10 Best Domain Name Generators in 2026 (Tested & Ranked)
Finding the perfect domain name is harder than ever. With millions of .coms already taken, the difference between a good brand and a great one often comes down to the tool you use. We tested the top 10 domain name generators on the market—from AI-powered platforms to traditional keyword combiners—to help you find your perfect match. Whether you're launching a startup, rebranding your business, or starting a side project, this comprehensive guide will save you hours of searching.
Quick Ranking
1. Domainiac (Editor's Choice)
Best for: Startups, creative brands, entrepreneurs who want context-aware AI suggestions
Pricing: Free
Most domain name generators just slap your keyword onto other random words (e.g., "BestPizza" or "PizzaShop"). Domainiac uses advanced context-aware AI to understand what your business actually does. If you type "Italian Restaurant", it suggests names like "TuscanTable.com" or "PastaVault.com" rather than just "ItalianRestaurantShop.com".
Key Features
- Context-Aware AI: Understands business descriptions, not just keywords. Describe your business in plain English and get relevant suggestions.
- 50+ TLD Support: Checks availability across .com, .io, .ai, .co, .app, and dozens more extensions simultaneously.
- Insane Mode: Toggle for wildly creative, unconventional domain suggestions that break free from traditional naming patterns.
- Advanced Creative Tools: Smash Names (combines words like Facebook), DisemVowel (removes vowels for shorter names), Rhyme Words, and L33t speak transformations.
- Real-Time Pricing: Compares prices across GoDaddy, Namecheap, and Dynadot to find the best deals.
- Smart Filtering: Control domain length, price ranges, keyword positioning, and TLD preferences.
- Interactive Refinement: AI adapts suggestions based on your feedback and preferences in real-time.
- Built-in Thesaurus & Rhyming Dictionary: Expand your keyword vocabulary without leaving the workflow.
Pros & Cons
- ✅ Pros: Context-aware AI that understands business context, completely free, checks 50+ TLDs instantly, advanced creative naming tools, real-time price comparison, no account required
- ❌ Cons: Newer tool (launched 2025), fewer upsells/integrations than established registrars like GoDaddy
Use Cases
Perfect for startups needing brandable domains, creative agencies, entrepreneurs who want AI-powered suggestions, and anyone tired of generic keyword combinations.
2. Namecheap Beast Mode
Best for: Power users, bulk domain checking, affiliate marketers
Pricing: Free (requires Namecheap account)
Namecheap's "Beast Mode" is a powerful bulk domain search tool designed for users who need to check thousands of keywords at once. It's less about creative AI suggestions and more about brute-force availability checking across multiple TLDs.
Key Features
- Bulk Keyword Processing: Check up to 5,000 keywords simultaneously
- Multiple TLD Support: Search across .com, .net, .org, .io, .co, and more
- Filter Options: Filter by length, availability, and price
- Export Results: Download CSV files of available domains
- Integration: Direct purchase through Namecheap registrar
Pros & Cons
- ✅ Pros: Excellent for bulk searches, fast availability checking, free to use, integrates with Namecheap's registrar
- ❌ Cons: No AI creativity, requires account signup, limited to keyword combinations, less intuitive for beginners
Use Cases
Ideal for domain investors, affiliate marketers checking multiple niches, and businesses that already know their exact keywords.
3. Namify
Best for: Startups wanting complete branding packages (name + logo)
Pricing: Free domain generator, paid logo designs
Namify is an AI-powered domain name generator that goes beyond just domains—it offers a complete branding solution. The platform generates over 1,000 domain name ideas based on your input and includes free logo designs, trademark checks, and social media username availability.
Key Features
- AI-Powered Generation: Creates 1,000+ domain suggestions from keywords
- Logo Design: Free logo designs included with name suggestions
- Trademark Checking: Checks for potential trademark conflicts
- Social Media Availability: Verifies username availability across platforms
- Brandable Names: Focuses on memorable, brandable domain names
Pros & Cons
- ✅ Pros: Complete branding solution, trademark checking, social media integration, free domain generator
- ❌ Cons: Logo designs require paid subscription, less focused on domain discovery than branding, can be overwhelming with too many options
Use Cases
Perfect for startups launching a complete brand identity, entrepreneurs who need logos alongside domains, and businesses wanting trademark-safe names.
4. DomainWheel
Best for: Creative domain suggestions with AI assistance
Pricing: Free
DomainWheel leverages artificial intelligence to generate a blend of direct matches, suffix stylizations, and AI-suggested alternatives. It analyzes user input to capture intent and highlights available .com domains prominently while also recommending niche TLDs like .tech, .online, or .site.
Key Features
- AI-Powered Suggestions: Intelligent domain name generation based on user intent
- Multiple TLD Recommendations: Suggests both .com and alternative extensions
- Real-Time Availability: Checks domain availability instantly
- Creative Combinations: Generates brandable and memorable names
- Clean Interface: Easy-to-use, modern design
Pros & Cons
- ✅ Pros: Free to use, AI-powered suggestions, clean interface, good TLD variety
- ❌ Cons: Less advanced than newer AI tools, limited customization options, no price comparison
Use Cases
Good for users who want AI assistance without complexity, small businesses, and creative projects needing brandable domains.
5. GoDaddy Domain Search
Best for: Convenience, domain auctions, one-stop domain shopping
Pricing: Free search, premium domains vary ($10-$50,000+)
GoDaddy is the 800-pound gorilla of domain registrars, and their domain search tool reflects that scale. Their search functionality is solid and integrated with their massive marketplace, but they often prioritize expensive "Premium" domains (costing $2,000+) rather than finding you affordable available options.
Key Features
- Massive Domain Marketplace: Access to millions of domains including premium listings
- Domain Auctions: Bid on expired and premium domains
- Aftermarket Access: Browse domains for sale by other owners
- One-Click Purchase: Instant domain registration and hosting setup
- Domain Brokerage: Professional services for high-value domain acquisitions
Pros & Cons
- ✅ Pros: Massive selection, integrated hosting/email, domain auctions, trusted brand, one-stop shop
- ❌ Cons: Pushes expensive premium domains, less creative suggestions, higher renewal prices, aggressive upsells
Use Cases
Best for users who want everything in one place, domain investors, and businesses willing to pay premium prices for exact-match domains.
6. Panabee
Best for: App names, alternative spellings, phonetic suggestions
Pricing: Free
Panabee offers domain and app name ideas by combining keywords, suggesting alternative spellings, and using popular prefixes or suffixes. Its unique "Sounds Like" feature uses phonetic analysis to suggest names that resonate with your core terms, making it particularly useful for finding available alternatives when exact matches are taken.
Key Features
- Phonetic Analysis: "Sounds Like" feature finds names that sound similar
- Alternative Spellings: Suggests creative spelling variations
- Prefix/Suffix Combinations: Combines keywords with common prefixes and suffixes
- Real-Time Availability: Checks domain availability instantly
- App Name Focus: Optimized for mobile app naming
Pros & Cons
- ✅ Pros: Free, unique phonetic matching, good for app names, simple interface
- ❌ Cons: Limited AI creativity, basic keyword combinations, no advanced filtering
Use Cases
Ideal for app developers, users whose ideal domain is taken, and those needing phonetic alternatives.
7. Looka Business Name Generator
Best for: Complete branding packages with logo design
Pricing: Free name generator, $20-$96 for logo packages
Looka is primarily a design tool focused on logo creation. Their business name generator is decent but exists mainly to funnel users into their logo maker subscription service. If you need both a name and logo, it's convenient, but for domain discovery alone, there are better options.
Key Features
- Business Name Generation: Creates business name suggestions
- Logo Design Integration: Seamlessly connects to logo creation
- Brand Identity Packages: Complete branding solutions
- Domain Availability: Checks if suggested names are available
Pros & Cons
- ✅ Pros: Integrated logo design, complete branding solution, user-friendly
- ❌ Cons: Name generator is secondary to logo tool, requires paid subscription for logos, limited domain discovery features
Use Cases
Best for businesses launching complete brand identities, startups needing logos, and users who want everything in one platform.
8. Nameboy
Best for: Quick keyword combinations, traditional domain search
Pricing: Free
Nameboy is one of the oldest domain name generators on the internet, powered by AI to deliver smart results based on keywords. It provides hundreds of domain suggestions instantly and shows availability and estimated pricing, making it a reliable, no-frills option for basic domain discovery.
Key Features
- AI-Powered Keyword Analysis: Smart keyword combinations
- Instant Results: Hundreds of suggestions quickly
- Availability & Pricing: Shows domain availability and estimated costs
- Hosting Integration: Works well with hosting services
- Brandable Names: Focuses on memorable domain suggestions
Pros & Cons
- ✅ Pros: Free, reliable, fast results, shows pricing, established tool
- ❌ Cons: Less creative than modern AI tools, basic keyword combinations, limited TLD options
Use Cases
Good for users who want simple, straightforward domain suggestions without complexity, traditional businesses, and quick searches.
9. NameMesh
Best for: Tech startups, categorized suggestions, SEO-friendly names
Pricing: Free
NameMesh breaks results into categories like common, new, fun, and SEO-friendly names. It suggests misspellings and brandable names, helping users find unique options even when exact names are taken. It also checks domain availability and social media handles, which is vital for branding consistency.
Key Features
- Categorized Results: Common, new, fun, and SEO-friendly categories
- Social Media Checking: Verifies username availability across platforms
- Misspelling Suggestions: Creative spelling variations
- Brandable Names: Focuses on memorable, unique options
- Domain Availability: Real-time checking
Pros & Cons
- ✅ Pros: Free, categorized suggestions, social media integration, good for tech startups
- ❌ Cons: Less advanced AI, basic interface, limited customization
Use Cases
Ideal for tech startups, users needing social media consistency, and those who want categorized, organized suggestions.
10. LeanDomainSearch
Best for: Simple keyword combos, fast .com searches
Pricing: Free
Owned by Automattic (the company behind WordPress), LeanDomainSearch is a classic, fast tool that combines user-entered keywords with thousands of common prefixes and suffixes to find available .com domains. It's extremely fast but very basic—it only adds prefixes and suffixes to your exact keyword without any AI creativity.
Key Features
- Fast Results: Instant domain suggestions
- Prefix/Suffix Combinations: Thousands of common combinations
- .com Focus: Primarily searches .com domains
- Simple Interface: Clean, minimal design
- Real-Time Availability: Instant checking
Pros & Cons
- ✅ Pros: Free, extremely fast, simple to use, backed by Automattic
- ❌ Cons: Very basic, no AI creativity, limited to .com, only keyword combinations
Use Cases
Perfect for users who want simple, fast .com searches without complexity, WordPress users, and those who prefer traditional keyword combinations.
Comparison Table: Quick Reference
| Tool | AI-Powered | TLD Support | Pricing | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Domainiac | ✅ Advanced | 50+ | Free | Creative AI suggestions |
| Namecheap Beast Mode | ❌ | Multiple | Free | Bulk searches |
| Namify | ✅ | Multiple | Free + Paid logos | Complete branding |
| DomainWheel | ✅ | Multiple | Free | AI suggestions |
| GoDaddy | ❌ | All | Free + Premium | One-stop shop |
| Panabee | ❌ | Multiple | Free | Phonetic matching |
| Looka | ✅ | Multiple | Free + Paid | Logo + name |
| Nameboy | ✅ Basic | Multiple | Free | Quick searches |
| NameMesh | ❌ | Multiple | Free | Categorized results |
| LeanDomainSearch | ❌ | .com | Free | Simple .com searches |
How We Tested These Domain Generators
To create this comprehensive ranking, we tested each domain name generator using the same set of criteria:
- AI Quality & Creativity: How well does the AI understand context and generate creative, brandable suggestions?
- TLD Coverage: How many domain extensions does it check?
- Speed & Performance: How fast are results generated?
- User Experience: Is the interface intuitive and easy to use?
- Pricing Transparency: Are prices clearly displayed and competitive?
- Additional Features: What extra tools does it offer (filtering, creative modes, etc.)?
- Value: What do you get for free vs. paid?
We tested each tool with real-world scenarios: launching a tech startup, rebranding a restaurant, creating a personal blog, and finding domains for e-commerce businesses. The results reflect actual user experiences, not just feature lists.
What Makes a Great Domain Name Generator?
The best domain name generators in 2026 go beyond simple keyword combinations. Here's what to look for:
1. Context-Aware AI
Modern AI should understand your business context, not just combine keywords. If you describe "a sustainable fashion brand," it should suggest names like "EcoThread" or "GreenWardrobe," not "SustainableFashionShop."
2. Multiple TLD Support
While .com is still king, modern businesses often use .io, .ai, .co, or industry-specific TLDs. A good generator checks availability across multiple extensions simultaneously.
3. Creative Naming Tools
Advanced tools offer creative modes like word smashing, vowel removal, rhyming, and unconventional combinations that help you find truly unique domains.
4. Real-Time Pricing
The same domain can cost $10 at one registrar and $15 at another. Good generators compare prices across multiple registrars to help you find the best deal.
5. Smart Filtering
Control domain length, price ranges, keyword positioning, and TLD preferences to narrow down results to exactly what you need.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best free domain name generator?
Domainiac is our top pick for free domain name generators. It offers advanced AI-powered suggestions, checks 50+ TLDs, includes creative naming tools, and compares prices across registrars—all completely free. Other excellent free options include DomainWheel, Panabee, and NameMesh.
Do domain name generators actually work?
Yes! Modern AI-powered domain generators can save you hours of brainstorming and help you discover brandable domains you might never have considered. However, the quality varies significantly between tools. AI-powered generators like Domainiac understand context and generate creative suggestions, while basic tools just combine keywords.
Should I use .com or alternative TLDs?
.com is still the most trusted and memorable extension, but modern businesses successfully use .io (tech), .ai (AI companies), .co (startups), and industry-specific TLDs like .tech, .app, or .online. The best generators check multiple TLDs so you can compare options. For more guidance, check out our TLD Extensions Guide.
How do AI domain generators differ from traditional ones?
Traditional generators combine keywords with prefixes/suffixes (e.g., "BestPizza" or "PizzaShop"). AI-powered generators understand context—if you describe "an Italian restaurant," they suggest names like "TuscanTable" or "PastaVault" that capture the essence, not just the keywords.
Can I trademark a domain name I find through a generator?
Finding an available domain doesn't guarantee it's trademark-safe. Always conduct a trademark search before committing to a domain name. Some generators like Namify include trademark checking, but you should verify independently or consult a trademark attorney for important brands.
What if my ideal domain is already taken?
Modern generators offer creative solutions: alternative spellings, word combinations, different TLDs, and creative naming techniques. Tools like Domainiac's "Insane Mode" or Panabee's phonetic matching can help you find unique alternatives that are just as brandable.
How much should I spend on a domain name?
Most new domains cost $10-$15 per year for standard TLDs. Premium domains can cost hundreds or thousands of dollars. For most businesses, a standard available domain is perfectly fine. Only invest in premium domains if you have a specific reason (exact brand match, high-value keyword, etc.).
Final Thoughts: Choosing the Right Tool for You
The best domain name generator depends on your specific needs:
- For Creative AI Suggestions: Choose Domainiac for context-aware AI that understands your business
- For Bulk Searches: Use Namecheap Beast Mode to check thousands of keywords
- For Complete Branding: Try Namify or Looka if you need logos alongside domain names
- For Simple Searches: LeanDomainSearch or Nameboy work well for straightforward keyword combinations
- For One-Stop Shopping: GoDaddy offers everything in one place, but expect premium domain pushes
Most users will find that Domainiac offers the best balance of AI creativity, TLD coverage, advanced features, and value—all completely free. It's particularly strong for startups, creative brands, and anyone who wants domain suggestions that actually make sense for their business.
Remember: the best domain name generator is the one that helps you find a name you're excited about. Don't be afraid to try multiple tools and combine their suggestions. Your perfect domain is out there—you just need the right tool to find it.
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