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Registrar Setup Overview

Setup requirements and API details for every supported registrar.

Everything you need to know before connecting a registrar to Domain Collective.

Comparison table

FeatureGoDaddyNamecheapGandiHostingerPorkbunName.comCloudflare
Prerequisites
10+ domains
or DDCP ($120+/yr)
20+ domains
or $50 balance/spent
None
None
None
None
Cloudflare Registrar
Domains must be registered with Cloudflare
Approval TimeInstant24-48 hoursInstantInstantInstantInstantInstant
Setup DifficultyMediumHard
Easy
Easy
Easy
Easy
Easy
Required Fields3 fields2 fields
1 field
1 field
2 fields2 fields2 fields
Token Expiry
Never
Never
Expires
7 days to 1 year
Never
Never
Never
Never
IP Whitelisting
Not required
Required
Whitelist our IPs
Not required
Not required
Not required
Not required
Not required

Registrar details

GoDaddy

Best for established portfolios

Best suited for:

  • 10+ domains with GoDaddy
  • Discount Domain Club membership
  • Need for professional API access

Highlights:

  • Instant API access
  • No token expiry
  • Large registrar

Good to know:

  • 10+ domain requirement (or paid DDCP)
  • 3 credentials needed
  • May 2024 restrictions added

Namecheap

For high-volume users

Best suited for:

  • 20+ domains with Namecheap
  • $50+ account balance
  • IP allowlist setup required

Highlights:

  • No token expiry
  • Affordable pricing
  • Good domain selection

Good to know:

  • 20+ domain requirement
  • IP whitelisting required
  • Manual approval (24-48hr)

Gandi

Easiest setup for everyone

Best suited for:

  • Quick, easy setup
  • No prerequisites
  • To get started immediately

Highlights:

  • No domain minimum
  • Instant access
  • Only 1 credential needed
  • Simple setup

Good to know:

  • Token expires (7 days to 1 year)
  • Requires renewal management
  • Smaller registrar

Hostinger

Fast setup for growing portfolios

Best suited for:

  • Domains already managed in Hostinger
  • Need modern API with DNS and protection controls
  • Want single-token authentication

Highlights:

  • Single API token
  • Domain, DNS, WHOIS, and protection support
  • No IP allowlist requirement

Good to know:

  • API is newer and may evolve
  • DNS operations are grouped by name+type
  • Auto-renew data requires billing endpoint matching

Porkbun

Fastest JSON API onboarding

Best suited for:

  • Simple API key + secret setup
  • No domain minimums
  • Developer-friendly docs

Highlights:

  • Instant API access
  • Great for indie builders
  • JSON everywhere

Good to know:

  • Smaller registrar
  • Limited enterprise tooling

Name.com

Reliable REST API via Basic auth

Best suited for:

  • Existing Name.com portfolio
  • Need for quick DNS automation
  • Preference for Basic auth flows

Highlights:

  • Simple username + token credentials
  • Instant approval
  • Modern REST responses

Good to know:

  • Rate limits (20 req/s)
  • Must generate/store token securely

Cloudflare

Registrar + DNS under one roof

Best suited for:

  • Domains already using Cloudflare DNS
  • Need wholesale pricing + Cloudflare security
  • Automations built on Cloudflare APIs

Highlights:

  • Single API token controls registrar + DNS
  • No token expiry
  • Built-in DDoS + performance tooling

Good to know:

  • Nameservers cannot be customized
  • Domains must live on Cloudflare

Last verified: February 2026