Domain Name Cost in 2026
How much does a domain name cost in 2026? Registration, renewal, premium domains, and privacy protection pricing from top registrars.
Domain Name Cost in 2026
Standard Domain Pricing
| Extension | Registration | Annual Renewal |
|---|---|---|
| .com | $10–$15 | $12–$18 |
| .net | $12–$18 | $15–$20 |
| .org | $10–$15 | $12–$18 |
| .io | $35–$60 | $35–$60 |
| .co | $25–$40 | $25–$40 |
| .ai | $70–$100 | $70–$100 |
Top Registrars in 2026
A good registrar decision is not just about the cheapest first-year price. Renewal pricing, WHOIS privacy inclusion, and upsell pressure matter more over time.
| Registrar | .com First Year | .com Renewal | WHOIS Privacy | Watch Out For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cloudflare Registrar | ~$9.15 | ~$9.15 | Free | Requires Cloudflare nameservers |
| Namecheap | ~$9.98 | ~$13.98 | Free | Renewals higher than intro |
| Squarespace Domains | ~$12 | ~$12 | Included | Best for existing Squarespace users |
| GoDaddy | $0.01 promo | ~$21.99 | ~$10/year add-on | Heavy upsells; highest renewal rate |
| Porkbun | ~$9.73 | ~$10.98 | Free | Less brand recognition |
Note: Introductory prices change frequently. Verify current pricing at each registrar before purchasing.
Do not use Google Domains — it was migrated to Squarespace in 2023. Existing customers were transferred automatically; Google Domains is no longer a standalone registrar option.
WHOIS Privacy Protection
Most registrars charge $3–$15/year for WHOIS privacy. Cloudflare Registrar, Namecheap, and Porkbun include it free.
Premium Domains
Short, memorable .com domains can cost $1,000–$1,000,000+. Use Namecheap Marketplace or Sedo to search available premium domains.
Related Articles
- Web Hosting Cost Guide — the other ongoing cost to pair with your domain
- How Much Does a Website Cost in 2026? — full cost breakdown including domains
- Website Maintenance Cost Calculator — estimate all your recurring costs
- What is a Domain Name? — plain-English explanation