Namecheap or Godaddy

I have domains at namecheap, godaddy, moniker, buydoains....

Namecheap are fine, simple interface.

Godaddy are fine if you want to use their free hosting, can be really useful. also free mail accounts, and you can host domains registered elsewhere on theor free hosting, their upselling is a pain in the arse but you get used to getting around it. also cheapest infos around. free privacy >5 domains

For an important domain I'd always use moniker, they are the domainers registrar (if you buy a lot you can get much better pricing, curent $8.02 for a com)

is whois protection always free?
or only free for the first year?

As far as i know only for one year

Privacy with namecheap and godaddy is free for the first year only (must reg >5 domains with godaddy in one order to get this)

but after the first year godaddy is $8.99, namecheap $2.88

moniker doesn't offer free privacy but the price with a prepaid plan is $1 ( $2 pay as you go)..

Just noticed that GD is offering $0.99 (+0.20) infos again.....