Beyond the Numbers: A Deep Dive into TLD Distribution Across Top Registrars

In the global domain name industry, registrar performance is typically evaluated by a single metric: total number of domains under management. By that measure, GoDaddy remains the undisputed market leader, with over 87 million domains under its wing. However, a closer examination of ICANN’s recently launched DomainMetrica platform reveals a different layer of insight that rarely makes headlines: TLD distribution.

Rather than asking which registrar has the most domains, we ask a different question: how many unique top-level domains (TLDs) does a registrar actively manage at least one domain in?

The distinction is subtle but significant. It shifts the lens from sheer volume to breadth of reach — a metric that tells us more about a registrar’s adaptability, customer profile, integration capability, and market coverage.

Domain Industry Numbers

According to the latest DomainMetrica data:

Total registered gTLD domains: 225.6 million
Total gTLDs in the root zone: 1,102
Total ICANN-accredited registrars seen: 2,934

Yet of the 1,102 gTLDs, over 477 are DotBrand TLDs (e.g., .google, .bmw, .barclays) which are not open for public registration. These brand-owned TLDs are operated privately and exclusively by their respective companies. This means that the effective number of open-market TLDs accessible to registrars is closer to 620.

TLD Covera3ge: Who’s Leading?

When this adjusted dataset is applied, a more nuanced picture of registrar performance emerges. Here are the top 10 registrars by TLD coverage (i.e., number of unique gTLDs where the registrar has at least one active domain):

Registrar	Domains Managed	Market Share	TLDs Registered
Dynadot Inc	8.66M	1.11%	509
Tucows Domains Inc.	13.27M	1.70%	480
NameCheap, Inc.	24.41M	3.12%	458
GoDaddy.com, LLC	87.18M	11.15%	438
IONOS SE	6.75M	0.86%	422
NameSilo, LLC	7.40M	0.95%	411
GMO Internet Group (Onamae.com)	7.27M	0.93%	411
Squarespace Domains II LLC	8.83M	1.13%	367
Gname.com Pte. Ltd.	6.67M	0.85%	366
HOSTINGER Operations, UAB	6.07M	0.79%	243

A New Metric of Influence (TLD)

GoDaddy may dominate in absolute numbers, but in terms of breadth, smaller registrars are often more aggressive in onboarding niche and emerging gTLDs.

Dynadot, for instance, operates with just over 8 million domains yet spans 509 TLDs — more than any other registrar globally. Similarly, Tucows and Namecheap, both mid-sized by volume, cover 480 and 458 gTLDs respectively. These registrars have cultivated infrastructure and customer bases that support a much broader array of domain types, including new gTLDs that are often overlooked by larger incumbents.

In contrast, GoDaddy, despite its size, covers only 438 TLDs. This is not an operational limitation but a strategic choice. GoDaddy’s strength lies in high-volume, high-conversion TLDs such as .com, .net, and .org. Its business model prioritizes mainstream adoption, while others optimize for diversity and long-tail opportunity.

Strategic Implications

This divergence in strategy has several implications:

For Registry Operators: If you’re launching a new gTLD, don’t just chase the biggest registrar. You want registrars who actively integrate and promote diverse TLDs. Dynadot, Tucows, and Namecheap should be at the top of that list.
For Domain Investors: A registrar with broader TLD support offers more opportunities to acquire and manage unique inventory across multiple namespaces.
For Aspiring Registrars: Understanding TLD coverage helps set realistic benchmarks. Building a successful registrar isn’t just about volume — it’s about reach, infrastructure, and adaptability.

Conclusion (Registrars & TLD)

TLD coverage is a silent but powerful indicator of registrar maturity. It reflects not just integration capability but the registrar’s willingness to participate in the evolving namespace.

In a market obsessed with numbers, sometimes it’s the spread that matters more than the size. And that’s a metric worth watching more closely.