Choices...
Choosing a domain registrar isn’t just about grabbing a good deal, it’s about finding the right combination of price, features, reliability, and support. On paper, comparing Porkbun vs. Cloudflare shows a lot of overlapping similarities, but when you dig into the details, some differences stand out to show why folks are choosing the Bun.
Whether it’s your first domain name or you’ve got hundreds, Porkbun gives you the best of both worlds: a registrar with 365 live, human support and DNS powered by Cloudflare, which, unlike Cloudflare, still allows you to point your nameservers elsewhere. Check out why people are switching to Porkbun as the alternative to Cloudflare and other big-name registrars.
At-Cost Domain Pricing at Porkbun and Cloudflare
When it comes to domain pricing at Porkbun vs Cloudflare, we'll give credit where it's due. Cloudflare sells domains at cost with no markup, which is pretty awesome. But here's the thing: we do that too! Porkbun sells most of our domains at cost, including .com domains. The difference? We make the overall experience way easier and more user-friendly.
Our versions of "at cost" domains also differ slightly because Cloudflare, a multibillion dollar public company, does not consider credit card fees a "cost". For a smaller, independent company like Porkbun, credit card fees are not something we can simply take a loss on. Our prices tend to differ by pennies on the dollar, though we often beat them on promotional pricing since they don't work with wholesale domain registries to offer sales.
While Cloudflare keeps things minimal and expects you to figure out the rest, Porkbun gives you transparent pricing PLUS a ton of free domain features and personalized support 365 days a year. You get great wholesale pricing, but with an experience that actually makes sense for real people. No hunting around for additional service or piecing together different platforms. You get straightforward domain registration that’s easy to understand.
Feature-Packed Domains Without the Upsell
So the pricing structure is similar at Porkbun vs Cloudflare, but what about those free domain features we mentioned? At Porkbun, you’ll get everything you need with your domain from day one. We offer lots of free domain management features like:
- WHOIS privacy
- SSL certificates
- DNS management powered by Cloudflare
- URL forwarding
- Email forwarding
- Web and email hosting trials
- User-friendly domain management dashboard
There’s no jumping between tools or platforms, and no guesswork. Just everything you need to build and manage your online presence in one spot.
Friendly, Human Support You Can Actually Reach
One of the biggest gaps in the Porkbun vs Cloudflare comparison is in customer support.
If you just buy domains at Cloudflare, you will receive NO personalized support. You can search for answers in their community forums, but you do not get any live human support. If you want chat support at Cloudflare you will need a Business service plan currently valued at $200 a month. Phone support is limited even for their more expensive Enterprise plans, and the cost of these plans aren’t even published on their website.
Porkbun takes a different approach even if you haven’t purchased a single domain name from us yet. When you need assistance here, you’re getting:
- Personalized support from real humans, 365 days a year
- 24/7 email support, with live phone & chat available daily from 9am–5pm PT.
Cloudflare’s focus is largely on self-service and enterprise-level clients. If you're a solo creator, small business, or just need help with basic setup, you’re mostly on your own or forced to upgrade for priority assistance. You shouldn’t need a premium subscription just to get a question answered. At Porkbun, help is here when you need it.
Web Hosting, Email, & DNS Management Options
Pricing and management features are another factor for comparing Cloudflare vs Porkbun. The most important difference is that domain registration at Cloudflare requires that your nameservers stay pointed at Cloudflare, limiting your ability to manage your own DNS. We don't do that at Porkbun and we, and many experts, would caution you against limiting yourself in this way.
Sure, Cloudflare domain registration comes with no markup on wholesale pricing, which sounds great until you realize it’s a barebones experience. Need email hosting? A website builder? Want a Cloud WordPress hosting option to launch your site with ease? You’ll have to look elsewhere.
Unlike Cloudflare, which only provides domain registration and DNS (and expects you to bring your own hosting/email stack), Porkbun offers a full range of web services like:
- DNS management powered by Cloudflare for maximum uptime
- Hosting options like Cloud WordPress, cPanel hosting, and more
- Affordable email hosting, including a Proton Mail option for added security
- Articulation website builder to create your site without needing any tech experience
You might’ve noticed we said our DNS management is backed by Cloudflare. That’s true! Porkbun DNS is powered by Cloudflare infrastructure but without the hands-off experience or limited registrar tools. It’s the best of both worlds, all in one place at Porkbun.
So... Cloudflare vs Porkbun?
If you’re a developer who loves building custom stacks and doesn’t mind a do-it-yourself experience, Cloudflare might be just fine for you. But if you want a registrar that’s approachable, affordable, and built for real people, not just tech pros or enterprises, Porkbun is the best domain registrar. We’ve even been named the #1 domain registrar by USA Today and Forbes Advisor to prove it!
Now that you’ve compared Porkbun vs Cloudflare, are you ready to make the switch? Get started with your next domain name here at the Bun.
