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Squarespace Domains vs Porkbun: Which Is Better?
A head-to-head comparison using the same scoring methodology applied site-wide.
Choose Squarespace Domains if you prioritize squarespace site owners. Choose Porkbun if you prioritize cheap renewals. Overall, Porkbun is the better default for cheap renewals and free whois privacy, while Squarespace Domains is the better pick for squarespace site owners.
Key differences
Porkbun is the better pure registrar on almost every axis a domain owner cares about — renewal cost, DNS depth, privacy, SSL, and email forwarding — while Squarespace Domains wins only on tight integration with a Squarespace website. Keep the domain at Squarespace if the site lives there and simplicity rules; move it to Porkbun if you want registrar substance and lower lifetime cost.
- Purpose: Squarespace Domains is a website-builder's domain arm; Porkbun is a domain-first registrar known for low renewals and transparent pricing.
- Extras: Porkbun bundles free WHOIS privacy, SSL, and email forwarding; Squarespace includes privacy but few registrar-side extras and no public API.
- DNS: Porkbun's panel offers ALIAS records and DNSSEC; Squarespace's DNS is intentionally minimal.
- Long-term cost: Porkbun's model is built on consistently low renewals; Squarespace prices for convenience, not for cost leadership.
Winner by category
| Category | Squarespace Domains | Porkbun | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing | 7.5 | 9.5 | Porkbun |
| Renewals | 7.5 | 9.5 | Porkbun |
| Pricing transparency | 8.5 | 9.5 | Porkbun |
| WHOIS privacy | 9.0 | 9.5 | Porkbun |
| DNS | 7.0 | 8.5 | Porkbun |
| Security / 2FA | 8.0 | 8.5 | Porkbun |
| Support | 7.5 | 8.0 | Porkbun |
| Transfer | 8.0 | 9.0 | Porkbun |
| TLD coverage | 7.5 | 8.5 | Porkbun |
| Developer / API | 6.0 | 8.5 | Porkbun |
| Beginner UX | 9.0 | 8.5 | Squarespace Domains |
| Overall | 7.6 | 9.0 | Porkbun |
.com pricing comparison
| Registrar | First-year | Renewal | 3-year cost | WHOIS privacy | Last checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Squarespace Domains | $11.00 | $20.00 | $51.00 | Free | 2026-05-12 |
| Porkbun | $11.08 | $11.08 | $33.24 | Free | 2026-08-19 |
Pricing across popular TLDs
| TLD | Squarespace Domains first-yr | Squarespace Domains renewal | Porkbun first-yr | Porkbun renewal | Cheaper renewal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| .com | $11.00 | $20.00 | $11.08 | $11.08 | Porkbun |
| .net | $15.00 | $20.00 | $12.52 | $12.52 | Porkbun |
| .org | $15.00 | $20.00 | $7.98 | $11.84 | Porkbun |
| .io | $55.00 | $55.00 | $28.12 | $51.80 | Porkbun |
| .ai | $90.00 | $90.00 | $82.70 | $82.70 | Porkbun |
| .co | $30.00 | $30.00 | $15.76 | $31.20 | Squarespace Domains |
Renewals are the dominant long-term cost. Use the cost calculator for multi-year totals.
- Clean, modern interface
- Tight integration with Squarespace websites
- Free WHOIS privacy
- No public API
- Limited advanced DNS controls
- Among the lowest renewal prices for .com, .net, .io, .dev
- Free WHOIS privacy and SSL on many domains
- Transparent pricing with no hidden fees
- Support limited to business hours for chat
- Smaller brand recognition than legacy registrars
Best by use case
| Use case | Squarespace Domains | Porkbun | Better fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cheap renewals | 7.5 | 9.5 | Porkbun |
| Developers | 6.0 | 8.5 | Porkbun |
| Privacy | 9.0 | 9.5 | Porkbun |
| Support | 7.5 | 8.0 | Porkbun |
| Beginners | 9.0 | 8.5 | Squarespace Domains |
| Bulk portfolios | 7.5 | 8.5 | Porkbun |
Scored on the same 0–10 scale used in our methodology.
Which should you choose?
Choose Squarespace Domains if your website runs on Squarespace and you want domain and site in one account.
Choose Porkbun if you want low verified renewals, free privacy/SSL/email forwarding, and real DNS controls.
Squarespace→Porkbun: disable Domain Lock, request the auth code (emailed by Squarespace, usually within 24 hours), and start the transfer at Porkbun. A Squarespace site works fine with the domain held at Porkbun — point DNS back at Squarespace after the move and the site never goes down.
Final recommendation
Porkbun is the better default — it leads on overall score and is our recommended pick for users who want cheap renewals and free whois privacy.
Squarespace Domains is the better choice if squarespace site owners is your top priority, or if you specifically need simple buyers.
Either way, avoid Porkbun if you need enterprise account management, and avoid Squarespace Domains if you need power dns users.
FAQ
Which is cheaper for .com renewals, Squarespace Domains or Porkbun?+
Which has better DNS, Squarespace Domains or Porkbun?+
Is WHOIS privacy free at both Squarespace Domains and Porkbun?+
What should I know about transferring a domain between Squarespace Domains and Porkbun?+
Sources
- Scoring methodology: /methodology/
- Squarespace Domains review: /registrars/squarespace-domains/
- Porkbun review: /registrars/porkbun/