# Namecheap review: solid, with registry lock, but watch the renewals

**Verdict: a reasonable choice, and one of the few mainstream registrars that
sells registry lock.** Security options are good. The pricing model is the
usual one: a discounted first year and a higher renewal, so compare the
renewal price, not the headline.

We review registrars from one angle: how well they protect a business's
domains. We have no affiliate relationship with any registrar. Facts were
checked on 30 October 2026.

## At a glance

| | Namecheap |
|---|---|
| Pricing | first year discounted, renewals higher |
| WHOIS privacy | free for life on eligible TLDs |
| Two-factor sign-in | authenticator app (TOTP) or U2F security keys (one method at a time) |
| Registry lock | yes, through Domain Vault (Verisign Registry Lock for .com/.net) |
| DNSSEC | yes |
| DNS | free BasicDNS; paid PremiumDNS |
| API | yes, with conditions (see below) |

## Price

Namecheap's first-year prices are low and renewals cost noticeably more, as
at most large registrars. Before moving a portfolio, compare the renewal
price per year, which is what you'll pay from year two onwards.

## Security

- **Security keys.** Namecheap supports U2F security keys, and you can link
  several, so a lost key isn't a lockout. Only one 2FA method can be active
  at a time.
- **Registry lock** is the standout. Namecheap's Domain Vault adds a lock
  enforced at the registry, which blocks nameserver changes, deletion and
  transfers even from a compromised account. It doesn't cover contact or DNS
  record changes. See [Registry lock](/guides/registry-lock) for whether you
  need it.
- **WHOIS privacy** is free on eligible domains.
- **API access** has a high bar: you need 20 or more domains, or $50 in the
  account or spent in the past two years, and calls are only accepted from
  IPv4 addresses you whitelist. Inconvenient, but it keeps casual API keys
  away from small accounts.

## Incident history

In February 2023, Namecheap's email service provider account was abused to
send phishing emails (fake DHL and MetaMask messages) to its customers.
Namecheap said its newsletter list had been accessed and paused its emails
while it investigated. Domains and accounts weren't reported as affected.

## Reporting abuse at Namecheap

See [Report a phishing domain registered at Namecheap](/guides/report-phishing-domain-namecheap):
`abuse@namecheap.com`, with the evidence Namecheap asks for.

## Compared with the others

See [the best domain registrar for security](/guides/best-domain-registrar-for-security).

## Check your domain

The [domain expiry checker](/tools/domain-expiry-checker) shows expiry,
transfer lock and registrar for any domain.

## Sources

- [Namecheap: two-factor authentication](https://www.namecheap.com/support/knowledgebase/article.aspx/9253/45/how-to-twofactor-authentication)
- [Namecheap: TOTP method](https://www.namecheap.com/support/knowledgebase/article.aspx/10073/45/how-can-i-use-the-totp-method-for-twofactor-authentication/)
- [Namecheap: U2F method](https://namecheap.com/support/knowledgebase/article.aspx/10102/45/how-can-i-use-the-u2f-method-for-twofactor-authentication)
- [Namecheap: what is registry lock?](https://namecheap.com/support/knowledgebase/article.aspx/10536/2289/what-is-registry-lock)
- [Domain Name Wire: Namecheap introduces registry lock (2022)](https://domainnamewire.com/2022/07/19/namecheap-introduces-registry-lock-and-other-security-options/)
- [BleepingComputer: Namecheap's email hacked to send phishing (2023)](https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/namecheaps-email-hacked-to-send-metamask-dhl-phishing-emails/)
- [Namecheap: how and where to file abuse complaints](https://www.namecheap.com/support/knowledgebase/article.aspx/9196/5/how-and-where-can-i-file-abuse-complaints/)

---
Source: https://nameward.app/guides/namecheap-review (updated 2026-10-30)