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Head-to-head · Blockchain Domain Services

Namecoin vs Freename

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 4 checks side by side
Higher score Namecoin #2 in Blockchain Domain Services 8.2/10 Open source ✓ 2 of 3 features Visit Namecoin
Freename #5 in Blockchain Domain Services 7.7/10 Paid ✓ 3 of 3 features Visit Freename

Namecoin leads on 0 checks, Freename on 1, and 3 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 4 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreNamecoin · 8.2/10
  • Most featuresFreename · 3 of 3

Namecoin scores higher on our rubric for blockchain domain services: 8.2 against 7.7 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #5.

Freename leads on supported blockchains: 5 versus 1.

Namecoin is the better fit for users who want established .bit naming and privacy. Freename is the better fit for custom Web3 domains and TLD resellers.

  • Namecoin fits best

    Users who want established .bit naming and privacy

  • Freename fits best

    Custom Web3 domains and TLD resellers

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Namecoin 8.2/10 Visit ↗ Freename 7.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.2 7.7
Ranking #2 in Blockchain Domain Services #5 in Blockchain Domain Services
Best for Users who want established .bit naming and privacy Custom Web3 domains and TLD resellers
Pricing model Free Paid
Starting price Open source Not checked yet
Free plan Not checked yet Not checked yet
Free trial — —
Deployment Self-hosted, Desktop Cloud, Browser extension
Platforms Windows, Linux, macOS Web, Chrome extension
Support Community, Docs Tickets, Docs
Built for Solo, Small business Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Namecoin 2/3 · Freename 3/3
Wallet resolution ✓ ✓
Web3 website hosting Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Identity features ✓ ✓
Specs
Supported blockchains 1 5 (best)
Domain extensions 1 Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Manage .bit names, including registration, transfer, updates, and renewal
  • Bridge .bit lookups to DNS with ncdns
  • Support private lookups and decentralized TLS validation
  • Register Web3 domains and custom TLDs across five supported networks
  • Resolve names to wallet addresses and use them for crypto payments
  • Offer TLD reseller pages with custom pricing and APIs
Cons
  • Requires desktop or self-hosted setup rather than a turnkey hosted service
  • Name operations require NMC and a dynamically determined transaction fee
  • Support is community- and documentation-based
  • Web3 website connections may rely on third-party hosting providers
  • Reseller tools are optional rather than part of every workflow
  • Combines traditional DNS and Web3 names, which may exceed simpler needs
Our verdict

Namecoin is open-source blockchain software for registering and managing names with associated data. Its `d/` namespace supports `.bit` domain names, while other namespaces can hold identity and other name types. The product suits…

Read the review →

Freename combines traditional DNS domain registration with blockchain-based names and custom top-level domains. Individuals, brands, and businesses can mint Web3 domains or TLDs to wallets on supported networks, then use names for wallet…

Read the review →
  1. NamecoinBlockchain Domain Services 8.2Open source
  2. FreenameBlockchain Domain Services 7.7Paid

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Namecoin — where it wins

    • Manage .bit names, including registration, transfer, updates, and renewal
    • Bridge .bit lookups to DNS with ncdns
    • Support private lookups and decentralized TLS validation

    Where it doesn't

    • Requires desktop or self-hosted setup rather than a turnkey hosted service
    • Name operations require NMC and a dynamically determined transaction fee
    • Support is community- and documentation-based

  • Freename — where it wins

    • Register Web3 domains and custom TLDs across five supported networks
    • Resolve names to wallet addresses and use them for crypto payments
    • Offer TLD reseller pages with custom pricing and APIs

    Where it doesn't

    • Web3 website connections may rely on third-party hosting providers
    • Reseller tools are optional rather than part of every workflow
    • Combines traditional DNS and Web3 names, which may exceed simpler needs

More comparisons

All blockchain domain services comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update