A registry operates an entire top-level domain at wholesale and keeps the master database of every name under it (for example, Verisign for .com). A registrar is the retail company you actually buy a domain from (for example, Namecheap or GoDaddy). You deal with the registrar; it records your domain in the registry on your behalf.
Registry, registrar — one vowel apart, endlessly mixed up. But the distinction is simple once you see it as wholesale versus retail. Get it straight and the whole domain-buying process makes sense.
The difference in one line
The registry runs the extension; the registrar sells you a name within it. The registry is the warehouse and master ledger; the registrar is the shop counter. They are different businesses playing different roles in the same supply chain.
What a registry is
A registry is the operator of a TLD. It maintains the authoritative database of all domains under its extension, runs the extension’s name servers, and sets the wholesale price registrars pay. Crucially, most registries do not sell to the public — they operate at wholesale and rely on registrars for distribution.
The wholesale operator of a TLD. Holds the master list of every domain under the extension and runs its name servers; works through registrars rather than selling to the public.
What a registrar is
A registrar is the retail company, accredited by ICANN, that sells domains to you. It handles the storefront, the checkout, your account, renewals, DNS settings and support. When you search for a name and click “register,” you are using a registrar — and it is the registrar that talks to the registry to lock the name in.
The retail, ICANN-accredited business that sells domains to the public and registers them with the appropriate registry on the customer’s behalf.
Registry vs registrar, side by side
| Aspect | Registry | Registrar |
|---|---|---|
| Role | Operates the whole TLD | Sells individual domains |
| Level | Wholesale | Retail |
| Holds the master database? | Yes | No (records via the registry) |
| Sells to the public? | Usually no | Yes |
| Sets your retail price? | Sets wholesale price | Adds margin — sets your price |
| Examples | Verisign, PIR, Radix, GMO | Namecheap, GoDaddy, Cloudflare |
| You contact for support? | No | Yes |
And the registrant?
There is a third role that completes the picture: the registrant — the person or organization that actually holds the domain. That is you. The full chain reads:
Registrant → Registrar → Registry
You (the registrant) register a name through a registrar, which writes it into the registry. ICANN sits above all three, coordinating the system and accrediting the registrars.
Why does the distinction matter in practice?
Knowing which is which saves real confusion and money. A few examples:
- Pricing. When one extension costs far more than another, that is usually the registry’s wholesale price at work — not the registrar gouging you. Shopping registrars can shave the margin, but it cannot change the wholesale floor a premium TLD sets.
- Support. If your site or email breaks, you contact your registrar, never the registry. The registrar owns your account and your DNS settings.
- Switching. You can move a domain between registrars (a transfer) while staying in the same registry — the extension does not change, only who manages it for you.
- Policy. Eligibility rules (say, a local-presence requirement) come from the registry and apply no matter which registrar you buy through.
Which one do you deal with?
In day-to-day life, almost always the registrar. It is where you search for and buy a name, manage DNS, renew, enable privacy and get help. You only ever encounter the registry indirectly — through the price it sets and the policies it enforces for the extension. When you are ready to actually buy, our how to register a domain guide walks through the registrar process step by step.
★ Key takeaways
- A registry operates a whole TLD at wholesale and holds the master database.
- A registrar is the retailer you buy and manage a domain through.
- You (the registrant) deal with the registrar; it records your name in the registry.
- ICANN accredits registrars and contracts with registries to coordinate the system.
Frequently asked questions
Is a registry the same as a registrar?
No. A registry runs an entire TLD at wholesale and holds the master database of all its domains; a registrar is the retail business that sells individual domains to the public. The registrar submits your registration to the registry.
Do I buy my domain from a registry or a registrar?
From a registrar. Companies like Namecheap, GoDaddy, Cloudflare and Google Domains’ successors are registrars. They are your point of sale and support. The registry works behind the scenes and usually does not sell to the public.
Can one company be both a registry and a registrar?
It can run both kinds of business through separate, regulated operations — for example, a company might operate a TLD and own a registrar brand. But for any given transaction the two roles are distinct: the registry role is wholesale, the registrar role is retail.
Who accredits registrars?
ICANN accredits registrars for generic TLDs, and registrars also hold agreements with the relevant registries. Accreditation is what allows a registrar to register names in a registry on customers’ behalf.
Where does the registrant fit in?
The registrant is you — the person or organization that holds the domain. The chain runs registrant → registrar → registry: you register with a registrar, which records the name in the registry.
If a registry sets the price, why do registrars charge different amounts?
The registry sets the wholesale price every registrar pays; each registrar then adds its own margin and may bundle extras (free privacy, email trials, support). So retail prices differ even though the wholesale floor is the same — which is why shopping around between registrars can save money on the same domain.