What Exactly Are Web3 Usernames?
Crypto wallets are powerful, but their addresses are a nightmare. They look like this:
0x71C7656EC7ab88b098defB751B7401B5f6d8976F
One mistake in typing that code, and your money is gone forever.
The Solution? A Web3 Username! These names act exactly like a website address or an email, replacing the long code with something human: alex.eth or alex.bnb.
Meet The Contenders
1. ENS (Ethereum Name Service)
- The Reputation: The "OG" Classic.
- The Ending: .eth
- The Philosophy: "Ethereum First." ENS is the official naming service for the Ethereum network. It is the most recognized name in the industry.
2. SPACE ID
- The Reputation: The Universal Innovator.
- The Endings: .bnb, .arb, .sei, .inj, and many more.
- The Philosophy: "One ID for ALL Chains." SPACE ID is a "Universal Name Service Network," built to manage your identity across many different crypto worlds from one place.
The "Flex" & Governance Stats
| Feature | ENS (.eth) | SPACE ID (Multi-chain) |
|---|---|---|
| Governance | Run by a DAO (Community Votes) | Run by a DAO (Community Votes) |
| Apps Supported | Almost every dapp and wallet on Ethereum | 343+ dapps (Including 41 Wallets: Metamask, TrustWallet, TokenPocket, Binance web3, OKX Wallet etc..) |
| Primary Network | Ethereum (Mainnet) | BNB Chain, Arbitrum, Sei, Gravity, Injective, Story and more.. |
The Cost Breakdown (The TRUTH about fees!)
Both services charge about $5 USD per year to rent a standard 5-character name, but prices increase for shorter names (3-4 characters) and there are critical differences in registration periods and renewal costs.
| Feature | ENS (.eth) | SPACE ID (.bnb/.arb) |
|---|---|---|
| 5+ Character Name Cost | $5.00/year | $5.00/year |
| 3-4 Character Name Cost | $$$ (Premium pricing - $160-$640+) | $$$ (Premium pricing - Similar range) |
| Minimum Registration Period | Can start from 1 month | 1 year minimum |
| The Gas Fee (Hidden Cost) | High. | Tiny. Usually pennies ($0.05–$0.20) |
| Renewal Pricing (CRITICAL DIFFERENCE) | Same as registration price: If your 3-character .eth cost $640 to register, it costs $640/year to renew! |
Flat $5/year renewal: Even if your 3-character .bnb/.arb cost $640 to register, it only costs $5/year to renew! |
⚠️ To Consider:
1. Registration Period: ENS offers more flexibility with monthly registrations, while SPACE ID requires annual commitments.
2. Short Name Premium: Both services charge premium prices for 3-4 character names ($160-$640+ range).
3. THE BIG CATCH: If you buy a premium 3-character .eth domain for $640, you'll pay $640 EVERY YEAR to renew it. With SPACE ID, that same $640 premium domain renews for just $5/year! This makes SPACE ID dramatically cheaper for premium names in the long run.
Deep Dive: Exclusive Powers
ENS Superpowers (.eth)
- The Default Web3 Standard: Recognized as the canonical identity layer for Ethereum, setting the industry benchmark for name resolution.
- Deep Ecosystem Integration: Supported by thousands of dApps and Wallets.
- Subdomains: You can create unlimited, free sub-names under your main name (e.g., pay.alice.eth).
- DNS Integration: You can link a standard website domain (.com, .org) to your .eth wallet address.
- Historic Status: It is the original, giving it strong brand recognition.
SPACE ID Superpowers (Multi-chain)
- Universal Identity Resolver: One single name for all your crypto addresses across all major EVM chains (Ethereum, Arbitrum, BNB Chain, etc.)
- Ecosystem Integrations: Supported by 245+ Dapp and wallet, Including Metamask (Via snap) TrustWallet, TokenPocket etc..
- Web3 Profile System: Build a rich Web3 profile with social links.
- SPACE ID Marketplace: A dedicated, native marketplace for trading Web3 domains.
- Web3 Name SDK: The underlying tech that lets developers easily integrate a Web3 name feature into any app across many different blockchains.
- Active Grant Program: They provide funding to developers who build new services using the SPACE ID network, constantly growing the ecosystem.
✅ Final Verdict: Which One Do You Need?
This decision is simple: Pick the one that lives on the blockchain you use most!
Choose ENS (`.eth`) if:
- You mainly use Ethereum Mainnet.
- You want the most established and recognized identity.
Choose SPACE ID (`.bnb` or `.arb`) if:
- You use BNB Chain, Arbitrum, Story, Injective, Sei etc...
- Universal Name. The core infrastructure built to provide One Name, All Chains
💡 Pro Tip: Why not both?
Most serious Web3 users secure their identity on both platforms. They own name.eth to ensure maximum compatibility and resolve their identity across the vast Ethereum-native ecosystem (dApps, Etherscan, major wallets), while securing name.bnb / name.arb to unify their identity across faster, cheaper networks (L1s like BNB Chain, Sei, Injective and L2s Like Arbitrum, Manta etc..)