New gTLD Pricing Guide

## The Two-Layer Pricing Structure Every domain registration involves at least two pricing tiers: wholesale (what the registry operator charges registrars) and retail (what registrars charge end users). ICANN's Registry Agreements govern the wholesale tier through pricing transparency and notice requirements. The retail tier is set by each registrar independently. For buyers, the relevant price is retail — what you actually pay. But understanding wholesale pricing helps you evaluate whether a registrar is offering competitive markup or gouging on a popular new extension. ## Standard (Non-Premium) Pricing Most domains within a new gTLD are priced at the registry's standard wholesale rate, typically ranging from $5 to $20 per year. Registrars add markup: common retail prices for standard new gTLD names fall between $10 and $50 per year. Popular registrars and their typical new gTLD pricing (2026 reference): - **Namecheap**: Often competitive at $10–$25 for most extensions; discount first-year pricing is common - **GoDaddy**: First year promotions common; renewal prices often higher than competition - **Google Domains** (now Squarespace): Clean pricing transparency, typically $12–$30 - **Porkbun**: Frequently among the cheapest for both registration and renewal The first-year discount followed by significantly higher renewal pricing is a common registrar practice. Always check renewal prices before registering. Use Domain Cost Calculator to compare total ownership costs across registrars and extensions. ## Premium Domain Pricing Premium domains are names designated by the registry as having above-standard market value. Registries set premiums at launch, and the designation typically sticks throughout the domain's life — including renewals. Premium classification usually applies to: - Short strings (2–3 characters) - Dictionary words with broad applicability - Category-defining names (e.g., "loans.bank", "car.insurance") - Names matching major brands (which may actually be reserved rather than premium) Premium registration fees range from a few hundred dollars to tens of thousands for the most desirable names. Premium renewal fees — the ongoing annual cost — are the critical factor. A premium domain with a $500/year renewal is a very different financial commitment than one with a $20/year renewal. **Premium tiers in practice**: Registries typically publish their premium pricing schedule. Common tier structures: - **Tier 1 ("Signature" or "Premium Plus")**: $500–$5,000+ registration, $500–$5,000+ renewal annually - **Tier 2**: $100–$500 registration, $100–$500 renewal - **Tier 3**: $25–$100 registration, $25–$100 renewal - **Standard**: $10–$30 registration and renewal Before registering a premium domain, verify both the registration price and the renewal price explicitly. Some registrars display the registration price prominently while burying the renewal price. ## Renewal Trap Patterns Several pricing patterns can trap unwary buyers into unexpectedly high ongoing costs: **First-year promotions**: A $0.99 first-year price that renews at $50 is not a good deal if you need the domain long-term. Calculate total 5-year cost of ownership. **Undisclosed premium renewals**: Some registrars display only the registration price in search results without indicating that the domain is premium with elevated annual renewals. **Price increases after launch**: The Registry Agreement allows registries to increase wholesale prices with 180-day advance notice to ICANN. Some registries have raised prices significantly after achieving critical mass. Your renewal cost in year 3 may be substantially higher than your registration cost in year 1. **Registrar transfer fees**: Transferring a domain away from a registrar typically requires paying for an additional year of registration. Factor this into total cost. ## Price Comparison: Popular Extensions (2026 Approximate Retail) | Extension | Registration | Renewal | Notes | |-----------|-------------|---------|-------| | .app | $14–$20 | $14–$20 | HTTPS required | | .dev | $12–$18 | $12–$18 | HTTPS required | | .shop | $10–$30 | $20–$35 | Promotional first-year often cheaper | | .tech | $25–$50 | $40–$60 | Higher due to premium positioning | | .online | $10–$25 | $15–$30 | Very competitive | | .store | $15–$35 | $25–$45 | E-commerce targeting | | .cloud | $15–$30 | $20–$35 | Technology sector | | .io | $30–$50 | $30–$50 | ccTLD premium pricing | | .ai | $70–$150 | $70–$150 | AI industry demand premium | | .bank | $100–$250 | $100–$250 | Restricted, verification required | Prices vary significantly by registrar and promotional period. Use Domain Cost Calculator for current pricing across providers. ## Aftermarket Pricing for New gTLDs Unlike .com, the aftermarket for most new gTLD domains is thin. Short .com names sell for thousands to millions; equivalent names in new extensions rarely command comparable prices. Exceptions exist for very popular extensions and highly desirable generic terms. .io and .ai names fetch premium prices due to genuine demand from the technology community. Top-tier names in .app and .dev occasionally sell for five figures. For most new gTLDs, secondary market sales are modest. If you are considering a new gTLD domain as an investment, price appreciation depends almost entirely on the extension's continued growth — a risky assumption for most extensions outside the top tier. See Investing in New gTLD Domains for detailed investment analysis.