Registry, Registrar, and Registrant Explained

Knowing the difference between a Registry, Registrar, and Registrant clarifies who manages domain extensions, who sells domain names, and who legally owns them. These three roles work together in the domain registration process, and understanding them helps you navigate domain management with confidence.

Registry

A Registry is an organization that manages a database for Top-Level Domain Names (TLDs). It creates and regulates domain extensions, sets the rules for domains, and works with Registrars to sell domain names to the public.

Registrar

A Registrar is an organization—such as Vodien—that is authorized to issue licenses and provide registration services for TLDs. It serves as the intermediary between the Registry and the Registrant, functioning as the distributor of domain services.

Registrant

A Registrant is the individual or company that purchases a domain name. Upon purchase and registration, the Registrant automatically becomes the legal owner of the domain name.