Scaleway Domain Names – based in France (EU), operated under GDPR, offering domain registration, DNS, DNSSEC, API & Terraform tools. Official site.

What is Scaleway Domain Names?

Scaleway Domain Names is a domain registrar and DNS service provider operating out of France, hosting all data within the European Union and fully compliant with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). It offers domain registration, automated renewals, secure DNS features including DNSSEC, and developer-friendly tools such as API and Terraform integrations. Privacy is built in. There is no free plan users must pay for domains and related services. Scaleway is not open source.

Service Highlights

• Country & Hosting: France / European Union. All data hosted within EU boundaries.
• GDPR Compliance & Privacy: Full GDPR compliance. Personal data protection assured via EU regulations. Privacy is supported.
• Renewable Energy: Scaleway’s data centers are powered 100% with renewable energy (mainly hydroelectricity), and the company has strong sustainability targets including low power usage effectiveness (PUE) and water usage reduction.
• Pricing & Plans: No free plan. Domain prices vary by top-level domain (TLD). For example, .com domains register for about €12.32/year, .fr around €5.98/year, .eu around €5.52/year. Renewals generally cost the same, with higher fees for domain restoration.
• DNS Features & Tools: Each domain includes a DNS zone. Advanced DNS features include DNSSEC, dynamic records, health checks, weighted rounding over multiple record types. Tools for automation: API, command-line, Terraform.

How Scaleway Compares to Big US Registrars & Tech Companies

Many domain registration and DNS services are dominated by large US-based companies such as GoDaddy, Google Domains (Alphabet), Namecheap or AWS (Amazon Route 53). While these players offer broad TLD support, global reach, and an ecosystem of integrations, there are trade-offs in terms of data location, legal jurisdiction, and privacy protections—especially for users in the EU or under GDPR.

• Data Residency & Jurisdiction: US registrars and cloud providers are subject to US law (including surveillance or national security laws like the CLOUD Act) which may require disclosing personal or registry data. In contrast, Scaleway ensures that all domain registrar operations are under French and EU law.
• Privacy & GDPR: While some US companies claim GDPR-compliant operations, many registrant data requests (WHOIS or equivalent) remain globally accessible and may not offer the same level of redaction or legal protection. Scaleway explicitly operates under GDPR, offers privacy as standard, and fully complies with EU obligations.
• Environmental Responsibility: Major US data centers are often powered by mixed energy sources many are making progress, but transparency varies. Scaleway’s fully renewable energy-powered data centers and its sustainability targets (such as low PUE and efficient use of cooling systems without water) give it a strong environmental profile.

Pros & Cons of Using Scaleway Domain Names

Who Should Choose Scaleway?

1. Businesses, developers, or individuals who need or prefer their domains and related data to be fully under EU jurisdiction.
2. Organisations concerned about privacy, data protection, or sensitive information stored with their registrar.
3. Projects aiming to reduce environmental impact and support green infrastructure in the tech stack.
4. Users who require DNS tools, automation, Terraform, and robust feature sets like DNSSEC.
5. Those who can accept paying upfront for quality, compliance, and sustainability instead of seeking lowest possible cost or free tiers.

Important Notes

• While Scaleway does privacy by default and complies with GDPR, domain registrant contact data may still be shared or exposed depending on TLD rules or registry policies. Be sure to review specific domain extension privacy/redaction policies.
• Restoration of expired domains typically comes with higher fees early renewal or auto-renew is recommended.
• Some domain extensions may impose regulatory or administrative requirements (e.g. for .us, .au, or other country‐code TLDs). Scaleway supports hundreds of TLDs (~370) but each has its own rules.
• Sustainability claims (renewable energy, cooling, etc.) are real and documented, but actual carbon or water usage for a customer depends on which data center or region hosts their domain/DNS. Make sure to ask when precise environmental impact metrics matter.

Conclusion

Scaleway Domain Names offers a robust, privacy-focused, and environmentally conscious alternative to many U.S.-based domain registrars. For users requiring full GDPR compliance, EU data residency, advanced DNS tools, and transparent pricing, it represents a compelling choice. For those more focused on lowest price or brand recognition, some U.S. options may still win—yet those often come with trade-offs in sovereignty, privacy, and sustainable operation. If your priorities include compliance, control, and environmental responsibility, Scaleway is among the top European providers to consider for domain registration and DNS services.