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Freename, ENS, or Unstoppable Domains: Which is the Best Web3 Registrar?

The decision to select a domain registrar holds the power to significantly influence your brand’s market position, especially in the context of a decentralized web space. 

Many Web3 domain providers offer full ownership of digital identity , content privacy, and top-notch security as essential features. However, with the evolution of the decentralized internet, a lot of other features have become part and parcel of a Web3 domain, and this is where things have become interesting.

With features like interoperability, one-time payment, cross-chain compatibility, and decentralized storage becoming standard for crypto domains, the question of the best Web3 registrar becomes more pressing. 

Whether you’re new to the decentralized internet or grappling with the same question, this guide is here to help. We’ll be assessing the leading Web3 domain name providers: Freename , ENS, and Unstoppable Domain to determine which one offers the most advanced domain features and is worthy of being your go-to Web3 registrar.

So, let’s get started. 

Key Differences among top 3 web3 registrars

The table below lists key features a Web3 domain registrar must possess to meet modern-day user requirements. 

Feature Freename ENS(Ethereum Name Service) Unstoppable Domains
Multi-Chain Compatibility Yes
(ETH, BSC, Polygon, Cronos, and more)
Yes
(ETH, Layer 2s)
Yes
(ETH, Polygon, Solana, etc.)
Full TLD Ownership Yes No Yes
One-time Payment, No Renewal Yes No(except for domains with 10+ years) Yes
Domain Monetization Yes
(Earn Commission from TLD sales)
No
(Not available)
No
(Not available)
Decentralized Website Support Yes
(Complete Support)
Yes
(Limited to .eth domains)
Yes
(Supported)
Rewards Program Yes
(Credits and discounts)
No No
Adoption & Reputation Growing, multi-chain Most recognized Web3 domain Highly adopted, corporate partnerships
ICANN Accreditation Yes No Yes
Integrations Broader range of dApps, wallets, tokens, and browsers across multiple blockchains Limited to dApps on Ethereum or Layer-2 chains Supports dApps, wallets, and assets across a few blockchains
Security Smart contract-based, highly secure Highly secure, open-source Audited, decentralized
Interoperability Works across multiple chains and offers Web2 – Web3 bridge Best for Ethereum-based dApps Strong Web2 & Web3 compatibility


Feature-by-Feature Comparison

Now, let’s understand these features and see where each of the Web3 domain providers stand:

Multi-Chain Compatibility

Multi blockchain technology (Multi-chain) compatibility allows users to mint a web3 tld or web3 domain on a blockchain of their choice. Users can also interact with dApps, tokens, and wallets from other chains supported by the domain provider. 

Freename supports multiple blockchains because it offers decentralized domains that are compliant with the ERC-721 standard. Freename domains can be seamlessly integrated with dApps and tools across blockchains, providing flexibility and broader utility in the Web3 services and ecosystem. 

Users can mint these domains on chains built in the Ethereum or Cronos environments. These include:

  • Polygon

  • BSC

  • Solana

  • Base 

  • SEI

  • Etherlink

  • Abstract

  • Chiliz and others

Unstoppable Domains also supports a few blockchains, but its scope isn’t as wide as that of Freename. On the other hand, the scope of ENS support is limited to the Ethereum blockchain only. 


Domain Ownership & Control

The basic purpose of the decentralized domains is to render sole ownership to the domain owner. Unlike traditional domains, there is no central authority to share ownership over decentralized domains. This simply means users can transfer, sell, or lease their domain freely.    

While all Web3 domain providers offer decentralized domains, Freename stands out with its user-centric approach. How does it do this?

Freename empowers users to register and own their own Top-Level Domains (TLDs), enabling full control and the ability to earn from domain sales. In fact, TLD owners can earn up to 50% commission royalties on every Second-level domain (SLD) registered under their TLD.

 

No Renewal Fees

Annual renewal of domains is a critical factor. Just like traditional domain providers, ENS domains come with annual renewal fees until they’re 10+ years old. This recurring fee adds to the long-term costs.  Freename and Unstoppable Domains only require one-time payment and transfer lifetime ownership to the buyer. However, you can only enjoy Second Level Domaini ownership with Unstoppable Domains, while on Freename you can get TLD ownership with significant benefits for your brand protection and digital identity.

 

Investing in Domains and Monetization Opportunities

Domain monetization is a lucrative factor for domain investors, allowing them to secure a domain at a low price and resell it at a higher price in the future. What if the domain owner wants to keep the domain and earn from it? This is where Freename has an edge over ENS and Unstoppable Domains. 

 

Rewards Programs

Freename users can benefit from various rewards and loyalty programs to earn credits and discounts. But the real deal are TLDs royalties. On the other hand, ENS and Unstoppable Domains lack a rewards structure. They may be missing out on added value for users.

 

Reputation & Adoption

Both ENS and Unstoppable Domains dominated the Web3 niche for quite some time. ENS Web3 domain provider has the most recognized Web3 domain ( .eth ).

However, things have changed ever since Freename joined the race. Within a couple of years, Freename became the fastest-growing multi-chain domain provider and the first-ever ICANN-Accredited Web3 registrar . That’s not it. Now Freename offers also traditional domains (web2) and you can bridge web2 and web3 on chain making your internet domain your wallet address.

The leading Web3 domain provider maintains a solid rating on Trustpilot, securing highly positive reviews from Web3 users. 

The user also lauded their commitment to enhancing the Web3 experience and hoped that their NOTO protocol would come in handy in resolving Web2 DNS records in the traditional domain name system.

Another user, Henrik, gave a 5-star rating to the Web3 internet service.

Great place to purchase web3 domains. I had [a] little problem buying my first TLD but the support [team] resolved it right away. Definitely recommended!

 

Another reviewer who goes by the name SkyInclude gave a detailed review of Freename. This is what he had to say (Check Youtube video). 

 

Integration & Usability

  • Freename offers a massive pool of resources (dApps, crypto wallets, tokens, NFTs) to which to link domains. Freename domains can be linked with Web3 emails and decentralized meeting platforms. 

  • UD domains are compatible with a few blockchains.

  • ENS domains cannot be integrated with non-Ethereum dApps or wallets. 

Security

Security-wise, each of the above domain providers offers robust security:

  • Freename domains are secured by FNS Smart Contracts (FNSRegistry contract, Admin proxy contract, and Minting manager contract).

  • ENS also offers high security, but the fact that it’s an open-source platform makes it a little less reliable than Freename.

  • UD platform also follows strong security protocols. 

 

Pricing

 

  • Freename requires one-time fees, and there are no renewal charges. Plus, users can save on gas fees by utilizing low-traffic blockchains. 

  • Unstoppable Domains also require a one-time payment. However, users may experience higher gas fees because of the limited number of blockchain options available to them.

  • ENS not only charges initial fees but also annual renewal fees. Plus, users will also experience higher gas fees and slower transaction speeds on the Ethereum-powered networks. 


Subdomains 

  • Users can choose the right domain name for their brand using the Freename platform. Plus, TLD owners can also create customized subdomains for themselves. 

  • ENS subdomains are owner-controlled, so they’re less flexible than Freename.

  • Unstoppable Domains offer limited support to subdomains.


Interoperability

  • Freename is one of the leading domain providers that facilitate users from the traditional as well as decentralized ecosystems. With web3 domain mirroring, users can bridge from one ecosystem to another other ecosystem.
  • ENS doesn’t offer such functionality
  • Unstoppable Domains support Web2 and Web3 apps, offering users from both the web spaces to interact with each other. 

    Conclusion

    We’ve evaluated each of the leading Web3 domain naming services based on the basic and advanced features. Freename, ENS, and Unstoppable Domains are all highly secure, reliable, and reputable platforms for Web3 domains

    However, Freename, compared to the other two, provides more advanced features to enhance the user experience . The platform offers affordable domains. On top of that, it gives you the chance to create a personalized TLD and own it to make a passive income stream. 

    So, it’s fair to say that Freename is the best Web3 registrar for developers, designers, data analysts, crypto traders and NFT collectors.

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