Directory >> Registries >> Backend and other Services for Registries
Registry backends are companies that manage the technical operations for a given TLD. They are generally historical registries, as well as registrars that have expanded their range of services. Three groups dominate the market.
The registrar conglomerate Team Internet (formerly CentralNic) is a backend operator for around a hundred registries, including some with large registration volumes, such as .XYZ and .ICU. The two other main players are GoDaddy Registry (formerly Neustar), Identity Digital (since the takeover of Afilias).
Identity Digital combines the activities of registry and backend operator, for around two hundred extensions each.
The Chinese domain name service provider ZDNS is the technical operator of around twenty nTLDs, some of which enjoy high registration volumes.
GMO Internet, the parent company of the Japanese registrar Onamae, is the technical operator of .TOKYO and dozens of other TLDs.
Among the leaders until 2023, Verisign has dramatically diminished its registry backend activity.
Core is a technical operator for more than twenty registries, including .SWISS and .PARIS