I would choose NameCheap anytime over GoDaddy. Not because of SOPA, but because I despise having to reject silly offers of web hosting, additional add-ons and various other irrelevant crap each time I make an order for a domain name.
Last I heard is that GoDaddy is no longer supporting SOPA. I prefer to use GoDaddy just so my hosting and domains are all in the same place. Easier to manage
I'm using Godaddy (Godaddy and its resellers sites like Maddogdomains) since my 1st domain name. The only reason is "Discount via Coupons". Every time i register / renew any of my domain name i will be getting at least 40-50% discount on the total price (Except on ICANN fee). Very recently i have gone through NameCheap and found to be interesting than Godaddy, but i have not tried it yet. May be i will be doing it in the next domain name registration. I am also using NetLynx, to register .IN domain names (Indian TLD). Because, they are offering them at very low price (1.99$)...
I prefer Godaddy, but after one friends of mine shown me what he using right now, and i have change my mind. Now I'm using Linktrackr.tk, it price is cheaper and the services is excellent. I use it to mask my affiliate links, wordpress and blogspot links. I can track all the links, which one convert better and work well, so that i can promote those products/websites more effectively on all social media sites.
still I prefer to choose godaddy for buying and selling domains because you can use coupons and have high price for selling
Im too using both. When i need new domain then i going to email and check namecheap or godaddy are promotions. And then i pick up domain where is cheaper.
Here is the story in a nutshell..."Website hosting company GoDaddy has officially voiced its support for the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) Bill in 2012, which is designed to thwart movie and music piracy on the Internet by empowering copyright holders to effectively shut down websites or online services found with infringing material. If passed, the U.S. government could blacklist any website it deems in violation of copyright, which could range from a few posts in a Web forum to a few links sent in an e-mail. GoDaddy supports SOPA for 'protecting the intellectual property of hard-working Americans, U.S. business and the American public from the harm that necessarily flows from the purchase of counterfeit products.' Yet, of the 142 companies that support the SOPA bill, GoDaddy is the only Internet company on the list." I use Namecheap, I hate all the upsells GoDaddy put you through just to register a domain name. And then they call you and try to sell you more-hate that
Most of the Godaddy users have transferred their domains to other registrars due to their services. In such cases, why do you ought to prefer them? Instead you have many other reliable alternatives to serve you in a better way.
I personally use 123 reg, but of the two you suggested i would deffinately go with Namecheap after Go Daddy backed SOPA!