When I first heard about Cloudflare's "at-cost" domain registration, I was skeptical. We've all been burned by those too-good-to-be-true offers from domain registrars before, right? But as someone who manages dozens of websites, the promise of eliminating those painful renewal markups was too tempting to ignore.
Cloudflare has established itself as a tech powerhouse, with over 30% of Fortune 1000 companies using their services. But how does their domain registrar service stack up? Is it really as cheap as they claim? And more importantly, what's the catch?
Let's dive into my hands-on experience with Cloudflare as a domain registrar and discover if it should be your go-to option for domain registration in 2025.
Is Cloudflare Really the Cheapest Domain Registrar?
Let's address the burning question first: Yes, Cloudflare genuinely offers domains at wholesale prices with zero markup. This isn't a first-year promotion or a bait-and-switch tactic. What you see is what you pay, even for renewals.
Cloudflare charges you exactly what they pay to the registry, plus the mandatory ICANN fee. This means they're actually losing money on each domain registration when you factor in their operational costs like:
- Payment processing fees (2-5% per transaction)
- ICANN accreditation fees ($4,000 annually)
- Technical infrastructure costs
- Customer support expenses
But why would they do this? Simple: Cloudflare wants you in their ecosystem. They're betting that you'll find value in their other services once you're a customer, and they're playing the long game.
Cloudflare Domain Registrar: The Pros
Seamless Integration with Cloudflare DNS
If you're already using Cloudflare's DNS services (and many of us are), registering your domain with them creates a seamless experience. Instead of juggling between your registrar and Cloudflare dashboards, everything lives in one place. I've found this incredibly convenient for managing multiple sites.
Think about it: if your domain's sole purpose at your current registrar is to forward nameservers to Cloudflare, why not cut out the middleman?
Guaranteed Lowest Renewal Prices
We've all experienced the sticker shock of domain renewals. That $8.99 domain suddenly costs $18.99 to renew. With Cloudflare, what you see is what you get – forever (unless the registry itself raises wholesale prices).
This transparency is refreshing in an industry known for promotional pricing tricks. No more calendar reminders to transfer domains before renewal!
Free Private Registration
Remember when registrars charged $10+ per year for WHOIS privacy? While many registrars now include this for free, Cloudflare takes privacy a step further with robust protection built into every registration.
What's more impressive is what they don't do: there's no upselling. No "Would you like to add email?" or "How about an SSL certificate?" Just domain registration at cost, period.
One-Click DNSSEC Activation
DNSSEC provides crucial security for your domain by protecting against DNS spoofing attacks. With Cloudflare, enabling it is literally a single click. This is particularly valuable if you're already using Cloudflare's DNS services, as enabling DNSSEC can be a technical headache when your nameservers and registrar are different companies.
The Limitations You Need to Know
Complex User Interface
Let's be honest: Cloudflare's dashboard isn't the most intuitive for domain management. If you're used to consumer-friendly interfaces like Namecheap or GoDaddy, you might find yourself hunting for basic domain functions.
Is it a dealbreaker? Not for me, but it might be for less technical users who just want to register a domain and be done with it.
Limited TLD Support
Need a .photography domain? How about a country-specific TLD? Cloudflare's selection is limited compared to established registrars. While they do offer most popular TLDs, they currently support about 350 extensions, which excludes many country-specific and specialty TLDs.
Before getting too excited about their pricing, check if your desired TLD is even available through them.
No Custom Nameserver Option
Here's the biggest catch: when you register a domain with Cloudflare, you must use their DNS services. You cannot point your domain to different nameservers. This is their one non-negotiable requirement and it's even written into their terms of service.
For most users who already enjoy Cloudflare's DNS services, this isn't an issue. But if you need to use another DNS provider for specific features, this is a dealbreaker.
Mandatory Privacy Protection
While most users appreciate privacy protection, some business cases require public WHOIS information. Unfortunately, Cloudflare doesn't offer this option – all registrations are private, no exceptions.
No Bulk Management Tools
If you manage multiple domains, Cloudflare's lack of bulk management tools is frustrating. Want to update contact information across 20 domains? Get ready for a lot of clicking. They do offer API access, but that's not accessible for average users.
Subpar Customer Support
When things go wrong with domains, you need responsive support. My experience with Cloudflare's support for domain issues has been disappointing. Email responses are slow, and their community forum often leaves questions unanswered.
In fairness, domain registration rarely requires support, but when it does, you'll wish for more responsive assistance.
Who Should Use Cloudflare as Their Domain Registrar?
After using Cloudflare for domain registration for over a year, I've concluded it's perfect for:
- Website owners who already use Cloudflare DNS and security services
- Budget-conscious individuals managing multiple domains
- Tech-savvy users who don't mind a steeper learning curve
- Those who prioritize transparent pricing over extensive features
However, it's not ideal for:
- Domain investors managing large portfolios
- Those needing country-specific or uncommon TLDs
- Anyone requiring custom nameservers
- Businesses needing public WHOIS information
Conclusion: Is Cloudflare Worth It?
Cloudflare's domain registrar service delivers on its core promise: the cheapest domain registration with no hidden fees or renewal surprises. For most website owners, particularly those already in the Cloudflare ecosystem, it's an excellent choice that will save money over time.
However, the limitations are real and might be dealbreakers depending on your specific needs. I personally use Cloudflare for most of my domains but keep a few specialty domains with other registrars for their specific features.
If you primarily need reliable, no-nonsense domain registration at the lowest possible price, and you're comfortable with Cloudflare's DNS, you'll be hard-pressed to find a better option in 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Cloudflare ever offer promotional prices below their at-cost pricing?
No, Cloudflare's pricing is always at-cost, which means they can't go any lower. Unlike traditional registrars that offer first-year discounts and then raise renewal prices, Cloudflare maintains consistent pricing throughout the domain lifecycle.
Can I transfer my existing domain to Cloudflare?
Yes, you can transfer eligible domains to Cloudflare. The process follows standard ICANN requirements, including a 60-day waiting period after registration or your last transfer. Note that when transferring to Cloudflare, you must use their DNS services.
How do I contact Cloudflare support for domain registration issues?
Cloudflare offers email support and a community forum for domain registration issues. However, response times can be slow. For urgent matters, I recommend using their support ticket system rather than the community forum.
Does Cloudflare support internationalized domain names (IDNs)?
No, Cloudflare currently doesn't support IDNs (domains with non-English characters). If you need an IDN, you'll need to use a different registrar.
Can I use Cloudflare's registrar service if I don't use their other services?
Technically yes, but you'll be required to use Cloudflare DNS when registering domains through them. This is their only non-negotiable requirement. If you're not interested in using their DNS services, Cloudflare may not be the right registrar for you.