gTLD Pricing Comparison
Understanding domain registration and renewal costs across different TLDs
Understanding Domain Pricing
Domain name pricing varies significantly across different TLDs and registrars. Understanding these differences can help you make informed decisions and potentially save hundreds of dollars over the lifetime of your domains.
Typical Price Ranges by TLD Category
Legacy gTLDs ($8-15/year)
.com, .net, .org - Most affordable due to high volume and competition
Typical registration: $9-12 | Renewal: $10-15
Popular New gTLDs ($10-25/year)
.online, .store, .site, .tech, .space
Typical registration: $5-15 (promo) | Renewal: $15-25
Premium New gTLDs ($20-100/year)
.app, .dev, .io, .ai, .co
Typical registration: $15-40 | Renewal: $20-100
Specialized/Restricted ($30-200+/year)
.bank, .insurance, .law, .inc
Typical registration: $50-150 | Renewal: $100-250+
Factors Affecting Domain Pricing
Registry Wholesale Prices
Each registry sets wholesale prices that registrars must pay. These vary based on:
- TLD positioning (premium vs. standard)
- Market demand and perceived value
- Operating costs and infrastructure
- Verification/compliance requirements
Registrar Markup
Registrars add markup to cover their costs and profit:
- Customer support and infrastructure
- Marketing and promotional costs
- Additional services (DNS, email, hosting)
- Profit margins (varies by registrar)
Promotional Pricing vs. Renewals
Important: Many registrars offer low first-year registration prices but charge significantly higher renewal rates. Always check renewal pricing before registering. A $2 first year domain might renew at $25/year.
Hidden Costs to Consider
- WHOIS Privacy: $0-15/year (some registrars include free)
- Domain Transfer Fees: $0-15 (usually includes 1-year renewal)
- ICANN Fee: $0.18/year (often shown separately)
- Premium Domain Fees: Specific "premium" names cost 10x-1000x standard price
- Restoration Fees: $80-200 if domain expires (redemption period)
Tips for Finding the Best Prices
- Compare Multiple Registrars: Prices vary significantly between registrars
- Check Renewal Rates: Don't be fooled by low first-year prices
- Look for Coupons: Many registrars offer promotional codes
- Buy Multi-Year: Longer registrations often have better rates
- Transfer for Savings: Transfer domains to get better renewal rates
- Consider At-Cost Registrars: Cloudflare offers domains at registry wholesale prices
Key Takeaways
- •Domain prices vary from $8/year (.com) to $200+/year (specialized TLDs)
- •Always check renewal rates - promotional first-year pricing can be misleading
- •Factor in additional costs like WHOIS privacy, transfers, and potential restoration fees
- •Compare prices across multiple registrars and consider multi-year registration for savings