Epik vs Register.com
A detailed comparison to help you choose between Epik and Register.com.
Quick Verdict
2.5/5
Epik
0 reviews
2.4/5
Register.com
0 reviews
Epik is rated higher (2.5 vs 2.4). US-based ICANN-accredited domain registrar (founded 2009) offering WHOIS privacy, bulk registration and marketplace tools. Sold to Registered Agents Inc. in 2023; under new ownership it repositioned toward small businesses with tighter terms of service. Register.com registers domains and provides hosting, email, and website builders for small businesses and individuals establishing their online presence.
Epik Domain registration with privacy protection and reseller support | Register.com Domain registration with hosting and website building tools | |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Rating | 2.5 (0 reviews)✓ | 2.4 (0 reviews) |
| Pricing model | paid | paid |
| Starting price | From $9.99/mo | From $5/mo✓ |
| Best for | Small-business buyers who want domains alongside the parent company's registered-agent and LLC-formation services, and existing holders who value the tightened post-2024 terms of service over price. | Existing customers with legacy domain portfolios here and small businesses who prioritize phone support and single-vendor bundling over renewal economics. |
| Tags | ||
| Tags | api access | — |
| Visit Epik → | Visit Register.com → | |
Epik
Pros
- + WHOIS privacy included free on registrations — no per-domain privacy upsell
- + Published price table for common TLDs and bulk/marketplace tooling included in the platform
- + ICANN accreditation survived the 2023 ownership change; transfer was reviewed and finalised openly (31 January 2024)
- + New ownership has tightened abuse handling and repositioned the platform toward small businesses
- + Mid-scale operational footprint: 22nd largest US registrar as of January 2022
Cons
- - Expensive against mainstream registrars: .com $15.99 register/renew, $129 redemption ($229 for .shop)
- - September 2021 breach exposed ~180 GB including credentials and private keys; initially denied by the company
- - 2023 financial collapse and forced $5M sale to Registered Agents Inc., whose corporate structure drew press scrutiny
- - History of upstream terminations (Voxility, Linode, PayPal) tied to its old customer base and practices
- - Product story beyond domains is scattered; support depth lags top-tier registrars
Register.com
Pros
- + Three decades in domain registration — founded 1994, 2 million+ domains under management by its own count
- + One-account bundling of domains, DNS, email, SSL, hosting and a website builder for non-technical owners
- + Phone-based support channel for buyers who prefer calling over self-service
- + Standard registrar mechanics (auto-renew, transfer lock, auth codes, Advanced DNS) are documented and self-serve
- + Reseller/partner program exists for agencies managing customer portfolios ($249.99 account deposit)
Cons
- - Renewals run far above promo rates — third-party checks put .com renewals near $35/yr, the top of the market
- - WHOIS privacy is a paid add-on (~$8.99-9.99/yr) where mainstream registrars include it free
- - Steady-state pricing is hidden behind add-to-cart flows; no public renewal matrix
- - Complaint record is a concern — 2026 comparisons cite a BBB D- rating, billing disputes and transfer friction
- - Advanced DNS (DNSSEC, RBAC/audit) documentation and portfolio tooling lag specialist registrars
Stay in the loop
Get weekly updates on the best new hosting and infrastructure providers, deals, and comparisons.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.