{
  "_meta": {
    "note": "Sample data for MVP. Replace with verified, hand-tested values before publishing. All prices in USD unless noted.",
    "last_updated": "2026-05-01"
  },
  "registrars": [
    {
      "id": "namecheap",
      "name": "Namecheap",
      "slug": "namecheap",
      "website": "https://www.namecheap.com",
      "headquarters": "Phoenix, Arizona, United States",
      "founded": 2000,
      "icann_accredited": true,
      "best_for": [
        "Small business",
        "Beginners",
        "Free WHOIS privacy"
      ],
      "not_ideal_for": [
        "Lowest .com renewal price",
        "Advanced DNS power users"
      ],
      "whois_privacy": "Free, included with all eligible domains",
      "two_factor_authentication": "TOTP authenticator app and SMS",
      "api_available": true,
      "bulk_tools": true,
      "dns_quality": "Solid managed DNS with templates, dynamic DNS, and DNSSEC support",
      "support_channels": [
        "24/7 live chat",
        "Ticket support",
        "Knowledge base"
      ],
      "tld_coverage_summary": "500+ TLDs including most popular gTLDs and many ccTLDs",
      "country_coverage_summary": "Strong global coverage; many local payment methods",
      "pros": [
        "Free WHOIS privacy on all eligible domains",
        "Reliable 24/7 live chat support",
        "Clear, predictable pricing"
      ],
      "cons": [
        "Renewals priced above the cheapest competitors",
        "DNS interface is functional but not as advanced as Cloudflare"
      ],
      "last_checked": "2026-05-12",
      "last_reviewed": "2026-04-22"
    },
    {
      "id": "porkbun",
      "name": "Porkbun",
      "slug": "porkbun",
      "website": "https://porkbun.com",
      "headquarters": "Portland, Oregon, United States",
      "founded": 2014,
      "icann_accredited": true,
      "best_for": [
        "Cheap renewals",
        "Free WHOIS privacy",
        "Email forwarding"
      ],
      "not_ideal_for": [
        "Enterprise account management",
        "Large premium TLD catalog"
      ],
      "whois_privacy": "Free, included by default",
      "two_factor_authentication": "TOTP authenticator app",
      "api_available": true,
      "bulk_tools": true,
      "dns_quality": "Free DNS, ALIAS records, DNSSEC, and good UI",
      "support_channels": [
        "Email",
        "Live chat (business hours)",
        "Knowledge base"
      ],
      "tld_coverage_summary": "Wide TLD list with aggressive pricing on many extensions",
      "country_coverage_summary": "Global; English-only support",
      "pros": [
        "Among the lowest renewal prices for .com, .net, .io, .dev",
        "Free WHOIS privacy and SSL on many domains",
        "Transparent pricing with no hidden fees"
      ],
      "cons": [
        "Support limited to business hours for chat",
        "Smaller brand recognition than legacy registrars"
      ],
      "last_checked": "2026-05-12",
      "last_reviewed": "2026-04-29"
    },
    {
      "id": "cloudflare-registrar",
      "name": "Cloudflare Registrar",
      "slug": "cloudflare-registrar",
      "website": "https://www.cloudflare.com/products/registrar/",
      "headquarters": "San Francisco, California, United States",
      "founded": 2009,
      "icann_accredited": true,
      "best_for": [
        "Developers",
        "At-cost renewals",
        "Cloudflare DNS users"
      ],
      "not_ideal_for": [
        "First-time domain buyers",
        "Wide ccTLD coverage",
        "Premium TLDs"
      ],
      "whois_privacy": "Free, included; redacted by default",
      "two_factor_authentication": "TOTP and security keys (WebAuthn)",
      "api_available": true,
      "bulk_tools": true,
      "dns_quality": "Industry-leading anycast DNS with deep developer tooling",
      "support_channels": [
        "Ticket support",
        "Community",
        "Enterprise plans for phone"
      ],
      "tld_coverage_summary": "Limited TLD list focused on common gTLDs and select ccTLDs",
      "country_coverage_summary": "Available worldwide; account creation in English",
      "pros": [
        "At-cost renewal pricing — no markup on wholesale",
        "Best-in-class DNS performance",
        "Strong security defaults"
      ],
      "cons": [
        "Cannot register new domains — only transfer existing ones (currently)",
        "Smaller TLD selection than full-service registrars",
        "Support is ticket-based for non-enterprise"
      ],
      "last_checked": "2026-05-12",
      "last_reviewed": "2026-05-02"
    },
    {
      "id": "godaddy",
      "name": "GoDaddy",
      "slug": "godaddy",
      "website": "https://www.godaddy.com",
      "headquarters": "Tempe, Arizona, United States",
      "founded": 1997,
      "icann_accredited": true,
      "best_for": [
        "Bundled services",
        "Phone support",
        "Large TLD selection"
      ],
      "not_ideal_for": [
        "Cheap renewals",
        "Paid WHOIS privacy upsell"
      ],
      "whois_privacy": "Free on most TLDs (Domains by Proxy)",
      "two_factor_authentication": "TOTP and SMS",
      "api_available": true,
      "bulk_tools": true,
      "dns_quality": "Standard managed DNS; premium DNS available as upgrade",
      "support_channels": [
        "24/7 phone",
        "Live chat",
        "Ticket support"
      ],
      "tld_coverage_summary": "One of the largest TLD catalogs available",
      "country_coverage_summary": "Localized in many countries with local payment methods",
      "pros": [
        "Comprehensive TLD catalog",
        "Localized in many countries and currencies",
        "Strong phone support availability"
      ],
      "cons": [
        "Renewal prices are higher than budget competitors",
        "Aggressive upsells at checkout",
        "DNS performance is not best-in-class"
      ],
      "last_checked": "2026-05-12",
      "last_reviewed": "2026-04-18"
    },
    {
      "id": "spaceship",
      "name": "Spaceship",
      "slug": "spaceship",
      "website": "https://www.spaceship.com",
      "headquarters": "Phoenix, Arizona, United States",
      "founded": 2023,
      "icann_accredited": true,
      "best_for": [
        "Modern UX",
        "Competitive renewals",
        "Bundled email/hosting"
      ],
      "not_ideal_for": [
        "Legacy enterprise workflows",
        "Very long product track record"
      ],
      "whois_privacy": "Free, included",
      "two_factor_authentication": "TOTP authenticator app",
      "api_available": true,
      "bulk_tools": true,
      "dns_quality": "Modern DNS panel with sensible defaults",
      "support_channels": [
        "Live chat",
        "Email",
        "Help center"
      ],
      "tld_coverage_summary": "Broad gTLD coverage and growing ccTLD list",
      "country_coverage_summary": "Global with multi-currency checkout",
      "pros": [
        "Modern, clean account UI",
        "Competitive renewal pricing across many TLDs",
        "Backed by the same group as Namecheap"
      ],
      "cons": [
        "Newer brand — fewer independent long-term reviews",
        "Some advanced enterprise features still missing"
      ],
      "last_checked": "2026-05-12",
      "last_reviewed": "2026-04-26"
    },
    {
      "id": "dynadot",
      "name": "Dynadot",
      "slug": "dynadot",
      "website": "https://www.dynadot.com",
      "headquarters": "San Mateo, California, United States",
      "founded": 2002,
      "icann_accredited": true,
      "best_for": [
        "Domain investors",
        "Aftermarket tools",
        "Bulk operations"
      ],
      "not_ideal_for": [
        "Beginners",
        "Polished UX"
      ],
      "whois_privacy": "Free, included",
      "two_factor_authentication": "TOTP and SMS",
      "api_available": true,
      "bulk_tools": true,
      "dns_quality": "Functional DNS with standard records and DNSSEC",
      "support_channels": [
        "Email",
        "Chat (business hours)",
        "Help center"
      ],
      "tld_coverage_summary": "Wide gTLD coverage with strong investor tools",
      "country_coverage_summary": "Global with multi-currency support",
      "pros": [
        "Strong toolkit for domain investors and bulk users",
        "Competitive registration and aftermarket fees",
        "Free WHOIS privacy"
      ],
      "cons": [
        "UI feels dated compared with newer registrars",
        "Support response times vary"
      ],
      "last_checked": "2026-05-12",
      "last_reviewed": "2026-04-15"
    },
    {
      "id": "squarespace-domains",
      "name": "Squarespace Domains",
      "slug": "squarespace-domains",
      "website": "https://www.squarespace.com/domains",
      "headquarters": "New York, New York, United States",
      "founded": 2003,
      "icann_accredited": true,
      "best_for": [
        "Squarespace site owners",
        "Simple buyers",
        "Polished UX"
      ],
      "not_ideal_for": [
        "Power DNS users",
        "Domain investors"
      ],
      "whois_privacy": "Free, included",
      "two_factor_authentication": "TOTP and SMS",
      "api_available": false,
      "bulk_tools": false,
      "dns_quality": "Basic but reliable managed DNS",
      "support_channels": [
        "Email",
        "Live chat (Squarespace account)"
      ],
      "tld_coverage_summary": "Focused on popular gTLDs and key ccTLDs",
      "country_coverage_summary": "Global; pricing mostly USD",
      "pros": [
        "Clean, modern interface",
        "Tight integration with Squarespace websites",
        "Free WHOIS privacy"
      ],
      "cons": [
        "No public API",
        "Limited advanced DNS controls"
      ],
      "last_checked": "2026-05-12",
      "last_reviewed": "2026-04-10"
    }
  ]
}