees.

  3. Hover

    • Free for some domains: While not all TLDs include free privacy, Hover offers it for free with certain domains (e.g., .com, .net).
    • Example: A .net domain registration with Hover may include free WHOIS masking.

  4. Freenom (for free domains like .tk, .ml, .ga)

    • Free for free domains: Freenom provides WHOIS privacy for its free domain extensions (though reliability varies).
    • Example: Registering a .tk (free domain) may include basic privacy, but paid domains often lack free protection.

  5. Cloudflare (for domains managed via Cloudflare DNS)

    • Free for domains on Cloudflare: If you host your DNS with Cloudflare, you can enable Proxy (CDN) mode, which hides your real IP and partially masks WHOIS data.
    • Example: Using Cloudflare’s proxy feature can help obscure your server details, though it’s not traditional WHOIS privacy.

Why WHOIS Privacy Matters?

  • Prevents spam and scams by hiding your email/phone.
  • Reduces the risk of domain hijacking attempts.
  • Keeps personal information off public records.

For reliable domain registration with free WHOIS privacy, Namecheap and Google Domains (Squarespace) are top choices. If you're using cloud-based DNS services, Cloudflare can also help enhance privacy.