Registry, Registrar, Registrant: What is the difference?

When setting up a website, you may encounter three roles in the domain ecosystem: registry, registrar, and registrant. Although these terms sound similar, each plays a unique part in managing domain names and ensuring that the Internet functions smoothly. Here’s a breakdown of what each one does and how they work together.

What is a Registry?

A registry is an organization responsible for managing top-level domains (TLDs) like .com, .org, or .net. Think of the registry as the database that maintains records of all domain names under a specific TLD.

These entities oversee and coordinate the technical and administrative aspects of their TLD, ensuring every domain remains unique and accessible. For example, VeriSign manages the .com and .net TLDs, while PIR (Public Interest Registry) is responsible for .org domains.

What is a Registrar?

A registrar acts as the intermediary between registries and the public, making it possible to purchase and register domain names. Registrars are accredited by ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) and connect directly with registries to check for domain availability and reserve names on behalf of customers.

Popular registrars like GoDaddy, Namecheap, and Bluehost provide user-friendly platforms to search, purchase, and renew domain names.

Who is the Registrant?

The registrant is the individual or organization that purchases and owns a domain name. When you register a domain, you become its registrant, meaning you have exclusive rights to use it for your website or email. The registrant is also responsible for ensuring that domain registration fees are paid on time, maintaining contact information, and renewing the registration.

How does the interaction happen?

In simple terms, the registry holds the TLD database, the registrar facilitates the domain purchase and registration process, and the registrant is the customer who owns the domain. The registry provides domains to registrars, who in turn offer them to registrants. This chain ensures transparency and organization, giving each player a clear role and responsibility in the domain registration system.

Registry, Registrar & Registrant in summary

Understanding the difference between registries, registrars, and registrants can help you navigate domain management. Knowing these roles can also prevent misunderstandings, especially when troubleshooting domain issues or transferring ownership.

In summary, the registry, registrar, and registrant structure provides an organized, secure, and accessible internet. With companies like VeriSign, GoDaddy, and everyday internet users playing their part, the domain registration system continues to support billions of websites globally.