For years, WHOIS has been the go-to tool for uncovering domain owner details. However, due to increasing WHOIS privacy measures and the GDPR regulations that protect registrants’ data, it’s becoming harder to extract information through traditional WHOIS tools. Luckily, there are other ways to conduct a domain owner search and reveal domain registration details without relying solely on WHOIS. In this blog, we’ll explore the top six WHOIS lookup alternatives to help you find a website owner without WHOIS.
Why Look for WHOIS Lookup Alternatives?
While WHOIS searches have been a staple in checking domain registration details, certain limitations have emerged over time:
- Privacy Regulations: The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and other privacy laws have made it difficult to access registrant information in the EU and other regions.
- Privacy Protection Services: Many domain owners use WHOIS privacy services, which hide their personal contact details.
- Inaccurate Information: Some WHOIS databases may contain outdated or incorrect information.
Fortunately, WHOIS lookup alternatives exist that offer better accuracy, comprehensive details, and legal compliance.
1. DomainTools
One of the most popular WHOIS lookup alternatives, DomainTools, provides extensive domain owner search tools that go beyond basic WHOIS information. DomainTools aggregates data from multiple sources to give you an in-depth look at a domain’s history, current owner, and even associated DNS records.
- Features:
- Access historical WHOIS data, even for domains using privacy services.
- View associated DNS, IP addresses, and hosting details.
- Domain reputation scoring for security assessments.
- Best For: Users who need advanced data, especially in the cybersecurity or legal sectors.
- Tool Link: DomainTools
2. Hunter.io
If you’re struggling to find a website owner without WHOIS, Hunter.io can help you track down email addresses associated with a domain. While it’s not a traditional WHOIS lookup tool, Hunter.io allows you to discover the email addresses of individuals who work for a specific domain, making it a valuable resource for contacting site owners.
- Features:
- Email finder for specific domains.
- Verifies the deliverability of email addresses.
- Domain-based search for contact information.
- Best For: Marketers, sales teams, and professionals trying to contact domain owners directly.
- Tool Link: Hunter.io
3. WhoisXML API
WhoisXML API offers a powerful set of tools for those looking to gather domain registration details without relying solely on traditional WHOIS. This service provides extensive domain-related data, including historical WHOIS records, domain IP addresses, and DNS data.
- Features:
- WHOIS history for tracking past ownership.
- IP address and DNS data.
- Reverse WHOIS lookup to identify all domains owned by the same registrant.
- Best For: Investigators, researchers, and domain buyers who need comprehensive domain history data.
- Tool Link: WhoisXML API
4. SpyFu
While SpyFu is mainly known as an SEO and competitor analysis tool, it also works as a WHOIS lookup alternative by helping you gather domain registration details and the history of a website. SpyFu’s database includes owner details, competitive SEO insights, and more, which is useful if you want to assess a domain’s viability before making a purchase.
- Features:
- Historical domain ownership data.
- Access to competitive SEO information for a domain.
- Keyword analysis and backlink details for owned domains.
- Best For: Marketers, business owners, and domain investors who need more than just ownership data.
- Tool Link: SpyFu
5. DNSDumpster
DNSDumpster is a network reconnaissance tool that allows you to track down domain registration details without using traditional WHOIS. It focuses on gathering DNS information, subdomains, and other technical details related to a website’s infrastructure. This data is valuable for cybersecurity professionals and researchers who need a deeper understanding of a domain’s ownership and related entities.
- Features:
- Reverse DNS lookup for uncovering the infrastructure of a domain.
- Information about subdomains and related DNS records.
- Visual mapping of DNS data.
- Best For: Cybersecurity professionals, researchers, and IT specialists who need detailed technical data on a domain.
- Tool Link: DNSDumpster
6. BuiltWith
BuiltWith is an online service designed to identify the technologies a website is using. Although it’s not specifically a domain owner search tool, BuiltWith can provide critical information about the domain’s hosting provider, email services, and more. This can help narrow down the search for domain owners by identifying the platforms and services tied to the domain.
- Features:
- Detect website technologies, from CMS to hosting providers.
- Identify the domain’s email hosting service.
- See a domain’s tech stack and infrastructure.
- Best For: Web developers, marketers, and investors seeking insight into a domain’s backend and technology setup.
- Tool Link: BuiltWith
How to Use WHOIS Lookup Alternatives Effectively
When using WHOIS lookup alternatives, it’s important to know what kind of information you’re seeking. For example, if your goal is to contact the domain owner, tools like Hunter.io and DomainTools provide useful contact data. On the other hand, if you’re investigating a domain’s history or assessing its security, services like DNSDumpster and WhoisXML API will be more useful.
Here are some tips for using these tools effectively:
- Combine Multiple Tools: Don’t rely on just one source. Combining data from different tools can provide a more accurate and complete picture of the domain.
- Check Historical Data: Tools like DomainTools and WhoisXML API offer historical data that can help you track changes in domain ownership over time.
- Use DNS Information: Platforms like DNSDumpster give you access to critical DNS details that can reveal hosting providers and other infrastructure details tied to the domain.
The Future of WHOIS and Domain Owner Searches
As WHOIS privacy becomes more common and data protection laws like GDPR continue to evolve, it’s likely that alternative tools for conducting a domain owner search will become even more essential. It’s important to stay informed about the latest tools and methods for accessing domain registration details, especially if you’re involved in domain purchasing, cybersecurity, or legal disputes.
Conclusion
Finding domain registration details and uncovering a domain owner is no longer as simple as running a traditional WHOIS search. Privacy laws and WHOIS redactions have made it increasingly difficult to access registrant data, but the six tools mentioned above provide powerful WHOIS lookup alternatives. Whether you’re a marketer trying to find a website owner without WHOIS or a cybersecurity professional needing to track a domain’s infrastructure, these domain owner search tools will help you gather the data you need.