Namecheap, Inc.

With nearly 5% of the global domain market and over 10 million domains under management, Namecheap has built one of the domain industry's most recognizable brands since 2000. The Phoenix-based company started with a simple value proposition — affordable domain registration — but has evolved into a comprehensive web services provider that spans everything from shared hosting to SSL certificates.

What sets Namecheap apart in a crowded registrar market? For starters, they've embraced cryptocurrency payments alongside traditional options like PayPal and credit cards, giving customers more flexibility than most competitors. Their domain marketplace runs active auctions where buyers can bid on premium names, while their WHOIS lookup service provides the domain intelligence that powers everyday web operations.

The company has also expanded strategically through acquisitions, including their purchase of Namebase — a marketplace specifically for Handshake names. Though they later sold Namebase in January 2026, the move showed Namecheap's willingness to experiment with emerging domain technologies beyond traditional TLDs.

Today, Namecheap manages domains for over two million customers through their flagship platform and related services. Their hosting infrastructure supports everything from basic shared hosting to dedicated servers, while their SSL certificate offerings help secure millions of websites. The company's FreeDNS and PremiumDNS services provide DNS management options for customers who need reliable name server infrastructure.

Recent corporate moves have positioned Namecheap for continued growth. In 2025, CVC Capital Partners acquired a majority stake in the company while founder Richard Kirkendall retained significant ownership. The deal valued Namecheap at $1.5 billion and brought private equity resources to accelerate expansion plans.