Free Whois Lookup Tool South Africa

WHOIS Search Made Easy in South Africa

Wondering who owns a website you have come across in South Africa? With our free WHOIS & RDAP lookup, finding out is simple.

Just type in the domain name with its extension, for example mybrand.za, and you will instantly see the important registration details right away.

So you have found a domain and want to know who owns it? Well, in South Africa, our WHOIS & RDAP lookup makes that simple. Just type in the domain name, and you will see clear details right away. No waiting, no stress, no complicated steps.

It is completely free, and because it is powered by RDAP, you also get secure, reliable, and privacy-focused access every time you use it.

What Is WHOIS?

What is WHOIS, and why does it matter in South Africa? WHOIS is basically a public record that stores information about every domain registration online. Each time a domain is purchased, details such as the registrant’s name, contact email, registrar, and even the expiry date are recorded.

For many years, WHOIS has been the most reliable way to confirm who owns a domain.

And with our simple WHOIS tool, you can search these records anytime, so you will always have quick access to the data you are looking for.

Details you will find:

Who owns the domain (if details are currently made public)

The company that registered it and relevant server details included

When the domain was created, last updated, and due for expiry

The name servers connected to it and current DNS status

Whether the domain is available, reserved, or possibly locked

Extra technical data displayed in structured RDAP format results

Current lock setting on the domain and registrar options

Status showing if it is active, locked, or pending transfer

Contact information if privacy protection is not currently enabled

Who Can Take Advantage of This Tool?

Business owners: Protect your brand by ensuring your domain doesn’t expose personal details unnecessarily.

Buyers: See exactly who currently controls the domain you are thinking about acquiring today.

Competitors: Stay informed about expiry timelines and registration records of industry rivals without hassle.

Agencies: Simplify client audits by including ownership lookups directly in your regular reporting process.

Anyone curious: Sometimes curiosity is enough reason. Simply search any website or domain you are wondering about.

Best of all, we are based in South Africa, with services priced in ZAR, so you avoid surprise conversion charges or hidden international costs.

How to use the WHOIS tool

Get instant results within just a few quick seconds, no waiting around.

Type the website name (for example: shoponline.co.za or any domain).

Press “Check Now” and let the tool do all the work for you.

Done! Your full RDAP results appear instantly on your screen, ready to view.

Why use Truehost WHOIS?

✅ Lightning-fast lookups with real-time domain ownership and registration information.
✅ Works perfectly for both South African and international domain extensions
✅ No sign-ups, passwords, or extra steps, just a simple free tool
✅ Unlimited searches allowed anytime, as often as you actually need
✅ 100% free forever, with no hidden catches or unexpected charges at all

Concerned About Your Privacy? We’ve Got You Covered.

When private details such as your name, phone, or email show up in WHOIS results, your domain is unprotected and your information is at unnecessary risk.

Here’s something you should know: Register or move your domain to Truehost SA and include Domain Privacy for only R80 yearly, keeping your personal details safe and hidden from public records.

Get Domain Protection

What is RDAP?

RDAP stands for Registration Data Access Protocol, a modern and secure replacement for the old WHOIS system used to look up domain registration details.

While WHOIS worked like an old-school phone book, RDAP is the sleek upgrade, faster, smarter, safer, and far more reliable. It delivers clear, structured results and respects your privacy by design.

RDAP improves on WHOIS with:

Privacy-friendly features that align with GDPR rules and global regulations.

Data is structured and machine-readable, so tools can easily interpret it.

Extra layers of security through controlled access to sensitive details online.
Real-time answers are pulled directly from registries or registrars every time.
Flexible access control, allowing registrars to reveal only necessary details.

With RDAP, what information you see depends on user role or intended purpose, offering more thoughtful protection.

Buying an Expired Domain

Want to secure a domain name that’s already expired or taken?

The best place to start is with a WHOIS or RDAP search. This shows the current owner, reveals the expiry timeline, and helps guide your acquisition plan. If the contact info isn’t hidden, you can easily contact the owner to negotiate a deal.

Not sure how to proceed? Our expert support team is here to walk you through the process, simply connect with us via Live Chat now.

Ready to protect or transfer your domain?

After doing a quick WHOIS check, the next move is yours. Secure your brand affordably with Truehost’s great value services:

Register a domain now from R50 for .co.za, so you can get your address live quickly without breaking budget.
Transfer your domain over and enjoy a free 1-year extension, we have got you covered from day one.
Manage DNS, emails, SSL, hosting effortlessly in one easy dashboard designed for simplicity.

Transfer Domain

Common Whois FAQs

What does the WHOIS database contain?

The WHOIS database is like a public directory that stores important details about every domain registration. Here is the type of information you will usually find inside it:

Domain owner or registrant name, which identifies the current holder of the domain.

Contact details like phone, email, and address, unless privacy protection is enabled.

DNS records and name servers that direct internet traffic to your website.

Registration and renewal dates, showing when the domain was bought and when it expires.

Registrar information (e.g., Truehost South Africa), showing where it’s officially registered.

Domain status (active, locked, expired), which tells you its exact standing right now.

How to update my WHOIS information?

Changing your WHOIS info, like your phone number or email, is easy. Here’s what to do step by step:

Sign in to your Truehost South Africa dashboard with your account login.
Open the “Domains” section and select the exact domain you want to edit.
Click on “Edit Contact Information” or “Manage WHOIS” in the menu.
Enter your new details and hit save to apply updates right away.

Don’t forget: WHOIS changes often trigger a confirmation email. Approve it quickly to keep everything running smoothly without service delays.

How to do a WHOIS lookup?

With Truehost South Africa’s free WHOIS Lookup Tool, checking a domain is quick, easy, and hassle-free:

Visit the WHOIS lookup page on truehost.ca.
Enter the domain name you want to search (e.g., mybrand.co.za).
Click the “Check Now” button to start the lookup.
Instantly view details like registrant info (if public), registrar, nameservers, and key dates. It only takes seconds and works for both South African and international domains.

Why is some domain info hidden?

Ever wondered why some WHOIS results don’t show personal details? That’s because domain privacy protection is enabled. It keeps sensitive data like your name, phone, and email away from prying eyes.

This not only reduces spam but also keeps your online presence much safer. Truehost South Africa makes it easy to activate domain privacy on most extensions at a very budget-friendly yearly rate.

Can I get contact info of the owner?

Owner contact details are only visible when the registrant chooses to share them. If privacy protection is enabled, sensitive information such as email, phone, or physical address will stay hidden, keeping the owner’s identity fully secure online.

What does domain status like “clientTransferProhibited” mean?

When you see “clientTransferProhibited,” it means your domain is locked to prevent unauthorized transfers. You won’t be able to move it to another provider until you unlock it in your account or reach out to Truehost South Africa support.

Can I find out when a domain will expire?

Absolutely. The WHOIS database typically lists the expiration date for a domain. Knowing this helps you monitor deadlines and plan in advance if you’re thinking about acquiring or renewing the domain safely.

How to hide domain information from WHOIS?

Want to keep your personal or business details private? Enable Domain Privacy Protection (also called ID Protection) on your domain.

Purchase WHOIS Privacy Protection when registering your domain, or add it later through your client area.
Most domains supported by Truehost South Africa allow this feature.
Once activated, your real contact info is replaced with proxy details, keeping you protected from spam, fraud, and potential identity theft.

Why is WHOIS info important?

WHOIS information plays a crucial role in managing domains safely. It allows you to check who owns a domain, see which registrar manages it, fix DNS problems, and settle disputes such as domain ownership or trademark issues confidently.