Ask HN: No-bullshit UK-based domain registrars

Posted by petecooper on Sunday May 03, 2020 @05:48AM
from the ask-hn dept.

I am looking for a replacement domain registrar. I currently use Gandi, who are based in France. I am happy with Gandi's service, but I am looking for a UK registrar because of Brexit ramifications.

I live in the UK. The current Brexit transition period[1] means I deal with UK VAT for EU purchases, including domains. I pay VAT (sales tax) and can claim it back as a business expense. When the transition period is over, my accounting will be more straightforward if I purchase domains from a UK registrar.

I don't want the cheapest possible service, I don't want endless upselling, or any of that nonsense. I would like to buy domains from a wide variety of TLDs, be able to administer DNS etc from a sensible control panel, and have clear billing so I'm not spending time deciphering things.

Who should I look at? Who should I avoid?

Thank you in advance for advice and feedback.

[1] https://www.gov.uk/transition

( 6 comments | 2 points | on HN )

Re:Ask HN: No-bullshit UK-based domain registrars by papaf on Sunday May 03, 2020 @09:07AM (#23058760)

I have used Tsohost[1] for a long time. They used to be Daily.co.uk.

For me the big advantage is that you can buy a domain for 10 years.

The control panel is pretty generic but works OK. There is no API to control DNS that I am aware of.

[1] https://www.tsohost.com/domain-names

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Ask HN: No-bullshit UK-based domain registrars by petecooper on Sunday May 03, 2020 @09:33AM (#23058878)

I used to deploy Tsohost for client and reseller sites, they were acquired by GoDaddy and their service is sadly deteriorating.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Ask HN: No-bullshit UK-based domain registrars by neilwilson on Sunday May 03, 2020 @06:50AM (#23058212)

Not had much of a problem with Fasthosts (https://www.fasthosts.co.uk) in a couple of decades of using them.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Ask HN: No-bullshit UK-based domain registrars by petecooper on Sunday May 03, 2020 @09:34AM (#23058882)

Thanks. I've had some experience with Fasthosts a long time ago, I will take a look.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Ask HN: No-bullshit UK-based domain registrars by jadzia-dev on Sunday May 03, 2020 @05:53AM (#23058007)

Why not just use Google Domains? You can just use an UK address and it will charge to the UK, right?

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Ask HN: No-bullshit UK-based domain registrars by petecooper on Sunday May 03, 2020 @06:50AM (#23058215)

I've had mixed results with Google services over the years. I'm a G Suite Partner, and that part of Google has seemingly no awareness of UK VAT at all, so I have to fudge my accounts when payments come in.

Granted that's earnings not expenses, but it does play on my mind.

[ Parent | on HN ]