Should I register a domain with Squarespace or Namecheap?

Namecheap is better for domain registration as a standalone decision — lower pricing, more TLD options (500+), and no platform lock-in. Squarespace Domains (formerly Google Domains, acquired 2023) is best if you're building your website with Squarespace and want seamless integration. Squarespace includes one free domain with annual website plans, making it free if you're already a Squarespace user.

Is Squarespace Domains still Google Domains?

Squarespace acquired Google Domains in 2023 and migrated all Google Domains registrations to Squarespace Domains. The registrar now operates under Squarespace's brand. Former Google Domains customers were automatically migrated. The platform retains similar clean UX but is now integrated into Squarespace's broader ecosystem. Pricing has remained relatively stable post-acquisition.

Squarespace Domains vs Namecheap (2026): Platform-Bundled vs Dedicated Registrar

By ToolVS Research Team · Updated April 10, 2026

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Quick Answer

Namecheap wins for standalone domain registration — lower pricing, more TLDs, and no platform dependency. Squarespace Domains wins if you use Squarespace for your website — one free domain included with annual plans, seamless integration, and clean interface (inherited from Google Domains).

Squarespace Domains

8.2/10

Best for Squarespace website users

Namecheap

8.8/10

Best standalone domain registrar

Feature Comparison

Feature	Squarespace Domains	Namecheap
.com Pricing	~$12-14/year	~$9-11/year
WHOIS Privacy	Free	Free (WhoisGuard)
TLD Variety	~300+ TLDs	500+ TLDs
Website Builder	Yes — Squarespace native	No
Free Domain	Yes — with annual Squarespace plan	No (promo pricing only)
DNS Management	Clean, simple interface	Feature-rich DNS manager
Email Hosting	Via Google Workspace or Squarespace Email	Private Email hosting (paid)
Best For	Squarespace website owners	Developers, agencies, bulk domains

Which do you use?

Squarespace Domains

Namecheap

Who Should Choose What?

→ Choose Squarespace Domains if:

You use Squarespace to build your website — you get a free custom domain with annual plans. You want seamless domain-to-website integration without DNS configuration. You want a clean, simple interface that inherits Google Domains' excellent UX. You prefer managing domain and website in the same platform.

→ Choose Namecheap if:

You want the best price for domain-only registration without being tied to a website builder. You need rare TLDs that Squarespace Domains may not carry. You manage many domains for clients and need bulk management tools. You're a developer or agency that hosts websites elsewhere and just needs a reliable, affordable registrar.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened to Google Domains?

Google sold Google Domains to Squarespace in June 2023. All domains registered with Google Domains were automatically migrated to Squarespace Domains. The migration preserved all DNS settings, WHOIS data, and domain configurations. Former Google Domains users now manage their domains through the Squarespace platform. Google Workspace email services associated with those domains were unaffected. The acquisition was part of Squarespace's strategy to grow its domain registration business alongside its website builder.

Can I use Squarespace Domains without a Squarespace website?

Yes — you can register a domain through Squarespace Domains and point it to any website hosted elsewhere (Vercel, Netlify, WordPress, etc.) by updating the DNS records. Squarespace doesn't require you to use their website builder. However, the free domain offer only applies to Squarespace website subscriptions. For standalone domain registration without a Squarespace website, Namecheap or Porkbun typically offer lower pricing than Squarespace Domains.

Editor's Take

I recommend Squarespace Domains to about 60% of people who ask me. The other 40%? Namecheap. The split usually comes down to budget and team size. Startups tend to prefer one, enterprises the other.

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Last updated: April 10, 2026