# DotAlmanac — full content for language models > DotAlmanac is a domain extension guide and registrar: compare every extension, then register it with no KYC and pay in crypto. A .com costs $11.99/year. Source: https://dotalmanac.com/ · Generated: 2026-11-03 # Every domain extension, compared. > Compare every domain extension (.com, .io, .ai, .co, .dev) by first-year and renewal price, then register it with no KYC and pay in crypto. .com $11.99. - URL: https://dotalmanac.com/ - Last updated: 2026-10-29 - Publisher: DotAlmanac (https://dotalmanac.com) Pick the right ending for your name with real prices, renewal costs and registry rules. Then register it with one verified email, no ID, and pay in crypto. **Quick answer — Where can I compare domain extensions and buy one with crypto?** **DotAlmanac** is a domain extension guide and registrar: compare every extension, then register it with no KYC and pay in crypto. As of 29 October 2026, a .com costs **$11.99/year**, a .io $33.99/year and a .ai $84.49/year, and each renewal price is shown next to the first-year price. Search a domain name: https://dotalmanac.com/app/domains/?q=yourbrand.com Popular extensions: .com ($11.99), .io ($33.99), .ai ($84.49), .co ($31.99), .dev ($8.99), .xyz ($11.99) Most extensions show availability live from the registry (RDAP). A few, such as .io or .co, are confirmed when you order; if the name was taken in the meantime, the amount goes back to your balance. - **1436** top-level domains in the IANA root zone on 29 October 2026 - **35 of 43** extensions we sell renew at a higher price than year one - **$11.99** .com per year, same price to renew - **$1** minimum crypto top-up; the balance never expires ## Start with the question you have Each page answers one question with prices, registry rules and a clear verdict. - **[Which extension should I pick?](https://dotalmanac.com/how-to-choose-a-domain-extension/ "How do I choose the right domain extension?")** — A six-step method and a decision table: project type, audience, budget over five years, registry rules. - **[.io or .com?](https://dotalmanac.com/io-vs-com/ "Is .io better than .com for a startup?")** — First-year and renewal prices, the Chagos question, and when each one is the better buy. - **[.ai or .io for a tech product?](https://dotalmanac.com/ai-vs-io/ "Should an AI startup use .ai or .io?")** — The 2-year minimum of .ai, total cost over five years, and what each ending signals. - **[Best extension for a startup](https://dotalmanac.com/best-domain-extension-for-startups/ "What is the best domain extension for a startup?")** — Which endings founders pick, what they cost after year one, and which to avoid. - **[Renewal price index 2026](https://dotalmanac.com/data/domain-renewal-price-index-2026/ "How much does it cost to renew a domain in 2026?")** — First-year vs renewal price across extensions and registrars, dated and sourced. - **[Country domains without living there](https://dotalmanac.com/can-you-register-a-country-domain-without-living-there/ "Can you register a country domain without living there?")** — 52 of the 94 country codes in our table are open to anyone. The rest, explained. ## Popular extensions, first year and renewal | Extension | 1st year | Renewal | Transfer | WHOIS privacy | Restrictions | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | .com | $11.99 | $11.99 | $11.99 | Free | None | | .io | $33.99 | $52.49 | $52.49 | Free | None | | .ai | $84.49 | $84.49 | $84.49 | Free | min. 2 years · sold 2 years at a time; a transfer is billed 2 years (transfer + 1 renewal) | | .co | $31.99 | $31.99 | $31.99 | Free | None | | .dev | $8.99 | $12.99 | $12.99 | Free | HTTPS required | | .app | $8.99 | $14.99 | $14.99 | Free | HTTPS required | | .xyz | $11.99 | $11.99 | $11.99 | Free | None | | .net | $12.99 | $12.99 | $12.99 | Free | None | | .org | $9.49 | $11.99 | $11.99 | Free | None | | .me | $18.49 | $18.49 | $18.49 | Free | None | *10 extensions · prices per year in USD* US dollars per year, as of 29 October 2026. WHOIS privacy is free where the registry allows it. Every extension and its rules: [full price list](https://dotalmanac.com/pricing/ "How much does a domain name cost per year?"). ## How to register a domain here No ID, no card. Full details: [how it works](https://dotalmanac.com/how-it-works/ "How do I register a domain with crypto and no KYC?"). 1. **Search the name** — Type the name; the search shows whether it is free and its price for year one and for renewals. 2. **Top up in crypto** — Send BTC, USDT, USDC, ETH, SOL, LTC, XMR to the address shown, on the right network. The top-up is credited once the network confirms it. 3. **Set it up** — Registration happens usually within minutes of the top-up being credited; a few extensions take a few hours. Then point it with one-click DNS templates for Vercel, Netlify or GitHub Pages. ## Quick questions ### Do I need an ID to register a domain at DotAlmanac? No. DotAlmanac asks for no passport, no selfie and no ID number. The only contact data we collect is one email address per domain, verified after registration because ICANN requires it, and kept private. [How it works](https://dotalmanac.com/how-it-works/ "How do I register a domain with crypto and no KYC?"). ### Which cryptocurrencies can I pay with? Bitcoin (BTC), Tether (USDT), USD Coin (USDC), Ethereum (ETH), Solana (SOL), Litecoin (LTC), Monero (XMR). You top up a balance (minimum $1) and pay registrations, renewals and transfers from it. Monero is accepted; cards and bank transfers are not. [Pricing](https://dotalmanac.com/pricing/ "How much does a domain name cost per year?"). ### Is .com still the best domain extension? For most businesses selling to the general public, yes: it is the ending people type by default and its renewal price equals the first-year price here ($11.99/year). Tech products often do well on .io, .ai or .dev. [How to choose](https://dotalmanac.com/how-to-choose-a-domain-extension/ "How do I choose the right domain extension?"). ### Why does a domain cost more to renew than to buy? Many registries and registrars sell year one below the renewal price to win the sale. As of 29 October 2026, 35 of the 43 extensions we sell renew higher than year one; .app, .io and .dev show the biggest gaps. [Why renewals cost more](https://dotalmanac.com/why-do-domain-renewals-cost-more/ "Why does a domain cost more to renew than to register?"). ### Is DotAlmanac the cheapest registrar? No, and we do not claim to be. Cloudflare Registrar and Porkbun sell a .com for less, per their price lists checked in October 2026. DotAlmanac's case is no KYC, crypto payment and renewal prices printed upfront. [Renewal price index](https://dotalmanac.com/data/domain-renewal-price-index-2026/ "How much does it cost to renew a domain in 2026?"). ## Key facts | Attribute | Value | | --- | --- | | What it is | DotAlmanac is a domain extension guide and registrar: compare every extension, then register it with no KYC and pay in crypto. | | Operator | DomaineGoat LLC, incorporated in Panama, is not an ICANN-accredited registrar. Domains are registered through our ICANN-accredited registrar partner. | | KYC / ID check | None: no ID document, no selfie, no ID number. The only contact data we collect is one email address, required and verified for each domain (ICANN requires the registrant contact to be verified), and kept private | | Payment | Crypto only: Bitcoin (BTC), Tether (USDT), USD Coin (USDC), Ethereum (ETH), Solana (SOL), Litecoin (LTC), Monero (XMR), from a prepaid balance (minimum top-up $1). Monero is credited after 10 confirmations, about 20 minutes | | Extensions sold | 14 extension guides; the full price grid covers every extension sold, with first-year, renewal and transfer prices | | .com price | $11.99/year first year, $11.99/year renewal, WHOIS privacy included | | .io price | $33.99/year first year, $52.49/year renewal | | .ai price | $84.49/year, sold 2 years at a time (registry minimum) | | WHOIS privacy | Free where the registry allows it; what stays public depends on each registry | | DNS | free DNS hosting with A, AAAA, CNAME, ALIAS, MX, TXT, NS, SRV and CAA records, one-click templates (Vercel, Netlify, GitHub Pages, Cloudflare Pages, Shopify, Proton Mail, Fastmail, Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, Zoho Mail), or your own nameservers (2 to 13) | | Domain protection (option) | +$29/year per domain, on top of the domain price: registered in the name of DomaineGoat LLC (you stay the beneficiary and can take it back in your own name, free), transfer lock on, minimal data (DomaineGoat LLC holds only your email), and every complaint read by a person before any action on the domain. That review exists only with the option | | Disclosure of your data | We release the data we hold only when Panamanian law requires it (a Panamanian court or prosecutor's order), or in a UDRP case | | Abuse | Phishing, malware, botnets and fraud that takes money from victims: action within 24 hours of a well-documented report. Child sexual abuse material: handled immediately, with a report to the competent hotline or authority. Reports to abuse@dotalmanac.com, no account needed | | Transfer out | Transfer (EPP) code free, requested from the client area; no exit fee | --- DotAlmanac: DotAlmanac is a domain extension guide and registrar: compare every extension, then register it with no KYC and pay in crypto. A .com costs $11.99/year. --- # Who runs DotAlmanac, and how is the almanac made? > About DotAlmanac: who runs it, how the almanac checks 225 extensions against IANA, registries and price lists, and how to report an error. No KYC, crypto. - URL: https://dotalmanac.com/about/ - Last updated: 2026-10-29 - Publisher: DotAlmanac (https://dotalmanac.com) Who operates the site, what the almanac publishes, where each fact comes from, how often we check it, and what we choose not to publish. **Quick answer — What is DotAlmanac, and who runs it?** **DotAlmanac** is a domain extension guide and registrar: compare every extension, then register it with no KYC and pay in crypto. It is operated by DomaineGoat LLC, incorporated in Panama. As of 29 October 2026, its almanac draws on a research table of 225 extensions, and a .com costs $11.99/year. ## DotAlmanac at a glance | Attribute | Value | | --- | --- | | Site | DotAlmanac (dotalmanac.com) | | Operator | DomaineGoat LLC, incorporated in Panama | | Registration | Domains are registered through our ICANN-accredited registrar partner | | What we publish | 14 extension guides, comparisons, two data reports and setup guides | | What we sell | Domain registration, renewal and transfer, plus the Domain protection option | | Identity check | No KYC: one verified email per domain, kept private | | Payment | Crypto only: BTC, USDT, USDC, ETH, SOL, LTC, XMR | | Contact | support@dotalmanac.com · abuse@dotalmanac.com | ## What is DotAlmanac? DotAlmanac is a domain extension guide and registrar: compare every extension, then register it with no KYC and pay in crypto. The guide comes first. Most people do not know whether .io, .ai, .co or .dev suits their project, or what each one costs after the first year. The almanac answers that with one entry per major extension, side-by-side comparisons and original data. When you have chosen, you can register the name here, pay in crypto and skip the ID check. ## What does the almanac publish? Four kinds of pages, all dated: - **Extension entries**: one page per major extension under [extensions](https://dotalmanac.com/tld/ "Which domain extensions can I register, and at what price?"). Each gives the registry, its rules, both prices, and who the extension suits or does not suit. - **Comparisons and picks**: pages such as [.io vs .com](https://dotalmanac.com/io-vs-com/ "Is .io better than .com for a startup?") and the [best domain extensions](https://dotalmanac.com/best-domain-extensions/ "What are the best domain extensions in 2026?"), each with a clear verdict per project. - **Data reports**: the [renewal price index](https://dotalmanac.com/data/domain-renewal-price-index-2026/ "How much does it cost to renew a domain in 2026?") and the [extension rules table](https://dotalmanac.com/data/domain-extension-rules-2026/ "What are the registration rules of each domain extension?"), under the CC BY 4.0 licence. - **Setup guides**: DNS for Vercel, GitHub Pages and Cloudflare, email forwarding and availability checks, listed on [guides](https://dotalmanac.com/guides/ "Which guide answers my domain question?"). ## Where do our facts come from? Each fact comes from a named source, and each page gives the date we checked it. Our main sources are: - **IANA** for the list of extensions. DotAlmanac's count of the IANA root zone shows 1,436 TLDs in the file version of 29 October 2026. - **The registries** for their rules: who may register, minimum and maximum terms, WHOIS privacy, DNSSEC. - **Public price lists** of registrars for competitor prices, each with its date. According to DotAlmanac's table of 225 extensions, 155 entries are checked against registry sources and 70 rely on secondary sources. The [extension rules table](https://dotalmanac.com/data/domain-extension-rules-2026/ "What are the registration rules of each domain extension?") states the limits of this data set. ## How often are the facts checked? Our own prices come from the live price grid, so every page shows the same figure at the same time. The grid in force is dated 29 October 2026. Competitor prices are checked again each month, and each one keeps the date of its price list. Registry rules carry the date of their last check. A known change is written with its date, such as Verisign's .com fee rising to $10.97 on 1 November 2026. ## How do I report an error? Write to support@dotalmanac.com with the page, the sentence and your source. We check the source, fix the page if it is wrong, and change its date. We do not need your name to act on a correction. ## Who operates DotAlmanac? DomaineGoat LLC, a limited liability company incorporated in Panama, operates DotAlmanac. Domains are registered through our ICANN-accredited registrar partner. ICANN policies and each registry's own rules apply to all of them. Our policy fits in a few lines. No ID is collected, only one verified email per domain. We release the data we hold only when Panamanian law requires it (a Panamanian court or prosecutor's order), or in a UDRP case. Abuse such as phishing, malware, botnets or fraud that takes money from victims leads to action within 24 hours of a well-documented report. ## What do we not publish? No ratings, reviews, awards or customer numbers, and no founding year. We do not rank registrars against ourselves. Other registrars sell some extensions for less. Per their price lists of October 2026, Porkbun and Cloudflare Registrar sell a .com below our $11.99/year. We do not give legal advice either. A page that explains a registry rule describes the rule; it does not tell you what your own situation allows. ## About DotAlmanac: questions ### Is DotAlmanac an ICANN-accredited registrar? No. DotAlmanac is operated by DomaineGoat LLC, and domains are registered through our ICANN-accredited registrar partner. Each of them appears in RDAP, like any other domain. ### Is the almanac neutral if you also sell domains? We say when another extension or registrar is better on a point, with the date of the check. Our prices come from the same grid as the [pricing page](https://dotalmanac.com/pricing/ "How much does a domain name cost per year?"). You can check every competitor price against the source we cite. ### Why no ID check? ICANN asks registrars to verify one contact for each domain; an identity document is not part of that rule. We verify a single email address per domain and do not publish it. Payment is in crypto, so there is no card to check either. ### Can I quote your data? Yes. The two data reports are published under CC BY 4.0: quote them with a link to the page. Other pages can be quoted with a link and the date shown on the page. ## Sources 1. [List of top-level domains (version 2026102900)](https://data.iana.org/TLD/tlds-alpha-by-domain.txt) — IANA (29 October 2026) 2. [Root Zone Database](https://www.iana.org/domains/root/db) — IANA (checked 2026-10-29) 3. [Domain name pricing](https://porkbun.com/products/domains) — Porkbun (checked 2026-10-19) 4. [Cloudflare Registrar prices by extension](https://cfdomainpricing.com/) — cfdomainpricing.com (checked 2026-10-08) **Start with the almanac** Compare the extensions, then register the one you pick, with no KYC. [All extensions](https://dotalmanac.com/tld/ "Which domain extensions can I register, and at what price?") · [Search a domain](https://dotalmanac.com/app/domains/?lang=en) --- DotAlmanac: DotAlmanac is a domain extension guide and registrar: compare every extension, then register it with no KYC and pay in crypto. A .com costs $11.99/year. --- # How do I report abuse on a DotAlmanac domain? > Report phishing, malware, botnets, fraud or CSAM to abuse@dotalmanac.com, no account needed. Action within 24 hours of a well-documented report. - URL: https://dotalmanac.com/abuse/ - Last updated: 2026-10-29 - Publisher: DotAlmanac (https://dotalmanac.com) Anyone can report a domain registered through DotAlmanac: victims, security teams, registries, researchers and authorities. One email to abuse@dotalmanac.com is enough. **Quick answer — How do I report abuse on a domain registered through DotAlmanac?** To report a DotAlmanac domain, email **abuse@dotalmanac.com**; no account is needed. As of 29 October 2026, phishing, malware, botnets and fraud against victims lead to action within 24 hours of a well-documented report, and child sexual abuse material is handled immediately, with a report to the competent hotline or authority. Each report gets an acknowledgement with a reference number. ## The abuse desk in short | Attribute | Value | | --- | --- | | Address | abuse@dotalmanac.com | | Who can report | Anyone, without an account, a login or a form | | Acknowledgement | an acknowledgement with a reference number | | Phishing, malware, botnets | Action within 24 hours of a well-documented report | | Fraud that takes money from victims | Action within 24 hours of a well-documented report | | Child sexual abuse material | Handled immediately, with a report to the competent hotline or authority | | Trademark disputes | UDRP; domain locked within 2 business days of a request from a UDRP provider | | Any other complaint | Reply within 2 business days | ## 1. Who can report, and how DotAlmanac is a domain extension guide and registrar: compare every extension, then register it with no KYC and pay in crypto. It is operated by DomaineGoat LLC, incorporated in Panama. Domains are registered through our ICANN-accredited registrar partner. Anyone can report a domain registered through us. Write to abuse@dotalmanac.com from any address. There is no form to fill in and no account to open. Write in English if you can, and send one email per domain, or one email listing every domain of the same campaign. ## 2. What a useful report contains We act fastest on reports that show the abuse. Include: - **the domain** and the exact URL showing the abuse; - **the type of abuse**: phishing, malware, botnet, fraud or child sexual abuse material; - **evidence**: a dated screenshot (UTC), the phishing email with its full headers, a file hash or a scan result; - **the date and time** you saw it, and whether it was still online when you wrote; - **a way to reach you**, if you want to hear the outcome. For child sexual abuse material, give the link and nothing else: do not download, copy or attach anything. Also alert your national hotline; INHOPE lists them. ## 3. What happens to each type of report | Category | Examples | What we do | | --- | --- | --- | | Phishing | Fake login pages, DNS records that send users to a fake site | Action within 24 hours of a well-documented report | | Malware | Domains that serve or control harmful software | Action within 24 hours of a well-documented report | | Botnets | Command-and-control domains | Action within 24 hours of a well-documented report | | Fraud that takes money from victims | Fake shops, investment scams, wallet drainers, impersonation of a bank | Action within 24 hours of a well-documented report | | Child sexual abuse material | Any such material | Handled immediately, with a report to the competent hotline or authority | | Trademark disputes | A name that copies a registered mark | UDRP; domain locked within 2 business days of a request from a UDRP provider | | Other complaints | Anything not listed above | Reply within 2 business days | ## 4. Trademark disputes Trademark disputes follow the Uniform Domain-Name Dispute-Resolution Policy (UDRP). The trademark holder files a complaint with an approved UDRP provider, not with us. The domain is then locked within 2 business days of a request from a UDRP provider, so it cannot change registrar or registrant while the case runs. The panel's decision is then applied to the domain. ## 5. Domain protection and abuse [Domain protection](https://dotalmanac.com/what-is-domain-protection/ "What is domain protection, and do I need it?") does not change this policy. A domain with the option follows the same rules and the same timings as any other domain. The option adds one step: every complaint is read by a person before any action on the domain. That human review exists only for domains with Domain protection. ## 6. Registrant data A report does not give the sender access to the data we hold about the registrant. We release the data we hold only when Panamanian law requires it (a Panamanian court or prosecutor's order), or in a UDRP case. ## 7. Other places to report You can report the same domain to others in parallel. The registry of the extension has its own abuse policy. Our registrar partner lists its abuse contact in the public RDAP record, which you can read at lookup.icann.org. The hosting provider of the website can remove content even when the domain stays online. For questions about your own account, write to support@dotalmanac.com or see [contact](https://dotalmanac.com/contact/ "How do I contact DotAlmanac?"). Rules for customers are in the [acceptable use policy](https://dotalmanac.com/acceptable-use/ "Acceptable use policy"). ## Sources 1. [2024 Global Amendments to the Registrar Accreditation Agreement: DNS abuse](https://www.icann.org/resources/pages/global-amendment-2024-en) — ICANN (checked 2026-10-29) 2. [Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy](https://www.icann.org/resources/pages/policy-2012-02-25-en) — ICANN (checked 2026-10-29) 3. [INHOPE: find a hotline](https://www.inhope.org/EN) — INHOPE (checked 2026-10-29) --- DotAlmanac: DotAlmanac is a domain extension guide and registrar: compare every extension, then register it with no KYC and pay in crypto. A .com costs $11.99/year. --- # Acceptable use policy > DotAlmanac acceptable use policy: no phishing, malware, botnets, fraud on victims or CSAM on any domain; trademark disputes go to the UDRP. Same rules for all. - URL: https://dotalmanac.com/acceptable-use/ - Last updated: 2026-10-29 - Publisher: DotAlmanac (https://dotalmanac.com) The uses forbidden on any DotAlmanac domain, the duties that come with each domain, and how we enforce both. **Quick answer — What is not allowed with a domain from DotAlmanac?** Under this policy of 29 October 2026, 5 uses are forbidden on every domain: phishing, botnets, malware, child sexual abuse material and any fraud that takes money from victims. A well-documented report leads to action within 24 hours of a well-documented report. Trademark disputes go to the UDRP. DotAlmanac applies the same rules with or without Domain protection. ## 1. Scope DotAlmanac is a domain extension guide and registrar: compare every extension, then register it with no KYC and pay in crypto. It is operated by DomaineGoat LLC, incorporated in Panama. Domains are registered through our ICANN-accredited registrar partner. This policy covers all domains bought, renewed or moved in through DotAlmanac, the DNS and forwarding we run for them, and all accounts. The [terms of service](https://dotalmanac.com/legal/terms/ "Terms of service") include it by reference. Each registry enforces its own policy as well, on the extension it runs. ## 2. Forbidden uses You may not use a domain, its DNS or its forwarding for: - **phishing**: fake pages, emails or DNS answers built to steal logins, payment details or wallet keys; - **malware**: serving, spreading or controlling software that infects, locks or spies on devices; - **botnets**: command-and-control servers and the domains a botnet uses to reach them; - **fraud that takes money from victims**: fake shops, investment or crypto scams, wallet drainers, and impersonation of a bank, a brand or a public body; - **child sexual abuse material**, in any form. Spam that carries one of these abuses is treated as that abuse. The domain's email forwarding may not be used to relay it. ## 3. How each case is handled | Case | How it reaches us | Timing | | --- | --- | --- | | Phishing, malware, botnets, fraud on victims | A report to abuse@dotalmanac.com | Action within 24 hours of a well-documented report | | Child sexual abuse material | A report to abuse@dotalmanac.com | Handled immediately, with a report to the competent hotline or authority | | Trademark dispute | A UDRP complaint filed with an approved provider | Domain locked within 2 business days of a request from a UDRP provider | | Any other complaint | A report to abuse@dotalmanac.com | Reply within 2 business days | ## 4. Your duties as a customer You are responsible for the content and use of each domain you register, and for following the law that applies to you. A domain registered through DotAlmanac does not change that law. Each domain needs one email address that works and that you read. the registrant email is verified after registration, as ICANN rules require (within 15 days). If the address is not verified, the domain can be suspended until it is. Keep it working for as long as you hold the domain. Registry rules bind you too. For example, .app and .dev sites must be served over HTTPS, and .ai is registered for 2 years at least. ## 5. Domain protection [Domain protection](https://dotalmanac.com/what-is-domain-protection/ "What is domain protection, and do I need it?") (+$29 per year and per domain, added to the domain price) gives no exemption from this policy. With the option, every complaint is read by a person before any action on the domain; this review exists only for domains with Domain protection. The forbidden uses, the timings and the UDRP apply in the same way. ## 6. Data and disclosure Enforcing this policy does not mean handing your data to the person who complains. We release the data we hold only when Panamanian law requires it (a Panamanian court or prosecutor's order), or in a UDRP case. The details are in the [privacy policy](https://dotalmanac.com/legal/privacy/ "Privacy policy"). ## 7. Reports and changes Reports go to abuse@dotalmanac.com, with no account needed; the [abuse page](https://dotalmanac.com/abuse/ "How do I report abuse on a DotAlmanac domain?") lists what a useful report contains. Questions about this policy go to support@dotalmanac.com. This policy changes when ICANN rules or registry rules change, and the current version carries the date shown at the top. For prices, see the [pricing page](https://dotalmanac.com/pricing/ "How much does a domain name cost per year?"). ## Sources 1. [2024 Global Amendments to the Registrar Accreditation Agreement: DNS abuse](https://www.icann.org/resources/pages/global-amendment-2024-en) — ICANN (checked 2026-10-29) 2. [2013 Registrar Accreditation Agreement](https://www.icann.org/resources/pages/approved-with-specs-2013-09-17-en) — ICANN (checked 2026-10-29) 3. [Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy](https://www.icann.org/resources/pages/policy-2012-02-25-en) — ICANN (checked 2026-10-29) --- DotAlmanac: DotAlmanac is a domain extension guide and registrar: compare every extension, then register it with no KYC and pay in crypto. A .com costs $11.99/year. --- # Should an AI startup use .ai or .io? > .ai vs .io: .ai costs $84.49/year, billed 2 years at a time; .io starts at $33.99/year. Verdict for AI startups, 6-year cost, no KYC, crypto. - URL: https://dotalmanac.com/ai-vs-io/ - Last updated: 2026-10-29 - Publisher: DotAlmanac (https://dotalmanac.com) Two country codes of small British territories, both open to anyone. They differ on the minimum term, the renewal pattern and what the name tells a visitor. **Quick answer — Is .ai or .io better for an AI startup?** **.ai vs .io**: an AI startup should pick .ai when the name is free and the budget allows; .io suits a developer tool that only uses AI. As of 29 October 2026, DotAlmanac sells .ai at $84.49/year, billed 2 years at a time, and .io at $33.99/year, then $52.49/year. Both come with no KYC and crypto payment. ## The numbers that decide it - **2 years** Minimum .ai registration and renewal (the only extension with a minimum above 1 year in DotAlmanac's table of 225) - **$84.49** .ai per year, first year and renewal (as of 29 October 2026) - **$52.49** .io per year from year 2 (+54 % on the first year, as of 29 October 2026) - **10 years** Longest term for both (registry maximum) ## How do .ai and .io compare side by side? | | .ai | .io | | --- | --- | --- | | First year at DotAlmanac | $84.49/year, paid as 2 years | $33.99/year | | Renewal | $84.49/year, 2 years at a time | $52.49/year | | Paid at the first checkout | 2 × $84.49 = $168.98 | $33.99 | | Cost over 5 years | Billed in 2-year blocks, so year 5 needs 6 years paid: 6 × $84.49 = $506.94 as of 29 October 2026 | $33.99 + 4 × $52.49 = $243.95 as of 29 October 2026 | | Transfer in | $84.49 a year, billed for 2 years (transfer + 1 renewal) | $52.49 | | Registry | Government of Anguilla, operated by Identity Digital | Internet Computer Bureau Limited, an Identity Digital subsidiary | | Who can register | Anyone | Anyone | | WHOIS privacy | Allowed, but not offered by every registrar; free at DotAlmanac | Allowed; free at DotAlmanac | | Non-Latin names (IDN) | No | Yes | | How people read it | An AI product, model or agent | Software and developer tools in general | | Main risk | High fixed cost; every payment covers 2 years | Renewal +54 %; Chagos sovereignty question | *Last checked on October 29, 2026; older figures carry their own date.* The .ai rows follow the registry's 2-year rule; every DotAlmanac figure is the one listed on 29 October 2026. ## Which is better for an AI company, .ai or .io? Pick .ai if AI is the product itself: a model, an agent, an assistant or an AI API. The extension names your category before the visitor reads a word. Pick .io if AI is one feature of a developer tool, or if the company may move beyond AI within a few years. DotAlmanac is a domain extension guide and registrar: compare every extension, then register it with no KYC and pay in crypto. We sell both extensions. The cost gap shown below is the main reason to think twice before choosing .ai, and the full grid is on our [pricing page](https://dotalmanac.com/pricing/ "How much does a domain name cost per year?"). ## Why does a .ai domain cost so much more than a .io? The .ai price is high from day one, but it does not jump at renewal. DotAlmanac charges $84.49/year for the first year and for every renewal. A .io starts lower at $33.99/year, then renews at $52.49/year, as of 29 October 2026. So the yearly gap narrows after year one. Six years fit the .ai billing cycle exactly. Over that period, a .ai costs 6 × $84.49 = $506.94, and a .io costs $33.99 + 5 × $52.49 = $296.44. In DotAlmanac's price grid, .ai is one of only 8 extensions out of 43 whose renewal equals the first-year price. .io belongs to the 35 that renew higher. ## What does the .ai 2-year minimum change for you? Every .ai payment covers at least 2 years. In DotAlmanac's table of 225 extensions, no registry other than that of .ai sets a minimum above 1 year. The rule covers registrations and renewals, and transfers are billed for 2 years as well. In practice, the first checkout is 2 × $84.49 = $168.98. A transfer in costs the transfer plus one renewal. Porkbun applies the same rule: its .ai transfer costs $165.09 (19 October 2026). If you renew from your balance, keep enough for 2 years before the expiry date. ## Who runs .ai and .io, and which is more exposed to politics? .io carries the clearer political question; our table records no comparable issue for .ai as of 29 October 2026. .ai is the country code of Anguilla. The Government of Anguilla holds it, and Identity Digital operates it on its behalf. .io belongs to the British Indian Ocean Territory, home of the Chagos Islands. Its registry, Internet Computer Bureau, is an Identity Digital subsidiary. The UK–Mauritius treaty on those islands was frozen in 2026, and .io runs normally. A country code follows its territory, so a future change there could reach the domain. The detail is on our [.io vs .com page](https://dotalmanac.com/io-vs-com/ "Is .io better than .com for a startup?"). ## Does a .ai name help an AI product get noticed? Yes, with one trade-off. A visitor who sees name.ai expects an AI product, so a short brand can leave the word AI out of its name. The same label becomes a limit if the company later sells something that is not AI. .io sends a broader signal: software for technical people. It suits a platform where AI is one part of a larger tool. For a consumer brand outside tech, neither beats a .com; compare with the [best extension for AI companies](https://dotalmanac.com/best-domain-extension-for-ai-companies/ "What is the best domain extension for an AI company?"). ## Which one fits your project? | Project | Pick | Reason | | --- | --- | --- | | AI model, agent or assistant | .ai | The extension states the category | | AI API sold to developers | .ai, with the .io as a backup | Both read well to engineers; .ai matches the product | | Developer tool with AI features | .io | Lower first payment and a broader label | | Research lab or open-source model | .ai or .org | Name the work; see [.com vs .net vs .org](https://dotalmanac.com/com-vs-net-vs-org/ "Should I choose .com, .net or .org for my website?") | | Weekend AI prototype | Neither: .dev at $8.99/year | A .ai locks in 2 × $84.49 up front | | Company that may move beyond AI | .io or .com | Avoids a label you may outgrow | ## Where are .ai and .io cheaper than at DotAlmanac? Cloudflare and Porkbun list .ai below our price, and Porkbun lists .io lower for the first year. Namecheap is the exception on .ai renewals: $92.18 a year against our $84.49/year, as of 8 October 2026. The table gives each figure with its date. Price is not where we compete. DotAlmanac sells without an ID document and takes BTC, USDT, USDC, ETH, SOL, LTC, XMR. It also shows the renewal next to the first-year price before you pay. ## What do other registrars charge for .ai and .io? US dollars per year, first year / renewal. Dates show when each registrar's list was read. | Registrar (date read) | .ai | .io | | --- | --- | --- | | DotAlmanac (29 Oct 2026) | $84.49 / $84.49 | $33.99 / $52.49 | | Porkbun (19 Oct 2026) | $82.70 / $82.70 | $28.12 / $51.80 | | Cloudflare Registrar (8 Oct 2026) | $80.00 / $80.00 | $32.00 / $50.00 | | Dynadot (8 Oct 2026) | $85.60 / $85.60 | $28.89 / $53.50 | | Namecheap (8 Oct 2026) | $84.18 / $92.18 | $32.18 / $60.98 | *Last checked on October 19, 2026; older figures carry their own date.* The registry's 2-year minimum applies at every registrar; .ai prices are per year. Namecheap figures from domainoffer.net. ## .ai vs .io: FAQ ### Can I register a .ai domain for one year only? No. The .ai registry sets a minimum of 2 years for registrations and renewals. DotAlmanac bills .ai 2 years at a time, so the first checkout is 2 × $84.49, as of 29 October 2026. ### Do I need to be in Anguilla to buy a .ai domain? No. Anyone can register a .ai, with no local address or company. Both .ai and .io are among the 52 country codes, out of 94 in DotAlmanac's table, that are open to anyone. ### Can a .ai domain use accented or non-Latin letters? No. .ai does not accept internationalised names (IDN), while .io does. In DotAlmanac's table, 164 of 225 extensions accept IDN, so .ai is in the minority on this point. ### Is WHOIS privacy available for .ai? Yes. The .ai registry allows it, but not every registrar offers it on .ai. At DotAlmanac it is free on both .ai and .io. Domain protection puts a company name in the registry record instead of yours. It costs +$29 per domain per year, charged on top of the .ai or .io itself. ### Does Google treat a .ai site as local to Anguilla? No. Google lists both .ai and .io among the country codes it treats as generic. A .ai site can rank in any country, and the extension itself gives no advantage in search. ## Sources 1. [Delegation record for .AI](https://www.iana.org/domains/root/db/ai.html) — IANA (checked 2026-10-29) 2. [Delegation record for .IO](https://www.iana.org/domains/root/db/io.html) — IANA (checked 2026-10-29) 3. [.io safe for now as Trump puts Chagos deal on ice](https://domainincite.com/31642-io-safe-for-now-as-trump-puts-chagos-deal-on-ice) — Domain Incite (checked 2026-10-29) 4. [Domain pricing](https://porkbun.com/products/domains) — Porkbun (checked 2026-10-19) 5. [Cloudflare domain pricing](https://cfdomainpricing.com/) — cfdomainpricing.com (checked 2026-10-08) 6. [Registrar FAQ](https://developers.cloudflare.com/registrar/faq/) — Cloudflare (checked 2026-10-08) 7. [Domain prices by TLD](https://www.dynadot.com/domain/tlds) — Dynadot (checked 2026-10-08) 8. [.ai registration prices compared](https://domainoffer.net/tld/ai) — domainoffer.net (checked 2026-10-08) 9. [.io registration prices compared](https://domainoffer.net/tld/io) — domainoffer.net (checked 2026-10-08) 10. [Managing multi-regional and multilingual sites](https://developers.google.com/search/docs/specialty/international/managing-multi-regional-sites) — Google Search Central (checked 2026-10-29) ## Search your name in .ai and .io Search a domain name: https://dotalmanac.com/app/domains/?q=yourname Popular extensions: .ai ($84.49), .io ($33.99), .dev ($8.99), .com ($11.99) --- DotAlmanac: DotAlmanac is a domain extension guide and registrar: compare every extension, then register it with no KYC and pay in crypto. A .com costs $11.99/year. --- # Should I use .app or .dev for my project? > .app vs .dev: same Google registry, both force HTTPS; .app renews at $14.99/year, .dev at $12.99/year. Verdict by project, no KYC, crypto. - URL: https://dotalmanac.com/app-vs-dev/ - Last updated: 2026-10-29 - Publisher: DotAlmanac (https://dotalmanac.com) Same registry, same HTTPS rule, same open registration. The differences are the audience each ending speaks to, and a renewal gap that adds up over 5 years. **Quick answer — Is .app or .dev better?** **.app vs .dev**: choose .app for a product people open or install, and .dev for developer docs, tools and portfolios. Both belong to Google Registry and require HTTPS. As of 29 October 2026, DotAlmanac sells .app at $8.99/year, renewing at $14.99/year, and .dev at $8.99/year, renewing at $12.99/year. No KYC, paid in crypto. ## Key facts | Attribute | Value | | --- | --- | | Registry | Google Registry (Charleston Road Registry Inc.), for both | | HTTPS | Required for both: each whole extension is on the browsers' HSTS preload list | | Who can register | Anyone, for both; no developer status needed for .dev | | .app at DotAlmanac | $8.99/year first year, $14.99/year to renew | | .dev at DotAlmanac | $8.99/year first year, $12.99/year to renew | | Email | Works as on any domain; the HTTPS rule applies to web browsers only | ## How do .app and .dev compare side by side? | | .app | .dev | | --- | --- | --- | | First year at DotAlmanac | $8.99/year | $8.99/year | | Renewal | $14.99/year (+67 %) | $12.99/year (+44 %) | | Cost over 5 years | $8.99 + 4 × $14.99 = $68.95 as of 29 October 2026 | $8.99 + 4 × $12.99 = $60.95 as of 29 October 2026 | | Registry | Google Registry | Google Registry | | HTTPS required | Yes | Yes | | Who can register | Anyone | Anyone | | WHOIS privacy | Allowed; free here | Allowed; free here | | Longest term | 10 years | 10 years | | Non-Latin names (IDN) | Yes | Yes | | How people read it | An app or online service for end users | Code, documentation, developer tools | | Main risk | Largest renewal jump in our grid | Reads as technical to a general audience | *Last checked on October 29, 2026; older figures carry their own date.* Percentages compare each renewal with its first year, at DotAlmanac's prices of 29 October 2026. ## Which is better, .app or .dev? Pick by audience: .app for users, .dev for developers. A .app tells a visitor there is a product to open, install or sign into. A .dev tells a developer there is code, documentation or a tool behind the name. DotAlmanac is a domain extension guide and registrar: compare every extension, then register it with no KYC and pay in crypto. Google Registry runs both under the same rules, so audience and renewal price are the only real differences. Both prices sit in our [price list](https://dotalmanac.com/pricing/ "How much does a domain name cost per year?"). ## What does the HTTPS requirement mean for .app and .dev? A .app or .dev site opens only over HTTPS. Google Registry placed both whole extensions on the HSTS preload list, which browsers ship with. A browser refuses any plain HTTP connection to a name under them, and offers no way past a certificate error. In practice, no certificate means no website on these extensions. Vercel, Netlify, GitHub Pages and Cloudflare Pages create one for your custom domain after its DNS records point to them. Our DNS templates set those records in one click; see [connect a domain to Vercel](https://dotalmanac.com/how-to-connect-a-domain-to-vercel/ "How do I connect my domain to Vercel?") or [to GitHub Pages](https://dotalmanac.com/how-to-connect-a-domain-to-github-pages/ "How do I connect my domain to GitHub Pages?"). ## Why does .app cost more to renew than .dev? Both start with a low first year and renew higher, and the .app jump is the larger one. According to DotAlmanac's price grid, .app renews 67 % above its first year and .dev 44 %, as of 29 October 2026. .app has the largest gap of the 43 extensions we sell in the customer's name. Over 5 years, .dev therefore costs less than .app; the sums are in the table above. Other registrars show the same pattern. Porkbun renews .app at $14.93 and .dev at $12.87 (19 October 2026). Our guide on [why renewals cost more](https://dotalmanac.com/why-do-domain-renewals-cost-more/ "Why does a domain cost more to renew than to register?") explains the mechanism. ## Can you use .dev names for local development? No: browsers force HTTPS on every .dev name, including names that exist only on your own machine. A local setup that maps project.dev to your computer fails without a trusted certificate. Use .test or .localhost for local work; both are reserved for that purpose and are never sold. The same applies to .app. Register a real name only for what the public will reach. ## Which one fits your project? | Project | Pick | Reason | | --- | --- | --- | | Mobile app landing page | .app | Says there is something to install | | Web app or SaaS dashboard | .app, or .com if it is free | Users read it as a product | | API reference or SDK docs | .dev | Developers expect technical content there | | Developer portfolio or blog | .dev | Yourname.dev reads as a programmer's site | | Open-source library | .dev | Lower renewal; .org is the other option, see [.com vs .net vs .org](https://dotalmanac.com/com-vs-net-vs-org/ "Should I choose .com, .net or .org for my website?") | | Shop or consumer brand | Neither | Use .com; see the [best extension for online stores](https://dotalmanac.com/best-domain-extension-for-online-stores/ "What is the best domain extension for an online store?") | ## Where are .app and .dev cheaper than at DotAlmanac? Cloudflare and Porkbun sell both for less, in the first year and at renewal. Dynadot renews slightly below us but charges more for the first year, so over 5 years it ends up above us on both: $72.00 for .app and $62.00 for .dev. If total cost is your only criterion, Cloudflare is the place to look. DotAlmanac prints the renewal up front, asks for no ID and takes BTC, USDT, USDC, ETH, SOL, LTC, XMR. ## What do other registrars charge for .app and .dev? First year / renewal in US dollars per year; Dynadot and Cloudflare were read on 8 October, Porkbun on 19 October. | Registrar (date read) | .app | .dev | | --- | --- | --- | | DotAlmanac (29 Oct 2026) | $8.99 / $14.99 | $8.99 / $12.99 | | Porkbun (19 Oct 2026) | $8.75 / $14.93 | $8.75 / $12.87 | | Cloudflare Registrar (8 Oct 2026) | $8.20 / $14.20 | $8.20 / $12.20 | | Dynadot (8 Oct 2026) | $14.00 / $14.50 | $12.00 / $12.50 | *Last checked on October 19, 2026; older figures carry their own date.* Cloudflare charges registry cost with no markup, lists no crypto payment option, and only works with its own nameservers. ## .app vs .dev: FAQ ### Who owns the .app and .dev extensions? Google Registry runs both, under the company name Charleston Road Registry Inc. It put both extensions on the HSTS preload list, so HTTPS is required on every name. Anyone can register either one. ### Does the HTTPS rule affect email on a .dev domain? No. HSTS tells browsers how to load websites; it does not touch MX records or mail delivery. Our DNS templates connect a .dev or .app domain to Proton Mail, Fastmail, Google Workspace, Microsoft 365 or Zoho Mail. ### Can I host a .app site on GitHub Pages? Yes. Point the domain to GitHub Pages and let it issue the certificate for your custom domain. Until the certificate is ready, browsers will not open the site, because the HTTPS rule allows no exception. ### Is .dev only for developers? No. There is no eligibility rule, so anyone can register a .dev. Both sit among the 176 of 225 extensions in DotAlmanac's table that have no registrant restriction. The name simply reads as technical. ### Can I pay for .app or .dev in crypto? Yes: BTC, USDT, USDC, ETH, SOL, LTC, XMR. Top up a balance (minimum $1), then register from it. Use the network shown on the order page, send the exact sum, and the credit arrives once that network confirms the transfer. ## Sources 1. [Delegation record for .APP](https://www.iana.org/domains/root/db/app.html) — IANA (checked 2026-10-29) 2. [Delegation record for .DEV](https://www.iana.org/domains/root/db/dev.html) — IANA (checked 2026-10-29) 3. [HSTS preload and Google Registry](https://kb.porkbun.com/article/96-hsts-preload-and-google-registry) — Porkbun (checked 2026-10-29) 4. [HSTS Preload List Submission](https://hstspreload.org/) — hstspreload.org (checked 2026-10-29) 5. [RFC 6761: Special-Use Domain Names](https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc6761) — IETF (February 2013) 6. [Domain pricing](https://porkbun.com/products/domains) — Porkbun (checked 2026-10-19) 7. [Cloudflare domain pricing](https://cfdomainpricing.com/) — cfdomainpricing.com (checked 2026-10-08) 8. [Registrar FAQ](https://developers.cloudflare.com/registrar/faq/) — Cloudflare (checked 2026-10-08) 9. [Domain prices by TLD](https://www.dynadot.com/domain/tlds) — Dynadot (checked 2026-10-08) **Search your name in .app and .dev** Both need HTTPS from day one. One-click DNS records for Vercel, Netlify, GitHub Pages and Cloudflare Pages come free with every domain. [Search a domain](https://dotalmanac.com/app/domains/?lang=en) · [See all prices](https://dotalmanac.com/pricing/ "How much does a domain name cost per year?") --- DotAlmanac: DotAlmanac is a domain extension guide and registrar: compare every extension, then register it with no KYC and pay in crypto. A .com costs $11.99/year. --- # What is the best domain extension for an AI company? > Best domain extension for AI companies: .ai at $84.49/year, sold 2 years at a time, then .com or .io. Registrars compared, no KYC, pay in crypto. - URL: https://dotalmanac.com/best-domain-extension-for-ai-companies/ - Last updated: 2026-10-29 - Publisher: DotAlmanac (https://dotalmanac.com) The .ai extension names the category, but it comes with a rule no other extension has: every order covers at least two years. **Quick answer — What is the best domain extension for an AI company?** The best domain extension for AI companies is .ai: it names the category, anyone can register it, and its renewal does not rise. At DotAlmanac it costs $84.49/year, sold 2 years at a time, as of 29 October 2026. If the .ai is taken or over budget, use .com, then .io. ## .ai at DotAlmanac (29 October 2026) | Attribute | Value | | --- | --- | | Price | $84.49/year, the same at renewal | | Minimum term | 2 years, at registration and at renewal | | First payment | 2 years: 2 × $84.49 | | Transfer in | Billed 2 years (the transfer plus 1 renewal) | | Maximum term | 10 years | | Registry | Government of Anguilla (country code) | | Who can register | Anyone; no presence in Anguilla needed | | WHOIS privacy | Free at DotAlmanac; the registry allows privacy services | ## Why is .ai the best extension for an AI company? Because the extension itself says what the product does, and no other extension does that for artificial intelligence. DotAlmanac is a domain extension guide and registrar: compare every extension, then register it with no KYC and pay in crypto. .ai is the country code of Anguilla, a British overseas territory in the Caribbean. Its registry accepts registrants from anywhere, with no local presence. A model, an agent or an AI tool on a .ai address needs no tagline to explain its category. The extension also has one rule that sets it apart. According to DotAlmanac's table of 225 extensions, .ai is the only one with a 2-year minimum term. ## How does the 2-year minimum change the cost? It doubles the first payment, not the yearly price. A new .ai at DotAlmanac costs 2 × $84.49 on the day you order. Each renewal is also a 2-year block, so the balance must cover two years before the renewal date. Transfers follow the same logic. Moving a .ai to DotAlmanac is billed 2 years: the transfer plus one renewal. In return, the price does not climb: .ai renews at $84.49/year, while .io renews 54 % above its first year. *DotAlmanac prices per year, as of 29 October 2026.* | Extension | First payment | 1st year / renewal | Registry | Best for | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | .ai | 2 × $84.49 | $84.49 / $84.49 | Government of Anguilla | AI models, agents, AI-first products | | .com | $11.99 | $11.99 / $11.99 | Verisign | AI features inside a wider product | | .io | $33.99 | $33.99 / $52.49 | Internet Computer Bureau | AI developer tools and APIs | | .tech | $47.49 | $47.49 / $51.49 | Radix | AI hardware and deep tech | | .app | $8.99 | $8.99 / $14.99 | Google Registry | Consumer AI apps (HTTPS required) | | .dev | $8.99 | $8.99 / $12.99 | Google Registry | Open-source models and SDKs | ## Where is .ai cheaper, and by how much? Cloudflare Registrar and Porkbun sold .ai for a few dollars less per year in October 2026. Cloudflare sells at cost ($80.00 a year, 8 October 2026) but takes no crypto. Porkbun listed $82.70 a year on 19 October 2026, per its price list, and $165.09 for a 2-year transfer. Namecheap shows the opposite pattern: $84.18 the first year, then $92.18 to renew. At DotAlmanac, .ai costs $84.49/year at registration and at renewal. Our case rests on no KYC and payment in crypto, not on price. | Registrar | .ai per year | Renewal per year | Pays in crypto | Checked | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | DotAlmanac | $84.49 | $84.49 | BTC, USDT, USDC, ETH, SOL, LTC, XMR | 29 Oct 2026 | | Cloudflare Registrar | $80.00 | $80.00 | None documented | 8 Oct 2026 | | Porkbun | $82.70 | $82.70 | USDC via Coinbase Business | 19 Oct 2026 | | Namecheap | $84.18 | $92.18 | BTC, as an account top-up | 8 Oct 2026 | | Dynadot | $85.60 | $85.60 | BTC, USDT, USDC | 8 Oct 2026 | *Last checked on October 29, 2026; older figures carry their own date.* Price per year; every registrar bills .ai in 2-year blocks. Sources: each registrar's price list, cfdomainpricing.com (Cloudflare), domainoffer.net (Namecheap). ## When should an AI company skip .ai? Skip .ai when AI is a feature rather than the product. A CRM with an AI assistant still sells a CRM: a .com at $11.99/year describes it better and costs far less each year. - **Open-source model or SDK**: .dev, read by developers as code. HTTPS is enforced by every browser. - **Consumer AI app**: .app, which tells people there is something to install or open. - **Research lab or nonprofit**: .org, which signals a mission rather than a sale. - **Product likely to pivot**: .com, because a .ai address keeps the old category in every link. Comparing the two most common picks in detail: [.ai vs .io](https://dotalmanac.com/ai-vs-io/ "Should an AI startup use .ai or .io?"). ## What should you check before you register a .ai name? Check the budget for two years, the renewal date and the name itself. - **Budget**: the first order is 2 × $84.49. A plan priced on one year falls short. - **Renewal**: DotAlmanac offers automatic renewal from your balance, switched on or off for each domain. For .ai, keep two years of renewal on the balance. - **The name**: a .ai name that copies a known model or company brand can be lost through a UDRP complaint. Search trademark registers first. - **Long terms**: .ai accepts up to 10 years in one order. Weigh it with [should you register a domain for 10 years](https://dotalmanac.com/should-you-register-a-domain-for-10-years/ "Should I register my domain for 10 years?"). ## Domains for AI companies: FAQ ### Why must a .ai be bought two years at a time? Anguilla's registry requires it: both registration and renewal cover at least 2 years, at every registrar. At DotAlmanac, the first payment is 2 × $84.49. ### Is .ai a country domain? Yes, it is the country code of Anguilla, run by the Government of Anguilla. Anyone can register it, from any country, and it is used worldwide for artificial intelligence. ### Is .ai worth the price compared with .io? Yes, when AI is the product: the address explains the company. If AI is one feature, .io or .com cost less. At DotAlmanac, .io renews at $52.49/year and .ai at $84.49/year. ### Can I transfer my .ai domain to DotAlmanac? Yes. A .ai transfer is billed 2 years: the transfer plus one renewal. Ask your current registrar for the transfer code first. ### Does a .ai domain come with WHOIS privacy? Yes, at DotAlmanac it is free: the registry allows privacy services. Not every registrar offers it for .ai, so check before you buy elsewhere. ## Search your AI product name Search a domain name: https://dotalmanac.com/app/domains/?q=yourmodel.ai Popular extensions: .ai ($84.49), .com ($11.99), .io ($33.99), .tech ($47.49), .app ($8.99), .dev ($8.99) ## Sources 1. [.ai delegation record](https://www.iana.org/domains/root/db/ai.html) — IANA (checked 2026-10-29) 2. [.ai registration terms](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/Route53/latest/DeveloperGuide/ai.md) — Amazon Route 53 (checked 2026-10-29) 3. [Domain pricing](https://porkbun.com/products/domains) — Porkbun (2026-10-19) 4. [Cloudflare domain pricing](https://cfdomainpricing.com/) — cfdomainpricing.com (2026-10-08) 5. [Domain extension pricing](https://www.dynadot.com/domain/tlds) — Dynadot (2026-10-08) 6. [.ai prices across registrars](https://domainoffer.net/tld/ai) — domainoffer.net (2026-10-08) **Check your .ai name** Check .ai, .com and .io in one search; the first .ai order covers two years. [Search a domain](https://dotalmanac.com/app/domains/?lang=en) · [See all prices](https://dotalmanac.com/pricing/ "How much does a domain name cost per year?") --- DotAlmanac: DotAlmanac is a domain extension guide and registrar: compare every extension, then register it with no KYC and pay in crypto. A .com costs $11.99/year. --- # What is the best domain extension for a developer? > Best domain extension for developers: .dev at $8.99 the first year, HTTPS enforced. .io, .app and .page compared, DNS templates, no KYC, crypto. - URL: https://dotalmanac.com/best-domain-extension-for-developers/ - Last updated: 2026-10-29 - Publisher: DotAlmanac (https://dotalmanac.com) Google's .dev is built for software, but its HTTPS rule and its renewal price shape how you use it. Here is when .dev, .io, .app or .page fits. **Quick answer — What is the best domain extension for developers?** The best domain extension for developers is .dev: it signals software at a glance, and Google Registry enforces HTTPS. At DotAlmanac it costs $8.99 the first year, then $12.99, as of 29 October 2026. Choose .io for a commercial developer tool and .app for a shipped application. ## Developer extensions at DotAlmanac (29 October 2026) | Attribute | Value | | --- | --- | | .dev | $8.99 first year, $12.99 renewal (+44 %) | | .app | $8.99 first year, $14.99 renewal (+67 %) | | .io | $33.99 first year, $52.49 renewal | | .page | $11.99 first year, $13.49 renewal | | HTTPS | Required on .dev, .app and .page (HSTS preload list) | | DNS records | A, AAAA, CNAME, ALIAS, MX, TXT, NS, SRV, CAA | | Nameservers | Ours, or your own (2 to 13), with a Cloudflare preset | | DNSSEC | Managed, or your own DS record (algorithm 13 recommended) | ## Why is .dev the best extension for developers? Because it says software in three letters and enforces good security by default. DotAlmanac is a domain extension guide and registrar: compare every extension, then register it with no KYC and pay in crypto. .dev is run by Google Registry and is open to anyone: you do not need to prove you write code. The whole extension sits on the HSTS preload list shipped with browsers, so every .dev site loads over HTTPS. Documentation, a library home page or a portfolio on .dev reads as a developer's work. The price needs one look. DotAlmanac's price grid of 43 extensions shows .dev renewing 44 % above its first year, as of 29 October 2026. Budget for $12.99/year, not for the first-year price. ## Which extension fits which developer project? Match the extension to what visitors will do on the site: read, install, buy or hire. The .sh extension, popular for install scripts, is not sold by DotAlmanac. *DotAlmanac prices per year, as of 29 October 2026.* | Project | Pick | 1st year / renewal | Why | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Documentation or a library site | .dev | $8.99 / $12.99 | Reads as code; HTTPS enforced | | Open-source foundation | .org | $9.49 / $11.99 | Signals a project, not a vendor | | Commercial API or dev tool | .io | $33.99 / $52.49 | The norm for paid developer tools | | Shipped mobile or web app | .app | $8.99 / $14.99 | Tells users there is an app | | Single-page profile or docs | .page | $11.99 / $13.49 | HTTPS enforced; cheap to renew | | Hosting or cloud service | .cloud | $20.99 / $22.99 | Names the service category | | Install scripts or CLI | .sh | Not sold by DotAlmanac | Use .dev instead | ## What does HTTPS-only mean in practice? It means a browser never loads a .dev, .app or .page site over plain HTTP, not even on the first visit. The site needs a valid TLS certificate before launch. Vercel, Netlify, GitHub Pages and Cloudflare Pages issue one when you add the domain; a bare server needs an ACME client such as Certbot. Two habits break on these extensions: - **Local hostnames.** Do not invent `myapp.dev` names for local testing: browsers force HTTPS on them too. Use `localhost` or a name ending in `.test`, which RFC 2606 reserves for testing. - **Plain-HTTP redirects.** A redirect served over HTTP never runs. Serve every redirect from a host that holds a certificate for the domain. Add a CAA record to choose which certificate authorities may issue for your domain. ## How do you point a developer domain at your host? Pick the host's template in the client area, or create the records yourself. The values below are the ones the templates write; for Vercel, the values shown in your Vercel project take precedence. Step-by-step guides: [GitHub Pages](https://dotalmanac.com/how-to-connect-a-domain-to-github-pages/ "How do I connect my domain to GitHub Pages?"), [Vercel](https://dotalmanac.com/how-to-connect-a-domain-to-vercel/ "How do I connect my domain to Vercel?") and [Cloudflare](https://dotalmanac.com/how-to-use-cloudflare-with-your-domain/ "How do I use Cloudflare with my domain?"). | Host | Root domain (@) | www | | --- | --- | --- | | Vercel | A `76.76.21.21` | CNAME `cname.vercel-dns.com` | | Netlify | ALIAS `apex-loadbalancer.netlify.com` | CNAME `.netlify.app` | | GitHub Pages | A `185.199.108.153`, `185.199.109.153`, `185.199.110.153`, `185.199.111.153`; AAAA `2606:50c0:8000::153` to `2606:50c0:8003::153` | CNAME `.github.io` | | Cloudflare Pages | Needs Cloudflare DNS (nameserver preset) | CNAME `.pages.dev` | ## Should a developer portfolio use .dev or .me? Use .dev when your work is code, and your name in .com when you also write, teach or consult. A .dev address tells a reader the site is about code before they open it. A .com with your full name stays useful if you later move into management or start a company. One domain can serve both roles. Put the portfolio on yourname.dev and point yourname.com at it, or the reverse. At DotAlmanac, a .com costs $11.99/year, and a .me $18.49/year with no increase at renewal. More options for a personal site: [extensions for personal websites](https://dotalmanac.com/best-domain-extension-for-personal-websites/ "What is the best domain extension for a personal website?"). ## Is .dev cheaper at other registrars? Slightly, yes. As of 19 October 2026, per its price list, Porkbun sold .dev at $8.75, then $12.87 to renew, and .app at $8.75, then $14.93. At DotAlmanac, .dev costs $8.99 then $12.99, and .app $8.99 then $14.99. We do not claim to be the cheapest registrar; we offer no KYC, payment in crypto and the DNS templates above. Both Google extensions are compared in [.app vs .dev](https://dotalmanac.com/app-vs-dev/ "Should I use .app or .dev for my project?"). ## Domains for developers: FAQ ### Is .dev only for developers? No. Google Registry sets no condition on who registers a .dev. Anyone can buy one, but every .dev site must be served over HTTPS. ### Why does my .dev site not load over HTTP? Because .dev is on the HSTS preload list built into browsers. They switch every request to HTTPS before it leaves the device. Install a TLS certificate, or host on a platform that issues one. ### Is .dev or .io better for a developer tool? Use .dev for free tools, docs and open source; use .io for a paid product. At DotAlmanac, .dev renews at $12.99/year and .io at $52.49/year. ### Can I use a .dev domain with GitHub Pages? Yes. Use the GitHub Pages template, then tick 'Enforce HTTPS' in the repository settings once GitHub has issued the certificate. Steps: [connect a domain to GitHub Pages](https://dotalmanac.com/how-to-connect-a-domain-to-github-pages/ "How do I connect my domain to GitHub Pages?"). ### Does DotAlmanac support DNSSEC and CAA records? Yes. DNSSEC is managed for you, or you add your own DS record; algorithm 13 is recommended. CAA, SRV and TXT records are available in the DNS editor. ## Search your project name Search a domain name: https://dotalmanac.com/app/domains/?q=yourproject.dev Popular extensions: .dev ($8.99), .io ($33.99), .app ($8.99), .page ($11.99), .cloud ($20.99), .com ($11.99) ## Sources 1. [.dev delegation record](https://www.iana.org/domains/root/db/dev.html) — IANA (checked 2026-10-29) 2. [HSTS preload and Google Registry domains](https://kb.porkbun.com/article/96-hsts-preload-and-google-registry) — Porkbun (checked 2026-10-29) 3. [Domain pricing](https://porkbun.com/products/domains) — Porkbun (2026-10-19) 4. [RFC 2606: Reserved Top Level DNS Names](https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc2606) — IETF (checked 2026-10-29) 5. [Managing a custom domain for your GitHub Pages site](https://docs.github.com/en/pages/configuring-a-custom-domain-for-your-github-pages-site/managing-a-custom-domain-for-your-github-pages-site) — GitHub Docs (checked 2026-10-29) **Register your .dev** DNS templates for Vercel, Netlify, GitHub Pages and Cloudflare Pages come with every domain; pay in crypto. [Search a domain](https://dotalmanac.com/app/domains/?lang=en) · [See all prices](https://dotalmanac.com/pricing/ "How much does a domain name cost per year?") --- DotAlmanac: DotAlmanac is a domain extension guide and registrar: compare every extension, then register it with no KYC and pay in crypto. A .com costs $11.99/year. --- # What is the best domain extension for a gaming site? > Best domain extension for gaming: .gg for teams and communities at $82.49/year, .com for studios, .tv or .live for streams. No KYC, pay in crypto. - URL: https://dotalmanac.com/best-domain-extension-for-gaming/ - Last updated: 2026-10-29 - Publisher: DotAlmanac (https://dotalmanac.com) Players already know .gg, but it renews one year at a time and its registry checks each application. Here is what to pick for a team, a server, a studio or a stream. **Quick answer — What is the best domain extension for gaming?** The best domain extension for gaming is .gg for clans, esports teams and game tools, because players already read it as 'good game'. At DotAlmanac it costs $82.49/year, the same to renew, as of 29 October 2026. Game studios that sell to the public do better with .com at $11.99/year. ## .gg and the other gaming options (29 October 2026) | Attribute | Value | | --- | --- | | .gg | $82.49/year, same price to renew; 1 year per registration | | .gg registry | Island Networks Ltd. (Guernsey country code); each application reviewed by hand | | .com | $11.99 first year, $11.99 renewal | | .tv | $37.49 first year, $40.49 renewal | | .fun | $28.49 first year, $29.99 renewal | | Game server records | A, AAAA, SRV and TXT records in the DNS editor | | Payment | BTC, USDT, USDC, ETH, SOL, LTC, XMR; no ID, one verified email per domain | ## Why is .gg the best extension for gaming? Because players read it as a gaming word before they read it as a country. DotAlmanac is a domain extension guide and registrar: compare every extension, then register it with no KYC and pay in crypto. .gg is the country code of Guernsey, run by Island Networks Ltd. It is open to anyone, with no presence on the island required. Players type 'gg', short for 'good game', at the end of a match. A .gg address therefore fits a team, a clan, a tournament or a stats tool. The price is high but stable: $82.49/year at DotAlmanac, with no increase at renewal. A .com costs far less, so pick .gg when the gaming signal is worth the difference. ## Which extension fits which gaming project? Match the extension to who visits: players, buyers or viewers. Two gaming extensions, .games and .game, are not sold by DotAlmanac. *DotAlmanac prices per year, as of 29 October 2026.* | Project | Pick | 1st year / renewal | Why | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Esports team or clan | .gg | $82.49 / $82.49 | Players know it on sight | | Game server (Minecraft, Rust…) | .gg or .net | $12.99 / $12.99 for .net | Short address to type in a client | | Indie or commercial game studio | .com | $11.99 / $11.99 | Stores, press and players type .com | | Streamer or video channel | .tv | $37.49 / $40.49 | Video in two letters | | Live events and tournaments | .live | $27.99 / $29.49 | Says the event is happening now | | Casual or hobby community | .fun | $28.49 / $29.99 | Entertainment meaning, lower price | | Guild or membership group | .club | $17.99 / $18.99 | Reads as members only | | Tight budget | .xyz | $11.99 / $11.99 | One price every year | ## Why can a .gg only be registered for one year? Because the .gg registry caps every registration at 1 year, so you renew it every year. According to DotAlmanac's table of 225 extensions, 8 extensions share that cap: .de, .nl, .ch, .be, .gg, .jp, .it and .ac. A .com, by contrast, can be prepaid for up to 10 years. The yearly cap has two consequences: - **Renewal is a yearly task.** DotAlmanac offers automatic renewal from your balance, switched on or off for each domain. Keep $82.49 on the balance before each anniversary. - **There is no long-term price lock.** You pay the price in force each year, so check the [pricing](https://dotalmanac.com/pricing/ "How much does a domain name cost per year?") page before the renewal date. ## What happens when you order a .gg? The registry reviews each application by hand, so plan for a short delay. Registration happens usually within minutes of the top-up being credited; a few extensions take a few hours. The search also works differently. For .gg, the result can read 'Availability confirmed at order': the registry gives the final answer at registration, not at search time. The rule: if a domain cannot be registered (taken in the meantime, registry refusal), the full amount goes back to your balance. How the check works: [how to check if a domain is available](https://dotalmanac.com/how-to-check-if-a-domain-is-available/ "How do I check if a domain name is available?"). ## How do you point a gaming domain at a game server? With an A record for the server's address and, for Minecraft Java Edition, an SRV record for the port. The SRV record lets players type `play.yourteam.gg` instead of an IP address and a port. Bedrock Edition does not read SRV records, so Bedrock players still need the port. *Example values; replace the IP address and names with your own.* | Record | Name | Value | Purpose | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | A | `mc` | `203.0.113.10` | Server address (example IP) | | SRV | `_minecraft._tcp.play` | `0 5 25565 mc.yourteam.gg` | Port for Minecraft Java Edition | | TXT | `@` | Value given by the platform | Ownership check for a community or store platform | | CNAME | `www` | Your website host | Team or community site | ## Which mistakes cost gaming communities their domain? Trademarks and missed renewals cause most losses: - **Using a game's name.** Game titles and publisher names are trademarks. A domain built on one can be lost through UDRP; DotAlmanac locks it within 2 business days of a request from a UDRP provider. Use your team's own name. - **Letting the .gg lapse.** With yearly terms, a forgotten renewal comes round every twelve months. Turn on renewal from the balance. - **One person holding the domain.** A clan outlives its founder. Agree who holds the account, and keep the transfer code (free, requested from the client area) easy to get. ## Gaming domains: FAQ ### What does .gg stand for? Officially, Guernsey: .gg is the island's country code. In gaming, 'gg' means 'good game', which is why teams, clans and game tools adopted it. ### Can anyone register a .gg domain? Yes. The registry sets no residency rule, but it reviews each application by hand. At DotAlmanac, a .gg costs $82.49/year, with no increase at renewal. ### Is .gg or .com better for an esports team? .gg for the team's own site: fans recognise it. A team that sells merchandise or signs sponsors should also hold the .com, at $11.99/year, and point it at the .gg. ### Is .tv a good domain for a streamer? Yes. .tv is the country code of Tuvalu, open to anyone, and reads as video. At DotAlmanac it costs $37.49 the first year, then $40.49. ### Can I run a game server on my own domain? Yes. Add an A record pointing to the server, and an SRV record if players use Minecraft Java Edition. DotAlmanac's DNS editor supports A, AAAA, SRV and TXT records at no extra cost. ## Search your team or server name Search a domain name: https://dotalmanac.com/app/domains/?q=yourteam.gg Popular extensions: .gg ($82.49), .com ($11.99), .tv ($37.49), .live ($27.99), .fun ($28.49), .xyz ($11.99) ## Sources 1. [.gg delegation record](https://www.iana.org/domains/root/db/gg.html) — IANA (checked 2026-10-29) 2. [.gg registration terms](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/Route53/latest/DeveloperGuide/gg.md) — Amazon Route 53 (checked 2026-10-29) 3. [GG domain name regulations](https://safenames.net/domain-names/domain-name-regulations/GG) — Safenames (checked 2026-10-29) 4. [.tv delegation record](https://www.iana.org/domains/root/db/tv.html) — IANA (checked 2026-10-29) 5. [RFC 2782: A DNS RR for specifying the location of services (DNS SRV)](https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc2782) — IETF (checked 2026-10-29) **Register your .gg** Look up your team name in .gg, .com and .tv, and pay from a crypto balance. [Search a domain](https://dotalmanac.com/app/domains/?lang=en) · [See all prices](https://dotalmanac.com/pricing/ "How much does a domain name cost per year?") --- DotAlmanac: DotAlmanac is a domain extension guide and registrar: compare every extension, then register it with no KYC and pay in crypto. A .com costs $11.99/year. --- # What is the best domain extension for an online store? > Best domain extension for an online store: .com at $11.99/year, or .shop when the .com is taken. Shopify DNS template, no KYC, pay in crypto. - URL: https://dotalmanac.com/best-domain-extension-for-online-stores/ - Last updated: 2026-10-29 - Publisher: DotAlmanac (https://dotalmanac.com) A store's domain appears on every receipt, parcel label and payment page. Here is how .com, .shop, .store and country codes compare for selling online. **Quick answer — What is the best domain extension for an online store?** The best domain extension for an online store is .com: shoppers type it from memory. It costs $11.99/year at DotAlmanac, as of 29 October 2026. When the .com is taken, .shop is the clearest commerce alternative, at $30.49 the first year, then $32.99. Avoid .store unless the name is unavailable everywhere else. ## Store domains at DotAlmanac (29 October 2026) | Attribute | Value | | --- | --- | | .com | $11.99 first year, $11.99 renewal | | .shop | $30.49 first year, $32.99 renewal (GMO Registry) | | .store | $51.49 first year, $54.99 renewal (Radix) | | Shopify template | A record @ 23.227.38.65 · CNAME www shops.myshopify.com | | Email templates | Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, Zoho Mail, Proton Mail, Fastmail, SPF+DMARC | | Renewal | automatic renewal from your balance, switched on or off for each domain | | Payment | BTC, USDT, USDC, ETH, SOL, LTC, XMR; no ID, one verified email per domain | ## Why is .com the best extension for an online store? Because a store lives on repeat visits, and repeat visitors type .com. DotAlmanac is a domain extension guide and registrar: compare every extension, then register it with no KYC and pay in crypto. A store's domain is printed on receipts, packaging and card statements. Customers who return weeks later type it from memory, and their memory defaults to .com. A .com also keeps one price every year at DotAlmanac: $11.99/year. When the exact .com is taken, choose between two paths: - **The brand will also sell offline or on marketplaces**: add one word to the .com, such as shop or store. The brand name stays on the familiar extension. - **The store exists only online**: take the bare brand on **.shop**. It is shorter, and the extension tells visitors they can buy. ## .shop, .store or .online: which commerce extension is best? .shop is the best of the three: it is the shortest word and costs less than .store or .online at DotAlmanac. .store costs $51.49 the first year, more than any other extension in the table below. We see no reason to pay that difference for a longer word. *DotAlmanac prices per year, as of 29 October 2026.* | Extension | Registry | 1st year | Renewal | Verdict | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | .com | Verisign | $11.99 | $11.99 | First choice for any store | | .shop | GMO Registry | $30.49 | $32.99 | Best commerce alternative | | .store | Radix | $51.49 | $54.99 | Same meaning, higher price | | .online | Radix | $28.99 | $30.99 | Generic; says little about buying | | .co | MinTIC (Colombia) | $31.99 | $31.99 | Short, but often mistyped as .com | | .biz | GoDaddy Registry | $19.49 | $20.99 | Meant for business use; dated image | ## Should a store that sells in one country use its country code? Yes, if the registry accepts you and you ship mainly to that country. The country code tells buyers where the shop is and which rules apply. The catch is eligibility. According to DotAlmanac's table of 225 extensions, only 52 of the 94 country codes are open to anyone. Six require residency, including .eu, .fr and .ca, which DotAlmanac does not sell. Some registries require a name and a postal address, which they store. DotAlmanac sells those extensions only with [Domain protection](https://dotalmanac.com/what-is-domain-protection/ "What is domain protection, and do I need it?"). The registry then holds the details of DomaineGoat LLC, while you remain the beneficiary. The price shown includes the option: .de costs $36.99 a year and .uk $38.49. The extensions sold this way: .de, .uk, .nl, .cc, .to, .ch, .pl, .be, .at, .cz, .nz, .fi. Rules for every country: [can you register a country domain without living there](https://dotalmanac.com/can-you-register-a-country-domain-without-living-there/ "Can you register a country domain without living there?"). ## How do you connect a store domain to Shopify? Apply the Shopify template in the client area. It writes an A record for the root domain to `23.227.38.65`, and a CNAME for www to `shops.myshopify.com`. Then add the domain in the Shopify admin. Registration itself happens usually within minutes of the top-up being credited; a few extensions take a few hours. Set up email at the same time. Order confirmations sent from your domain need SPF and DMARC records, or inboxes treat them as suspect. The templates cover Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, Zoho Mail, Proton Mail and Fastmail. A store that only receives mail can use free forwarding: [email forwarding for your domain](https://dotalmanac.com/how-to-set-up-email-forwarding-for-your-domain/ "How do I set up email forwarding for my domain?"). ## Which domain mistakes hurt an online store? The costly ones take the checkout offline or hand the name to someone else: - **An expired domain.** The store, the order emails and the payment callbacks stop at once. Keep automatic renewal from your balance, switched on or off for each domain on, with enough balance for the next renewal. - **A name built on another brand.** Selling a brand's products does not give you its name. A domain with someone else's trademark can be lost through UDRP; DotAlmanac locks it within 2 business days of a request from a UDRP provider. - **A promotional first year.** At many registrars, commerce extensions start low and renew at full price. DotAlmanac's price grid shows 35 of its 43 extensions renewing above the first-year price, as of 29 October 2026. Read the renewal line first. ## Domains for online stores: FAQ ### Is .shop a good domain for an online store? Yes, when the .com is taken. .shop is open to anyone, run by GMO Registry, and tells visitors they can buy. At DotAlmanac it costs $30.49 the first year, then $32.99. ### Is .shop or .store better? .shop: it is shorter and costs less at DotAlmanac. .store costs $51.49 the first year for the same meaning. ### Can I connect a DotAlmanac domain to Shopify? Yes. The Shopify template sets the A record to 23.227.38.65 and the www CNAME to shops.myshopify.com. Then add the domain in your Shopify admin. ### Do I need a .de or .uk domain to sell in Germany or the UK? No, a .com sells in both countries. A local code adds a local signal. DotAlmanac sells .de and .uk with Domain protection only, at $36.99 and $38.49 a year, the option included. ### What happens to my store if the domain expires? The site, its order emails and its payment callbacks stop working. Turn on renewal from your balance and keep enough on it; the balance never expires. ## Search your store name Search a domain name: https://dotalmanac.com/app/domains/?q=yourstore.com Popular extensions: .com ($11.99), .shop ($30.49), .store ($51.49), .online ($28.99), .co ($31.99), .biz ($19.49) ## Sources 1. [.shop delegation record](https://www.iana.org/domains/root/db/shop.html) — IANA (checked 2026-10-29) 2. [.store delegation record](https://www.iana.org/domains/root/db/store.html) — IANA (checked 2026-10-29) 3. [.eu eligibility rules](https://www.iana.org/domains/root/db/eu.html) — IANA (checked 2026-10-29) 4. [.de delegation record](https://www.iana.org/domains/root/db/de.html) — IANA (checked 2026-10-29) **Find your store's domain** Compare .com, .shop and .store in one search, then point the winner at your shop. [Search a domain](https://dotalmanac.com/app/domains/?lang=en) · [See all prices](https://dotalmanac.com/pricing/ "How much does a domain name cost per year?") --- DotAlmanac: DotAlmanac is a domain extension guide and registrar: compare every extension, then register it with no KYC and pay in crypto. A .com costs $11.99/year. --- # What is the best domain extension for a personal website? > Best domain extension for a personal website: your name in .com, or .me at $18.49/year. Free WHOIS privacy where allowed, no KYC, pay in crypto. - URL: https://dotalmanac.com/best-domain-extension-for-personal-websites/ - Last updated: 2026-10-29 - Publisher: DotAlmanac (https://dotalmanac.com) A personal domain often outlives jobs, email providers and hosting platforms. Pick an extension you will still want in twenty years, and check what it publishes about you. **Quick answer — What is the best domain extension for a personal website?** The best domain extension for a personal website is .com with your full name, at $11.99/year on DotAlmanac. If that is taken, .me reads as personal and costs $18.49/year, the same to renew, as of 29 October 2026. Developers can use .dev; writers can use .blog. ## Personal domains at DotAlmanac (29 October 2026) | Attribute | Value | | --- | --- | | Your name in .com | $11.99 first year, $11.99 renewal | | .me | $18.49 first year, $18.49 renewal (Government of Montenegro) | | .name | $11.99 first year, $12.49 renewal (Verisign) | | WHOIS privacy | Free on all 43 extensions DotAlmanac sells in your name | | Contact data collected | One email address per domain, verified and kept private | | Email on your domain | Free forwarding to the inbox you already use | | Longest term allowed | 10 years for .com, .me and .name | ## Which extension should you use for a personal website? Your full name in .com, because it is the address people guess when they look you up. DotAlmanac is a domain extension guide and registrar: compare every extension, then register it with no KYC and pay in crypto. Common names are often taken in .com. Then choose by what you do, not by price alone: - **Consultants and freelancers**: .pro, unrestricted since November 2015, or .me. - **Artists and designers**: .art or .design, which say the work before the name. - **Writers**: .blog, run by Automattic and open to anyone; WordPress is not required. - **Developers**: .dev, covered in [extensions for developers](https://dotalmanac.com/best-domain-extension-for-developers/ "What is the best domain extension for a developer?"). - **Everyone else**: .me, short and personal in any language. *DotAlmanac prices per year, as of 29 October 2026.* | Extension | Registry | 1st year | Renewal | Suits | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | .com | Verisign | $11.99 | $11.99 | Anyone, if your name is free | | .me | Government of Montenegro | $18.49 | $18.49 | Portfolios, link-in-bio pages | | .name | Verisign | $11.99 | $12.49 | Personal names only | | .pro | Identity Digital | $19.99 | $20.99 | Consultants, freelancers | | .art | UK Creative Ideas | $16.99 | $18.49 | Artists, galleries | | .blog | Automattic | $25.99 | $27.99 | Writers, newsletters | | .page | Google Registry | $11.99 | $13.49 | One-page profiles (HTTPS required) | ## Will your name and address be public? Not on the extensions DotAlmanac sells in your name: WHOIS privacy is free on all 43 of them. We collect a single piece of contact data: one email address per domain, verified as ICANN requires and kept private. For .com, Verisign runs a thin registry that receives no registrant contact data at all. Other extensions are stricter. According to DotAlmanac's table of 225 extensions, 23 forbid WHOIS privacy, including .us, .es, .in and .au. On those, a personal site can publish its owner's details. Check the rule before you register a country code in your own name. [Domain protection](https://dotalmanac.com/what-is-domain-protection/ "What is domain protection, and do I need it?") goes one step further. It costs +$29 a year per domain, added to the price of the domain itself: - DomaineGoat LLC becomes the registrant, you remain the beneficiary, and moving it back to your own name costs nothing; - the transfer lock is on; - DomaineGoat LLC holds only your email; - a person reads each complaint before anything happens to the domain. ## How do you get an email address on your own name? Turn on free email forwarding: mail sent to you@yourname.com lands in the inbox you already use. Nothing to host, nothing to pay beyond the domain. Steps: [email forwarding for your domain](https://dotalmanac.com/how-to-set-up-email-forwarding-for-your-domain/ "How do I set up email forwarding for my domain?"). To send from that address as well, pick a mail host template in the client area. The Proton Mail template, for example, writes MX `10 mail.protonmail.ch` and `20 mailsec.protonmail.ch` and the SPF line `include:_spf.protonmail.ch`. Fastmail, Google Workspace, Microsoft 365 and Zoho Mail have templates too. Your address then stays the same if you change provider. ## How long should you keep a personal domain? For life, if it carries your name. Old links, CVs and email contacts point to it for years after you stop updating the site. A lapsed personal domain can be registered by anyone, along with the mail sent to it. Three habits protect it: - **Pick an extension with a stable price.** At DotAlmanac, .com and .me renew at their first-year price; .page renews 13 % higher. - **Avoid a country code you can lose after a move.** Codes tied to residency, such as .fr or .ca, stop fitting once you live elsewhere. DotAlmanac does not sell them. - **Renew ahead.** The registries of .com, .me and .name allow up to 10 years at a time. Weigh it with [should you register a domain for 10 years](https://dotalmanac.com/should-you-register-a-domain-for-10-years/ "Should I register my domain for 10 years?"). ## Personal website domains: FAQ ### Should I use my full name as my domain? Yes, if you want people to find you by name. Use firstnamelastname, without hyphens. If your name is common, add a middle initial before switching to another extension. ### Is .me a good domain for a personal website? Yes. .me is open to anyone, reads as personal and costs $18.49/year at DotAlmanac, with no increase at renewal. Some two-letter names are registry premiums and cost more. ### What is the .name extension for? Personal names. Verisign runs it, and the registry policy reserves it for individuals, so a company using one can be challenged. It costs $11.99 the first year at DotAlmanac. ### Can I keep my home address off a personal domain? Yes. DotAlmanac collects one email per domain, not your address, and WHOIS privacy costs nothing on every extension whose registry permits it. Avoid the 23 extensions in our table that forbid privacy. ### Do I need hosting for a personal website? Not paid hosting. GitHub Pages, Netlify and Cloudflare Pages host static sites for free, and DotAlmanac has a DNS template for each. See [connect a domain to GitHub Pages](https://dotalmanac.com/how-to-connect-a-domain-to-github-pages/ "How do I connect my domain to GitHub Pages?"). ## Search your name Search a domain name: https://dotalmanac.com/app/domains/?q=yourname.com Popular extensions: .com ($11.99), .me ($18.49), .name ($11.99), .pro ($19.99), .blog ($25.99), .page ($11.99) ## Sources 1. [.me delegation record](https://www.iana.org/domains/root/db/me.html) — IANA (checked 2026-10-29) 2. [.name registration terms](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/Route53/latest/DeveloperGuide/name.md) — Amazon Route 53 (checked 2026-10-29) 3. [.pro registration terms](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/Route53/latest/DeveloperGuide/pro.md) — Amazon Route 53 (checked 2026-10-29) 4. [The .blog domain extension is now open to registrars](https://wptavern.com/the-blog-domain-extension-is-now-open-to-registrars) — WP Tavern (checked 2026-10-29) 5. [usTLD privacy services policy](https://www.about.us/policies/us-privacy-services-policy) — about.us (checked 2026-10-29) **Claim your name** Look up your name in .com, .me and .name; WHOIS privacy comes free. [Search a domain](https://dotalmanac.com/app/domains/?lang=en) · [See all prices](https://dotalmanac.com/pricing/ "How much does a domain name cost per year?") --- DotAlmanac: DotAlmanac is a domain extension guide and registrar: compare every extension, then register it with no KYC and pay in crypto. A .com costs $11.99/year. --- # What is the best domain extension for a startup? > Best domain extension for a startup: .com first, then .io or .co. .io costs $33.99, then $52.49 to renew. Registrars compared, no KYC, crypto. - URL: https://dotalmanac.com/best-domain-extension-for-startups/ - Last updated: 2026-10-29 - Publisher: DotAlmanac (https://dotalmanac.com) When the exact .com is free, take it. When it is not, the choice between a longer .com, .io and .co depends on who buys from you. **Quick answer — What is the best domain extension for a startup?** The best domain extension for a startup is .com when the exact name is free: $11.99/year at DotAlmanac, with no renewal increase. Otherwise, take .io or .co. As of 29 October 2026, .io costs $33.99 the first year and $52.49 per renewal, so price five years before you commit. ## Startup extensions at a glance (29 October 2026) | Attribute | Value | | --- | --- | | .com | $11.99 first year, $11.99 renewal | | .io | $33.99 first year, $52.49 renewal (+54 %) | | .co | $31.99 first year and renewal; 5 years maximum per registration | | .ai | $84.49/year, sold 2 years at a time | | Who can register | Anyone, for all four: no company papers, no local presence | | What we ask for | One verified email per domain, no ID document | | Coins accepted | BTC, USDT, USDC, ETH, SOL, LTC, XMR (top-up from $1) | ## Which extension should a startup choose first? The exact .com, whenever it is free at the normal price. DotAlmanac is a domain extension guide and registrar: compare every extension, then register it with no KYC and pay in crypto. Our rule for founders is simple: one exact .com beats any other extension. When the exact .com is taken, you face a real trade-off. You can add a word to the .com, such as get, try or hq. Or you can keep the bare name and move to .io or .co. Our recommendation depends on who buys: - **B2B, developer or SaaS buyers**: take the bare name in **.io**. These buyers know the extension and arrive through links, not from memory. - **Consumer buyers**: take a **.com with one short added word**. People who hear a name on a podcast or from a friend type .com first. - **Non-technical companies**: take **.co**. It is shorter than .io, reads as company and keeps one price every year. ## How much does each startup extension cost over five years? Five years cost the first year plus four renewals, and the .io renewal is the line that moves the total most. DotAlmanac's price grid shows 35 of its 43 extensions renewing above the first-year price, as of 29 October 2026. For .io the gap is +54 %, the second-widest in the grid after .app. *DotAlmanac prices per year, as of 29 October 2026.* | Extension | 1st year | Each renewal | Change at renewal | Registry | Longest term | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | .com | $11.99 | $11.99 | None | Verisign | 10 years | | .io | $33.99 | $52.49 | +54 % | Internet Computer Bureau | 10 years | | .co | $31.99 | $31.99 | None | MinTIC (Colombia) | 5 years | | .ai | $84.49 (2-year minimum) | $84.49 | None | Government of Anguilla | 10 years | | .app | $8.99 | $14.99 | +67 % | Google Registry | 10 years | ## Is .io cheaper at other registrars? Yes, for the first year. As of 19 October 2026, per its price list, Porkbun sold .io at $28.12, then $51.80 to renew. We do not claim to be the cheapest registrar. What DotAlmanac offers instead: no KYC, payment in crypto, and the renewal printed next to the first-year price. The renewals sit closer together than the first years. Across the five registrars below, a .io renewal costs between $50.00 and $60.98, so the five-year gap is smaller than the first-year gap. | Registrar | .io 1st year | .io renewal | Pays in crypto | Checked | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | DotAlmanac | $33.99 | $52.49 | BTC, USDT, USDC, ETH, SOL, LTC, XMR | 29 Oct 2026 | | Porkbun | $28.12 | $51.80 | USDC via Coinbase Business | 19 Oct 2026 | | Cloudflare Registrar | $32.00 | $50.00 | None documented | 8 Oct 2026 | | Dynadot | $28.89 | $53.50 | BTC, USDT, USDC | 8 Oct 2026 | | Namecheap | $32.18 | $60.98 | BTC, as an account top-up | 8 Oct 2026 | *Last checked on October 29, 2026; older figures carry their own date.* Prices per each registrar's price list on the date shown; Cloudflare from cfdomainpricing.com, Namecheap from domainoffer.net. ## What can go wrong with a .io or .co domain? Two risks belong to these extensions, and both can be managed. - **.io and the Chagos question.** The .io code belongs to the British Indian Ocean Territory. A UK–Mauritius treaty on the Chagos Islands was shelved in 2026, and .io runs normally. Its long-term status stays uncertain, so hold the matching .com or a fallback name. - **.co and stray email.** People who type from memory add an m. Mail sent to the .com reaches its owner, not you. Print the full address on invoices, and check who runs the .com before you commit. The search behaves differently too. For .io and .co, a result can read 'Availability confirmed at order': the registry gives the final answer at registration. The rule then: if a domain cannot be registered (taken in the meantime, registry refusal), the full amount goes back to your balance. ## Which domain mistakes cost founders the most? Losing control of the domain costs more than any price difference. Four mistakes cause most of the damage: - **Registering it in an employee's account.** The registrant of record controls the domain. Use an account the founders control, and write down who holds it. - **Skipping the trademark search.** A name that copies a registered mark can be lost through a UDRP complaint. Search the trademark registers of your main markets first. - **Letting it lapse.** An expired domain takes email and login links down with it. DotAlmanac offers automatic renewal from your balance, switched on or off for each domain; keep the balance above the next renewal. - **Moving it too early.** After a registration or a transfer, a gTLD such as .com stays locked for 60 days under ICANN rules. Plan any move to a company account after that window. ## Startup domains: FAQ ### Is .io still a good domain for a startup in 2026? Yes, for tech and B2B products. It is open to anyone and works normally, though the Chagos dispute adds long-term uncertainty. At DotAlmanac it costs $33.99 the first year and $52.49 per renewal, as of 29 October 2026. ### Should a startup buy both the .com and the .io? Yes, if the .com is available at a normal price. Run the product on one and point the other at it. Two renewals cost less than visitors lost to someone else's .com. ### Is .co a good alternative to .com for a startup? Yes, if you accept the typing risk. .co is open to anyone and costs $31.99/year at DotAlmanac, with no increase at renewal. It can be registered for 5 years at most. ### Is .ai better than .io for a startup? Only when AI is the product. .ai costs $84.49/year and is sold 2 years at a time, so it costs more than .io over five years. See [.ai vs .io](https://dotalmanac.com/ai-vs-io/ "Should an AI startup use .ai or .io?"). ### Can a startup pay for its domain in stablecoins? Yes. DotAlmanac accepts BTC, USDT, USDC, ETH, SOL, LTC, XMR. Top up from $1, then pay registrations and renewals from the balance; no card, no ID. ## Search your startup name Search a domain name: https://dotalmanac.com/app/domains/?q=yourstartup.io Popular extensions: .com ($11.99), .io ($33.99), .co ($31.99), .ai ($84.49), .app ($8.99), .tech ($47.49) ## Sources 1. [Domain pricing](https://porkbun.com/products/domains) — Porkbun (2026-10-19) 2. [Cloudflare domain pricing](https://cfdomainpricing.com/) — cfdomainpricing.com (2026-10-08) 3. [Domain extension pricing](https://www.dynadot.com/domain/tlds) — Dynadot (2026-10-08) 4. [.io prices across registrars](https://domainoffer.net/tld/io) — domainoffer.net (2026-10-08) 5. [.io safe for now as Chagos deal is put on ice](https://domainincite.com/31642-io-safe-for-now-as-trump-puts-chagos-deal-on-ice) — Domain Incite (checked 2026-10-29) 6. [.co delegation record](https://www.iana.org/domains/root/db/co.html) — IANA (checked 2026-10-29) **Check your startup name in .com, .io and .co** One search shows each price with its renewal; settle the order in stablecoins or Bitcoin. [Search a domain](https://dotalmanac.com/app/domains/?lang=en) · [See all prices](https://dotalmanac.com/pricing/ "How much does a domain name cost per year?") --- DotAlmanac: DotAlmanac is a domain extension guide and registrar: compare every extension, then register it with no KYC and pay in crypto. A .com costs $11.99/year. --- # What are the best domain extensions in 2026? > Best domain extensions in 2026: .com, .io, .ai, .co and 6 more ranked on registry rules and 5-year price. .com $11.99/year, no KYC, pay in crypto. - URL: https://dotalmanac.com/best-domain-extensions/ - Last updated: 2026-10-29 - Publisher: DotAlmanac (https://dotalmanac.com) Ten extensions ranked on the same tests: who can register, term limits, WHOIS privacy, price over five years and fit for the job. **Quick answer — What is the best domain extension in 2026?** The best domain extension in 2026 is .com. Anyone can register it, visitors type it by default, and it renews at $11.99/year, like year one. As of 29 October 2026, .io, .ai and .co follow. **DotAlmanac** is a domain extension guide and registrar: compare every extension, then register it with no KYC and pay in crypto. ## The 10 best domain extensions, ranked (October 2026) **Methodology.** Published by DotAlmanac. Every extension is scored on the same criteria: who can register it, its term limits and WHOIS privacy. We add its first-year and renewal price at DotAlmanac and how clearly it fits its use. Registry rules come from DotAlmanac's table of 225 extensions. *Last checked on October 29, 2026; older figures carry their own date.* Prices are DotAlmanac's, per year. Each name links to the extension guide. ### 1. .com — Default choice The extension visitors assume. Open to anyone, run by Verisign as a thin registry, and priced the same every year at DotAlmanac. - Best for: Any business, product or project with a global audience - Price: $11.99 first year, $11.99 to renew - Pros: Typed by default from memory - Cons: Porkbun and Cloudflare Registrar listed it for less in October 2026 ### 2. .io — Tech startups The usual fallback for tech products when the .com is taken. Country code of the British Indian Ocean Territory, open to anyone. - Best for: SaaS, developer tools and B2B tech startups - Price: $33.99 first year, $52.49 to renew - Pros: Widely used by developer tools and SaaS - Cons: Renewal +54 % over the first year (29 October 2026) - Cons: Long-term uncertainty tied to Chagos sovereignty ### 3. .ai — AI products Anguilla's country code, now shorthand for artificial intelligence. The only extension in DotAlmanac's table with a 2-year minimum. - Best for: AI models, agents and AI-first products - Price: $84.49/year, sold 2 years at a time, same price to renew - Pros: Names the category in the address - Cons: Highest yearly price in this top 10 ### 4. .co — Short alternative Colombia's country code, open to anyone and used worldwide as a short alternative to .com. A registration cannot exceed 5 years. - Best for: Startups and companies whose .com is taken - Price: $31.99 first year, $31.99 to renew - Pros: Same price every year at DotAlmanac - Cons: Often mistyped as .com, by visitors and email senders ### 5. .org — Nonprofits Public Interest Registry's extension, open to anyone with no proof of nonprofit status, and read as non-commercial. - Best for: Nonprofits, open-source projects and communities - Price: $9.49 first year, $11.99 to renew - Pros: Signals a cause, not a sale - Cons: Renewal +26 % over the first year (29 October 2026) ### 6. .dev — Developers Google Registry's extension for software. Browsers load .dev sites over HTTPS only: Google placed the entire extension on their HSTS preload list. - Best for: Documentation, developer tools, portfolios and libraries - Price: $8.99 first year, $12.99 to renew - Pros: Low first-year price - Cons: Renewal +44 % (29 October 2026) ### 7. .app — Apps Google Registry's extension for mobile and web apps, with the same HTTPS rule as .dev and the widest renewal gap in DotAlmanac's grid. - Best for: Mobile apps, web apps and product sites - Price: $8.99 first year, $14.99 to renew - Pros: Says what the product is - Cons: Renewal +67 % over the first year (29 October 2026) ### 8. .net — Fallback Verisign's second extension, run like .com as a thin registry. A solid fallback for infrastructure services. - Best for: Hosting, networks and infrastructure services - Price: $12.99 first year, $12.99 to renew - Pros: Same registry rules as .com - Cons: Verisign raises the .net wholesale fee on 1 March 2027 ### 9. .me — Personal Montenegro's country code, open to anyone and built around personal brands. Some short names are registry premiums. - Best for: Personal sites, portfolios and link-in-bio pages - Price: $18.49 first year, $18.49 to renew - Pros: Same price every year at DotAlmanac - Cons: Weak fit for a company brand ### 10. .xyz — Budget XYZ.COM's generic extension, open to anyone. At DotAlmanac it costs the same as .com, every year. - Best for: Side projects, web3 projects and generic names - Price: $11.99 first year, $11.99 to renew - Pros: Open to anyone, privacy allowed - Cons: Promotional first years elsewhere hide a higher renewal *Disclosure: this page is published by DotAlmanac, a domain extension guide and registrar. Competitor details come from their public websites, price lists and the sources cited, on the date shown above, and may have changed since.* ## The top 10 extensions side by side *DotAlmanac prices per year. Rules: DotAlmanac's table of 225 extensions.* | Extension | Registry | Who can register | Term | 1st year | Renewal | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | .com | Verisign | Anyone | 1–10 years | $11.99 | $11.99 | | .io | Internet Computer Bureau | Anyone | 1–10 years | $33.99 | $52.49 | | .ai | Government of Anguilla | Anyone | 2–10 years | $84.49 | $84.49 | | .co | MinTIC (Colombia) | Anyone | 1–5 years | $31.99 | $31.99 | | .org | Public Interest Registry | Anyone | 1–10 years | $9.49 | $11.99 | | .dev | Google Registry | Anyone (HTTPS required) | 1–10 years | $8.99 | $12.99 | | .app | Google Registry | Anyone (HTTPS required) | 1–10 years | $8.99 | $14.99 | | .net | Verisign | Anyone | 1–10 years | $12.99 | $12.99 | | .me | Government of Montenegro | Anyone | 1–10 years | $18.49 | $18.49 | | .xyz | XYZ.COM LLC | Anyone | 1–10 years | $11.99 | $11.99 | *Last checked on October 29, 2026; older figures carry their own date.* ## Why is .com still the best domain extension? Because it is the one extension people assume without being told. DotAlmanac is a domain extension guide and registrar: compare every extension, then register it with no KYC and pay in crypto. DotAlmanac's count of the IANA root zone shows 1,436 top-level domains on 29 October 2026; none has replaced .com as the default. Verisign runs .com as a thin registry that receives no registrant contact data. On 1 November 2026 its wholesale fee goes up to $10.97, from $10.26; ICANN adds $0.20 per year. We do not claim to be the cheapest registrar: as of 19 October 2026, per its price list, Porkbun charged $11.08. ## Which extension is best when the .com is taken? The one that names your category, so the extension carries meaning instead of looking like a second choice: - **Startup or SaaS**: .io, or .co for a general audience ([for startups](https://dotalmanac.com/best-domain-extension-for-startups/ "What is the best domain extension for a startup?")). - **AI product**: .ai ([for AI companies](https://dotalmanac.com/best-domain-extension-for-ai-companies/ "What is the best domain extension for an AI company?")). - **Developer tool**: .dev ([for developers](https://dotalmanac.com/best-domain-extension-for-developers/ "What is the best domain extension for a developer?")). - **Online store**: .shop ([for online stores](https://dotalmanac.com/best-domain-extension-for-online-stores/ "What is the best domain extension for an online store?")). - **Personal site**: .me ([for personal websites](https://dotalmanac.com/best-domain-extension-for-personal-websites/ "What is the best domain extension for a personal website?")). - **Gaming**: .gg ([for gaming](https://dotalmanac.com/best-domain-extension-for-gaming/ "What is the best domain extension for a gaming site?")). ## Which extensions just missed the top 10? Five extensions do one job well but serve a narrower audience: - **.shop** (GMO Registry), for stores: $30.49, then $32.99. - **.gg** (Guernsey), for gaming: $82.49/year, 1 year per registration at most. - **.tech** (Radix), for tech firms: $47.49, then $51.49. - **.blog** (Automattic), for writers: $25.99, then $27.99. - **.page** (Google Registry), for one-page sites: $11.99, then $13.49; HTTPS required. Two developer favourites, .sh and .so, are not sold by DotAlmanac. ## Which extensions should most projects avoid? Avoid extensions whose rules you cannot meet, and first-year prices that hide a steep renewal. DotAlmanac's price grid shows 35 of its 43 extensions renewing above the first-year price, as of 29 October 2026. Promotions widen the gap: on 19 October 2026, per its price list, Porkbun sold .xyz at $2.04 the first year and $14.21 to renew. According to DotAlmanac's table of 225 extensions, 23 forbid WHOIS privacy, including .us, which also requires a US nexus. DotAlmanac does not sell .us. Every rule is in the [extension rules table](https://dotalmanac.com/data/domain-extension-rules-2026/ "What are the registration rules of each domain extension?"). ## Best domain extensions: FAQ ### Is .io or .co better than .com? No, but both beat a long or awkward .com. Choose .io for tech buyers and .co for a general audience. At DotAlmanac, .co keeps one price every year; .io renews at $52.49. ### Which domain extension is best for a small business? The .com, at $11.99/year at DotAlmanac. A business that serves one country can add that country's code if it meets the registry's rules. Check them first in the [rules table](https://dotalmanac.com/data/domain-extension-rules-2026/ "What are the registration rules of each domain extension?"). ### Do new extensions like .shop or .xyz work everywhere? Yes. They sit in the same IANA root zone as .com, so every browser reaches them. What differs is the price and how visitors read them. ### Does DotAlmanac sell all ten extensions in this ranking? Yes, all ten, registered in your name. There is no ID check: one verified email per domain. Payment is in crypto only: BTC, USDT, USDC, ETH, SOL, LTC, XMR. ## Search a name in the top extensions Search a domain name: https://dotalmanac.com/app/domains/?q=yourname.com Popular extensions: .com ($11.99), .io ($33.99), .ai ($84.49), .co ($31.99), .org ($9.49), .dev ($8.99) ## Sources (checked 29 October 2026) 1. [List of top-level domains, version 2026102900](https://data.iana.org/TLD/tlds-alpha-by-domain.txt) — IANA (checked 2026-10-29) 2. [.io safe for now as Chagos deal is put on ice](https://domainincite.com/31642-io-safe-for-now-as-trump-puts-chagos-deal-on-ice) — Domain Incite (checked 2026-10-29) 3. [Verisign .com price update 2026](https://osir.com/en/blog/verisign-com-price-update-2026/) — OSIR (checked 2026-10-29) 4. [Domain pricing](https://porkbun.com/products/domains) — Porkbun (2026-10-19) 5. [Verisign announces .net price increase](https://domainnamewire.com/2026/08/27/verisign-announces-net-price-increase/) — Domain Name Wire (2026-08-27) **Register one of the top 10** Renewal printed next to every first-year price; registration needs one verified email. [Search a domain](https://dotalmanac.com/app/domains/?lang=en) · [See all prices](https://dotalmanac.com/pricing/ "How much does a domain name cost per year?") --- DotAlmanac: DotAlmanac is a domain extension guide and registrar: compare every extension, then register it with no KYC and pay in crypto. A .com costs $11.99/year. --- # Can you register a country domain without living there? > Yes for 52 of 94 country domains in DotAlmanac's table, such as .io, .ai, .co, .me, .de and .uk. 25 set a local or ID condition. No KYC, pay in crypto. - URL: https://dotalmanac.com/can-you-register-a-country-domain-without-living-there/ - Last updated: 2026-10-29 - Publisher: DotAlmanac (https://dotalmanac.com) Which country-code domains accept registrants from anywhere, which ones ask for residency, a local address or an ID check, and how DotAlmanac sells the European ones. **Quick answer — Can you register a country domain without living in that country?** Yes: you can register a country domain without living there for 52 of the 94 country codes in DotAlmanac's table of 225 extensions, including .io, .ai, .co, .me, .de and .uk, as of 29 October 2026. Another 25 require residency, local presence, an ID check, a nexus or a trademark; 17 have unclear rules. ## The 94 country codes at a glance - **52 of 94** country codes open to registrants from any country (55%) - **13** need a local presence: an address, company number or local contact - **6** need residency or citizenship: .eu, .fr, .ca, .it, .hu, .hr - **4** run an ID check: .cn, .ru, .in, .dk ## Which country domains can anyone register? According to DotAlmanac's table of 225 extensions, 52 of the 94 country codes accept a registrant from any country. DotAlmanac is a domain extension guide and registrar: compare every extension, then register it with no KYC and pay in crypto. The 52 open ones: .io, .ai, .co, .me, .de, .uk, .nl, .es, .tv, .cc, .gg, .so, .sh, .to, .ws, .ch, .pl, .se, .be, .at, .cz, .mx, .za, .nz, .hk, .fi, .ro, .cl, .ph, .pe, .lt, .lv, .ee, .si, .rs, .li, .ng, .ly, .gl, .is, .la, .fm, .am, .nu, .ac, .pw, .im, .mn, .cx, .ag, .vc and .gs. "Open" does not mean "no rules". Spain's .es asks for an ID or company number, .nz needs individuals to be 18 or over, and .ai sells 2 years at a time. DotAlmanac sells six open ccTLDs in your own name and 12 more with Domain protection only. ## Popular country domains open to everyone | Extension | Country or territory | What to know | WHOIS privacy | DotAlmanac, first year | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | .io | British Indian Ocean Territory | No local link needed; long-term question over Chagos sovereignty, but .io works normally | Allowed | $33.99/year | | .ai | Anguilla | 2-year minimum term | Allowed | $84.49/year, 2 years at a time | | .co | Colombia | Maximum term of 5 years | Allowed | $31.99/year | | .me | Montenegro | Two-letter and some other names are registry premiums | Allowed | $18.49/year | | .tv | Tuvalu | No local link needed | Allowed | $37.49/year | | .gg | Guernsey | Applications reviewed by hand; 1-year terms only | Depends on the registrar | $82.49/year | | .de | Germany | A holder outside Germany names a German representative if DENIC asks; 1-year terms | Hidden by the registry | $36.99/year, Domain protection included | | .uk | United Kingdom | Direct .uk and .co.uk are both open | Hidden by the registry | $38.49/year, Domain protection included | | .nl | Netherlands | Non-Dutch holders get a SIDN domicile address; 1-year terms | Hidden by the registry | $37.99/year, Domain protection included | | .ch | Switzerland | 1-year terms | Hidden by the registry | $41.49/year, Domain protection included | | .fi | Finland | Finnish ID only if the address is in Finland; maximum 5 years | Hidden by the registry; name shown | $46.99/year, Domain protection included | | .nz | New Zealand | Individuals 18 or over; organisations must be registered | Hidden by the registry; name shown | $49.99/year, Domain protection included | | .to | Tonga | Spam and some vulgar words are banned | No public WHOIS | $85.99/year, Domain protection included | | .es | Spain | Open worldwide, but an ID or company number is required | Not allowed | not sold | | .sh | Saint Helena | No local link needed | — | not sold | | .so | Somalia | Sold openly; older registry texts mention a link with Somalia (secondary source) | — | not sold | *Last checked on October 29, 2026; older figures carry their own date.* Rules from DotAlmanac's table of 225 extensions; prices from DotAlmanac's price list of 29 October 2026. "Not sold" means DotAlmanac does not sell the extension. "—" means unknown. ## Which country domains need a local link? The 25 country codes with a known condition, grouped by rule. DotAlmanac sells none of them. The full condition of each one is in the [domain extension rules 2026](https://dotalmanac.com/data/domain-extension-rules-2026/ "What are the registration rules of each domain extension?"). | Rule | Country codes | What you need | | --- | --- | --- | | Residency or citizenship (6) | .eu, .fr, .ca, .it, .hu, .hr | Citizenship or residence in the country or the EU/EEA, or a company established there | | Local presence (13) | .au, .br, .jp, .kr, .sg, .no, .ar, .ie, .my, .bg, .ae, .sa, .ma | A local address, company number, contact or representative | | ID check (4) | .cn, .ru, .in, .dk | Identity documents verified by the registry | | Nexus (1) | .us | US citizenship, residence or organisation, or a bona fide US presence | | Trademark (1) | .ua | A matching Ukrainian trademark for a direct .ua; .com.ua is open | | Not documented (17) | .tr, .pt, .tw, .gr, .sk, .il, .id, .vn, .th, .lu, .ke, .pk, .kz, .eg, .bz, .sc, .ms | No reliable source; ask the registry before you buy | *Last checked on October 29, 2026; older figures carry their own date.* ## What does "local presence" mean? Local presence means the registry wants a local anchor: an address, a company number or a contact person in the country. You do not always have to live there yourself. - **.jp** asks for a Japanese postal address. - **.sg** asks for a Singapore-based admin contact verified through SingPass. - **.no** asks for a Norwegian organisation number, or a Norwegian national ID and address. - **.br** asks for a Brazilian CPF or CNPJ number. - **.ie** asks for a documented, real connection with Ireland. Some registrars offer a trustee or local-presence service for .jp, .kr, .sg or .no: they act as the local contact for you. DotAlmanac does not sell these extensions and offers no trustee service. ## Can you register a .eu or .fr domain from outside Europe? For .eu, yes if you are an EU or EEA citizen; for .fr, only through an organisation established in the EU or EEA. EURid accepts EU/EEA citizens wherever they live, and residents or organisations established in the EU/EEA. AFNIC accepts individuals resident in the EU/EEA and organisations established there, and checks that data under the NIS2 rules. Canada's .ca follows the same idea with its Canadian Presence Requirements, and Italy's .it asks for a tax or ID number. DotAlmanac sells none of these four. ## Why are .de, .uk and some other country domains sold only with Domain protection? Because their registries require the registrant's name and address, and DotAlmanac collects only one email address per domain. With Domain protection, the registry receives the details of DomaineGoat LLC instead of yours. This applies to .de, .uk, .nl, .cc, .to, .ch, .pl, .be, .at, .cz, .nz, .fi. The option is billed +$29 yearly for each domain, in addition to the domain itself; for these extensions, it is already in the price shown. What it includes: 1. The registrant of record is DomaineGoat LLC. You remain the beneficiary, and you can move the domain back into your own name at no cost. 2. The transfer lock stays on. 3. Minimal data: DomaineGoat LLC keeps only your email address. 4. A person reads each complaint before anything is done to the domain. This human review comes only with the option. It changes nothing in the abuse policy: the same rules apply to every domain. Details are on [what is Domain protection](https://dotalmanac.com/what-is-domain-protection/ "What is domain protection, and do I need it?"). ## Does a country domain limit who can see your site? No. A country domain works worldwide, like any other: the TLD does not block visitors from other countries. Search is the only place where it matters. Google uses most ccTLDs as a sign that a site targets that country. It makes an exception for 20 country codes it treats as generic, including .ai, .co, .io, .me and .tv. So a .io or .ai startup is not tied to one country in Google, while a .de site is read as German. ## Country domains: FAQ ### Can an American register a .de domain? Yes. .de is open worldwide; a holder outside Germany must name a German representative if DENIC requests one. At DotAlmanac, .de is sold only with Domain protection, at $36.99/year with the option included, as of 29 October 2026. ### Can I register a .eu domain without living in the EU? Yes, if you are a citizen of an EU or EEA country, wherever you live. Otherwise you need residence in the EU/EEA or an organisation established there. DotAlmanac does not sell .eu. ### Can a foreigner register a .us domain? Only with a US nexus: US citizens or residents, US organisations, or foreign entities with a bona fide US presence. The .us registry also bans privacy and proxy services, so the owner's details stay public. DotAlmanac does not sell .us. ### Do I need to live in Anguilla to register a .ai domain? No. .ai is open to anyone, with a 2-year minimum term, the only one in DotAlmanac's table of 225 extensions. At DotAlmanac, .ai costs $84.49/year, billed 2 years at a time, with no KYC and payment in crypto. ### Is .io a country domain? Yes, the ccTLD of the British Indian Ocean Territory, and it is open to anyone. Its long-term future is tied to the Chagos sovereignty question; the UK–Mauritius treaty was shelved in 2026 and .io works normally. At DotAlmanac, .io costs $33.99/year the first year. ## Sources 1. [Rules for .eu domains](https://eurid.eu/en/knowledge-centre/rules-for-eu-domains/) — EURid (checked 2026-10-08) 2. [DENIC domain terms and conditions](https://www.denic.de/en/domain-terms-and-conditions/) — DENIC (checked 2026-10-08) 3. [usTLD privacy services policy](https://www.about.us/policies/us-privacy-services-policy) — about.us (usTLD registry) (checked 2026-10-08) 4. [Nexus codes and .us domain registration](https://a2hosting.com/kb/getting-started-guide/registering-a-domain1/nexus-codes-and-us-domain-registration) — A2 Hosting (checked 2026-10-08) 5. [.jp domain names](https://jprs.co.jp/en/jpdomain.html) — JPRS (checked 2026-10-08) 6. [Document requirements](https://weare.ie/document-requirements/) — .IE Domain Registry (checked 2026-10-08) 7. [.io safe for now as Trump puts Chagos deal on ice](https://domainincite.com/31642-io-safe-for-now-as-trump-puts-chagos-deal-on-ice) — Domain Incite (checked 2026-10-08) 8. [Managing multi-regional and multilingual sites (generic ccTLDs)](https://developers.google.com/search/docs/specialty/international/managing-multi-regional-sites) — Google Search Central (updated 2025-12-10, checked 2026-10-29) **Register a country domain from anywhere** Search .io, .ai, .co, .me or .de: we show the rules and the price before you pay. No ID; pay in crypto. [Search a domain](https://dotalmanac.com/app/domains/?lang=en) · [See all prices](https://dotalmanac.com/pricing/ "How much does a domain name cost per year?") --- DotAlmanac: DotAlmanac is a domain extension guide and registrar: compare every extension, then register it with no KYC and pay in crypto. A .com costs $11.99/year. --- # Which domain extensions are the cheapest to renew? > Cheapest domain extensions to renew in 2026: .com $11.99/year, .xyz, .link, .org, then .name, .net, .dev. 35 of 43 renew higher. No KYC, crypto. - URL: https://dotalmanac.com/cheapest-domain-extensions-to-renew/ - Last updated: 2026-10-29 - Publisher: DotAlmanac (https://dotalmanac.com) Ten extensions ranked by what they cost from the second year on, at DotAlmanac's prices of 29 October 2026. Each one shows its first-year price too, and the wholesale floor behind it. **Quick answer — What are the cheapest domain extensions to renew?** The cheapest domain extensions to renew at DotAlmanac are .com ($11.99/year), .xyz ($11.99/year), .link ($11.99/year) and .org ($11.99/year), as of 29 October 2026, followed by .name, .net and .dev. DotAlmanac's price grid shows that 35 of its 43 extensions sold in your name renew higher than their first year. All are sold with no KYC and paid in crypto. ## The 10 cheapest domain extensions to renew (29 October 2026) **Methodology.** Ranked by the yearly renewal price in DotAlmanac's price grid of 29 October 2026, across the 43 extensions sold in your own name. Equal renewal prices are ordered by the size of the jump from the first year, smallest first. The 12 extensions sold only with Domain protection are left out, because their price includes that option. *Last checked on October 29, 2026; older figures carry their own date.* ### 1. .com — Same price every year The default extension renews at its first-year price. Its wholesale cost is $10.46 until 31 October 2026 and $11.17 from 1 November 2026 (Verisign plus the ICANN fee). - Best for: Any business or project that wants a fixed yearly cost - Price: $11.99/year to renew · $11.99/year first year ### 2. .xyz — Same price every year At DotAlmanac, .xyz costs $11.99 in year one and every year after. At Porkbun, the first year is a teaser: $2.04, then $14.21 to renew (19 October 2026). - Best for: Side projects, web3 projects and generic names - Price: $11.99/year to renew · $11.99/year first year ### 3. .link — +9% at renewal A short generic word run by Nova Registry. It suits link hubs, short links and redirect pages, and renews just above its first-year price. - Best for: Link-in-bio pages and short redirect domains - Price: $11.99/year to renew · $10.99/year first year ### 4. .org — +26% at renewal The first year is discounted, then .org renews at the same level as .com. Public Interest Registry raised its wholesale fee to $11.00 on 1 June 2026. Porkbun goes from $7.98 to $11.84 (19 October 2026). - Best for: Non-profits, open-source projects and communities - Price: $11.99/year to renew · $9.49/year first year ### 5. .name — +4% at renewal A legacy extension run by Verisign and meant for personal names. It renews close to its first-year price. - Best for: A personal site or an email address under your own name - Price: $12.49/year to renew · $11.99/year first year ### 6. .net — Same price every year Verisign's second extension keeps one price at DotAlmanac. Its wholesale fee goes from $10.91 to $12.00 on 1 March 2027, which every registrar will have to absorb or pass on. - Best for: Network services, infrastructure and a .com fallback - Price: $12.99/year to renew · $12.99/year first year ### 7. .dev — +44% at renewal Cheap to start and still cheap to keep, but the jump is real. Google Registry puts the whole extension on the HSTS preload list, so sites need HTTPS. - Best for: Developer portfolios, docs and tools - Price: $12.99/year to renew · $8.99/year first year ### 8. .page — +13% at renewal Another Google Registry extension with HTTPS required. It fits a single profile, document or landing page. - Best for: One-page sites, profiles and documents - Price: $13.49/year to renew · $11.99/year first year ### 9. .app — +67% at renewal The largest jump in DotAlmanac's grid, yet the renewal stays below most extensions. Porkbun shows the same pattern: $8.75, then $14.93 (19 October 2026). - Best for: Mobile and web apps, SaaS products - Price: $14.99/year to renew · $8.99/year first year ### 10. .vip — +11% at renewal A GoDaddy Registry extension used for premium branding. After it, the next renewals in the grid are .art ($18.49/year) and .me ($18.49/year). - Best for: Premium and VIP branding - Price: $15.49/year to renew · $13.99/year first year *Disclosure: this page is published by DotAlmanac, a domain extension guide and registrar. Competitor details come from their public websites, price lists and the sources cited, on the date shown above, and may have changed since.* ## Why rank extensions by renewal price? Because you pay the renewal price every year after the first, for as long as you keep the domain. DotAlmanac is a domain extension guide and registrar: compare every extension, then register it with no KYC and pay in crypto. We rank by renewal because that is the number that decides your bill. Over five years, the first year is a small part of the cost. A .io at Cloudflare Registrar costs $32.00 the first year and $50.00 to renew, so $232.00 over five years; the first year is 14% of it (8 October 2026). The full comparison is in the [domain renewal price index 2026](https://dotalmanac.com/data/domain-renewal-price-index-2026/ "How much does it cost to renew a domain in 2026?"). ## How close are these renewals to the wholesale cost? Very close on .com: Cloudflare renews at the registry cost itself, and Dynadot and Porkbun within 62 cents of it. Verisign charges $10.26 for a .com, plus a $0.20 ICANN fee: $10.46 in total. From 1 November 2026, the fee is $10.97, so the total becomes $11.17. Cloudflare sells at that cost: $10.46 on 8 October 2026. Dynadot renews .com at $10.88 (8 October 2026) and Porkbun at $11.08 (19 October 2026). DotAlmanac renews it at $11.99, so those three registrars renew .com for less than we do. What DotAlmanac adds is no ID check, payment in crypto, and the renewal price shown next to the first-year price. ## Renewal prices of the same extensions at other registrars | Extension | DotAlmanac renewal (29 Oct 2026) | Porkbun renewal (19 Oct 2026) | Cloudflare Registrar renewal (8 Oct 2026) | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | .com | $11.99 | $11.08 | $10.46 | | .xyz | $11.99 | $14.21 | — | | .org | $11.99 | $11.84 | — | | .net | $12.99 | $12.52 | — | | .dev | $12.99 | $12.87 | — | | .app | $14.99 | $14.93 | — | | .io | $52.49 | $51.80 | $50.00 | | .ai (per year) | $84.49 | $82.70 | $80.00 | *Last checked on October 19, 2026; older figures carry their own date.* Renewal price per year. A dash means the price is not part of our dated sources. Cloudflare sells at cost and requires its own DNS. ## Which extensions cost the most to renew? Country codes sold as tech brands and some long new gTLDs renew far higher. At DotAlmanac, as of 29 October 2026: - **.ai:** $84.49/year, billed 2 years at a time. According to DotAlmanac's table of 225 extensions, .ai is the only one with a 2-year minimum. - **.gg:** $82.49/year, with 1-year terms only. - **.store:** $54.99/year. - **.io:** $52.49/year, after $33.99/year the first year. - **.tech:** $51.49/year. Each of these costs more per year than four .com renewals combined. Pick them for the name, not for the price. Our [.ai vs .io](https://dotalmanac.com/ai-vs-io/ "Should an AI startup use .ai or .io?") comparison weighs the two most popular ones. ## How do you keep your renewal bill low? Choose on the renewal price, then lock in the habits that avoid surprises. - **Compare renewals, not first years.** Our [price list](https://dotalmanac.com/pricing/ "How much does a domain name cost per year?") shows both for every extension. - **Prefer a one-price extension.** 8 of DotAlmanac's 43 keep the same price every year: .com, .net, .ai, .co, .xyz, .info, .me and .gg. - **Read promo conditions.** Namecheap's $6.48 .com needs the code NEWCOM648, for new customers only (19 October 2026). - **Register for several years where allowed.** Most extensions go up to 10 years; .co stops at 5 and .de at 1. See [should you register a domain for 10 years](https://dotalmanac.com/should-you-register-a-domain-for-10-years/ "Should I register my domain for 10 years?"). - **Turn on auto-renew.** At DotAlmanac: automatic renewal from your balance, switched on or off for each domain. - **Know the transfer price.** At DotAlmanac, a transfer costs the renewal price, so moving a .com in costs $11.99. ## Cheapest extensions to renew: FAQ ### What is the cheapest domain extension to renew? At DotAlmanac, .com, .xyz, .link and .org share the bottom of the grid at $11.99/year, as of 29 October 2026. Across registrars, Cloudflare renews .com at its $10.46 cost (8 October 2026). That cost rises to $11.17 on 1 November 2026. ### Is .xyz cheap to renew? It depends on the registrar. Porkbun sells the first year at $2.04 and renews at $14.21 (19 October 2026). DotAlmanac charges $11.99/year in the first year and every year after. ### Why does .org cost less the first year? The first year of .org is sold at a discount, then it renews at $11.99/year at DotAlmanac, +26% as of 29 October 2026. The registry fee rose to $11.00 on 1 June 2026. Our guide on [why domain renewals cost more](https://dotalmanac.com/why-do-domain-renewals-cost-more/ "Why does a domain cost more to renew than to register?") explains the mechanism. ### Will .com renewals go up? The wholesale cost does: from $10.46 to $11.17 on 1 November 2026. The October 2026 renewals of Cloudflare, Dynadot and Porkbun are all below that new cost. DotAlmanac's .com renewal is $11.99/year as of 29 October 2026. ### Does Domain protection change the renewal price? Yes, it adds +$29/year per domain on top of the domain renewal, every year you keep the option. For .de, .uk, .nl, .cc, .to, .ch, .pl, .be, .at, .cz, .nz, .fi, it is included in the price shown, because those extensions are sold only with it. See [what is Domain protection](https://dotalmanac.com/what-is-domain-protection/ "What is domain protection, and do I need it?"). ## Sources 1. [Verisign .com price update 2026](https://osir.com/en/blog/verisign-com-price-update-2026/) — osir.com (checked 2026-10-08) 2. [.org prices to increase on June 1](https://domainnamewire.com/2026/03/12/org-prices-to-increase-on-june-1/) — Domain Name Wire (12 March 2026, checked 2026-10-08) 3. [Verisign announces .net price increase](https://domainnamewire.com/2026/08/27/verisign-announces-net-price-increase/) — Domain Name Wire (27 August 2026, checked 2026-10-08) 4. [Domain pricing](https://porkbun.com/products/domains) — Porkbun (checked 2026-10-19) 5. [Cloudflare Registrar prices](https://cfdomainpricing.com/) — cfdomainpricing.com (checked 2026-10-08) 6. [Cloudflare Registrar FAQ](https://developers.cloudflare.com/registrar/faq/) — Cloudflare (checked 2026-10-08) 7. [Domain extensions and prices](https://www.dynadot.com/domain/tlds) — Dynadot (checked 2026-10-08) 8. [.com prices by registrar](https://domainoffer.net/tld/com) — domainoffer.net (checked 2026-10-19) 9. [HSTS preload and Google Registry](https://kb.porkbun.com/article/96-hsts-preload-and-google-registry) — Porkbun (checked 2026-10-08) **Pick an extension you can afford to keep** Search a name and see its first-year and renewal price together. No ID; pay in crypto from a balance. [Search a domain](https://dotalmanac.com/app/domains/?lang=en) · [See all prices](https://dotalmanac.com/pricing/ "How much does a domain name cost per year?") --- DotAlmanac: DotAlmanac is a domain extension guide and registrar: compare every extension, then register it with no KYC and pay in crypto. A .com costs $11.99/year. --- # Is a .co domain as good as a .com? > .co vs .com: a .co costs $31.99/year against $11.99/year for a .com, has a 5-year cap and a typo risk. Buy it only if the .com is out of reach. No KYC, crypto. - URL: https://dotalmanac.com/co-vs-com/ - Last updated: 2026-10-29 - Publisher: DotAlmanac (https://dotalmanac.com) A .co is short, open to anyone and treated as generic by Google. It also sits one letter away from .com, renews well above a .com, and cannot be paid for more than 5 years ahead. **Quick answer — Is .co as good as .com?** **.co vs .com**: .com is the stronger domain; a .co is worth buying only when the .com is out of reach and not owned by a rival. As of 29 October 2026, DotAlmanac sells .co at $31.99/year and .com at $11.99/year, each renewing at the same price. Over 5 years, a .co costs about 2.7 times more. ## Key facts | Attribute | Value | | --- | --- | | Who runs .co | Colombia's Ministry of Information and Communications Technologies (MinTIC) | | Who can register | Anyone; no Colombian address or company needed | | Longest term | .co: 5 years · .com: 10 years | | WHOIS privacy | Expressly permitted by the .co registry; free at DotAlmanac on both | | Search engines | Google treats .co as a generic extension, not as a Colombian one | | Biggest risk | Visitors and email senders who add an m and reach the .com | ## How do .co and .com compare side by side? | | .co | .com | | --- | --- | --- | | First year at DotAlmanac | $31.99/year | $11.99/year | | Renewal | $31.99/year | $11.99/year | | Cost over 5 years | $31.99 + 4 × $31.99 = $159.95 as of 29 October 2026 | $11.99 + 4 × $11.99 = $59.95 as of 29 October 2026 | | Registry | MinTIC (Colombia) | Verisign | | Kind of extension | Country code of Colombia, used worldwide as generic | Generic (gTLD) | | Who can register | Anyone | Anyone | | WHOIS privacy | Permitted by the registry; free here | Allowed; free here | | Longest term | 5 years | 10 years | | Our availability search | Can read **Availability confirmed at order** | Answered from the registry's RDAP | | How people read it | A startup or company; also Colombia | The default for any business | | Main risk | Typos towards .com; 5-year cap | Good names are taken | *Last checked on October 29, 2026; older figures carry their own date.* The 5-year term cap and the privacy rule come from the .co registry and DotAlmanac's table of 225 extensions. ## Is a .co worth it if the .com is taken? Yes, if the .com owner is not in your market and your audience finds you online first. A .co keeps a short brand intact where the .com would force a longer name. It is a poor buy when the .com belongs to an active business, because your visitors will reach that business by mistake. DotAlmanac is a domain extension guide and registrar: compare every extension, then register it with no KYC and pay in crypto. This page uses our own prices as of 29 October 2026, with other registrars' prices dated further down. Our full grid is on the [pricing page](https://dotalmanac.com/pricing/ "How much does a domain name cost per year?"). ## What is the real risk of using .co instead of .com? The risk is the missing m. People type .com by habit, so some of your visitors and some of your email will land on name.com instead. Whoever owns that .com receives them. Three checks before you buy: - Look up who holds the .com and what it shows; our [availability guide](https://dotalmanac.com/how-to-check-if-a-domain-is-available/ "How do I check if a domain name is available?") explains RDAP lookups. - Drop the .co if the .com is a business in your field, or a brand yours could be confused with. - Give people the address in writing, not only by voice. ## How much more does a .co cost over 5 years? About 2.7 times as much as a .com at DotAlmanac. As of 29 October 2026, five years of .co cost $31.99 + 4 × $31.99 = $159.95. The same 5 years of .com cost $11.99 + 4 × $11.99 = $59.95. Our .co has no first-year discount and no jump at renewal. According to DotAlmanac's price grid, .co is one of 8 extensions out of 43 that renew at the first-year price. Other registrars often sell the first .co year low, then renew near $31; the dated prices are below. ## Who runs .co, and do you need a link to Colombia? No link is needed: anyone can register a .co, with no local address or company. It is the country code of Colombia, managed by the Ministry of Information and Communications Technologies (MinTIC). The registry states that privacy and proxy services are permitted. Google lists .co among the country codes it treats as generic, next to .io and .me. A .co site is therefore not tied to Colombia in search results. For country codes with residence rules, read [can you register a country domain without living there](https://dotalmanac.com/can-you-register-a-country-domain-without-living-there/ "Can you register a country domain without living there?"). ## Why can a .co only be paid 5 years ahead? The .co registry caps the term at 5 years, half the 10 years allowed for .com. According to DotAlmanac's table of 225 extensions, .co, .es, .au and .fi stop at 5 years and .im at 2. Eight more country codes allow only 1 year at a time. For you, it means a renewal at least every 5 years, whatever happens. Keep a working email on the domain and enough balance for the renewal. Our client area offers automatic renewal from your balance, switched on or off for each domain. The trade-offs of long terms are in [should you register a domain for 10 years](https://dotalmanac.com/should-you-register-a-domain-for-10-years/ "Should I register my domain for 10 years?"). ## Which one fits your project? | Project | Pick | Reason | | --- | --- | --- | | Tech startup whose .com is parked | .co | Short name now; try to buy the .com later | | Business that takes orders by email | .com | Mail sent to the wrong .com is lost business | | Company based in Colombia | .co | The country code fits a local audience | | Brand you plan to hold for decades | .com | 10-year terms and a much lower renewal | | A rival owns the .com | Neither | Choose a different name | | Campaign or short-term site | .co is fine | No discount, but no renewal jump either | ## Where is .co cheaper than at DotAlmanac? Porkbun, Dynadot and Cloudflare all sell .co for less over 5 years, as of October 2026. Porkbun and Dynadot cut the first-year price, then renew at $31.20. Cloudflare charges $30.00 every year. OrangeWebsite charges €48.00 a year. So on .co, our total is higher, and we state it plainly. What we offer instead: no ID document, payment in BTC, USDT, USDC, ETH, SOL, LTC, XMR, and a renewal price that matches the first year. ## What do other registrars charge for .co and .com? First year / renewal for .co and .com, plus the .co total over 5 years. | Registrar (date read) | .co | .co over 5 years | .com | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | DotAlmanac (29 Oct 2026) | $31.99 / $31.99 | $31.99 + 4 × $31.99 = $159.95 | $11.99 / $11.99 | | Porkbun (19 Oct 2026) | $15.76 / $31.20 | $140.56 | $11.08 / $11.08 | | Dynadot (8 Oct 2026) | $15.50 / $31.20 | $140.30 | $10.88 / $10.88 | | Cloudflare Registrar (8 Oct 2026) | $30.00 / $30.00 | $150.00 | $10.46 / $10.46 | | OrangeWebsite (19 Oct 2026) | €48.00 a year | €240.00 | €18.90 a year | *Last checked on October 19, 2026; older figures carry their own date.* Cloudflare's figures are its at-cost prices; it requires Cloudflare DNS. OrangeWebsite quotes a single yearly price in euros. ## .co vs .com: FAQ ### Does .co stand for company? Officially, no: .co is the country code of Colombia. Many buyers read it as company, and it is sold worldwide on that idea. Anyone can register it. ### Will Google treat my .co website as Colombian? No. Google lists .co among the country codes it handles as generic. To reach readers in one country, write content for them; the extension does not decide it. ### Can I register name.co if someone else owns name.com? Yes, the registry accepts it if the .co is free. But if name.com is a trademark, its owner can start a UDRP case against a confusingly similar .co. When a UDRP provider asks, we lock the domain within 2 business days of a request from a UDRP provider. ### Can I renew a .co for 10 years? No. The .co registry caps the term at 5 years. You can renew before expiry, but the expiry date can never sit more than 5 years ahead. ### Can I pay for a .co domain with crypto? Yes. A .co is paid from your DotAlmanac balance, which you fund in BTC, USDT, USDC, ETH, SOL, LTC, XMR (minimum $1). The order page walks you through each step, and registration follows once the top-up is credited. ## Sources 1. [Delegation record for .CO](https://www.iana.org/domains/root/db/co.html) — IANA (checked 2026-10-29) 2. [Will proxy registrations be permitted in the .CO top-level domain?](https://support.registry.co/hc/en-gb/articles/30772540220061-Will-proxy-registrations-sometimes-referred-to-as-domain-privacy-be-permitted-in-the-CO-top-level-domain) — .CO Registry (checked 2026-10-29) 3. [Amazon Route 53: .co registration terms](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/Route53/latest/DeveloperGuide/co.md) — Amazon Web Services (checked 2026-10-29) 4. [Managing multi-regional and multilingual sites](https://developers.google.com/search/docs/specialty/international/managing-multi-regional-sites) — Google Search Central (checked 2026-10-29) 5. [Domain pricing](https://porkbun.com/products/domains) — Porkbun (checked 2026-10-19) 6. [Domain prices by TLD](https://www.dynadot.com/domain/tlds) — Dynadot (checked 2026-10-08) 7. [Cloudflare domain pricing](https://cfdomainpricing.com/) — cfdomainpricing.com (checked 2026-10-08) 8. [Domain price list](https://www.orangewebsite.com/domains/domain-price-list) — OrangeWebsite (checked 2026-10-19) ## Check your name in .co and .com Search a domain name: https://dotalmanac.com/app/domains/?q=yourname Popular extensions: .co ($31.99), .com ($11.99), .io ($33.99), .xyz ($11.99) --- DotAlmanac: DotAlmanac is a domain extension guide and registrar: compare every extension, then register it with no KYC and pay in crypto. A .com costs $11.99/year. --- # Should I choose .com, .net or .org for my website? > .com vs .net vs .org: .com ($11.99/year) for a business, .org for nonprofits, .net only as a fallback. 5-year costs, registry rules, no KYC, crypto. - URL: https://dotalmanac.com/com-vs-net-vs-org/ - Last updated: 2026-10-29 - Publisher: DotAlmanac (https://dotalmanac.com) All three date from 1985, are open to anyone and cost within a few dollars of each other. The choice is about what the ending tells people. **Quick answer — Which is better: .com, .net or .org?** **.com vs .net vs .org**: choose .com for a business, .org for a nonprofit, open-source project or community, and .net only as a fallback when the .com is gone. DotAlmanac's prices on 29 October 2026: .com $11.99/year, .net $12.99/year, and .org $9.49/year for year one, then $11.99/year. All three register with no KYC. ## Key facts | Attribute | Value | | --- | --- | | Registries | .com and .net: Verisign · .org: Public Interest Registry (PIR) | | Who can register | Anyone, for all three; .org has no nonprofit check | | Contact data held by the registry | .com and .net: none (thin registries) · .org: under PIR's own rules | ## How do .com, .net and .org compare side by side? | | .com | .net | .org | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | First year at DotAlmanac | $11.99/year | $12.99/year | $9.49/year | | Renewal | $11.99/year | $12.99/year | $11.99/year | | Cost over 5 years (as of 29 October 2026) | $11.99 + 4 × $11.99 = $59.95 | $12.99 + 4 × $12.99 = $64.95 | $9.49 + 4 × $11.99 = $57.45 | | Registry | Verisign | Verisign | Public Interest Registry | | Registry fee, before the $0.20 ICANN fee | $10.26; $10.97 from 1 Nov 2026 | $10.91; $12.00 from 1 Mar 2027 | $11.00 since 1 Jun 2026 | | Who can register | Anyone | Anyone | Anyone, with no status check | | WHOIS privacy | Allowed; free here | Allowed; free here | Allowed; free here | | Longest term | 10 years | 10 years | 10 years | | How people read it | Any business; the default | Networks, hosting, infrastructure; a .com fallback | Nonprofits, open source, communities | | Main risk | Good names are taken | Reads as a second choice; fee rise in 2027 | Renewal +26 % after year one | *Last checked on October 29, 2026; older figures carry their own date.* Registry fees come from the Verisign and PIR price announcements listed under Sources. ## Which should you choose: .com, .net or .org? Choose .com unless your project is a nonprofit or a community, in which case .org says it better. Keep .net for a name whose .com is gone, ideally for a network, hosting or infrastructure service. The three cost within a few dollars of each other, so price should not decide. DotAlmanac is a domain extension guide and registrar: compare every extension, then register it with no KYC and pay in crypto. The figures on this page come from our [price list](https://dotalmanac.com/pricing/ "How much does a domain name cost per year?") and from the registries' own announcements. ## Is a .org domain only for nonprofits? No. Anyone can register a .org, and no registrar checks charity or nonprofit status. Public Interest Registry runs the extension with no eligibility rule. Companies use .org for foundations, open-source projects, standards groups and community sites. The limit is perception, not law. A visitor expects a .org to serve a cause rather than to sell. A shop on .org blurs that signal, while an open-source library on .org fits it well. ## Why is .org cheaper the first year and more expensive after? The first-year .org price is a promotion; the renewal follows the registry fee. PIR has charged registrars $11.00 per .org since 1 June 2026, up from $9.93. DotAlmanac sells the first year at $9.49/year and renews at $11.99/year. According to DotAlmanac's price grid, .org renews 26 % above its first-year price as of 29 October 2026. That is the fourth-largest gap among the 43 extensions we sell in the customer's name. .com and .net renew at their first-year price. Even so, .org stays the least expensive of the three over 5 years at our prices, as the table above shows. ## Why does .net cost more than .com? Verisign runs both but charges registrars more for .net. Its .net fee is $10.91 and rises to $12.00 on 1 March 2027. Its .com fee is $10.26 and rises to $10.97 on 1 November 2026. Each registrar adds the $0.20 ICANN fee on top. At DotAlmanac, .net costs $12.99/year and .com $11.99/year as of 29 October 2026. A renewal paid before 1 March 2027 is charged at the price shown on the day you pay. Renewing several years ahead pays each of those years at that price, up to 10 years in total. See [should you register a domain for 10 years](https://dotalmanac.com/should-you-register-a-domain-for-10-years/ "Should I register my domain for 10 years?"). ## What does each registry store about you? For .com and .net, nothing: Verisign runs thin registries that receive no contact data from the registrant. Your details stay with the registrar. For .org, what Public Interest Registry holds follows its own rules. All three allow WHOIS privacy, and it is free at DotAlmanac. We collect one contact detail: an email address for each domain, verified as ICANN requires and kept private. Domain protection is an option billed +$29 for each domain every year, in addition to the domain. It puts DomaineGoat LLC in the registrant record instead of you. Read [what Domain protection is](https://dotalmanac.com/what-is-domain-protection/ "What is domain protection, and do I need it?"). ## Which one fits your project? | Project | Pick | Reason | | --- | --- | --- | | Online store or SaaS | .com | Buyers type it by default, and its renewal does not jump | | Charity, NGO or foundation | .org | Says nonprofit at a glance; add the .com as a redirect if it is free | | Open-source project | .org | Fits community work; .dev is the other option, see [.app vs .dev](https://dotalmanac.com/app-vs-dev/ "Should I use .app or .dev for my project?") | | Hosting, ISP or network tool | .com, or .net if the .com is taken | .net reads as infrastructure | | Personal site or blog | .com | Yourname.com is the easiest address to remember | | Club or local association | .org | Signals a group, not a shop | ## Should you register all three? Only for an established brand that people search by name. For a new project, one well-chosen extension is enough, and the money is better spent keeping that one renewed. If you hold several, point the extra ones to the main site: free URL forwarding and email forwarding from the client area. DotAlmanac's count of the IANA root zone shows 1,436 top-level domains on 29 October 2026. For most brands, .com plus one extension that fits the project is the sensible limit. ## Where are .com, .net and .org cheaper than at DotAlmanac? Porkbun and Cloudflare charge less on all three, according to their October 2026 price lists. OrangeWebsite charges more on all three. We print our renewal next to each first-year price, take crypto and ask for no ID. Price is not our argument on these three. ## What do other registrars charge for .com, .net and .org? Yearly prices, first year / renewal, copied from each public price list on the date given. | Registrar (date read) | .com | .net | .org | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | DotAlmanac (29 Oct 2026) | $11.99 / $11.99 | $12.99 / $12.99 | $9.49 / $11.99 | | Porkbun (19 Oct 2026) | $11.08 / $11.08 | $12.52 / $12.52 | $7.98 / $11.84 | | Cloudflare Registrar (8 Oct 2026) | $10.46 / $10.46 | $11.86 / $11.86 | $8.50 / $11.20 | | OrangeWebsite (19 Oct 2026) | €18.90 a year | €22.00 a year | €26.90 a year | *Last checked on October 19, 2026; older figures carry their own date.* Cloudflare sells at registry cost. OrangeWebsite lists one yearly price, in euros. ## .com vs .net vs .org: FAQ ### Does .com rank better on Google than .net or .org? No. Google states that its systems treat generic extensions alike, naming .com and .org as examples. The content and links of a site decide its rankings, not its ending. ### Can a for-profit company use a .org domain? Yes. .org has no eligibility check, so any company can register one. Use it for a foundation, an open-source project or a community arm; for the main commercial site, .com reads better. ### Is .net still worth buying in 2026? Yes, when the .com of your name is taken and the service is technical: hosting, networking or an API. Note Verisign's .net fee rise to $12.00 on 1 March 2027 before you plan long renewals. ### Which of the three costs least over 5 years at DotAlmanac? .org: $9.49 + 4 × $11.99 = $57.45, as of 29 October 2026. .com comes second and .net third; the full sums are in the side-by-side table. ### Can I pay for a .com, .net or .org in crypto? Yes, with BTC, USDT, USDC, ETH, SOL, LTC, XMR. Your DotAlmanac balance takes top-ups from $1; registrations and renewals are then paid from it. Send exactly the amount displayed, on the network named at checkout, and wait for that network to confirm it. ## Sources 1. [Delegation record for .COM](https://www.iana.org/domains/root/db/com.html) — IANA (checked 2026-10-29) 2. [Delegation record for .NET](https://www.iana.org/domains/root/db/net.html) — IANA (checked 2026-10-29) 3. [Delegation record for .ORG](https://www.iana.org/domains/root/db/org.html) — IANA (checked 2026-10-29) 4. [List of top-level domains, version 2026102900](https://data.iana.org/TLD/tlds-alpha-by-domain.txt) — IANA (checked 2026-10-29) 5. [Verisign .com price update 2026](https://osir.com/en/blog/verisign-com-price-update-2026/) — osir.com (checked 2026-10-29) 6. [Verisign announces .net price increase](https://domainnamewire.com/2026/08/27/verisign-announces-net-price-increase/) — Domain Name Wire (27 August 2026) 7. [.org prices to increase on June 1](https://domainnamewire.com/2026/03/12/org-prices-to-increase-on-june-1/) — Domain Name Wire (12 March 2026) 8. [Google's handling of new top level domains](https://developers.google.com/search/blog/2015/07/googles-handling-of-new-top-level) — Google Search Central (21 July 2015) 9. [Domain pricing](https://porkbun.com/products/domains) — Porkbun (checked 2026-10-19) 10. [Cloudflare domain pricing](https://cfdomainpricing.com/) — cfdomainpricing.com (checked 2026-10-08) 11. [Domain price list](https://www.orangewebsite.com/domains/domain-price-list) — OrangeWebsite (checked 2026-10-19) **Find out which of the three is still free** Search your name in .com, .net and .org at once. Our price list shows each renewal next to the first-year price. [Search a domain](https://dotalmanac.com/app/domains/?lang=en) · [See all prices](https://dotalmanac.com/pricing/ "How much does a domain name cost per year?") --- DotAlmanac: DotAlmanac is a domain extension guide and registrar: compare every extension, then register it with no KYC and pay in crypto. A .com costs $11.99/year. --- # How do I contact DotAlmanac? > Contact DotAlmanac: support@dotalmanac.com for orders, DNS, transfers and corrections to the almanac; abuse@dotalmanac.com for abuse reports, no account needed. - URL: https://dotalmanac.com/contact/ - Last updated: 2026-10-29 - Publisher: DotAlmanac (https://dotalmanac.com) Two email addresses cover every case. Here is which one to use, what to write, how to correct the almanac, and where legal requests go. **Quick answer — How do I contact DotAlmanac?** Email **support@dotalmanac.com** for orders, DNS, renewals, transfers and corrections, or **abuse@dotalmanac.com** to report abuse. **DotAlmanac** is a domain extension guide and registrar: compare every extension, then register it with no KYC and pay in crypto. As of 29 October 2026: Email replies within 12 hours, 7 days a week, including help with DNS, transfers and renewals. ## Contacts | Attribute | Value | | --- | --- | | Support and corrections | support@dotalmanac.com | | Abuse reports | abuse@dotalmanac.com, no account needed | | Replies | Email replies within 12 hours, 7 days a week, including help with DNS, transfers and renewals | | Abuse acknowledgement | an acknowledgement with a reference number | | Language | English | | Operator | DomaineGoat LLC, incorporated in Panama | | What we will not ask you | We never ask for your password, your account number or your domain transfer (EPP) codes by email or chat | ## Which address should I write to? | Your question | Address | Subject line | | --- | --- | --- | | An order, a top-up not yet credited, a failed registration | support@dotalmanac.com | Order number or TXID | | DNS records, nameservers, DNSSEC, forwarding | support@dotalmanac.com | Domain name + DNS | | Renewal, auto-renew, transfer in or out, EPP code | support@dotalmanac.com | Domain name + renewal or transfer | | Domain protection: add it, end it, get the domain back in your name | support@dotalmanac.com | Domain name + Domain protection | | An error in a guide, a price or a registry rule | support@dotalmanac.com | Correction + page address | | Phishing, malware, botnet, fraud on victims, child abuse material | abuse@dotalmanac.com | Domain name + type of abuse | | Court order, UDRP notice, other legal request | support@dotalmanac.com | Legal request + domain name | ## What should I put in a support message? The right reference gets you the fastest answer. If possible, send it from the address verified for the domain, so we can find your account at once. Add: - the **domain name**; - the **order number**, or the **TXID** of the top-up when a payment is involved; - the coin and the network, for example USDT on TRC-20; - what you expected, what happened, and the exact error text; - for a DNS question, the record you set and what a lookup returns. Never send a password or a wallet key. We never ask for your password, your account number or your domain transfer (EPP) codes by email or chat. ## How do I correct a fact in the almanac? Email support@dotalmanac.com with *Correction* in the subject, the page address, the sentence and your source. A registry document, a registrar price list or an IANA record is the best proof. According to DotAlmanac's table of 225 extensions, 155 entries are checked against registry sources and 70 rely on secondary sources. A registry document that confirms or corrects one of those 70 is the most useful message you can send. We fix the page and change its date; no name is needed. ## Where do legal requests go? Legal requests, such as a court order or a UDRP notice, go to support@dotalmanac.com with *Legal request* in the subject. Address them to DomaineGoat LLC, the operator of DotAlmanac. We release the data we hold only when Panamanian law requires it (a Panamanian court or prosecutor's order), or in a UDRP case. Trademark disputes on generic extensions follow the UDRP, with a lock within 2 business days of a request from a UDRP provider. Abuse reports go to abuse@dotalmanac.com instead; the [abuse page](https://dotalmanac.com/abuse/ "How do I report abuse on a DotAlmanac domain?") explains the process. > **Check who is writing to you** We never ask for your password, your account number or your domain transfer (EPP) codes by email or chat. Our messages come from a dotalmanac.com address. When a message looks odd, open the client area yourself instead of following its link. ## Contact: questions ### How fast does DotAlmanac reply? Email replies within 12 hours, 7 days a week, including help with DNS, transfers and renewals. Each abuse report receives an acknowledgement with a reference number. Fraud on victims, phishing, malware and botnets are handled within 24 hours of a well-documented report; other complaints receive an answer within 2 business days. ### Is there a phone line or a live chat? No. We answer by email only, which keeps a written record of every request. Neither address requires an account. ### Can I ask a question before I buy? Yes. Write to support@dotalmanac.com without an account. Many answers are already in the [FAQ](https://dotalmanac.com/faq/ "What should I know before I choose and buy a domain?"), and the [pricing page](https://dotalmanac.com/pricing/ "How much does a domain name cost per year?") lists every extension with its renewal price. ### My top-up has not arrived. What should I send? Email support@dotalmanac.com with four details: TXID, coin, network and amount sent. We credit a top-up once its network confirms it. Tell us in the first line if you used a network other than the one shown. **Looking for a name?** Search it in every extension and see its first-year and renewal price. [Search a domain](https://dotalmanac.com/app/domains/?lang=en) · [See pricing](https://dotalmanac.com/pricing/ "How much does a domain name cost per year?") --- DotAlmanac: DotAlmanac is a domain extension guide and registrar: compare every extension, then register it with no KYC and pay in crypto. A .com costs $11.99/year. --- # What are the registration rules of each domain extension? > Domain extension rules 2026 for 225 TLDs: who can register, WHOIS privacy, minimum and maximum years. 176 are open to all; 23 forbid privacy. CC BY 4.0. - URL: https://dotalmanac.com/data/domain-extension-rules-2026/ - Last updated: 2026-10-29 - Publisher: DotAlmanac (https://dotalmanac.com) Who may register, whether WHOIS privacy is allowed, and the shortest and longest terms, for 225 extensions: 10 legacy gTLDs, 121 new gTLDs and 94 country codes. Built from IANA, registry and registrar sources; free to reuse under CC BY 4.0. **Quick answer — Which rules apply to each domain extension in 2026?** The **DotAlmanac domain extension rules 2026** table covers 225 extensions. As of 29 October 2026, 176 are open to anyone, 23 forbid WHOIS privacy, and only .ai imposes a 2-year minimum. Among the 94 country codes, 52 accept registrants from anywhere; the other 42 set a local, ID or trademark condition, or lack a reliable source. ## The table in five numbers - **176 of 225** extensions open to anyone, with no residency, presence or eligibility rule (78%) - **23** extensions where WHOIS privacy is forbidden or not available - **52 of 94** country-code extensions open to registrants from any country - **1** extension with a 2-year minimum term: .ai - **219 of 225** extensions signed with DNSSEC in the root zone ## About this dataset | Attribute | Value | | --- | --- | | Publisher | DotAlmanac, operated by DomaineGoat LLC | | Entries | 225 extensions: 10 legacy gTLDs, 121 new gTLDs, 94 country-code TLDs (ccTLDs) | | Fields | Registry, type, who can register, WHOIS privacy, minimum and maximum years, DNSSEC, IDN support, sources | | Source quality | 155 entries checked against registry or registrar sources; 70 entries from secondary sources, marked "Secondary" in the tables | | Dates | Sources read in October 2026 (DNSSEC records on 8 October 2026); counts computed on 29 October 2026 | | Temporal coverage | October 2026 | | Licence | CC BY 4.0 (Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International) | ## Who can register? The 225 extensions by rule | Rule | Extensions | Share | Examples | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Open to anyone | 176 | 78% | .com, .net, .org, .io, .ai, .co, .de, .uk, most new gTLDs | | Local presence (address, company number or local contact) | 14 | 6% | .au, .br, .jp, .no, .sg, .berlin | | Residency or citizenship | 6 | 3% | .eu, .fr, .ca, .it, .hu, .hr | | Identity check by the registry | 4 | 2% | .cn, .ru, .in, .dk | | Nexus (a documented link to the place) | 2 | 1% | .us, .nyc | | Professional or community eligibility | 5 | 2% | .music, .law, .bank, .insurance, .ngo | | Trademark | 1 | 0.4% | .ua | | Not documented | 17 | 8% | .tr, .pt, .gr, .il, .vn, .th | *Last checked on October 29, 2026; older figures carry their own date.* Shares are of the 225 extensions in the table and are rounded. "Not documented" means we found no reliable source; we never guess a rule. ## What do the 2026 rules show? Most extensions are open to anyone, but country codes carry most of the conditions. DotAlmanac is a domain extension guide and registrar: compare every extension, then register it with no KYC and pay in crypto. We publish the rules we check before we list an extension. 1. **Generic extensions are almost all open.** Of the 49 extensions with a known or possible condition, 7 are new gTLDs: .music, .law, .bank, .insurance, .ngo, .nyc and .berlin. 2. **Country codes are split.** According to DotAlmanac's table of 225 extensions, 52 of the 94 ccTLDs accept anyone, 25 set a condition and 17 are not documented. 3. **Registries hide data themselves in Europe.** All 31 extensions where the registry hides personal data on its own are country codes, such as .de, .uk, .nl, .ch and .se. 4. **Privacy bans and access rules often go together.** 13 of the 23 extensions that forbid WHOIS privacy also restrict who can register, such as .us, .cn and .au. 5. **Terms are short for a few ccTLDs.** Nine extensions allow only 1 year at a time, and .co, .es, .au and .fi stop at 5 years. ## Which country codes restrict who can register? The 25 country-code extensions with a known condition. The 52 open ones are listed on [can you register a country domain without living there](https://dotalmanac.com/can-you-register-a-country-domain-without-living-there/ "Can you register a country domain without living there?"). The 17 undocumented ones are .tr, .pt, .tw, .gr, .sk, .il, .id, .vn, .th, .lu, .ke, .pk, .kz, .eg, .bz, .sc and .ms. | ccTLD | Country | Rule | Condition | Source | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | .eu | European Union | Residency | EU/EEA citizens wherever they live, or residents and organisations established in the EU/EEA | Checked | | .fr | France | Residency | Individuals resident in the EU/EEA or organisations established there; AFNIC eligibility and reachability checks | Checked | | .ca | Canada | Residency | Canadian Presence Requirements: citizens, permanent residents, Canadian entities, trademark holders | Checked | | .it | Italy | Residency | Citizens, residents or organisations of the EEA, UK, Switzerland, San Marino or Vatican; tax or ID number | Checked | | .hu | Hungary | Residency | Persons and companies in Hungary or the EU | Secondary | | .hr | Croatia | Residency | Croatian citizens, residents and organisations | Secondary | | .cn | China | ID check | Real-name check by CNNIC; foreigners show a passport, firms a company certificate | Checked | | .ru | Russia | ID check | Identity check through the Gosuslugi portal since 1 September 2026; Russian registrars only | Checked | | .in | India | ID check | e-KYC within 7 days of registration or renewal; non-residents need a business link with India | Checked | | .dk | Denmark | ID check | Open to foreigners, but photo ID, proof of address or a selfie can be required on a risk basis | Checked | | .us | United States | Nexus | US citizens or residents, US organisations, or foreign entities with a bona fide US presence | Checked | | .ua | Ukraine | Trademark | Direct .ua needs a matching Ukrainian trademark; .com.ua is open | Secondary | | .au | Australia | Local presence | Citizen or resident, an ABN/ACN entity, or an exact-match Australian trademark | Checked | | .br | Brazil | Local presence | Brazilian CPF or CNPJ number; foreign companies need a local attorney | Checked | | .jp | Japan | Local presence | Japanese postal address; registrar local-presence services exist | Secondary | | .kr | South Korea | Local presence | Korean address; foreigners use a registrar trustee service | Secondary | | .sg | Singapore | Local presence | Singapore-based admin contact verified through SingPass | Checked | | .no | Norway | Local presence | Norwegian organisation number or national ID plus address | Checked | | .ie | Ireland | Local presence | A documented real and substantive connection with Ireland | Checked | | .ar | Argentina | Local presence | A contact with an Argentine address; the registrant may be foreign | Secondary | | .my | Malaysia | Local presence | Malaysian presence | Secondary | | .bg | Bulgaria | Local presence | Registrant in Bulgaria or a local representative | Secondary | | .ae | United Arab Emirates | Local presence | Local presence or documents for co.ae, net.ae and similar | Secondary | | .sa | Saudi Arabia | Local presence | Saudi presence, a local representative or a Saudi trademark | Secondary | | .ma | Morocco | Local presence | Based in Morocco or a legal representative | Secondary | *Last checked on October 29, 2026; older figures carry their own date.* "Checked" = the entry was checked against registry or registrar sources. "Secondary" = it rests on a secondary source such as Wikipedia. DotAlmanac sells none of these 25 extensions. ## Which extensions forbid WHOIS privacy? WHOIS privacy hides the owner's contact data behind a service. In DotAlmanac's table of 225 extensions, 135 allow it, 31 have data hidden by the registry itself, 23 forbid it or offer no way to use it, and 36 are unknown. These are the 23. | Extension | Type | Who can register | Privacy note | Source | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | .cn | ccTLD (China) | ID check | Privacy services not offered by major registrars | Checked | | .br | ccTLD (Brazil) | Local presence | Privacy protection not supported | Checked | | .au | ccTLD (Australia) | Local presence | Registrant name stays public; no privacy service | Checked | | .in | ccTLD (India) | ID check | Registry does not support proxy privacy | Checked | | .us | ccTLD (United States) | Nexus | usTLD policy bans privacy and proxy registrations | Checked | | .es | ccTLD (Spain) | Open to anyone, ID or company number required | Privacy services not supported | Checked | | .jp | ccTLD (Japan) | Local presence | Not offered by international registrars | Secondary | | .dk | ccTLD (Denmark) | ID check | Public under Danish law; name and address protection only for Danish residents | Checked | | .za | ccTLD (South Africa) | Open to anyone under .co.za | .co.za privacy not available | Secondary | | .sg | ccTLD (Singapore) | Local presence | Privacy protection not supported | Checked | | .hk | ccTLD (Hong Kong) | Open to anyone at second level | Privacy service not available | Secondary | | .tw | ccTLD (Taiwan) | Not documented | Privacy service not available | Secondary | | .ar | ccTLD (Argentina) | Local presence | .com.ar privacy not supported | Secondary | | .cl | ccTLD (Chile) | Open to anyone | Privacy protection not supported | Checked | | .ph | ccTLD (Philippines) | Open to anyone | Privacy service not available | Secondary | | .si | ccTLD (Slovenia) | Open to anyone | Privacy service not available | Secondary | | .li | ccTLD (Liechtenstein) | Open to anyone | Privacy service not available | Secondary | | .ng | ccTLD (Nigeria) | Open to anyone under .com.ng | Privacy service not available | Secondary | | .im | ccTLD (Isle of Man) | Open to anyone | Privacy not supported | Checked | | .music | New gTLD | Music-community members only | Privacy service not available | Checked | | .nyc | New gTLD | New York City nexus | Privacy and proxy registrations not allowed | Checked | | .berlin | New gTLD | Berlin address required | Privacy not supported | Checked | | .ngo | New gTLD | Proof of non-profit status | Privacy service not available | Checked | *Last checked on October 29, 2026; older figures carry their own date.* At DotAlmanac, WHOIS privacy costs nothing on every extension whose registry permits it, and each registry decides what remains visible. Verisign's .com and .net are thin registries: they receive no registrant contact data at all. ## What are the minimum and maximum registration terms? Most extensions can be registered for 1 to 10 years. These 15 depart from that rule. | Extension | Minimum | Maximum | What it means | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | .ai | 2 years | 10 years | Every registration and every renewal covers at least 2 years | | .co | 1 year | 5 years | You can prepay up to 5 years, not 10 | | .es | 1 year | 5 years | You can prepay up to 5 years | | .au | 1 year | 5 years | You can prepay up to 5 years | | .fi | 1 year | 5 years | You can prepay up to 5 years | | .im | 1 year | 2 years | You can prepay up to 2 years | | .de, .nl, .ch, .be, .gg, .jp, .it, .ac, .ru | 1 year | 1 year | Renewed one year at a time; no multi-year registration | | The other 210 extensions | 1 year | 10 years | Standard range; 82 of these 210 use the default value and are not confirmed | *Last checked on October 29, 2026; older figures carry their own date.* Terms come from Amazon Route 53's page for each extension, which exists for 143 of the 225. Route 53 describes one registrar's rules, which can be stricter than the registry's. Planning a long registration? Read [should you register a domain for 10 years](https://dotalmanac.com/should-you-register-a-domain-for-10-years/ "Should I register my domain for 10 years?"). ## What else does the table record? Each entry also records security and script support, which matter for some projects. - **DNSSEC:** 219 of the 225 extensions have a DS record in the root zone, read on 8 October 2026. The six without one are .so, .to, .im, .ae, .pk and .eg. - **IDN:** 164 of the 225 accept domain names in non-ASCII characters, such as accented letters or Cyrillic. - **HTTPS required:** .app, .dev and .page are on the browser HSTS preload list, so a site on them works only over HTTPS. - **Risk notes:** .io works normally in 2026. The open question is who will hold the Chagos Islands; the UK–Mauritius treaty was shelved in 2026. The same data feeds our [extension guides](https://dotalmanac.com/tld/ "Which domain extensions can I register, and at what price?") and the restrictions column of our [price list](https://dotalmanac.com/pricing/ "How much does a domain name cost per year?"). ## How was the table built? We combined automatic reads of public registries with targeted research, and wrote "unknown" wherever no source was solid. 1. **Registry name:** from the IANA root zone database, one page per extension. 2. **DNSSEC:** a lookup of the DS record of each extension in the root, over DNS-over-HTTPS, on 8 October 2026. 3. **IDN:** the IDN tables filed at IANA, or "IDN supported" on the Route 53 page, with manual fixes for a few ccTLDs. 4. **Terms:** Amazon Route 53's page for each extension, available for 143 of them; the rest use 1 to 10 years by default. 5. **Who can register and WHOIS privacy:** registry policies and registrar help pages for about 40 extensions, registrar lists of extensions without privacy, and a Wikipedia cross-check. 6. **Counts:** computed from the finished table on 29 October 2026. Every entry keeps its source URLs. ## What are the limits of this table? The table is reliable for the popular extensions and weaker for small ccTLDs. Know its limits before you rely on one row. - **70 of the 225 entries rest on secondary sources.** They are marked "Secondary" in the tables above. Check them with the registry before you buy. - **Route 53 describes a registrar, not always the registry.** It is stricter than DENIC for .de, for example, where it asks for a German contact up front. - **Regulated new gTLDs may need a licence.** Some finance, legal or health extensions can require one in their registry terms. We did not check those. - **European rules are tightening.** The NIS2 directive led AFNIC, Punktum and other registries to verify registrant data more strictly in 2025 and 2026. - **Two points stay open:** the minimum term of .to (2 years in one source) and the eligibility of .so (older texts mention a link with Somalia). Found an error? Write to us through the [contact page](https://dotalmanac.com/contact/ "How do I contact DotAlmanac?") with a source, and we correct the row. > **Licence and how to cite** This dataset is published under CC BY 4.0 (Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International). You can copy, adapt and republish it, for any purpose, as long as you name DotAlmanac and link to this page. Suggested credit: DotAlmanac, "Domain extension rules 2026", https://dotalmanac.com/data/domain-extension-rules-2026/, counts of 29 October 2026. ## Domain extension rules: FAQ ### Which domain extensions do not allow WHOIS privacy? 23 of the 225 extensions in our table, as of 29 October 2026. They include .us, .es, .cn, .in, .au, .br and .dk among country codes, and .music, .nyc, .berlin and .ngo among new gTLDs. At DotAlmanac, WHOIS privacy is free wherever the registry allows it. ### Which country domains can anyone register? 52 of the 94 country codes in the table, including .io, .ai, .co, .me, .tv, .gg, .de, .uk, .nl and .ch. The full list, with what to check for each one, is on [can you register a country domain without living there](https://dotalmanac.com/can-you-register-a-country-domain-without-living-there/ "Can you register a country domain without living there?"). ### Which extension has a minimum registration of 2 years? .ai is the only one in the 225-extension table. Every .ai registration and renewal covers at least 2 years. At DotAlmanac, .ai costs $84.49/year, billed 2 years at a time. ### Can every domain be registered for 10 years? No. In our table, 211 of the 225 extensions allow 10 years, 82 of them by default value. .co, .es, .au and .fi stop at 5 years, .im at 2, and nine ccTLDs, including .de, .nl and .ch, accept only 1 year at a time. ### How reliable is this table? 155 of the 225 entries were checked against registry or registrar sources; 70 rest on secondary sources and are marked as such. Where no source was solid, the table says "unknown" rather than guessing. ## Sources 1. [Root Zone Database](https://www.iana.org/domains/root/db) — IANA (checked 2026-10-08) 2. [IDN tables repository](https://www.iana.org/domains/idn-tables) — IANA (checked 2026-10-08) 3. [Domains that support privacy protection](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/Route53/latest/DeveloperGuide/privacy-protection-tld-support.html) — Amazon Route 53 (checked 2026-10-08) 4. [Domains where privacy is not allowed](https://www.dynadot.com/help/question/domain-privacy-not-allowed) — Dynadot (checked 2026-10-08) 5. [Rules for .eu domains](https://eurid.eu/en/knowledge-centre/rules-for-eu-domains/) — EURid (checked 2026-10-08) 6. [usTLD privacy services policy](https://www.about.us/policies/us-privacy-services-policy) — about.us (usTLD registry) (checked 2026-10-08) 7. [.ru ready to crash as draconian new rules come in](https://domainincite.com/31811-ru-ready-to-crash-as-draconian-new-rules-come-in) — Domain Incite (checked 2026-10-08) 8. [Domain name news, June 2026 (.in e-KYC)](https://www.hoganlovells.com/en/publications/domain-name-news-june-2026) — Hogan Lovells (checked 2026-10-08) 9. [Data and ID verification of registrants](https://punktum.dk/en/articles/data-and-id-verification-of-registrants) — Punktum dk (checked 2026-10-08) 10. [Domain Name Eligibility and Allocation Policy Rules](https://files.auda.org.au/documents/Domain-Name-Eligibility-and-Allocation-Policy-Rules-July-2024.pdf) — auDA (July 2024, checked 2026-10-08) 11. [.io safe for now as Trump puts Chagos deal on ice](https://domainincite.com/31642-io-safe-for-now-as-trump-puts-chagos-deal-on-ice) — Domain Incite (checked 2026-10-08) 12. [HSTS preload and Google Registry](https://kb.porkbun.com/article/96-hsts-preload-and-google-registry) — Porkbun (checked 2026-10-08) **Pick an extension with known rules** Every extension we sell shows its registry rules next to its price. No ID; pay in crypto. [Search a domain](https://dotalmanac.com/app/domains/?lang=en) · [See all extensions](https://dotalmanac.com/tld/ "Which domain extensions can I register, and at what price?") --- DotAlmanac: DotAlmanac is a domain extension guide and registrar: compare every extension, then register it with no KYC and pay in crypto. A .com costs $11.99/year. --- # How much does it cost to renew a domain in 2026? > Domain renewal price index 2026: first-year vs renewal prices of 10 extensions at 5 registrars. At DotAlmanac, 35 of 43 extensions renew higher. No KYC, crypto. - URL: https://dotalmanac.com/data/domain-renewal-price-index-2026/ - Last updated: 2026-10-29 - Publisher: DotAlmanac (https://dotalmanac.com) First-year and renewal prices of 10 extensions at DotAlmanac, Porkbun, Namecheap, Cloudflare Registrar and Dynadot, with the change in percent. Each column carries the date it was read. Free to reuse under CC BY 4.0. **Quick answer — How much more does a domain cost to renew than to register?** The **DotAlmanac domain renewal price index 2026** compares first-year and renewal prices of 10 extensions at five registrars. As of 29 October 2026, 35 of the 43 extensions DotAlmanac sells in your name renew higher than their first year, led by .app (+67%) and .io (+54%). A .com renews at $11.99/year, with no KYC, paid in crypto. ## The index in four numbers - **35 of 43** extensions sold in your name at DotAlmanac renew higher than their first year (29 October 2026) - **+67%** .app, the largest first-year-to-renewal jump in DotAlmanac's price grid - **+597%** Porkbun's .xyz: $2.04 the first year, $14.21 to renew (19 October 2026) - **$11.17** .com wholesale cost from 1 November 2026: Verisign $10.97 plus the $0.20 ICANN fee ## About this dataset | Attribute | Value | | --- | --- | | Publisher | DotAlmanac, operated by DomaineGoat LLC | | Coverage | 10 extensions at 5 registrars: first-year price, renewal price and change in percent, per year, in US dollars | | Dates | DotAlmanac 29 October 2026; Porkbun 19 October 2026; Namecheap .com 19 October 2026, .io and .ai 8 October 2026; Cloudflare Registrar and Dynadot 8 October 2026 | | Full DotAlmanac grid | 43 extensions sold in your own name; the 12 extensions sold only with Domain protection are left out | | Temporal coverage | October 2026 | | Licence | CC BY 4.0 (Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International) | ## First-year and renewal prices of 10 extensions at 5 registrars Each cell reads: first year / renewal (change). Prices are per year. A dash means the price is not part of our dated sources. | Extension | DotAlmanac (29 Oct 2026) | Porkbun (19 Oct 2026) | Namecheap (.com 19 Oct, .io and .ai 8 Oct 2026) | Cloudflare Registrar (8 Oct 2026) | Dynadot (8 Oct 2026) | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | .com | $11.99 / $11.99 (0%) | $11.08 / $11.08 (0%) | $6.48 with code NEWCOM648 / $18.48 (+185%; $14.78 with a renewal code) | $10.46 / $10.46 (0%) | $10.88 / $10.88 (0%) | | .net | $12.99 / $12.99 (0%) | $12.52 / $12.52 (0%) | — | — | — | | .org | $9.49 / $11.99 (+26%) | $7.98 / $11.84 (+48%) | — | — | — | | .io | $33.99 / $52.49 (+54%) | $28.12 / $51.80 (+84%) | $32.18 / $60.98 (+89%) | $32.00 / $50.00 (+56%) | $28.89 / $53.50 (+85%) | | .ai (2-year minimum) | $84.49 / $84.49 (0%) | $82.70 / $82.70 (0%) | $84.18 / $92.18 (+10%) | $80.00 / $80.00 (0%) | $85.60 / $85.60 (0%) | | .co | $31.99 / $31.99 (0%) | $15.76 / $31.20 (+98%) | — | — | — | | .xyz | $11.99 / $11.99 (0%) | $2.04 / $14.21 (+597%) | — | — | — | | .app | $8.99 / $14.99 (+67%) | $8.75 / $14.93 (+71%) | — | — | — | | .dev | $8.99 / $12.99 (+44%) | $8.75 / $12.87 (+47%) | — | — | — | | .me | $18.49 / $18.49 (0%) | — | — | — | — | *Last checked on October 19, 2026; older figures carry their own date.* Change = renewal ÷ first year − 1, rounded to the nearest whole percent. Namecheap's .com figures need two codes: NEWCOM648 for the first year (new customers only) and a renewal code to bring the $18.48 renewal down to $14.78. The .ai prices are per year; the extension is sold for at least 2 years at a time. Percentages for DotAlmanac are those of 29 October 2026. ## What does the 2026 renewal index show? Renewals cost more than first years at most registrars and on most extensions. DotAlmanac is a domain extension guide and registrar: compare every extension, then register it with no KYC and pay in crypto. We publish our own grid next to four competitors so the gap is visible before you buy. 1. **Most extensions renew higher.** 35 of the 43 extensions DotAlmanac sells in your name cost more from year two. Eight keep one price: .com, .net, .ai, .co, .xyz, .info, .me and .gg. 2. **The .io jump starts at the registry.** Cloudflare sells at cost, with no markup, and its .io still goes from $32.00 to $50.00 (+56%) on 8 October 2026. 3. **Developer extensions jump the most.** At DotAlmanac, .app rises 67% and .dev 44%. Porkbun shows almost the same jumps: +71% and +47% on 19 October 2026. 4. **Promo codes hide the real .com price.** Namecheap's $6.48 first year needs a code for new customers. The renewal is $18.48, or $14.78 with a second code: +185% at list price. 5. **.xyz has the widest gap in the index.** Porkbun sells the first year at $2.04 and renews at $14.21. DotAlmanac charges $11.99 in both years. 6. **The .com floor moves on 1 November 2026.** On that date Verisign's fee rises from $10.26 to $10.97. Adding the $0.20 ICANN fee, a registrar's cost per .com year moves from $10.46 to $11.17 (+6.8%). ## What does a .io cost over five years at each registrar? Over five years, the renewal makes up 86% to 88% of the bill, whatever the registrar. The first year is only 12% to 14% of the total. Totals at the prices read in October 2026: - **Cloudflare Registrar:** $32.00 + 4 × $50.00 = $232.00 - **Porkbun:** $28.12 + 4 × $51.80 = $235.32 - **Dynadot:** $28.89 + 4 × $53.50 = $242.89 - **Namecheap:** $32.18 + 4 × $60.98 = $276.10 - **DotAlmanac:** $33.99 the first year, then 4 × $52.49 Over five years, DotAlmanac's .io costs more than at Cloudflare, Porkbun or Dynadot. We do not claim to be the cheapest registrar. What we add is registration with no ID, payment in crypto, and the renewal price printed next to the first-year price. Compare both on the [.io guide](https://dotalmanac.com/tld/io/ "Is a .io domain a safe and sensible choice for my tech project?") and in [.io vs .com](https://dotalmanac.com/io-vs-com/ "Is .io better than .com for a startup?"). ## All 43 extensions DotAlmanac sells in your name: first year vs renewal Sorted by the change from the first year to the renewal, largest first. The 12 extensions sold only with Domain protection (.de, .uk, .nl, .cc, .to, .ch, .pl, .be, .at, .cz, .nz, .fi) are not in this table, because their price includes the option. | Extension | First year | Renewal | Change (29 Oct 2026) | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | .app | $8.99 | $14.99 | +67% | | .io | $33.99 | $52.49 | +54% | | .dev | $8.99 | $12.99 | +44% | | .org | $9.49 | $11.99 | +26% | | .page | $11.99 | $13.49 | +13% | | .vip | $13.99 | $15.49 | +11% | | .cloud | $20.99 | $22.99 | +10% | | .link | $10.99 | $11.99 | +9% | | .art | $16.99 | $18.49 | +9% | | .tech | $47.49 | $51.49 | +8% | | .shop | $30.49 | $32.99 | +8% | | .tv | $37.49 | $40.49 | +8% | | .biz | $19.49 | $20.99 | +8% | | .blog | $25.99 | $27.99 | +8% | | .site | $27.99 | $29.99 | +7% | | .online | $28.99 | $30.99 | +7% | | .store | $51.49 | $54.99 | +7% | | .agency | $22.49 | $23.99 | +7% | | .design | $46.49 | $49.49 | +6% | | .website | $23.49 | $24.99 | +6% | | .space | $23.99 | $25.49 | +6% | | .digital | $32.99 | $34.99 | +6% | | .software | $33.99 | $35.99 | +6% | | .email | $25.99 | $27.49 | +6% | | .club | $17.99 | $18.99 | +6% | | .network | $27.49 | $28.99 | +5% | | .studio | $27.49 | $28.99 | +5% | | .live | $27.99 | $29.49 | +5% | | .fun | $28.49 | $29.99 | +5% | | .news | $28.99 | $30.49 | +5% | | .pro | $19.99 | $20.99 | +5% | | .life | $31.99 | $33.49 | +5% | | .world | $32.49 | $33.99 | +5% | | .name | $11.99 | $12.49 | +4% | | .media | $34.99 | $35.99 | +3% | | .ai | $84.49 | $84.49 | Same price | | .co | $31.99 | $31.99 | Same price | | .com | $11.99 | $11.99 | Same price | | .gg | $82.49 | $82.49 | Same price | | .info | $20.99 | $20.99 | Same price | | .me | $18.49 | $18.49 | Same price | | .net | $12.99 | $12.99 | Same price | | .xyz | $11.99 | $11.99 | Same price | *Last checked on October 29, 2026; older figures carry their own date.* ## How was the index built? Every price was read on a known date, and that date sits in the column header. - **DotAlmanac prices** come from our live price list of 29 October 2026, the same grid used at checkout. The [price list](https://dotalmanac.com/pricing/ "How much does a domain name cost per year?") always shows the current figures. - **Porkbun and Dynadot** prices come from their own public price lists. - **Cloudflare Registrar** prices come from cfdomainpricing.com, which tracks its at-cost list. Cloudflare's FAQ states that it charges the registry and ICANN fees with no markup. - **Namecheap** prices come from domainoffer.net: the .com on 19 October 2026, the .io and .ai on 8 October 2026. - **Change in percent** is the renewal divided by the first year, minus one, rounded to a whole percent. - **Registry rules**, such as the 2-year .ai minimum, come from DotAlmanac's table of 225 extensions. According to that table, .ai is the only extension that imposes a 2-year minimum. - **Wholesale cost** of .com: Verisign $10.26 plus the $0.20 ICANN fee, and $10.97 plus $0.20 from 1 November 2026. ## What does the index not tell you? The index is a dated snapshot, not a live feed. Read each figure with its date. - **Prices move.** Any registrar, DotAlmanac included, can change a renewal price before your domain renews. Promo codes change most often. - **Five registrars only.** Many other registrars sell these extensions. We chose four with public price lists that we could date. - **Blank cells are blank on purpose.** We show a competitor price only when we hold a dated source for it. - **Options are not included.** DotAlmanac's Domain protection adds +$29/year per domain to the domain price. - **Source quality varies.** The registry facts come from DotAlmanac's table of 225 extensions: 155 entries were checked against registry or registrar sources, and 70 rest on secondary sources such as Wikipedia. The full rules are on the [extension rules 2026](https://dotalmanac.com/data/domain-extension-rules-2026/ "What are the registration rules of each domain extension?") page. > **Licence and how to cite** This dataset is published under CC BY 4.0 (Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International). You can copy, adapt and republish it, for any purpose, as long as you name DotAlmanac and link to this page. Suggested credit: DotAlmanac, "Domain renewal price index 2026", https://dotalmanac.com/data/domain-renewal-price-index-2026/, prices read 8, 19 and 29 October 2026. ## Domain renewal price index: FAQ ### How much does it cost to renew a .com domain? At DotAlmanac, a .com renews at $11.99/year, the same as its first year, as of 29 October 2026. Porkbun renews it at $11.08 (19 October 2026) and Cloudflare at its $10.46 cost (8 October 2026). The wholesale cost rises to $11.17 on 1 November 2026. ### Which extension has the biggest renewal increase? In DotAlmanac's grid, .app does: $8.99 the first year and $14.99 after, +67% as of 29 October 2026. Across all five registrars, the widest gap is Porkbun's .xyz, from $2.04 to $14.21 (+597%) on 19 October 2026. ### Does a .ai domain cost more to renew? Not at DotAlmanac, Porkbun, Cloudflare or Dynadot, where the renewal equals the first year. Namecheap goes from $84.18 to $92.18 (+10%) on 8 October 2026. Every .ai is billed for at least 2 years, the only 2-year minimum in DotAlmanac's table of 225 extensions. ### Why is my renewal price higher than what I paid? Many first years are sold at a discount, by the registrar or by the registry. Renewals return to the full yearly price. Our guide on [why domain renewals cost more](https://dotalmanac.com/why-do-domain-renewals-cost-more/ "Why does a domain cost more to renew than to register?") explains both cases and how to avoid the jump. ### Can I reuse this data in an article? Yes. The index is licensed CC BY 4.0. Name DotAlmanac as the source, link back here, and keep the reading date next to each figure, because prices change. ## Sources (prices read 8, 19 and 29 October 2026) 1. [Domain pricing](https://porkbun.com/products/domains) — Porkbun (checked 2026-10-19) 2. [.com prices by registrar](https://domainoffer.net/tld/com) — domainoffer.net (checked 2026-10-19) 3. [.io prices by registrar](https://domainoffer.net/tld/io) — domainoffer.net (checked 2026-10-08) 4. [.ai prices by registrar](https://domainoffer.net/tld/ai) — domainoffer.net (checked 2026-10-08) 5. [Cloudflare Registrar prices](https://cfdomainpricing.com/) — cfdomainpricing.com (checked 2026-10-08) 6. [Cloudflare Registrar FAQ](https://developers.cloudflare.com/registrar/faq/) — Cloudflare (checked 2026-10-08) 7. [Domain extensions and prices](https://www.dynadot.com/domain/tlds) — Dynadot (checked 2026-10-08) 8. [Verisign .com price update 2026](https://osir.com/en/blog/verisign-com-price-update-2026/) — osir.com (checked 2026-10-08) **See the renewal price before you register** Every extension on our list shows its first-year and renewal price side by side. No ID; pay in crypto from a balance. [Search a domain](https://dotalmanac.com/app/domains/?lang=en) · [See all prices](https://dotalmanac.com/pricing/ "How much does a domain name cost per year?") --- DotAlmanac: DotAlmanac is a domain extension guide and registrar: compare every extension, then register it with no KYC and pay in crypto. A .com costs $11.99/year. --- # What should I know before I choose and buy a domain? > 24 answers on choosing a domain extension and buying it: .com $11.99/year, renewals, crypto top-ups from $1, DNS, no KYC, Domain protection. - URL: https://dotalmanac.com/faq/ - Last updated: 2026-10-29 - Publisher: DotAlmanac (https://dotalmanac.com) Short answers about picking an extension, prices and renewals, crypto payment, DNS setup, privacy and our rules. Each answer links to the page with the detail. **Quick answer — What is DotAlmanac, in short?** **DotAlmanac** is a domain extension guide and registrar: compare every extension, then register it with no KYC and pay in crypto. As of 29 October 2026, a .com costs $11.99/year and payment is in crypto from $1. The only contact data collected is one verified email per domain. ## Choosing an extension ### How do I choose a domain extension? Think first about who will type the name; then compare renewal prices and registry rules. A broad audience types .com first, a tech product often uses .io, .ai or .dev, and a local business fits its country code. Our [method in steps](https://dotalmanac.com/how-to-choose-a-domain-extension/ "How do I choose the right domain extension?") turns this into a decision table. ### How many domain extensions exist? DotAlmanac's count of the IANA root zone shows 1,436 TLDs on 29 October 2026. Of these, 248 are two-letter country codes and 151 are internationalised (IDN) extensions. [What is a TLD](https://dotalmanac.com/what-is-a-tld/ "What is a TLD (top-level domain)?") explains each type. ### Is .io or .com better for a startup? .com is the stronger default, because people type it first and it renews at $11.99/year. A .io costs $33.99/year the first year, then $52.49/year, and its future is tied to the Chagos sovereignty question. [.io vs .com](https://dotalmanac.com/io-vs-com/ "Is .io better than .com for a startup?") compares both in detail. ### Can I register a country domain without living there? Often, yes. According to DotAlmanac's table of 225 extensions, 52 of the 94 country codes are open to anyone, including .io, .ai, .co, .me and .de. Others, such as .eu, .fr and .ca, require residence or a local presence. [Country domains](https://dotalmanac.com/can-you-register-a-country-domain-without-living-there/ "Can you register a country domain without living there?") lists both groups. ### Do .app and .dev domains need HTTPS? Yes. Google Registry put both extensions on the HSTS preload list of browsers, so a site on .app or .dev loads only over HTTPS. Hosts such as Vercel, Netlify and GitHub Pages issue a free certificate. [.app vs .dev](https://dotalmanac.com/app-vs-dev/ "Should I use .app or .dev for my project?") compares the two. ## Prices and renewals ### How much does a .com cost? $11.99/year to register and $11.99/year to renew, as of 29 October 2026, with free WHOIS privacy. The wholesale floor is Verisign's $10.26 a year plus a $0.20 ICANN fee. Verisign raises its part to $10.97 on 1 November 2026. ### Why do renewals cost more than the first year? Many registries and registrars sell the first year below the regular price to win new customers. According to DotAlmanac's price grid, 35 of the 43 extensions sold in your own name renew for more, as of 29 October 2026. [Why renewals cost more](https://dotalmanac.com/why-do-domain-renewals-cost-more/ "Why does a domain cost more to renew than to register?") explains the mechanism. ### Can I find a .com for less elsewhere? Yes, and we say so. Porkbun lists a .com at $11.08 (19 October 2026), and Cloudflare Registrar charges cost price, $10.46 (8 October 2026). Our case rests on no ID check, crypto payment and a renewal price shown upfront. ### Why is .ai sold 2 years at a time? The .ai registry sets a 2-year minimum term, for registrations and renewals alike. A .ai costs $84.49/year, so each order covers 2 years. According to DotAlmanac's table of 225 extensions, no other extension has this rule. ### Should I register a domain for 10 years? Only for a name you are certain to keep, on an extension that allows it. Most gTLDs accept up to 10 years, but .co stops at 5, and .de, .nl or .gg accept 1 year at a time. [Should you register a domain for 10 years](https://dotalmanac.com/should-you-register-a-domain-for-10-years/ "Should I register my domain for 10 years?") weighs the cost. ## Payment ### Which cryptocurrencies can I pay with? Bitcoin (BTC), Tether (USDT), USD Coin (USDC), Ethereum (ETH), Solana (SOL), Litecoin (LTC), Monero (XMR). Monero is included and is credited after 10 confirmations, about 20 minutes; Lightning, cards, PayPal and bank transfers are not accepted. Every price is paid from a balance you top up in one of these coins. ### What is the minimum top-up? $1. If your cart costs more, the top-up equals the cart. Balance rule: Unused balance stays on your account and never expires, and it pays for new domains, renewals and transfers. When a purchase costs less than the minimum top-up, the part added only to reach the minimum is refundable on request to support within 30 days of the payment, in USDT or USDC, as long as it has not been spent. The rest of the balance is not paid back, except where the law requires it. ### How long until my payment is credited? Credit comes once the network confirms the payment. The number of confirmations differs by coin, as listed on [how it works](https://dotalmanac.com/how-it-works/ "How do I register a domain with crypto and no KYC?"). We promise no fixed delay, because it depends on the network. ### What if the domain is taken after I pay? You keep the money. Our rule: if a domain cannot be registered (taken in the meantime, registry refusal), the full amount goes back to your balance. This can happen with extensions marked *Availability confirmed at order*, such as .io, .co or .me. ## DNS and setup ### Is DNS hosting included? Yes. Each domain comes with free DNS hosting with A, AAAA, CNAME, ALIAS, MX, TXT, NS, SRV and CAA records, one-click templates (Vercel, Netlify, GitHub Pages, Cloudflare Pages, Shopify, Proton Mail, Fastmail, Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, Zoho Mail), or your own nameservers (2 to 13). DNSSEC is available as well. ### How do I connect my domain to Vercel or GitHub Pages? Apply the one-click template in your DNS settings. The Vercel template adds an A record to 76.76.21.21 and a www CNAME to cname.vercel-dns.com. The GitHub Pages template adds four A records and a www CNAME. Guides: [Vercel](https://dotalmanac.com/how-to-connect-a-domain-to-vercel/ "How do I connect my domain to Vercel?") and [GitHub Pages](https://dotalmanac.com/how-to-connect-a-domain-to-github-pages/ "How do I connect my domain to GitHub Pages?"). ### Can I forward email from my domain? Yes. Each domain includes free URL forwarding and email forwarding from the client area. Send mail for contact@yourdomain to an inbox you already use; the steps are in [email forwarding](https://dotalmanac.com/how-to-set-up-email-forwarding-for-your-domain/ "How do I set up email forwarding for my domain?"). ### How do I check if a domain is available? Type the name in our [domain search](https://dotalmanac.com/app/domains/?lang=en): it asks the registry's RDAP service first and answers available, taken or undetermined. ICANN's lookup.icann.org gives the public record of a taken name. [How to check availability](https://dotalmanac.com/how-to-check-if-a-domain-is-available/ "How do I check if a domain name is available?") covers expired names too. ## Privacy, ownership and rules ### Is it really no KYC? Yes. You upload no identity document and no selfie, and you type no ID number. We hold one email address per domain, which ICANN rules require us to verify, and it stays private. This suits people who prefer not to upload identity documents. ### Who owns the domain I register? You do. You are the registrant of record, with full control of DNS, nameservers, renewals and transfers. Domains are registered through our ICANN-accredited registrar partner. ### Is WHOIS privacy included? Yes, at no cost, on every extension whose registry permits it. Each registry decides what remains public. According to DotAlmanac's table of 225 extensions, 23 registries forbid WHOIS privacy, among them .us, .in and .es. We sell none of those 23. ### What is Domain protection? A paid option, +$29 per domain and per year, that puts the domain in the name of DomaineGoat LLC while you remain the beneficiary. It also keeps the transfer lock on, limits our data to your email, and adds human review of complaints. Details on [Domain protection](https://dotalmanac.com/what-is-domain-protection/ "What is domain protection, and do I need it?"). ### When do you release customer data? We release the data we hold only when Panamanian law requires it (a Panamanian court or prosecutor's order), or in a UDRP case. We act within 24 hours of a well-documented report on phishing, malware, botnets or fraud that takes money from victims. Anyone can report to abuse@dotalmanac.com, without an account. ### Who runs DotAlmanac? DomaineGoat LLC, incorporated in Panama, runs the site and the almanac. Domains are registered through our ICANN-accredited registrar partner. The [about page](https://dotalmanac.com/about/ "Who runs DotAlmanac, and how is the almanac made?") explains how the almanac is written and checked. ## Sources 1. [List of top-level domains (version 2026102900)](https://data.iana.org/TLD/tlds-alpha-by-domain.txt) — IANA (29 October 2026) 2. [Verisign .com price update 2026](https://osir.com/en/blog/verisign-com-price-update-2026/) — OSIR (checked 2026-10-29) 3. [Domain name pricing](https://porkbun.com/products/domains) — Porkbun (checked 2026-10-19) 4. [Cloudflare Registrar prices by extension](https://cfdomainpricing.com/) — cfdomainpricing.com (checked 2026-10-08) 5. [HSTS preload and Google Registry extensions](https://kb.porkbun.com/article/96-hsts-preload-and-google-registry) — Porkbun Knowledge Base (checked 2026-10-29) **Still choosing?** Compare every extension by first-year and renewal price, or search a name now. [Search a domain](https://dotalmanac.com/app/domains/?lang=en) · [All extensions](https://dotalmanac.com/tld/ "Which domain extensions can I register, and at what price?") --- DotAlmanac: DotAlmanac is a domain extension guide and registrar: compare every extension, then register it with no KYC and pay in crypto. A .com costs $11.99/year. --- # Which guide answers my domain question? > DotAlmanac domain extension guides: how to choose, .io vs .com and 5 more comparisons, renewal data on 225 extensions, DNS setup. No KYC, paid in crypto. - URL: https://dotalmanac.com/guides/ - Last updated: 2026-10-29 - Publisher: DotAlmanac (https://dotalmanac.com) Every guide of the almanac in one place, grouped by question. Choose an extension, compare two of them, check what renewals cost, or set up the domain. **Quick answer — What do DotAlmanac's domain extension guides cover?** **DotAlmanac** is a domain extension guide and registrar: compare every extension, then register it with no KYC and pay in crypto. As of 29 October 2026, its domain extension guides cover four needs. They help you choose an extension, compare two of them, read renewal data on 225 extensions and set up DNS. ## Choose: which guide helps me pick an extension? Start with the method, then read the page for your type of project. Each page gives a clear pick, the first-year and renewal price of the options, and the traps to avoid. - **[How to choose a domain extension](https://dotalmanac.com/how-to-choose-a-domain-extension/ "How do I choose the right domain extension?")** — The method in steps, with a decision table: if your project is this, pick that. - **[Best domain extensions (2026)](https://dotalmanac.com/best-domain-extensions/ "What are the best domain extensions in 2026?")** — Ten extensions ranked on price, renewal, registry rules and how people read them. - **[Best extension for a startup](https://dotalmanac.com/best-domain-extension-for-startups/ "What is the best domain extension for a startup?")** — Which extension a new product should use, with first-year and renewal prices side by side. - **[Best extension for an AI company](https://dotalmanac.com/best-domain-extension-for-ai-companies/ "What is the best domain extension for an AI company?")** — When .ai is worth its 2-year minimum term, and what the alternatives cost. - **[Best extension for developers](https://dotalmanac.com/best-domain-extension-for-developers/ "What is the best domain extension for a developer?")** — Extensions for tools, documentation and side projects, compared on price and HTTPS rules. - **[Best extension for an online store](https://dotalmanac.com/best-domain-extension-for-online-stores/ "What is the best domain extension for an online store?")** — Extensions for shops and brands that sell online, with the renewal cost over several years. - **[Best extension for a personal website](https://dotalmanac.com/best-domain-extension-for-personal-websites/ "What is the best domain extension for a personal website?")** — Extensions for a portfolio, a CV or a blog, with a clear pick for each case. - **[Best extension for gaming](https://dotalmanac.com/best-domain-extension-for-gaming/ "What is the best domain extension for a gaming site?")** — Extensions for teams, game servers and streamers, including the rules of .gg. - **[What is a TLD?](https://dotalmanac.com/what-is-a-tld/ "What is a TLD (top-level domain)?")** — gTLD, ccTLD, new gTLD, sTLD, IDN, registry and registrar, defined in plain words. - **[Country domains without living there](https://dotalmanac.com/can-you-register-a-country-domain-without-living-there/ "Can you register a country domain without living there?")** — Which country codes are open to anyone, and which require residence or a local presence. ## Compare: which page settles X vs Y? Each comparison puts two or three extensions side by side: first-year price, renewal, cost over 5 years, registry, rules and how people read them. It ends with a verdict for each type of project. - **[.io vs .com](https://dotalmanac.com/io-vs-com/ "Is .io better than .com for a startup?")** — The startup question: a tech signal against the default extension, with the .io renewal of $52.49/year. - **[.ai vs .io](https://dotalmanac.com/ai-vs-io/ "Should an AI startup use .ai or .io?")** — Two tech country codes: the 2-year minimum of .ai against the Chagos question of .io. - **[.com vs .net vs .org](https://dotalmanac.com/com-vs-net-vs-org/ "Should I choose .com, .net or .org for my website?")** — The three historic extensions: who each one suits today, and what each costs to keep. - **[.co vs .com](https://dotalmanac.com/co-vs-com/ "Is a .co domain as good as a .com?")** — Colombia's country code against .com: price, perception and the 5-year maximum term. - **[.app vs .dev](https://dotalmanac.com/app-vs-dev/ "Should I use .app or .dev for my project?")** — Two Google Registry extensions with HTTPS required: which one fits a product, which one a developer. - **[.xyz vs .com](https://dotalmanac.com/xyz-vs-com/ "Is .xyz a good domain, or should you buy a .com?")** — Is .xyz a good domain? Price, perception and the projects it suits. ## Data: where are the renewal prices and registry rules? In two dated reports and three guides built on them. According to DotAlmanac's table of 225 extensions, the set holds 10 historic gTLDs, 121 new gTLDs and 94 country codes. DotAlmanac's count of the IANA root zone shows 1,436 TLDs in total on 29 October 2026. - **[Domain renewal price index 2026](https://dotalmanac.com/data/domain-renewal-price-index-2026/ "How much does it cost to renew a domain in 2026?")** — First-year and renewal prices of about 10 extensions at five registrars, with the gap in percent and the date of each check. - **[Domain extension rules 2026](https://dotalmanac.com/data/domain-extension-rules-2026/ "What are the registration rules of each domain extension?")** — Who can register, minimum and maximum terms, and where WHOIS privacy is forbidden, for 225 extensions. - **[Cheapest domain extensions to renew](https://dotalmanac.com/cheapest-domain-extensions-to-renew/ "Which domain extensions are the cheapest to renew?")** — Extensions ranked by their renewal price, the figure you pay every year after the first. - **[Why domain renewals cost more](https://dotalmanac.com/why-do-domain-renewals-cost-more/ "Why does a domain cost more to renew than to register?")** — Promotional first years, registry wholesale fees and how to avoid a renewal surprise. - **[Should you register for 10 years?](https://dotalmanac.com/should-you-register-a-domain-for-10-years/ "Should I register my domain for 10 years?")** — Maximum term by extension, locked prices or not, and the cost of paying in advance. ## Set up: how do I connect the domain once I have it? Follow the guide for your host or mail service. Each one gives the exact DNS records in a table, and the steps in order. The DNS templates of the client area write most of these records in one click. - **[How to check if a domain is available](https://dotalmanac.com/how-to-check-if-a-domain-is-available/ "How do I check if a domain name is available?")** — Our search, RDAP, the meaning of taken, available and confirmed at order, and expired names. - **[Connect a domain to GitHub Pages](https://dotalmanac.com/how-to-connect-a-domain-to-github-pages/ "How do I connect my domain to GitHub Pages?")** — Four A records, four AAAA records and a www CNAME, with each step in order. - **[Connect a domain to Vercel](https://dotalmanac.com/how-to-connect-a-domain-to-vercel/ "How do I connect my domain to Vercel?")** — The A record and the www CNAME, and why the values in your Vercel project come first. - **[Use Cloudflare with your domain](https://dotalmanac.com/how-to-use-cloudflare-with-your-domain/ "How do I use Cloudflare with my domain?")** — Move the DNS of your domain to Cloudflare with its 2 nameservers, step by step. - **[Set up email forwarding](https://dotalmanac.com/how-to-set-up-email-forwarding-for-your-domain/ "How do I set up email forwarding for my domain?")** — Receive mail sent to your domain in an inbox you already use. - **[How it works](https://dotalmanac.com/how-it-works/ "How do I register a domain with crypto and no KYC?")** — Search, top-up in crypto, email check, DNS, renewals and transfers, from start to finish. - **[What is Domain protection?](https://dotalmanac.com/what-is-domain-protection/ "What is domain protection, and do I need it?")** — The option that registers the domain in our company name, its four points and its limits. ## How are these guides kept up to date? Each guide carries the date of its last check. Our own prices come from the live price grid, so they change on every page at once. Competitor prices carry the date of the price list they come from, and we check them again each month. Registry rules come from the registries, IANA and the sources named on each page. If you find an error, write to support@dotalmanac.com; the [about page](https://dotalmanac.com/about/ "Who runs DotAlmanac, and how is the almanac made?") describes the method. ## Guides: questions ### Where should I start if I have no idea which extension to pick? Start with [how to choose a domain extension](https://dotalmanac.com/how-to-choose-a-domain-extension/ "How do I choose the right domain extension?"). It asks who will type the name, what the project is and how long you will keep it. Then it points you to the right comparison. ### Are the prices in the guides the same as on the pricing page? Yes. Our own prices on every guide come from the same price grid as the [pricing page](https://dotalmanac.com/pricing/ "How much does a domain name cost per year?"), dated 29 October 2026. A .com costs $11.99/year everywhere on the site. ### Can I reuse your data in an article? Yes. The two reports, the [renewal price index](https://dotalmanac.com/data/domain-renewal-price-index-2026/ "How much does it cost to renew a domain in 2026?") and the [extension rules table](https://dotalmanac.com/data/domain-extension-rules-2026/ "What are the registration rules of each domain extension?"), are published under the CC BY 4.0 licence. Cite DotAlmanac with a link to the page. ### Do the guides recommend only extensions you sell? No. Some guides mention extensions we do not sell, such as .sh or .eu, and say so. When another registrar sells an extension for less, the guide names it with the date of the check. ## Sources 1. [List of top-level domains (version 2026102900)](https://data.iana.org/TLD/tlds-alpha-by-domain.txt) — IANA (29 October 2026) **Ready to look up a name?** Search a name in every extension, with its first-year and renewal price. [Search a domain](https://dotalmanac.com/app/domains/?lang=en) · [All extensions](https://dotalmanac.com/tld/ "Which domain extensions can I register, and at what price?") --- DotAlmanac: DotAlmanac is a domain extension guide and registrar: compare every extension, then register it with no KYC and pay in crypto. A .com costs $11.99/year. --- # How do I register a domain with crypto and no KYC? > How to register a domain with crypto and no KYC: search the name, top up from $1, verify one email. A .com costs $11.99/year, with free DNS. - URL: https://dotalmanac.com/how-it-works/ - Last updated: 2026-10-29 - Publisher: DotAlmanac (https://dotalmanac.com) What happens from the first search to a working domain, and what you manage afterwards: DNS records, renewals and a move to another registrar. **Quick answer — How do you register a domain with crypto and no KYC at DotAlmanac?** **DotAlmanac** is a domain extension guide and registrar: compare every extension, then register it with no KYC and pay in crypto. To register a domain with crypto and no KYC, search the name, top up from $1, then verify one email for the domain. As of 29 October 2026, a .com costs $11.99/year. ## What you need, and what you do not | Attribute | Value | | --- | --- | | Documents | None: no ID, no selfie, no ID number | | Contact data | One email address for each domain, verified and kept private | | Account | Opening it does not require an email address; each domain gets its own verified email | | Coins | BTC, USDT, USDC, ETH, SOL, LTC, XMR | | Minimum top-up | $1 | | Time to register | Registered usually within minutes of the top-up being credited; a few extensions take a few hours | | If a registration fails | No money lost: if a domain cannot be registered (taken in the meantime, registry refusal), the full amount goes back to your balance | | DNS | Free, with one-click templates for common hosts and mail services | ## Seven steps from a name to a working domain 1. **Choose the extension** — Decide between .com, a tech extension such as .io or .dev, or a country code. The extension table shows the first-year and renewal price of each one. How to choose gives a method in steps. 2. **Search the name** — Type the name in the domain search. The answer is available, taken or undetermined. A few extensions show Availability confirmed at order instead. 3. **Open an account** — You upload no ID document and no selfie, and you give no ID number. The email address comes later, one for each domain. 4. **Top up your balance in crypto** — Pick a coin and its network; the minimum is $1. Pay the exact amount displayed, on the network displayed; the order page lists each step. 5. **Wait for the network confirmation** — Your top-up is credited once the network confirms it. The domains in your cart are then registered, usually within minutes of the top-up being credited; a few extensions take a few hours. 6. **Verify the registrant email** — Each domain needs one verified email address. The rule: the registrant email is verified after registration, as ICANN rules require (within 15 days). A click on the link you receive is enough. 7. **Point the domain** — Use our free DNS and its templates, or set your own nameservers. You can add Domain protection now or later. ## How does the availability search work? The search asks the registry first. The form sends your name to `/app/domains/?q=yourname`, and our server queries the registry's RDAP service. RDAP is free and gives the registry's own answer. For extensions without a usable RDAP service, the server asks a commercial WHOIS service. Each result is *available*, *taken* or *undetermined*. A result stays in cache for 10 minutes per name, and each check stops after a few seconds. For some extensions, such as .io, .co, .me, .gg, .tv, .cc and .to, the screen can show *Availability confirmed at order*. The final check then happens at registration. If someone takes the name first, your money is safe: if a domain cannot be registered (taken in the meantime, registry refusal), the full amount goes back to your balance. We keep no record of the names you search. More in [how to check if a domain is available](https://dotalmanac.com/how-to-check-if-a-domain-is-available/ "How do I check if a domain name is available?"). ## How do I pay in crypto? Every payment comes out of a prepaid balance, which you fill in crypto. The accepted coins are Bitcoin (BTC), Tether (USDT), USD Coin (USDC), Ethereum (ETH), Solana (SOL), Litecoin (LTC), Monero (XMR). Monero is one of them, credited after 10 confirmations. We take no Lightning, no card, no PayPal and no bank transfer. The smallest top-up is $1. If your cart costs more, the top-up equals the cart. Your wallet pays the blockchain fee. Balance rule: Unused balance stays on your account and never expires, and it pays for new domains, renewals and transfers. When a purchase costs less than the minimum top-up, the part added only to reach the minimum is refundable on request to support within 30 days of the payment, in USDT or USDC, as long as it has not been spent. The rest of the balance is not paid back, except where the law requires it. ## What DNS settings come with the domain? Every domain gets free DNS hosting. You can add A, AAAA, CNAME, ALIAS, MX, TXT, NS, SRV and CAA records, or set 2 to 13 nameservers of your own. A Cloudflare preset takes exactly the 2 `ns.cloudflare.com` names that Cloudflare assigns to you. One-click templates write the usual records for common hosts and mail services: ### DNS templates and the records they write | Template | Records | | --- | --- | | Vercel | A @ 76.76.21.21 · CNAME www cname.vercel-dns.com (the values shown in your Vercel project take priority) | | Netlify | ALIAS @ apex-loadbalancer.netlify.com · CNAME www `yoursite.netlify.app` | | GitHub Pages | A @ 185.199.108.153, 185.199.109.153, 185.199.110.153, 185.199.111.153 · AAAA @ 2606:50c0:8000::153 to 2606:50c0:8003::153 · CNAME www `youruser.github.io` | | Cloudflare Pages | CNAME www `yourproject.pages.dev`; the bare domain needs Cloudflare DNS | | Shopify | A @ 23.227.38.65 · CNAME www shops.myshopify.com | | Proton Mail | MX 10 mail.protonmail.ch · MX 20 mailsec.protonmail.ch · SPF include:_spf.protonmail.ch · DKIM CNAME records | | Other templates | Fastmail, Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, Zoho Mail, SPF + DMARC, no-email, parking | DNSSEC is available, managed by us or with your own DS record; algorithm 13 is the recommended choice. According to DotAlmanac's table of 225 extensions, 219 of them support DNSSEC. URL forwarding and email forwarding are free. Guides in steps: [Vercel](https://dotalmanac.com/how-to-connect-a-domain-to-vercel/ "How do I connect my domain to Vercel?"), [GitHub Pages](https://dotalmanac.com/how-to-connect-a-domain-to-github-pages/ "How do I connect my domain to GitHub Pages?"), [Cloudflare](https://dotalmanac.com/how-to-use-cloudflare-with-your-domain/ "How do I use Cloudflare with my domain?") and [email forwarding](https://dotalmanac.com/how-to-set-up-email-forwarding-for-your-domain/ "How do I set up email forwarding for my domain?"). ## How do renewals work? Renewals come out of your balance at the renewal price of the [price grid](https://dotalmanac.com/pricing/ "How much does a domain name cost per year?"). The rule: automatic renewal from your balance, switched on or off for each domain. Keep enough on the balance before the expiry date, or renew by hand from your account. Check the renewal column before you buy, because it often differs from the first year. A .io costs $33.99/year the first year, then $52.49/year. A .ai renews 2 years at a time, as its registry requires. ## How do I move a domain out of DotAlmanac? The transfer (EPP) code is free, requested from the client area, and there is no exit fee. Enter that code at the new registrar, then confirm the move on its side. Two rules can delay a move. A gTLD must stay put for 60 days after its registration or its last transfer, under ICANN rules. With Domain protection, the transfer lock is on, so switch it off from your account first. You can also take the domain back in your own name, free, before the move. We never ask for your password, your account number or your domain transfer (EPP) codes by email or chat. ## Can I bring a domain to DotAlmanac from another registrar? Yes. A transfer in costs the renewal price of the extension, $11.99/year for a .com, and adds one year on gTLDs. At your current registrar, remove the lock and copy the transfer code. Then begin the transfer from our [domain search](https://dotalmanac.com/app/domains/?lang=en). If the nameservers stay the same, the website and email keep working during the move. ## How payment works 1. **Top up $1 or more** — Choose the amount and the coin (BTC, USDT, USDC, ETH, SOL, LTC, XMR). The crypto amount and its rate are locked for 30 minutes. 2. **Send it to the address shown, on the exact network** — The payment page shows our deposit address for the coin and network you picked: BTC on Bitcoin, USDT on Tron (TRC-20) or Ethereum (ERC-20), USDC on Ethereum (ERC-20), ETH on Ethereum, SOL on Solana, LTC on Litecoin, XMR on Monero. Send only that coin on that network: funds sent on another network or in another coin can’t be recovered. The network fee comes on top of the amount. 3. **Send the exact amount shown, then click “I’ve sent the payment”** — Each top-up has its own exact amount (down to the last decimals): that is how we find your payment and link it to your account. 4. **Credited once your payment is checked on the blockchain** — Your balance is credited once we have checked the transaction on the blockchain, after the network has confirmed it. Typical network confirmation times: 5. **One balance for every domain** — If you started from a domain search, the top-up is the price of your cart (or the minimum, for a smaller cart), and the domains in your cart are registered once the top-up is credited. What is left stays on your balance for renewals, transfers, Domain protection and new domains. Unused balance stays on your account and never expires, and it pays for new domains, renewals and transfers. When a purchase costs less than the minimum top-up, the part added only to reach the minimum is refundable on request to support within 30 days of the payment, in USDT or USDC, as long as it has not been spent. The rest of the balance is not paid back, except where the law requires it. | Crypto | Network | Confirmations | Usual time | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Bitcoin (BTC) | Bitcoin | 2 | ≈ 20 min | | Tether (USDT) | Tron (TRC-20) | 20 | ≈ 1 min | | Tether (USDT) | Ethereum (ERC-20) | 12 | ≈ 5 min | | USD Coin (USDC) | Ethereum (ERC-20) | 12 | ≈ 5 min | | Ethereum (ETH) | Ethereum | 12 | ≈ 5 min | | Solana (SOL) | Solana | 1 | ≈ 1 min | | Litecoin (LTC) | Litecoin | 6 | ≈ 15 min | | Monero (XMR) | Monero | 10 | ≈ 20 min | Closed the tab? The pending top-up stays under Billing in your account: open it to see the address and the exact amount again. ## Registration: questions ### Do I need to give an ID to register a domain? No. You upload no identity document, take no selfie and type no ID number. You are the registrant of record; one email per domain is all the contact data we hold. It suits people who prefer not to upload identity documents. ### Why must I verify an email if there is no KYC? Every ICANN-accredited registrar must confirm that it can reach the registrant. Checking an email address is a contact check, not an identity check. The address stays private. ### How long does registration take? Registration happens usually within minutes of the top-up being credited; a few extensions take a few hours. Before that, the network must confirm your top-up. The number of confirmations depends on the coin, as the payment table on this page shows. ### Can I register several domains with one top-up? Yes. Put them in the cart, and the top-up covers its total, or the minimum of $1 for a small cart. What is left stays on your balance for renewals and new domains. ### Can I use Cloudflare or my own nameservers? Yes. Set 2 to 13 nameservers of your own, or use the Cloudflare preset with the 2 names Cloudflare assigns. [Use Cloudflare with your domain](https://dotalmanac.com/how-to-use-cloudflare-with-your-domain/ "How do I use Cloudflare with my domain?") shows each step. ## Sources 1. [Transfer Policy](https://www.icann.org/resources/pages/transfer-policy-2016-06-01-en) — ICANN (checked 2026-10-29) 2. [2013 Registrar Accreditation Agreement](https://www.icann.org/resources/pages/approved-with-specs-2013-09-17-en) — ICANN (checked 2026-10-29) 3. [RDAP bootstrap file for DNS](https://data.iana.org/rdap/dns.json) — IANA (checked 2026-10-29) 4. [ICANN Lookup](https://lookup.icann.org/en) — ICANN (checked 2026-10-29) **Start with the name** Search a name, compare its extensions by first-year and renewal price, then pay in crypto. [Search a domain](https://dotalmanac.com/app/domains/?lang=en) · [See pricing](https://dotalmanac.com/pricing/ "How much does a domain name cost per year?") --- DotAlmanac: DotAlmanac is a domain extension guide and registrar: compare every extension, then register it with no KYC and pay in crypto. A .com costs $11.99/year. --- # How do I check if a domain name is available? > How to check if a domain is available: DotAlmanac asks the registry by RDAP first, then a WHOIS service. Cross-check at lookup.icann.org. No KYC, crypto. - URL: https://dotalmanac.com/how-to-check-if-a-domain-is-available/ - Last updated: 2026-10-29 - Publisher: DotAlmanac (https://dotalmanac.com) Three ways to check a name, what each answer means, and why some extensions give the final answer only when you order. **Quick answer — How do I check if a domain is available?** To check if a domain is available, type the name in **DotAlmanac**'s search: it asks the registry's RDAP server first, then a commercial WHOIS service, and answers Available, Taken or Availability confirmed at order. As of 29 October 2026, an available .com costs $11.99/year. For a second check, look the name up at lookup.icann.org. ## Availability checks at a glance | Attribute | Value | | --- | --- | | Fastest check | The search box on any DotAlmanac page, which opens `/app/domains/?q=yourname` | | First source | The registry's own RDAP server: the official answer, free to query | | Second source | A commercial WHOIS service, for extensions with no usable RDAP server | | Possible answers | Available · Taken · Availability confirmed at order | | Time limit | A few seconds per name; no clear answer in time gives "confirmed at order" | | Cache | 10 minutes per name | | Your searches | Searched names are not logged | | Independent check | lookup.icann.org: ICANN's tool, free, no account | ## Check a name now Search a domain name: https://dotalmanac.com/app/domains/?q=yourname.com Popular extensions: .com ($11.99), .io ($33.99), .ai ($84.49), .co ($31.99), .dev ($8.99), .xyz ($11.99) ## How does DotAlmanac's availability search work? DotAlmanac is a domain extension guide and registrar: compare every extension, then register it with no KYC and pay in crypto. Its search asks the official source first and a paid source second, then shows one of three answers. - **RDAP first.** The server sends the name to the RDAP server of the extension's registry. RDAP is the structured protocol that replaced WHOIS for generic extensions on 28 January 2025. A clear registry answer (registered, or not found) is kept as the result. - **Commercial WHOIS second.** Some registries publish no usable RDAP server, or do not answer in time. For those, the server asks a commercial WHOIS service. That service receives the name only, not your IP address. - **Undetermined.** When neither source gives a clear answer within a few seconds, the row reads "Availability confirmed at order". You can still order the name. Each answer is cached for 10 minutes per name, and the names you search are not logged. ## How to check a domain name in 5 steps 1. **Type the name** — Enter the name in the search box, with or without an extension: myproject or myproject.io. The form opens the client area at /app/domains/?q=myproject. 2. **Read the answer for each extension** — Each row shows Available, Taken or Availability confirmed at order, next to the price. Rows also flag registry rules, such as a local contact required. 3. **Look up a taken name at ICANN** — Open lookup.icann.org and enter the full domain, without http:// or www. The record shows the registrar, the dates and the status codes. 4. **Read the status codes** — redemptionPeriod or pendingDelete means the holder did not renew. The name returns to the public only after the registry deletes it. 5. **Order: the registry gives the final answer** — The registration is the final check. If someone takes the name between your search and your order, if a domain cannot be registered (taken in the meantime, registry refusal), the full amount goes back to your balance. ## What do Available, Taken and Availability confirmed at order mean? Each answer comes from the registry or from a WHOIS source at the time of the search. Here is what to do next in each case. | Answer | What it means | What to do | | --- | --- | --- | | Available | The registry holds no registration for this name | Order it; the registration makes the final check | | Taken | The registry or the WHOIS service reports an existing registration | Check the expiry date at lookup.icann.org, or try another extension | | Availability confirmed at order | No clear answer within a few seconds. It can appear for extensions without a usable RDAP server, such as .io, .co, .me, .gg, .tv, .cc and .to | Order it if you want it: the registry answers at registration, and a failed order goes back to your balance | An Available answer does not override registry rules. Some extensions reserve names, sell premium names at a higher price, or require a local contact. ## Why is there no single list of every registered domain? Because each extension has its own registry, and each registry keeps its own database of names. DotAlmanac's count of the IANA root zone shows 1,436 TLDs as of 29 October 2026. Of these, 248 are two-letter country codes and 151 are internationalised TLDs (written `xn--`). A checker must therefore ask the right registry for each extension. The IANA RDAP bootstrap file lists every extension that publishes an RDAP server; .io, .co and .me are not in it. For these categories, read [what is a TLD](https://dotalmanac.com/what-is-a-tld/ "What is a TLD (top-level domain)?"), or [how to choose a domain extension](https://dotalmanac.com/how-to-choose-a-domain-extension/ "How do I choose the right domain extension?"). ## How do I check a domain at lookup.icann.org? Open lookup.icann.org, type the full domain and press Lookup. ICANN Lookup is free, needs no account and reads the live RDAP data of registries and registrars. The tool answers a different question from a registrar search. It shows the record of a registered name: registrar, dates, nameservers and status codes. It shows no price and no offer to register. Many country codes do not publish their data through ICANN's system, so ICANN Lookup returns little for them. Use the registry's own lookup page instead. ## How do I check availability from the command line? Query the registry's RDAP server with `curl` and read the HTTP status code. For .com and .net, the registry is Verisign. An HTTP 200 answer means the name is registered; an HTTP 404 answer means the registry has no record of it. A 404 is a strong sign, not a guarantee. Reserved names and some premium names also return 404 at certain registries. For other extensions, find the server in the IANA bootstrap file at `data.iana.org/rdap/dns.json`. *RDAP check of a .com name (HTTP status only)* ```bash # 200 = registered, 404 = no record at the .com registry curl -s -o /dev/null -w "%{http_code}\n" https://rdap.verisign.com/com/v1/domain/example.com # Find the RDAP server of another extension (here .dev), with jq curl -s https://data.iana.org/rdap/dns.json | jq -r '.services[] | select(.[0] | index("dev")) | .[1][0]' # -> https://pubapi.registry.google/rdap/ curl -s -o /dev/null -w "%{http_code}\n" https://pubapi.registry.google/rdap/domain/example.dev ``` ## What if the domain I want is taken but expired? Wait for the registry to delete it, then register it like any other name. An expired generic domain goes through fixed stages, and RDAP shows each one as a status code. - **Expiry date passed.** The registrar can keep the name for a grace period, during which the holder can still renew. - **redemptionPeriod.** ICANN states that the domain stays in this status for 30 days. The holder can restore it, usually for a fee. - **pendingDelete.** The registry purges the name five calendar days after the redemption period ends. Anyone can then register it. Country codes such as .io, .co or .me set their own stages. ## Checking domain availability: FAQ ### Is it safe to search for a domain name before I buy it? At DotAlmanac, the names you search are not logged. The commercial WHOIS service receives only the name, never your IP address. Each answer is cached for 10 minutes per name and is not tied to your account. ### Why does my search say "Availability confirmed at order"? Neither the registry's RDAP server nor the WHOIS service gave a clear answer within a few seconds. You can still order the name. The registry answers at registration, and if the name is taken, the full amount goes back to your balance. ### Can a domain show Available and still be impossible to register? Yes. Registries reserve some names and price others as premium. Some extensions also set rules on who can register: according to DotAlmanac's table of 225 extensions, 176 are open to anyone and the others add conditions. The search flags these rules next to each extension. ### How long after expiry can I register a generic domain? Usually more than a month. After the grace period chosen by the registrar, the name spends 30 days in redemptionPeriod. The registry then purges it five calendar days after that period ends. ## Sources 1. [ICANN Lookup](https://lookup.icann.org/en) — ICANN (checked 2026-10-29) 2. [ICANN update: launching RDAP, sunsetting WHOIS](https://www.icann.org/en/announcements/details/icann-update-launching-rdap-sunsetting-whois-27-01-2025-en) — ICANN (27 January 2025) 3. [EPP Status Codes: What Do They Mean, and Why Should I Know?](https://www.icann.org/resources/pages/epp-status-codes-2014-06-16-en) — ICANN (checked 2026-10-29) 4. [List of top-level domains (version 2026102900)](https://data.iana.org/TLD/tlds-alpha-by-domain.txt) — IANA (29 October 2026) 5. [RDAP bootstrap file for Domain Name System registrations](https://data.iana.org/rdap/dns.json) — IANA (checked 2026-10-29) **Found a free name?** Register it with no KYC and pay in crypto. The renewal price is shown next to the first-year price. [Search a domain](https://dotalmanac.com/app/domains/?lang=en) · [See all prices](https://dotalmanac.com/pricing/ "How much does a domain name cost per year?") --- DotAlmanac: DotAlmanac is a domain extension guide and registrar: compare every extension, then register it with no KYC and pay in crypto. A .com costs $11.99/year. --- # How do I choose the right domain extension? > How to choose a domain extension in 6 steps: audience, 5-year cost, registry rules. Decision table for 13 projects. .com $11.99/year, no KYC, crypto. - URL: https://dotalmanac.com/how-to-choose-a-domain-extension/ - Last updated: 2026-10-29 - Publisher: DotAlmanac (https://dotalmanac.com) A six-step method and a decision table for thirteen kinds of project, built from registry rules and renewal prices checked on 29 October 2026. **Quick answer — How do you choose a domain extension?** To choose a domain extension, start with your audience. Then compare the five-year price, the registry rules and how the name sounds aloud. **DotAlmanac** is a domain extension guide and registrar: compare every extension, then register it with no KYC and pay in crypto. As of 29 October 2026, a .com costs $11.99/year. ## Key facts for choosing an extension (29 October 2026) | Attribute | Value | | --- | --- | | Top-level domains in the IANA root zone | 1,436, including 248 two-letter country codes | | Extensions open to anyone | 176 of the 225 in DotAlmanac's table | | Extensions that forbid WHOIS privacy | 23 of 225, including .us, .es and .in | | Extensions that renew above the first-year price | 35 of the 43 sold by DotAlmanac | | Minimum term above 1 year | .ai only (2 years) | | .com at DotAlmanac | $11.99 first year, $11.99 renewal | | Payment | Crypto only (BTC, USDT, USDC, ETH, SOL, LTC, XMR), no KYC | ## What matters most when you choose a domain extension? Your audience matters most: pick the extension your visitors already expect, then check the price and the rules. DotAlmanac is a domain extension guide and registrar: compare every extension, then register it with no KYC and pay in crypto. The menu is long. DotAlmanac's count of the IANA root zone shows 1,436 top-level domains on 29 October 2026. Of these, 248 are two-letter country codes and 151 are internationalized. The six steps below cut that list to two or three candidates. ## How to choose a domain extension in 6 steps 1. **Name your audience** — Decide who must type the domain: the whole world, one country or one trade. A global product starts from .com; a shop that ships within one country looks at that country's code. 2. **Search the .com first** — If the exact .com is free at $11.99/year, register it, even if you plan to use another extension. People who type a name from memory add .com by habit. 3. **Shortlist two niche extensions** — Pick two extensions that describe the project. The decision table below gives a pick and a backup for thirteen kinds of project. 4. **Price five years, not one** — Add the first year and four renewals. A .io costs $33.99 the first year, then $52.49 at each renewal: compare that total, not the price on the search page. 5. **Read the registry rules** — Check who may register, the minimum and maximum term, and whether WHOIS privacy is allowed. Each extension guide lists them. A rule you cannot meet removes the extension. 6. **Say it aloud, then register** — Read the full domain to someone and ask them to write it down. If they get it right the first time, register it. Registration happens usually within minutes of the top-up being credited; a few extensions take a few hours. ## Which domain extension fits which project? Find your project in the first column, then register the pick, or the backup if the pick is taken. The table assumes you already checked the .com in step 2. *DotAlmanac prices per year, as of 29 October 2026.* | If your project is… | Pick | Backup | Why | Pick: 1st year / renewal | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | A business that sells worldwide | .com | .co | The default people type | $11.99 / $11.99 | | A tech startup or B2B SaaS | .io | .co | Reads as tech | $33.99 / $52.49 | | An AI product or agent | .ai | .io | Names the category | $84.49 / $84.49 (2 years minimum) | | A developer tool or library | .dev | .io | HTTPS enforced | $8.99 / $12.99 | | A mobile or web app | .app | .dev | Says what it is | $8.99 / $14.99 | | An online store | .shop | .store | Commerce meaning | $30.49 / $32.99 | | A nonprofit or foundation | .org | .net | Non-commercial signal | $9.49 / $11.99 | | A personal site or portfolio | .me | .name | Short and personal | $18.49 / $18.49 | | A blog or newsletter | .blog | .page | Open to anyone | $25.99 / $27.99 | | A gaming team or community | .gg | .fun | Known to players | $82.49 / $82.49 | | A video channel or stream | .tv | .live | Video in two letters | $37.49 / $40.49 | | A side project on a budget | .xyz | .link | One price every year | $11.99 / $11.99 | | A business in one country | Its country code | .com | Local signal | See the [rules table](https://dotalmanac.com/data/domain-extension-rules-2026/ "What are the registration rules of each domain extension?") | ## Should you always take the .com if it is free? Yes, for any project that wants visitors outside a niche. People who hear a name add .com when they type it, so a niche extension sends some of them to the .com owner. At DotAlmanac, a .com costs $11.99/year and renews at the same price. We do not claim to be the cheapest registrar for .com. As of 19 October 2026, per its price list, Porkbun charged $11.08; Cloudflare Registrar charged $10.46 at cost on 8 October 2026. On 1 November 2026, Verisign's wholesale fee rises from $10.26 to $10.97, plus a $0.20 ICANN fee. Skip the .com in two cases: someone else holds it, or the niche extension is part of the brand, like .ai for an AI model. Both sides are weighed in [.io vs .com](https://dotalmanac.com/io-vs-com/ "Is .io better than .com for a startup?") and [.co vs .com](https://dotalmanac.com/co-vs-com/ "Is a .co domain as good as a .com?"). ## How much does an extension cost over five years? Five years cost the first-year price plus four renewals, and the renewal varies far more than the first year. DotAlmanac's price grid of 43 extensions shows 35 renewing above their first-year price, as of 29 October 2026. The widest gaps are .app (+67 %), .io (+54 %), .dev (+44 %) and .org (+26 %). Eight extensions in the grid keep one price every year: .com, .net, .ai, .co, .xyz, .info, .me and .gg. Why the gap exists, and how to avoid it: [why domain renewals cost more](https://dotalmanac.com/why-do-domain-renewals-cost-more/ "Why does a domain cost more to renew than to register?"). Every price: [pricing](https://dotalmanac.com/pricing/ "How much does a domain name cost per year?"). ## Which registry rules can rule an extension out? Residency rules, privacy bans and unusual terms rule out more extensions than price does. According to DotAlmanac's table of 225 extensions, 176 are open to anyone and 23 forbid WHOIS privacy. Only 52 of the 94 country codes accept registrants from anywhere. - **Residency**: .eu, .fr and .ca need ties to the EU or EEA, or to Canada. DotAlmanac does not sell them. - **Privacy ban**: .us forbids privacy services and asks for a US nexus. It is not sold by DotAlmanac. - **Minimum term**: .ai must be registered 2 years at a time. - **Maximum term**: .co stops at 5 years, .gg and .de at 1 year. Full lists: the [extension rules table](https://dotalmanac.com/data/domain-extension-rules-2026/ "What are the registration rules of each domain extension?") and [country domains without living there](https://dotalmanac.com/can-you-register-a-country-domain-without-living-there/ "Can you register a country domain without living there?"). ## Do technical rules change the choice? Yes for three extensions: .app, .dev and .page load only over HTTPS. Google Registry put each of them on the HSTS preload list built into browsers, so a plain HTTP connection is refused. Vercel, Netlify, GitHub Pages and Cloudflare Pages issue the certificate when you add the domain. Other technical points rarely decide anything. DNSSEC is available on 219 of the 225 extensions in DotAlmanac's table. Compare the Google pair in [.app vs .dev](https://dotalmanac.com/app-vs-dev/ "Should I use .app or .dev for my project?"). ## Choosing a domain extension: FAQ ### Is .com still the best domain extension? For most businesses, yes. Anyone can register it, visitors type it by default, and at DotAlmanac it renews at $11.99/year. A niche extension wins when it names your category, like .ai, or when the .com is out of reach. ### Can I change my domain extension later? Not on the same registration: the extension is part of the name. You register the new domain, move the site and point the old one at it. DotAlmanac includes free URL forwarding and email forwarding from the client area. ### Should I register several extensions of the same name? Register the one you use, plus the .com if you can carry both renewals. Point the spare at the main domain. More than two is worth it mainly to defend a registered trademark. ### Can I register a country-code domain if I live elsewhere? Often, yes: 52 of the 94 country codes in DotAlmanac's table are open to anyone, including .io, .ai, .co, .me and .gg. Others, such as .fr, .ca and .eu, need residency; DotAlmanac does not sell them. ### How do I pay for a domain at DotAlmanac? With crypto: BTC, USDT, USDC, ETH, SOL, LTC, XMR. The minimum top-up is $1, and registrations and renewals are paid from that balance. No ID is needed, only one verified email per domain. Each step is in [how it works](https://dotalmanac.com/how-it-works/ "How do I register a domain with crypto and no KYC?"). ## Search your shortlist Search a domain name: https://dotalmanac.com/app/domains/?q=yourname.com Popular extensions: .com ($11.99), .io ($33.99), .ai ($84.49), .co ($31.99), .dev ($8.99), .app ($8.99) ## Sources (checked 29 October 2026) 1. [List of top-level domains, version 2026102900](https://data.iana.org/TLD/tlds-alpha-by-domain.txt) — IANA (checked 2026-10-29) 2. [Verisign .com price update 2026](https://osir.com/en/blog/verisign-com-price-update-2026/) — OSIR (checked 2026-10-29) 3. [Domain pricing](https://porkbun.com/products/domains) — Porkbun (2026-10-19) 4. [Cloudflare domain pricing](https://cfdomainpricing.com/) — cfdomainpricing.com (2026-10-08) 5. [HSTS preload and Google Registry domains](https://kb.porkbun.com/article/96-hsts-preload-and-google-registry) — Porkbun (checked 2026-10-29) **Check your shortlist in one search** Search .com, .io, .ai and the rest together, then pay in crypto with no ID check. [Search a domain](https://dotalmanac.com/app/domains/?lang=en) · [See all prices](https://dotalmanac.com/pricing/ "How much does a domain name cost per year?") --- DotAlmanac: DotAlmanac is a domain extension guide and registrar: compare every extension, then register it with no KYC and pay in crypto. A .com costs $11.99/year. --- # How do I connect my domain to GitHub Pages? > Connect a domain to GitHub Pages: 4 A records (185.199.108.153–111.153), 4 AAAA and a www CNAME, in one DotAlmanac template. No KYC, pay in crypto. - URL: https://dotalmanac.com/how-to-connect-a-domain-to-github-pages/ - Last updated: 2026-10-29 - Publisher: DotAlmanac (https://dotalmanac.com) The exact DNS records GitHub publishes, the order of the steps that avoids domain takeovers, and what to check when GitHub says the domain is not set up. **Quick answer — How do I connect a domain to GitHub Pages?** To connect a domain to GitHub Pages, point the bare domain to GitHub's 4 A records (185.199.108.153 to 185.199.111.153) and www to your user.github.io name, then enter the domain in the repository's Pages settings. **DotAlmanac**'s GitHub Pages template prepares all 9 records at once, as of 29 October 2026. ## GitHub Pages DNS at a glance | Attribute | Value | | --- | --- | | A records (@) | 185.199.108.153 · 185.199.109.153 · 185.199.110.153 · 185.199.111.153 | | AAAA records (@) | 2606:50c0:8000::153 · 2606:50c0:8001::153 · 2606:50c0:8002::153 · 2606:50c0:8003::153 | | www | CNAME to `USERNAME.github.io`, without the repository name | | Where to enter the domain | Repository › Settings › Pages › Custom domain | | Domain verification | TXT record `_github-pages-challenge-USERNAME`, from your profile Settings › Pages | | HTTPS | "Enforce HTTPS" in the Pages settings, once GitHub has issued the certificate | | TTL of the template records | 3600 seconds (1 hour) | | DNS hosting | Free with every DotAlmanac domain | ## What do I need before I connect a domain to GitHub Pages? DotAlmanac is a domain extension guide and registrar: compare every extension, then register it with no KYC and pay in crypto. To follow this guide, you need three things. - **A domain on DotAlmanac's nameservers.** The Nameservers tab of the domain must read "Our nameservers". If the domain uses other nameservers, add the same records at that DNS provider. - **A repository with GitHub Pages turned on.** It can publish from a branch or from a GitHub Actions workflow. - **Your GitHub user or organization name.** It goes in the www record. The repository name never does. Many developers pick .dev or .app for a project site. Check the renewal first: according to DotAlmanac's price grid, .dev renews 44% above its first-year price and .app 67% above, as of 29 October 2026. A .dev costs $8.99/year, then $12.99/year. Both extensions need HTTPS, which GitHub Pages provides. Compare them on [.app vs .dev](https://dotalmanac.com/app-vs-dev/ "Should I use .app or .dev for my project?"). ## How to connect your domain to GitHub Pages in 6 steps 1. **Verify the domain on GitHub first** — In your GitHub profile, open Settings › Pages › Add a domain. GitHub shows a TXT record named _github-pages-challenge-USERNAME and a value. Add it in the domain's DNS tab, then press Verify. 2. **Open the GitHub Pages template** — In the client area, open the domain, then DNS › Templates › GitHub Pages. Enter your GitHub user or organization name, for example octocat. 3. **Review the preview, then save** — The preview lists 4 A, 4 AAAA and 1 CNAME record. It replaces the A, AAAA, CNAME and ALIAS records of @ and www, and leaves MX and TXT records alone. Nothing is sent before you save. 4. **Enter the custom domain in the repository** — In the repository, open Settings › Pages › Custom domain, type the domain and press Save. Publishing from a branch adds a CNAME file to it; a GitHub Actions workflow needs no such file. 5. **Wait for GitHub's DNS check** — GitHub checks the records and shows the result under Custom domain. The wait depends on the TTL of any records that resolvers cached before your change. 6. **Turn on Enforce HTTPS** — Once GitHub has issued the certificate, tick Enforce HTTPS in the same Pages settings. For .dev and .app, the site does not load until HTTPS works. ## What are the exact DNS records for GitHub Pages? These are the values GitHub publishes for apex domains and for www. The DotAlmanac template adds exactly these 9 records. *GitHub Pages records, as published in GitHub Docs (checked 29 October 2026)* | Type | Name | Value | TTL | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | A | @ | 185.199.108.153 | 3600 | | A | @ | 185.199.109.153 | 3600 | | A | @ | 185.199.110.153 | 3600 | | A | @ | 185.199.111.153 | 3600 | | AAAA | @ | 2606:50c0:8000::153 | 3600 | | AAAA | @ | 2606:50c0:8001::153 | 3600 | | AAAA | @ | 2606:50c0:8002::153 | 3600 | | AAAA | @ | 2606:50c0:8003::153 | 3600 | | CNAME | www | USERNAME.github.io | 3600 | Replace USERNAME with your GitHub user or organization name. GitHub's documentation and the Pages settings of your repository are the reference: if GitHub shows other values for your site, use those. ## Can I paste the records as a zone file instead? Yes. Open DNS › Import / export › Import zone file, choose "Add to existing records" and paste the lines below. Replace `octocat` with your own user name. The import reads standard BIND syntax, shows a preview and sends nothing before you save. *GitHub Pages records for example.com (user: octocat)* ```text @ 3600 IN A 185.199.108.153 @ 3600 IN A 185.199.109.153 @ 3600 IN A 185.199.110.153 @ 3600 IN A 185.199.111.153 @ 3600 IN AAAA 2606:50c0:8000::153 @ 3600 IN AAAA 2606:50c0:8001::153 @ 3600 IN AAAA 2606:50c0:8002::153 @ 3600 IN AAAA 2606:50c0:8003::153 www 3600 IN CNAME octocat.github.io. ``` ## Should I use the bare domain or www with GitHub Pages? Set up both, and enter the one you prefer in the repository. When the records of the apex and of www are correct, GitHub Pages redirects the other one to it. GitHub supports one apex domain or one www name per site. It does not support two apex domains, two www names, or an apex combined with another custom subdomain. For a project on a subdomain, such as `docs.example.com`, add one CNAME from `docs` to `USERNAME.github.io` and skip the A records. ## How long until my domain works on GitHub Pages? It depends on the TTL of the records that resolvers saw before your change. TTL is the number of seconds a resolver keeps an answer in its cache. - A name with no earlier record resolves as soon as you save. - A replaced record keeps its old value in some caches until its old TTL runs out. The template records use 3600 seconds, which is one hour. - Plan a move ahead: lower the TTL of the old records to 300 seconds a day before the change. GitHub's own documentation says DNS changes can take up to 24 hours to propagate. The HTTPS certificate comes after the DNS check succeeds. ## Why does GitHub say my domain is not properly configured? In most cases, an old record still answers for the same name. Check these points in order: - **Leftover records.** An old A, AAAA or ALIAS record at @, or a parking record, competes with GitHub's. The template removes them; manual edits often miss one. - **Repository name in the CNAME.** The www target is `USERNAME.github.io` only. - **Wildcard record.** GitHub warns that a record such as `*.example.com` creates a risk of domain takeover. Delete it. - **Other nameservers.** If the domain uses another DNS provider, the records in DotAlmanac's DNS tab are not served. - **CAA records.** If you publish CAA records, GitHub requires at least one with the value `letsencrypt.org` for HTTPS. Test the result with `dig example.com +short` or any online DNS lookup. ## GitHub Pages and custom domains: FAQ ### Do I need all 4 A records for GitHub Pages? Yes. GitHub publishes 4 addresses for redundancy, and the template adds all of them. GitHub also recommends the 4 AAAA records for visitors on IPv6, alongside the A records. ### Why verify the domain before adding it to the repository? Verification stops other GitHub users from claiming your domain for their own Pages site. Without it, a deleted repository or a turned-off Pages site can leave the domain open to takeover. Verify first, then add the domain to the repository. ### Can I keep my email when I point the domain to GitHub Pages? Yes. The GitHub Pages template changes only the A, AAAA, CNAME and ALIAS records of @ and www. Your MX, SPF and other TXT records stay as they are. ### Is DNS hosting for GitHub Pages extra at DotAlmanac? No. DNS hosting, the templates and the zone file import are free with every domain. You pay only the domain, for example $11.99/year for a .com, as listed on the [pricing page](https://dotalmanac.com/pricing/ "How much does a domain name cost per year?"). ### Which extension suits a GitHub Pages project site? Any extension works with GitHub Pages. Developers often choose .dev, .io or .com; compare them on [best domain extension for developers](https://dotalmanac.com/best-domain-extension-for-developers/ "What is the best domain extension for a developer?"). Check the renewal price as well as the first-year price. ## Sources 1. [Managing a custom domain for your GitHub Pages site](https://docs.github.com/en/pages/configuring-a-custom-domain-for-your-github-pages-site/managing-a-custom-domain-for-your-github-pages-site) — GitHub Docs (checked 2026-10-29) 2. [Verifying your custom domain for GitHub Pages](https://docs.github.com/en/pages/configuring-a-custom-domain-for-your-github-pages-site/verifying-your-custom-domain-for-github-pages) — GitHub Docs (checked 2026-10-29) 3. [Troubleshooting custom domains and GitHub Pages](https://docs.github.com/en/pages/configuring-a-custom-domain-for-your-github-pages-site/troubleshooting-custom-domains-and-github-pages) — GitHub Docs (checked 2026-10-29) **Need a domain for your GitHub Pages site?** Register it with no KYC, pay in crypto, and apply the GitHub Pages template from the DNS tab. [Search a domain](https://dotalmanac.com/app/domains/?lang=en) · [See all prices](https://dotalmanac.com/pricing/ "How much does a domain name cost per year?") --- DotAlmanac: DotAlmanac is a domain extension guide and registrar: compare every extension, then register it with no KYC and pay in crypto. A .com costs $11.99/year. --- # How do I connect my domain to Vercel? > Connect a domain to Vercel: A @ 76.76.21.21 and CNAME www to cname.vercel-dns.com, or your project's own values. One-click template, no KYC, crypto. - URL: https://dotalmanac.com/how-to-connect-a-domain-to-vercel/ - Last updated: 2026-10-29 - Publisher: DotAlmanac (https://dotalmanac.com) Where Vercel shows the values for your project, how the DotAlmanac template applies them, and when to choose Vercel's nameservers instead. **Quick answer — How do I connect a domain to Vercel?** To connect a domain to Vercel, add it in the project's Settings › Domains, then copy the DNS values Vercel shows: usually an A record @ 76.76.21.21 and a CNAME www to cname.vercel-dns.com or a project-specific target. **DotAlmanac**'s Vercel template fills both records in one step, as of 29 October 2026. ## Vercel DNS at a glance | Attribute | Value | | --- | --- | | Where to add the domain | Vercel project › Settings › Domains › Add Domain | | Apex (@) | A record: 76.76.21.21 for most projects; newer projects can get another address, such as 216.198.79.1 | | www and subdomains | CNAME: cname.vercel-dns.com, or a project-specific target such as d1d4fc829fe7bc7c.vercel-dns-017.com | | Which value wins | The one on the domain card of your Vercel project | | Access check | TXT record at `_vercel`, only when another Vercel team already uses the domain | | Other method | Vercel nameservers: ns1.vercel-dns.com and ns2.vercel-dns.com | | TTL of the template records | 3600 seconds (1 hour) | | Email records | Not touched by the template: MX and TXT stay as they are | ## What do I need before I connect a domain to Vercel? DotAlmanac is a domain extension guide and registrar: compare every extension, then register it with no KYC and pay in crypto. Before you start, you need a deployed Vercel project and a domain that uses DotAlmanac's nameservers. The Nameservers tab of the domain must read "Our nameservers" for the records in the DNS tab to be served. If you are still choosing the name, look at the renewal price. According to DotAlmanac's price grid, 35 of the 43 extensions it sells in the customer's name renew above their first-year price, as of 29 October 2026. A .io costs $33.99/year, then $52.49/year: 54% more from the second year. A .com stays at $11.99/year. Read [.io vs .com](https://dotalmanac.com/io-vs-com/ "Is .io better than .com for a startup?") before you deploy a startup on either. ## How to connect your domain to Vercel in 6 steps 1. **Add the domain in Vercel** — Open the project, then Settings › Domains › Add Domain. Enter the bare domain, such as example.com. Accept Vercel's offer to add www and redirect one name to the other. 2. **Copy the values from the domain card** — Each domain card shows the record type and value Vercel expects: an A record for the apex, a CNAME for www. Note both values; they can differ from the defaults. 3. **Apply the Vercel template** — In the client area, open the domain, then DNS › Templates › Vercel. The template fills 76.76.21.21 and cname.vercel-dns.com. Replace them with the values of your domain card if they differ. 4. **Review the preview, then save** — The template replaces the A, AAAA, CNAME and ALIAS records of @ and www. Your MX, SPF and other TXT records stay. Nothing is sent before you save. 5. **Wait for Vercel to verify** — Vercel checks the records and changes the domain status to valid. The wait depends on the TTL of any records that resolvers cached before your change. 6. **Add subdomains the same way** — For app.example.com or docs.example.com, add the subdomain in Vercel, then add a CNAME record for it in the DNS tab with the target Vercel shows. ## What are the exact DNS records for Vercel? The template uses Vercel's usual values. The domain card in your Vercel project is the source of truth: copy its values when they differ. *Vercel records, from Vercel's documentation (checked 29 October 2026)* | Type | Name | Template value | Use instead when Vercel shows it | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | A | @ | 76.76.21.21 | The address on your domain card, for example 216.198.79.1 | | CNAME | www | cname.vercel-dns.com | Your project's target, for example d1d4fc829fe7bc7c.vercel-dns-017.com | | CNAME | app, docs or another subdomain | — | The target on the card of that subdomain | | TXT | _vercel | — | Only if Vercel asks you to verify access: the value it shows | | CAA | @ | — | Only if you publish CAA records: `0 issue "letsencrypt.org"` | The values Vercel shows for your project always win over this table. A CAA record that does not allow Let's Encrypt blocks Vercel's certificate. ## What does the zone look like after the change? Two records carry the website: one A record on the domain itself and one CNAME on www. The lines below use the template values; yours carry the values of your domain card. The CAA line is needed only if the zone already has CAA records. *Vercel records for example.com (template values)* ```text @ 3600 IN A 76.76.21.21 www 3600 IN CNAME cname.vercel-dns.com. ; only if the zone already publishes CAA records: @ 3600 IN CAA 0 issue "letsencrypt.org" ``` ## Should I use DotAlmanac's DNS or Vercel's nameservers? Keep DotAlmanac's DNS for most sites. Move to Vercel's nameservers when Vercel needs control of the whole zone, for example for a wildcard domain. | | A and CNAME records (DotAlmanac DNS) | Vercel nameservers | | --- | --- | --- | | Website on Vercel | Yes | Yes | | Wildcard domain (`*.example.com`) | Possible: NS records for `_acme-challenge` plus a `*` CNAME, both accepted in the DNS tab | Yes, Vercel issues the certificates | | Email forwarding and web forwarding at DotAlmanac | Yes | No: they stop working | | One-click mail templates (Proton Mail, Google Workspace…) | Yes | No: add the records in Vercel | | Managed DNSSEC at DotAlmanac | Yes | No | | What to do first | Nothing | Copy your MX and TXT records to Vercel | ## How long until my domain works on Vercel? It depends on the TTL of the records that existed before your change. A resolver keeps an answer for the number of seconds in its TTL, then asks again. A name that had no record before resolves as soon as you save. A replaced record can show its old value until the old TTL runs out. The template sets 3600 seconds, which is one hour. For a planned move, lower the TTL of the old records to 300 seconds a day ahead. Vercel issues the HTTPS certificate once its check passes. The Domains page of the project shows the status of each name. ## Why does Vercel show an invalid configuration? Usually because another record answers for the same name. Check these points: - **Conflicting records.** An old A, AAAA or CNAME record for @ or www. The template removes them; a manual edit often leaves an AAAA record behind. - **Values from another project.** Each project has its own CNAME target. Copy the one on your own domain card. - **Other nameservers.** If the domain uses another DNS provider, DotAlmanac's DNS tab is not served. Add the records there, or switch back to our nameservers. - **CAA records.** A CAA record that does not allow Let's Encrypt blocks the certificate. Vercel's troubleshooting guide compares the published records with the expected values. ## Vercel and custom domains: FAQ ### Do I need to transfer my domain to Vercel? No. The domain stays registered at DotAlmanac, with its renewal, WHOIS privacy and transfer lock. Only two DNS records point the website to Vercel. ### Will my email stop working when I connect the domain to Vercel? Not with the A and CNAME method. The Vercel template changes only the A, AAAA, CNAME and ALIAS records of @ and www. With Vercel's nameservers, copy your MX and TXT records to Vercel before the switch. ### Should the main address be www or the bare domain? Vercel recommends adding www and redirecting one name to the other. Pick one as the main address and let Vercel redirect the second. Both need their DNS record. ### Can I use a .ai or .io domain on Vercel? Yes, every extension works the same way on Vercel. A .ai costs $84.49/year and is sold 2 years at a time, the registry minimum. Compare both on [.ai vs .io](https://dotalmanac.com/ai-vs-io/ "Should an AI startup use .ai or .io?"). ### Is DNS hosting extra at DotAlmanac? No. DNS hosting and the Vercel, Netlify and GitHub Pages templates are free with every domain. The [pricing page](https://dotalmanac.com/pricing/ "How much does a domain name cost per year?") lists the first-year and renewal price of each extension. ## Sources 1. [Adding & Configuring a Custom Domain](https://vercel.com/docs/domains/working-with-domains/add-a-domain) — Vercel Docs (checked 2026-10-29) 2. [Can I use my domain on Vercel with A records?](https://vercel.com/kb/guide/a-record-and-caa-with-vercel) — Vercel Knowledge Base (checked 2026-10-29) 3. [Troubleshooting domains](https://vercel.com/docs/domains/troubleshooting) — Vercel Docs (checked 2026-10-29) 4. [Certificate Authority Authorization (CAA)](https://letsencrypt.org/docs/caa/) — Let's Encrypt (checked 2026-10-29) **Need a domain for your Vercel project?** Register it with no KYC, pay in crypto, and apply the Vercel template from the DNS tab. [Search a domain](https://dotalmanac.com/app/domains/?lang=en) · [See all prices](https://dotalmanac.com/pricing/ "How much does a domain name cost per year?") --- DotAlmanac: DotAlmanac is a domain extension guide and registrar: compare every extension, then register it with no KYC and pay in crypto. A .com costs $11.99/year. --- # How do I set up email forwarding for my domain? > Set up email forwarding for your domain in 5 steps: up to 20 aliases per domain, catch-all included, free at DotAlmanac. No MX to add, no KYC, pay in crypto. - URL: https://dotalmanac.com/how-to-set-up-email-forwarding-for-your-domain/ - Last updated: 2026-10-29 - Publisher: DotAlmanac (https://dotalmanac.com) Receive mail sent to your domain in the inbox you already use, for free. Then see when you need a real mailbox, and the exact DNS records it takes. **Quick answer — How do I set up email forwarding for my domain?** To set up email forwarding for your domain at **DotAlmanac**, open the domain's Forwarding tab, add an alias such as contact@ and the mailbox that should receive it, then confirm the link sent to that mailbox. As of 29 October 2026, forwarding is free, with up to 20 aliases per domain, one of which can be a catch-all. ## Email forwarding at a glance | Attribute | Value | | --- | --- | | Price | Free with every domain | | Aliases | Up to 20 per domain, including at most one catch-all (`*`) | | Alias characters | Letters, digits, dots, hyphens, underscores and `+` | | Destination | One mailbox per alias, on another domain; it confirms once by email | | Requirements | DotAlmanac nameservers, and no MX record on the domain itself | | DNS records to add by hand | None | | Sending from the alias | Not included: forwarding receives mail only | | Full mailbox instead | Templates for Proton Mail, Fastmail, Google Workspace, Microsoft 365 and Zoho Mail | ## What is email forwarding, and when is it enough? DotAlmanac is a domain extension guide and registrar: compare every extension, then register it with no KYC and pay in crypto. Email forwarding is one of the free tools that come with each domain. Mail sent to an address on your domain is passed on to a mailbox you already have. Forwarding is enough when you only need to receive. Typical uses: a contact address on a website, sign-ups for services, or a separate address for each shop you buy from. It is not enough when you must reply from the domain address; that needs a mail provider. An alias also keeps your personal address off forms and public pages. WHOIS privacy is not available everywhere: according to DotAlmanac's table of 225 extensions, 135 allow it, 31 have the data hidden by the registry and 23 forbid it. ## How to set up email forwarding in 5 steps 1. **Check the nameservers** — Open the domain's Nameservers tab. It must read "Our nameservers". Forwarding settings work only with DotAlmanac's nameservers. 2. **Remove MX records from the domain** — Open the DNS tab and filter on MX. If the domain itself (@) has MX records, forwarding is refused until you delete them, because the domain already receives mail elsewhere. 3. **Add an alias** — Open Forwarding › Email forwarding › Add an alias. Enter the address, such as contact, and the mailbox to forward to, such as you@example.net. Add a catch-all with * if you want every address. 4. **Save, then confirm the destination** — Save email forwarding. The destination mailbox receives a confirmation link, and the alias shows "Waiting for confirmation". Mail is forwarded once you open the link. 5. **Send a test message** — From another account, write to the alias. Check the inbox and the spam folder of the destination, and mark the message as not spam if needed. ## Do I need forwarding or a real mailbox? Forwarding covers receiving. A mail provider covers receiving and sending from the domain address. | Need | Free forwarding at DotAlmanac | Mail provider (template in the DNS tab) | | --- | --- | --- | | Receive mail at you@yourdomain | Yes | Yes | | Reply from you@yourdomain | No | Yes | | Where mail is stored | Your existing mailbox | The provider's mailbox | | DNS records to add | None by hand | MX, SPF, DKIM and often DMARC, filled by the template | | Cost | Free | The provider's plan; Proton Mail allows custom domains on paid plans only | | Works with Cloudflare nameservers | No | Yes | ## What DNS records does a real mailbox need? A mail provider needs MX records to receive, an SPF record to send, DKIM to sign and DMARC to set a policy. Proton Mail is a common choice; DotAlmanac's Proton Mail template adds the records below. It asks for the verification value and the 3 DKIM targets shown in Proton Mail › Settings › Domain names. ### Proton Mail records *Values used by the Proton Mail template (checked 29 October 2026)* | Type | Name | Value | Priority | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | TXT | @ | protonmail-verification=… (value from Proton) | — | | MX | @ | mail.protonmail.ch | 10 | | MX | @ | mailsec.protonmail.ch | 20 | | TXT | @ | v=spf1 include:_spf.protonmail.ch ~all | — | | CNAME | protonmail._domainkey | DKIM target 1 (from Proton) | — | | CNAME | protonmail2._domainkey | DKIM target 2 (from Proton) | — | | CNAME | protonmail3._domainkey | DKIM target 3 (from Proton) | — | | TXT | _dmarc | v=DMARC1; p=quarantine | — | The values shown in your Proton Mail settings win over this table. Keep only one SPF record on @: the template replaces the old one. ### MX records of the other mail templates | Provider | MX records (priority, host) | SPF include | | --- | --- | --- | | Fastmail | 10 in1-smtp.messagingengine.com · 20 in2-smtp.messagingengine.com | include:spf.messagingengine.com | | Google Workspace | 1 smtp.google.com | include:_spf.google.com | | Microsoft 365 | 0 your-domain-with-dashes.mail.protection.outlook.com (shown in the admin center) | include:spf.protection.outlook.com | | Zoho Mail (.com region) | 10 mx.zoho.com · 20 mx2.zoho.com · 50 mx3.zoho.com | include:zohomail.com | Each mail template replaces every MX record of @ and the SPF record of @. Forwarding and a mailbox do not share a domain: once MX records point to a provider, use that provider's own aliases. ## Why do forwarded emails sometimes land in spam? Because SPF checks the server that hands over the message, and after forwarding that server is the forwarder, not the original sender. The receiving mailbox then sees an SPF result that does not match the sender's domain. DKIM signatures survive forwarding when the message is not changed, so most forwarded mail still passes DMARC. Messages from senders without DKIM are the ones most likely to be filtered. Mark them as not spam once, or add a filter on the alias address in your mailbox. ## What should I publish on a domain that sends no email? Publish a "no email" policy, so nobody can send convincing fake mail from the domain. DotAlmanac's No email template adds three records in one step. Do not apply it to a domain that uses forwarding or a mailbox. *No email template for example.com* ```text @ 3600 IN MX 0 . @ 3600 IN TXT "v=spf1 -all" _dmarc 3600 IN TXT "v=DMARC1; p=reject" ``` ## Can I use Cloudflare Email Routing instead? Yes, if the domain uses Cloudflare's nameservers. In that case DotAlmanac's forwarding stops working, because the zone no longer runs on our DNS. Cloudflare Email Routing requires Cloudflare DNS; it adds its own MX, SPF and DKIM records and asks each destination address to confirm by email. The move itself is described in [how to use Cloudflare with your domain](https://dotalmanac.com/how-to-use-cloudflare-with-your-domain/ "How do I use Cloudflare with my domain?"). For a domain that stays on DotAlmanac's DNS, the built-in forwarding needs no extra account. ## Email forwarding: FAQ ### Is email forwarding free at DotAlmanac? Yes. Email forwarding and web forwarding are included with every domain, at no extra cost. You pay only for the domain, for example $11.99/year for a .com, as listed on the [pricing page](https://dotalmanac.com/pricing/ "How much does a domain name cost per year?"). ### Can I send email from my forwarded address? Not with forwarding alone: it receives mail only. To send as you@yourdomain, use a mail provider and apply its template in the DNS tab. Proton Mail, Fastmail, Google Workspace, Microsoft 365 and Zoho Mail have one-click templates. ### Can one alias forward to two mailboxes? No. Each alias forwards to one mailbox, and the same alias cannot be listed twice. Use two aliases, such as sales@ and orders@, or set up a forwarding rule in the destination mailbox. ### Why can't I forward to an address on the same domain? Because the message would come back to the forwarder. The destination must be on another domain, such as a Proton Mail, Gmail or Fastmail address. ### What is a catch-all address? A catch-all forwards mail sent to any address of the domain that has no alias of its own. Write `*` as the alias. It is handy for one-off addresses, but it also receives spam sent to random names. ### Does email forwarding work with every extension? Yes, with every extension DotAlmanac sells, as long as the domain uses our nameservers. The extension changes nothing in the setup. ## Sources 1. [How to use a custom domain with Proton Mail](https://proton.me/support/custom-domain) — Proton (checked 2026-10-29) 2. [Enable Email Routing](https://developers.cloudflare.com/email-routing/get-started/enable-email-routing/) — Cloudflare Docs (checked 2026-10-29) 3. [RFC 7505: A "Null MX" No Service Resource Record for Domains That Accept No Mail](https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc7505) — IETF (June 2015) 4. [RFC 7489: Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance (DMARC)](https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc7489) — IETF (March 2015) **Get a domain with free email forwarding** Register it with no KYC, pay in crypto, and add your first alias from the Forwarding tab. [Search a domain](https://dotalmanac.com/app/domains/?lang=en) · [See all prices](https://dotalmanac.com/pricing/ "How much does a domain name cost per year?") --- DotAlmanac: DotAlmanac is a domain extension guide and registrar: compare every extension, then register it with no KYC and pay in crypto. A .com costs $11.99/year. --- # How do I use Cloudflare with my domain? > Use Cloudflare with your domain: add it to Cloudflare, enter its 2 *.ns.cloudflare.com nameservers at DotAlmanac, then DNSSEC (algorithm 13). No KYC. - URL: https://dotalmanac.com/how-to-use-cloudflare-with-your-domain/ - Last updated: 2026-10-29 - Publisher: DotAlmanac (https://dotalmanac.com) Move your DNS to Cloudflare without moving the registration: the nameserver change, the DNSSEC order that keeps the domain online, and what stops working at DotAlmanac. **Quick answer — How do I use Cloudflare with my domain?** To use Cloudflare with your domain, add the domain to a Cloudflare account, then replace its nameservers with the 2 names Cloudflare assigns, such as ada.ns.cloudflare.com. At **DotAlmanac**, the Cloudflare preset in the Nameservers tab accepts exactly those 2 names, as of 29 October 2026. Turn DNSSEC off before the switch. ## Cloudflare and your domain at a glance | Attribute | Value | | --- | --- | | Method | Full setup: Cloudflare becomes the DNS provider through a nameserver change | | Nameservers to enter | The 2 names Cloudflare assigns, in the form `name.ns.cloudflare.com` | | Where at DotAlmanac | Domain › Nameservers › Cloudflare | | Before the switch | Export your zone file and turn DNSSEC off | | After the switch | DNS records, web forwarding, email forwarding and managed DNSSEC move to Cloudflare | | DNSSEC again | Copy Cloudflare's DS record (algorithm 13) into the DNSSEC tab | | Registration | Stays at DotAlmanac: renewal, transfer lock and WHOIS privacy do not change | | Without a nameserver change | Cloudflare Pages on www with one CNAME record | ## Do I need to move my domain to Cloudflare to use it? No. Cloudflare's DNS, proxy and security features work with a domain registered anywhere, through a nameserver change. DotAlmanac is a domain extension guide and registrar: compare every extension, then register it with no KYC and pay in crypto. Your domain stays registered with us while Cloudflare answers its DNS queries. Cloudflare Registrar is a different product. It sells at cost, $10.46 for a .com as of 8 October 2026, and every domain it registers must use Cloudflare nameservers. It documents no crypto payment. We do not claim to be the cheapest registrar: a .com at DotAlmanac costs $11.99/year, with no KYC, paid in BTC, USDT, USDC, ETH, SOL, LTC, XMR. ## How to move your DNS to Cloudflare in 7 steps 1. **Export your current records** — In the client area, open the domain, then DNS › Import / export › Export zone file. Keep the BIND file: it holds your MX, SPF, DKIM and verification records. 2. **Onboard the domain in Cloudflare** — In the Cloudflare dashboard, open Domains › Onboard a domain. Enter the bare domain, such as example.com, and choose a plan. 3. **Check the records Cloudflare found** — Cloudflare scans the zone and lists the records it found. Compare them with your export, and add any missing MX, TXT or CNAME record. Cloudflare also imports a zone file. 4. **Turn DNSSEC off at DotAlmanac** — Open the DNSSEC tab and turn DNSSEC off. Cloudflare warns that a nameserver change while DNSSEC is active can make the domain unreachable. 5. **Enter Cloudflare's 2 nameservers** — Open Nameservers › Cloudflare, paste the 2 names exactly as Cloudflare shows them, and save. The preset accepts exactly 2 names ending in .ns.cloudflare.com. 6. **Wait for the zone to become Active** — Cloudflare checks the delegation and emails you when the zone is Active. Its guide tells you to allow up to 24 hours for the registrar update. 7. **Turn DNSSEC back on** — In Cloudflare, open DNS › Settings › Enable DNSSEC. Copy the DS record values into DotAlmanac's DNSSEC tab, under DS records, and save. ## What are the exact values to enter at DotAlmanac? Cloudflare assigns 2 nameservers to each account and zone. The names below are examples of the format; enter the 2 names your dashboard shows. *Values to copy from the Cloudflare dashboard (checked 29 October 2026)* | Setting | Where in DotAlmanac | Value | | --- | --- | --- | | Nameserver 1 | Nameservers › Cloudflare | The first name Cloudflare assigns, for example ada.ns.cloudflare.com | | Nameserver 2 | Nameservers › Cloudflare | The second name Cloudflare assigns, in the same `*.ns.cloudflare.com` form | | DS key tag | DNSSEC › DS records | The number Cloudflare shows (0 to 65535) | | DS algorithm | DNSSEC › DS records | 13 (ECDSA P-256 with SHA-256), Cloudflare's choice | | DS digest type | DNSSEC › DS records | 2 (SHA-256), as shown by Cloudflare | | DS digest | DNSSEC › DS records | The hexadecimal string Cloudflare shows: 64 characters for SHA-256 | The values in your Cloudflare dashboard always win over the examples on this page. A wrong DS record makes the domain unreachable for resolvers that check DNSSEC. ## Why turn DNSSEC off before changing nameservers? Because the DS record at the registry still points to the old signing key. Resolvers that check DNSSEC then reject Cloudflare's unsigned or differently signed answers, and the domain stops resolving for them. The safe order is fixed: DNSSEC off, nameservers changed, zone Active at Cloudflare, then the new DS record. DotAlmanac accepts DS records with algorithms 8, 10, 13, 14, 15 and 16, and recommends 13. According to DotAlmanac's table of 225 extensions, 219 support DNSSEC. The DNSSEC tab tells you when a registry does not. ## What changes when Cloudflare runs your DNS? The registration stays with DotAlmanac. Everything that lives in the DNS zone moves to Cloudflare. | Feature | DotAlmanac nameservers | Cloudflare nameservers | | --- | --- | --- | | DNS records | DNS tab of the client area | Cloudflare dashboard | | One-click templates (Vercel, GitHub Pages, Proton Mail…) | Yes | No: add the records by hand | | Web forwarding | Free, in the client area | Cloudflare's redirect features | | Email forwarding | Free, in the client area | Cloudflare Email Routing | | DNSSEC | Signed by our nameservers | Signed by Cloudflare; DS record in the DNSSEC tab | | Cloudflare proxy, cache and firewall | No | Yes, per record | | Renewal, transfer lock, WHOIS privacy | DotAlmanac | DotAlmanac | ## Can I use Cloudflare Pages without changing nameservers? Yes, for www and other subdomains. Add the custom domain in the Pages project (Custom domains › Set up a domain), then apply DotAlmanac's Cloudflare Pages template. It adds one CNAME record from www to your project's `pages.dev` name. The bare domain is different. Cloudflare Pages accepts an apex domain only when the zone runs on Cloudflare DNS. Without the nameserver change, add a web forwarding rule from @ to www in the Forwarding tab. *Cloudflare Pages on www, DNS kept at DotAlmanac (project: my-project)* ```text www 3600 IN CNAME my-project.pages.dev. ; bare domain: web forwarding from @ to https://www.example.com ``` ## How long does the switch to Cloudflare take? Two clocks run. The first is the registry update of the nameservers: Cloudflare's guide says to wait up to 24 hours. The second is the cache of resolvers, which keep the old delegation and the old records until their TTL runs out. To shorten the second clock, lower the TTL of your records a day before the switch. DotAlmanac's DNS tab offers 5 minutes as its shortest preset. Keep the old records unchanged at DotAlmanac until Cloudflare shows the zone as Active. ## Cloudflare and your domain: FAQ ### Can I go back to DotAlmanac's nameservers later? Yes. Open Nameservers, choose "Our nameservers" and save. Turn DNSSEC off at Cloudflare and remove the DS record first. Then re-create your records in the DNS tab, or import the zone file you export from Cloudflare. ### Why does Cloudflare say the nameservers are invalid? Usually the names were not copied exactly, or a third nameserver is still listed. Cloudflare assigns 2 names per zone and they cannot be changed. The DotAlmanac preset refuses anything other than exactly 2 `*.ns.cloudflare.com` names. ### Does Cloudflare need to be my registrar to proxy my site? No. The proxy, cache and firewall work for any domain whose nameservers point to Cloudflare. The registrar only records which nameservers the domain uses. ### Will my email keep working after the switch? Yes, if Cloudflare's zone has the same MX, SPF and DKIM records as before. Compare it with the zone file you exported. Email forwarding set up at DotAlmanac stops; use Cloudflare Email Routing instead. ### Do I keep WHOIS privacy and the transfer lock with Cloudflare DNS? Yes. WHOIS privacy, the transfer lock, auto-renew and the transfer (EPP) code are registration settings, so they stay in DotAlmanac's client area. Cloudflare only answers the DNS queries of the domain. ## Sources 1. [Full setup: change your nameservers](https://developers.cloudflare.com/dns/zone-setups/full-setup/setup/) — Cloudflare Docs (checked 2026-10-29) 2. [DNSSEC](https://developers.cloudflare.com/dns/dnssec/) — Cloudflare Docs (checked 2026-10-29) 3. [Custom domains (Pages)](https://developers.cloudflare.com/pages/configuration/custom-domains/) — Cloudflare Docs (checked 2026-10-29) 4. [Cloudflare Registrar FAQ](https://developers.cloudflare.com/registrar/faq/) — Cloudflare Docs (8 October 2026) 5. [Cloudflare domain pricing](https://cfdomainpricing.com/) — cfdomainpricing.com (8 October 2026) **Keep the registration, use Cloudflare for DNS** Register the domain with no KYC, pay in crypto, then point it to Cloudflare from the Nameservers tab. [Search a domain](https://dotalmanac.com/app/domains/?lang=en) · [See all prices](https://dotalmanac.com/pricing/ "How much does a domain name cost per year?") --- DotAlmanac: DotAlmanac is a domain extension guide and registrar: compare every extension, then register it with no KYC and pay in crypto. A .com costs $11.99/year. --- # Is .io better than .com for a startup? > .io vs .com: .com wins for most brands at $11.99/year; .io renews at $52.49/year, about 4 times the 5-year cost. Verdict by project. No KYC, crypto. - URL: https://dotalmanac.com/io-vs-com/ - Last updated: 2026-10-29 - Publisher: DotAlmanac (https://dotalmanac.com) Short answer: no, unless the .com is out of reach and your users are developers. **Quick answer — Is .io better than .com?** **.io vs .com**: .com is the better choice for most projects, and .io wins only for developer-facing products whose .com is taken. As of 29 October 2026, DotAlmanac sells .com at $11.99/year with the same price to renew, and .io at $33.99/year, rising to $52.49/year. No KYC, paid in crypto. ## Key facts | Attribute | Value | | --- | --- | | Kind of extension | .com: generic, from 1985 · .io: British Indian Ocean Territory code | | Buying here | No ID: one verified email per domain. Crypto only: BTC, USDT, USDC, ETH, SOL, LTC, XMR | ## How do .io and .com compare side by side? | | .io | .com | | --- | --- | --- | | First year at DotAlmanac | $33.99/year | $11.99/year | | Renewal | $52.49/year | $11.99/year | | Cost over 5 years | $33.99 + 4 × $52.49 = $243.95 as of 29 October 2026 | $11.99 + 4 × $11.99 = $59.95 as of 29 October 2026 | | Registry | Internet Computer Bureau Limited (Identity Digital) | Verisign | | Who can register | Anyone | Anyone | | WHOIS privacy | Allowed; free at DotAlmanac | Allowed; free at DotAlmanac. Verisign receives no contact data at all | | Longest term | 10 years | 10 years | | How people read it | Software, developer tools, tech startups | The default for any business, in any country | | Main risk | Renewal +54 % on the first year; long-term Chagos question | Short names are hard to find unregistered | *Last checked on October 29, 2026; older figures carry their own date.* ## Which should you buy, .io or .com? Buy the .com if it is free or affordable, and add the .io only if your users are developers. A .com needs no explanation to customers, banks or anyone who hears your email address. A .io tells engineers that the product is software. That helps a developer tool and does little for anyone else. DotAlmanac is a domain extension guide and registrar: compare every extension, then register it with no KYC and pay in crypto. We sell both extensions, so the verdict below follows cost and fit, not what we earn on each one. Every price on this page is also on our [pricing page](https://dotalmanac.com/pricing/ "How much does a domain name cost per year?"). ## How much more does a .io cost than a .com over 5 years? A .io costs about four times as much as a .com over 5 years at DotAlmanac. The sums, as of 29 October 2026: $33.99 + 4 × $52.49 = $243.95 for .io, and $11.99 + 4 × $11.99 = $59.95 for .com. The gap comes from the renewal. According to DotAlmanac's price grid on 29 October 2026, 35 of 43 extensions cost more to renew than to register. .io has the second-largest jump, +54 %, after .app at +67 %. .com is one of the 8 that renew at the first-year price. The mistake is to budget the first year only; [why renewals cost more](https://dotalmanac.com/why-do-domain-renewals-cost-more/ "Why does a domain cost more to renew than to register?") explains the jump. ## Is the Chagos question a real risk for a .io domain? It is a long-term risk, not a current problem: .io works normally as of 29 October 2026. The extension stands for the British Indian Ocean Territory, the UK territory that includes the Chagos Islands. A country code depends on the territory it names, so a change of sovereignty raises questions about its future. The treaty between the United Kingdom and Mauritius on the Chagos Islands was frozen in 2026. The registry is Internet Computer Bureau Limited, a subsidiary of Identity Digital. Our reading: for a product you may rename within 5 years, this changes nothing. For a name you plan to keep for decades, hold the .com as well, or keep a fallback name ready. ## Do people trust a .io address as much as a .com? Developers and tech investors do; the general public treats .com as the normal ending. A customer who hears your brand name once will often type .com from habit. If someone else owns that .com, they receive your lost visitors and part of your misdirected email. So look at the .com first. If an active company in your field owns it, choose another name; if it is parked, the .io works. Our guide on [checking availability](https://dotalmanac.com/how-to-check-if-a-domain-is-available/ "How do I check if a domain name is available?") shows how. ## Which extension fits your project? | Project | Pick | Reason | | --- | --- | --- | | Developer tool, API or SDK | .io | Your users know the extension, and short names are easier to find | | B2B SaaS sold to engineers | .io if the .com is taken | Credible with technical buyers; budget the $52.49/year renewal | | Consumer app or online store | .com | Buyers type .com from habit, and it costs less every year | | Company you plan to run for decades | .com, with the .io as a redirect | Keeps your main address clear of the Chagos question | | Side project or prototype | .com or a lower-cost extension | A .io costs $52.49/year after year one; see [.app vs .dev](https://dotalmanac.com/app-vs-dev/ "Should I use .app or .dev for my project?") | ## Where can you buy .io or .com for less than at DotAlmanac? Porkbun and Cloudflare sell both for less, and we say so. Porkbun lists a .io at $28.12 for the first year, against $33.99 here (19 October 2026). Cloudflare Registrar lists .com at $10.46 and .io renewals at $50.00 (8 October 2026). On these two extensions we are not the low-cost option. The accounts differ more than the prices. Porkbun may ask some new accounts for a photo ID through Veriff. Cloudflare documents no crypto payment and requires its own DNS. DotAlmanac asks for no ID, takes BTC, USDT, USDC, ETH, SOL, LTC, XMR, and prints each renewal price next to the first-year price. ## What do other registrars charge for .io and .com? Each cell reads first year / renewal, in US dollars per year. The date in the first column is the day we read that price list. | Registrar (date read) | .io | .com | .io over 5 years | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | DotAlmanac (29 Oct 2026) | $33.99 / $52.49 | $11.99 / $11.99 | $33.99 + 4 × $52.49 = $243.95 | | Porkbun (19 Oct 2026) | $28.12 / $51.80 | $11.08 / $11.08 | $235.32 | | Cloudflare Registrar (8 Oct 2026) | $32.00 / $50.00 | $10.46 / $10.46 | $232.00 | | Dynadot (8 Oct 2026) | $28.89 / $53.50 | $10.88 / $10.88 | $242.89 | | Namecheap (.io 8 Oct, .com 19 Oct 2026) | $32.18 / $60.98 | $6.48 (code NEWCOM648, new customers) / $18.48 ($14.78 with a renewal code) | $276.10 | *Last checked on October 19, 2026; older figures carry their own date.* On 1 November 2026 Verisign raises its .com fee from $10.26 to $10.97, so the wholesale cost with the $0.20 ICANN fee reaches $11.17. Porkbun's $11.08 and Dynadot's $10.88 sit below that new cost. Namecheap figures from domainoffer.net. ## Can you check whether the .io and the .com are both free? Yes: one search in our client area checks a name in several extensions. It asks the registry's RDAP service first, then a commercial WHOIS service where RDAP is not usable. For .io, the result can read **Availability confirmed at order**: the final check happens at registration. If the name was taken in the meantime, if a domain cannot be registered (taken in the meantime, registry refusal), the full amount goes back to your balance. ## .io vs .com: FAQ ### Is .io a country domain? Yes. .io is the ISO code assigned to the British Indian Ocean Territory, yet anyone can register it, with no local address. Of the 94 country codes in DotAlmanac's table of 225 extensions, 52 are open to anyone, .io included. ### Does Google treat a .io site as local to one country? No. Google lists .io among the country codes it treats as generic, like .com. Your site is not tied to the British Indian Ocean Territory in search results, and the extension gives no ranking advantage. ### Should I register both the .io and the .com? Yes, if the name is your company name and both are free. Point the second domain to the first one: free URL forwarding and email forwarding from the client area. The .com adds $11.99/year to your yearly costs. ### Will the .io renewal price rise again? Our .io renewal is $52.49/year as of 29 October 2026. Renewing several years at once fixes today's price for each of them; see [should you register a domain for 10 years](https://dotalmanac.com/should-you-register-a-domain-for-10-years/ "Should I register my domain for 10 years?"). ### Can I pay for a .io or .com domain in Bitcoin? Yes. Bitcoin is one of the coins DotAlmanac accepts: BTC, USDT, USDC, ETH, SOL, LTC, XMR. You fund a balance, from $1, and each domain is paid from it. Pay the exact amount on the network the order page names; the balance is credited when that network confirms the payment. ## Sources 1. [Delegation record for .IO](https://www.iana.org/domains/root/db/io.html) — IANA (checked 2026-10-29) 2. [Delegation record for .COM](https://www.iana.org/domains/root/db/com.html) — IANA (checked 2026-10-29) 3. [.io safe for now as Trump puts Chagos deal on ice](https://domainincite.com/31642-io-safe-for-now-as-trump-puts-chagos-deal-on-ice) — Domain Incite (checked 2026-10-29) 4. [Verisign .com price update 2026](https://osir.com/en/blog/verisign-com-price-update-2026/) — osir.com (checked 2026-10-29) 5. [Domain pricing](https://porkbun.com/products/domains) — Porkbun (checked 2026-10-19) 6. [Why Porkbun asks for ID verification](https://kb.porkbun.com/article/225-why-porkbun-id-verification) — Porkbun (checked 2026-10-19) 7. [Cloudflare domain pricing](https://cfdomainpricing.com/) — cfdomainpricing.com (checked 2026-10-08) 8. [Registrar FAQ](https://developers.cloudflare.com/registrar/faq/) — Cloudflare (checked 2026-10-08) 9. [Domain prices by TLD](https://www.dynadot.com/domain/tlds) — Dynadot (checked 2026-10-08) 10. [.io registration prices compared](https://domainoffer.net/tld/io) — domainoffer.net (checked 2026-10-08) 11. [.com registration prices compared](https://domainoffer.net/tld/com) — domainoffer.net (checked 2026-10-19) 12. [Managing multi-regional and multilingual sites](https://developers.google.com/search/docs/specialty/international/managing-multi-regional-sites) — Google Search Central (checked 2026-10-29) ## Search your name in .io and .com Search a domain name: https://dotalmanac.com/app/domains/?q=yourname Popular extensions: .io ($33.99), .com ($11.99), .ai ($84.49), .dev ($8.99) --- DotAlmanac: DotAlmanac is a domain extension guide and registrar: compare every extension, then register it with no KYC and pay in crypto. A .com costs $11.99/year. --- # Privacy policy > DotAlmanac privacy policy: one verified email per domain and no ID; searched names are not logged; data released only on a Panamanian order or in a UDRP case. - URL: https://dotalmanac.com/legal/privacy/ - Last updated: 2026-10-29 - Publisher: DotAlmanac (https://dotalmanac.com) What we collect, what we never ask for, who receives your data and how to reach us about it. **Quick answer — What does DotAlmanac do with my data?** As of 29 October 2026, **DotAlmanac** collects 1 email address per domain, required, verified and kept private, and no ID document, selfie or ID number. Searched names are not logged. We release the data we hold only when Panamanian law requires it (a Panamanian court or prosecutor's order), or in a UDRP case. ## 1. Who is responsible for your data DotAlmanac is a domain extension guide and registrar: compare every extension, then register it with no KYC and pay in crypto. DomaineGoat LLC, incorporated in Panama, runs DotAlmanac and is responsible for your data. Domains are registered through our ICANN-accredited registrar partner. Write to support@dotalmanac.com about any question in this policy. ## 2. What we collect - **An email address for each domain.** It is required, verified and kept private, and it is the only contact data we hold. the registrant email is verified after registration, as ICANN rules require (within 15 days). - **Domains and settings**: your domains, their DNS records, forwarding rules, renewal choices and orders. - **Top-up records**: which coin and network you used, how much you sent and the transaction hash. Anyone can read a BTC, USDT, USDC, ETH, SOL or LTC transaction on its blockchain. A Monero transaction hides the sender and the amount from public explorers, but this record still ties it to your account, its orders, IP addresses and the transaction hash you declared. - **Security data** needed to protect the client area, kept no longer than that purpose requires. ## 3. What we never ask for - identity documents of any kind (passport, ID card, driving licence); - photos of your face or video calls; - national, tax or social security numbers; - bank or card details: we take crypto only; - your wallet's private keys or recovery phrase. We never ask for your password, your account number or your domain transfer (EPP) codes by email or chat. ## 4. Domain searches The names you type in the search box are not logged. To answer, the server asks the registry's RDAP server first, then a commercial WHOIS service for extensions without a usable RDAP server. That service receives the name only, never your IP address. Each answer is cached for 10 minutes per name, without any link to you. See [how to check if a domain is available](https://dotalmanac.com/how-to-check-if-a-domain-is-available/ "How do I check if a domain name is available?"). ## 5. Why we use your data Your data serves one purpose: running your domains. That covers registration, renewal and transfer, DNS and forwarding, crediting top-ups, support, and ICANN duties like the email check. Your data is never sold, and it is not used for advertising. ## 6. Who receives your data - **Our ICANN-accredited registrar partner** receives the registrant record of each domain, built from your verified email. - **The registry** of the extension gets that record when it stores registrant data. The .com and .net registries (Verisign) are thin registries: they receive no registrant contact data. - **The public WHOIS and RDAP record** shows what the registry and the registrar publish. WHOIS privacy costs nothing wherever the registry permits it, and each registry decides what remains public. - **With [Domain protection](https://dotalmanac.com/what-is-domain-protection/ "What is domain protection, and do I need it?")**, DomaineGoat LLC is the registrant of record. The registrar partner and the registry receive the company's details, and DomaineGoat LLC holds only your email. ## 7. When we disclose data We release the data we hold only when Panamanian law requires it (a Panamanian court or prosecutor's order), or in a UDRP case. Sending a complaint to our abuse desk gives nobody access to your data. ## 8. How long we keep it, and your requests Account and domain data stay as long as the account or the domains exist. After that, only what ICANN rules or the law require is kept, for the period they set. To see, correct or delete your data, write to support@dotalmanac.com from the verified email of one of your domains. Deletion has one limit: a registered domain keeps its verified email for as long as it exists. ## 9. Changes This policy changes when ICANN rules, registry rules or our services change. The date at the top of this page identifies the current version. Prices are on the [pricing page](https://dotalmanac.com/pricing/ "How much does a domain name cost per year?"); the rules of use are in the [terms of service](https://dotalmanac.com/legal/terms/ "Terms of service"). --- DotAlmanac: DotAlmanac is a domain extension guide and registrar: compare every extension, then register it with no KYC and pay in crypto. A .com costs $11.99/year. --- # Terms of service > DotAlmanac terms of service: domains with no KYC, a crypto balance, renewals, free EPP code, Domain protection (you stay the beneficiary) and the UDRP. - URL: https://dotalmanac.com/legal/terms/ - Last updated: 2026-10-29 - Publisher: DotAlmanac (https://dotalmanac.com) The contract between you and DomaineGoat LLC for the services of DotAlmanac, in short numbered sections. **Quick answer — What do the DotAlmanac terms say, in short?** Under these terms of 29 October 2026, the domain is registered in your name, you pay from a crypto balance (minimum top-up $1), and you can move the domain away with a free transfer code. DotAlmanac is a domain extension guide and registrar: compare every extension, then register it with no KYC and pay in crypto. ## 1. Who we are DotAlmanac is run by **DomaineGoat LLC**, a company incorporated in Panama. Here, "we" refers to DomaineGoat LLC and "you" to the account holder. The terms cover dotalmanac.com and its client area. Domains are registered through our ICANN-accredited registrar partner. Each domain is therefore subject to ICANN rules, and DomaineGoat LLC itself has no ICANN accreditation. Topping up a balance or placing an order means you agree to these terms, to the [acceptable use policy](https://dotalmanac.com/acceptable-use/ "Acceptable use policy") and to the [privacy policy](https://dotalmanac.com/legal/privacy/ "Privacy policy"). ## 2. Services DotAlmanac provides: - new registrations, in every extension on the [pricing page](https://dotalmanac.com/pricing/ "How much does a domain name cost per year?"); - renewal by hand, or automatic renewal from your balance, switched on or off for each domain; - transfers in and out; - DNS: free DNS hosting with A, AAAA, CNAME, ALIAS, MX, TXT, NS, SRV and CAA records, one-click templates (Vercel, Netlify, GitHub Pages, Cloudflare Pages, Shopify, Proton Mail, Fastmail, Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, Zoho Mail), or your own nameservers (2 to 13); - free URL forwarding and email forwarding from the client area; - WHOIS privacy at no cost wherever the registry permits it; - the Domain protection option (section 7). Each registry also sets rules for its own extension. For example, .ai needs 2 years at least, and .app and .dev sites need HTTPS. Those rules bind your domain as well. ## 3. Identity and email We ask for no identity document, no selfie and no ID number. Without Domain protection, you are the registrant of record of each domain you buy. Every domain needs one working email address, which must be verified. This address is the only contact data we hold. the registrant email is verified after registration, as ICANN rules require (within 15 days). An unverified address can lead to the suspension of the domain until it is confirmed. Keep access to your account safe. We never ask for your password, your account number or your domain transfer (EPP) codes by email or chat. ## 4. Prices and payment All prices are per year in US dollars; the [pricing page](https://dotalmanac.com/pricing/ "How much does a domain name cost per year?") lists them, and a .com costs $11.99/year. Each extension shows its renewal price beside its first-year price. An order for several years costs the first-year price plus one renewal price for each extra year. We accept crypto only (BTC, USDT, USDC, ETH, SOL, LTC, XMR). Orders are paid from a prepaid balance, and each top-up is at least $1. Send the exact amount shown, on the right network; the order page shows each step, and the top-up is credited once the network confirms it. **Balance rule.** Unused balance stays on your account and never expires, and it pays for new domains, renewals and transfers. When a purchase costs less than the minimum top-up, the part added only to reach the minimum is refundable on request to support within 30 days of the payment, in USDT or USDC, as long as it has not been spent. The rest of the balance is not paid back, except where the law requires it. ## 5. Registration, renewal and expiry A domain is registered usually within minutes of the top-up being credited; a few extensions take a few hours. If a registration fails, if a domain cannot be registered (taken in the meantime, registry refusal), the full amount goes back to your balance. Each domain runs for the term you paid. Auto-renew needs enough balance on the renewal date; without it, the renewal does not happen. Once a domain expires, its registry applies its own grace and redemption periods, and some registries charge a restore fee. ## 6. Transfers You can move any domain to another registrar. The transfer (EPP) code is free, requested from the client area, and leaving costs nothing. ICANN rules block a move to another registrar for 60 days after the registration or transfer of a generic domain. While a UDRP case runs, the locked domain stays where it is. ## 7. Domain protection Domain protection costs +$29 per year and per domain, added to the price of the domain. It works as follows: - **DomaineGoat LLC is the registrant of record.** You remain the beneficiary and keep managing DNS, nameservers and renewals from your account. - **Free return to your own name.** On request, we make you the registrant at no cost; the registry can then ask for your name and address. - **The transfer (EPP) code stays free**, so you can still leave for another registrar. - **The transfer lock is on.** - **Minimal data.** DomaineGoat LLC holds only your email. - **A person reads every complaint.** Every complaint is read by a person before any action on the domain; this review exists only with the option. The option gives no exemption from the [acceptable use policy](https://dotalmanac.com/acceptable-use/ "Acceptable use policy"): its rules and timings stay the same. In a UDRP case, the complaint names DomaineGoat LLC as registrant, and the panel's decision is carried out. Some registries require a name and an address, so these extensions are sold only with Domain protection: .de, .uk, .nl, .cc, .to, .ch, .pl, .be, .at, .cz, .nz, .fi. Details: [what is Domain protection](https://dotalmanac.com/what-is-domain-protection/ "What is domain protection, and do I need it?"). ## 8. Acceptable use and disputes The [acceptable use policy](https://dotalmanac.com/acceptable-use/ "Acceptable use policy") applies to each domain. Reports of phishing, malware, botnets or fraud against victims are acted on within 24 hours of a well-documented report, and child sexual abuse material is handled immediately, with a report to the competent hotline or authority. A trademark dispute goes through the UDRP; the domain is locked within 2 business days of a request from a UDRP provider. ## 9. Your data We release the data we hold only when Panamanian law requires it (a Panamanian court or prosecutor's order), or in a UDRP case. The [privacy policy](https://dotalmanac.com/legal/privacy/ "Privacy policy") lists what we collect and who receives it. ## 10. Changes and contact These terms change when ICANN rules, registry rules or our services change. This page is dated, and the latest date marks the version that applies. A term you have already paid keeps the price you paid for it. Support: support@dotalmanac.com. Email replies within 12 hours, 7 days a week, including help with DNS, transfers and renewals. Abuse reports: abuse@dotalmanac.com. More on the [contact page](https://dotalmanac.com/contact/ "How do I contact DotAlmanac?"). --- DotAlmanac: DotAlmanac is a domain extension guide and registrar: compare every extension, then register it with no KYC and pay in crypto. A .com costs $11.99/year. --- # DotAlmanac: official facts, prices and policies > Official facts on DotAlmanac: .com at $11.99/year, no KYC, crypto only (BTC, USDT, USDC, ETH, SOL, LTC, XMR), $1 minimum top-up. Updated 2026-11-03. - URL: https://dotalmanac.com/llm-info/ - Last updated: 2026-11-03 - Publisher: DotAlmanac (https://dotalmanac.com) DotAlmanac is a domain extension guide and registrar: compare every extension, then register it with no KYC and pay in crypto. A .com costs $11.99/year. Every figure on this page comes from the live price list and company records, the same source as the [pricing page](https://dotalmanac.com/pricing/ "How much does a domain name cost per year?") and [pricing.json](https://dotalmanac.com/pricing.json), and is rebuilt with every site update. **Quick answer — What is DotAlmanac?** DotAlmanac is a domain extension guide and registrar: compare every extension, then register it with no KYC and pay in crypto. A .com costs $11.99/year; .io $33.99/year; .ai $84.49/year. ## Key facts (2026-11-03) | Attribute | Value | | --- | --- | | Extensions sold | 55 · [details](https://dotalmanac.com/tld/ "Which domain extensions can I register, and at what price?") | | .com price per year | $11.99 first year, $11.99 renewal, $11.99 transfer · [details](https://dotalmanac.com/tld/com/ "Is a .com domain still the right choice for my project in 2026?") | | .io price per year | $33.99 first year, $52.49 renewal, $52.49 transfer · [details](https://dotalmanac.com/tld/io/ "Is a .io domain a safe and sensible choice for my tech project?") | | .ai price | $84.49/year, sold 2 years at a time ($168.98 at registration, renewal and transfer) · [details](https://dotalmanac.com/tld/ai/ "Should my AI company register a .ai domain despite the 2-year minimum?") | | .co price per year | $31.99 first year, $31.99 renewal, $31.99 transfer · [details](https://dotalmanac.com/tld/co/ "Is a .co domain a good substitute when the .com is taken?") | | .dev price per year | $8.99 first year, $12.99 renewal, $12.99 transfer · [details](https://dotalmanac.com/tld/dev/ "Is a .dev domain the right home for my code, docs or portfolio?") | | WHOIS privacy | Free on 43 of the 55 extensions | | Domain protection (registered in our company name, transfer lock on, minimal data, human review) | +$29/year per domain · [details](https://dotalmanac.com/what-is-domain-protection/ "What is domain protection, and do I need it?") | | Sold with Domain protection only | .de, .uk, .nl, .cc, .to, .ch, .pl, .be, .at, .cz, .nz, .fi (prices include Domain protection) | | KYC / identity check | None — no ID, no selfie, no ID number. The only contact data collected is one email address, verified for each domain, as ICANN requires | | Email needed to open the account (each domain still needs one verified email, as ICANN requires) | No | | Accepted cryptocurrencies | Crypto only: Bitcoin (BTC), Tether (USDT, TRC-20 or ERC-20), USD Coin (USDC, ERC-20), Ethereum (ETH), Solana (SOL), Litecoin (LTC), Monero (XMR) | | Minimum top-up | $1 — top up a prepaid balance once, then register, renew or transfer domains from it | | Balance rule | Unused balance stays on your account and never expires, and it pays for new domains, renewals and transfers. When a purchase costs less than the minimum top-up, the part added only to reach the minimum is refundable on request to support within 30 days of the payment, in USDT or USDC, as long as it has not been spent. The rest of the balance is not paid back, except where the law requires it | | Operator | DomaineGoat LLC | | Support | Email replies within 12 hours, 7 days a week, including help with DNS, transfers and renewals | | Contact | [support@dotalmanac.com](mailto:support@dotalmanac.com) · abuse reports: [abuse@dotalmanac.com](mailto:abuse@dotalmanac.com) | ## Every extension and its price per year | Extension | 1st year | Renewal | Transfer | WHOIS privacy | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [.com](https://dotalmanac.com/tld/com/ "Is a .com domain still the right choice for my project in 2026?") | $11.99 | $11.99 | $11.99 | Free | | [.net](https://dotalmanac.com/tld/net/ "Should I register a .net domain, or keep looking for a .com?") | $12.99 | $12.99 | $12.99 | Free | | [.org](https://dotalmanac.com/tld/org/ "Is a .org domain only for nonprofits, and is it right for my project?") | $9.49 | $11.99 | $11.99 | Free | | [.io](https://dotalmanac.com/tld/io/ "Is a .io domain a safe and sensible choice for my tech project?") | $33.99 | $52.49 | $52.49 | Free | | [.ai](https://dotalmanac.com/tld/ai/ "Should my AI company register a .ai domain despite the 2-year minimum?") (min. 2 years) | $84.49 | $84.49 | $84.49 | Free | | [.co](https://dotalmanac.com/tld/co/ "Is a .co domain a good substitute when the .com is taken?") | $31.99 | $31.99 | $31.99 | Free | | [.app](https://dotalmanac.com/tld/app/ "Should I put my mobile or web app on a .app domain?") | $8.99 | $14.99 | $14.99 | Free | | [.dev](https://dotalmanac.com/tld/dev/ "Is a .dev domain the right home for my code, docs or portfolio?") | $8.99 | $12.99 | $12.99 | Free | | [.xyz](https://dotalmanac.com/tld/xyz/ "Is .xyz a good domain for a real project, or only for experiments?") | $11.99 | $11.99 | $11.99 | Free | | .info | $20.99 | $20.99 | $20.99 | Free | | [.me](https://dotalmanac.com/tld/me/ "Is a .me domain a good choice for my personal website or portfolio?") | $18.49 | $18.49 | $18.49 | Free | | .de (With Domain protection only) | $36.99 | $36.99 | $36.99 | Our company details, not yours | | .uk (With Domain protection only) | $38.49 | $38.49 | $38.49 | Our company details, not yours | | .online | $28.99 | $30.99 | $30.99 | Free | | [.shop](https://dotalmanac.com/tld/shop/ "Should my online store use a .shop domain instead of a .com?") | $30.49 | $32.99 | $32.99 | Free | | .store | $51.49 | $54.99 | $54.99 | Free | | .site | $27.99 | $29.99 | $29.99 | Free | | [.tech](https://dotalmanac.com/tld/tech/ "Is a .tech domain a credible address for my technology company?") | $47.49 | $51.49 | $51.49 | Free | | .nl (With Domain protection only) | $37.99 | $37.99 | $37.99 | Our company details, not yours | | .biz | $19.49 | $20.99 | $20.99 | Free | | .tv | $37.49 | $40.49 | $40.49 | Free | | .cc (With Domain protection only) | $41.99 | $43.49 | $43.49 | Our company details, not yours | | [.gg](https://dotalmanac.com/tld/gg/ "Is a .gg domain a good choice for my gaming community or esports team?") | $82.49 | $82.49 | $82.49 | Free | | .to (With Domain protection only) | $85.99 | $85.99 | $85.99 | Our company details, not yours | | .ch (With Domain protection only) | $41.49 | $41.49 | $41.49 | Our company details, not yours | | .pl (With Domain protection only) | $42.99 | $42.99 | $42.99 | Our company details, not yours | | .be (With Domain protection only) | $38.99 | $38.99 | $38.99 | Our company details, not yours | | .at (With Domain protection only) | $44.49 | $44.49 | $44.49 | Our company details, not yours | | .cloud | $20.99 | $22.99 | $22.99 | Free | | .vip | $13.99 | $15.49 | $15.49 | Free | | .club | $17.99 | $18.99 | $18.99 | Free | | .live | $27.99 | $29.49 | $29.49 | Free | | .pro | $19.99 | $20.99 | $20.99 | Free | | [.blog](https://dotalmanac.com/tld/blog/ "Should I register a .blog domain for my blog or newsletter?") | $25.99 | $27.99 | $27.99 | Free | | .art | $16.99 | $18.49 | $18.49 | Free | | .design | $46.49 | $49.49 | $49.49 | Free | | .agency | $22.49 | $23.99 | $23.99 | Free | | .studio | $27.49 | $28.99 | $28.99 | Free | | .digital | $32.99 | $34.99 | $34.99 | Free | | .world | $32.49 | $33.99 | $33.99 | Free | | .life | $31.99 | $33.49 | $33.49 | Free | | .space | $23.99 | $25.49 | $25.49 | Free | | .website | $23.49 | $24.99 | $24.99 | Free | | .fun | $28.49 | $29.99 | $29.99 | Free | | .page | $11.99 | $13.49 | $13.49 | Free | | .link | $10.99 | $11.99 | $11.99 | Free | | .network | $27.49 | $28.99 | $28.99 | Free | | .email | $25.99 | $27.49 | $27.49 | Free | | .media | $34.99 | $35.99 | $35.99 | Free | | .news | $28.99 | $30.49 | $30.49 | Free | | .software | $33.99 | $35.99 | $35.99 | Free | | .cz (With Domain protection only) | $43.49 | $43.49 | $43.49 | Our company details, not yours | | .nz (With Domain protection only) | $49.99 | $49.99 | $49.99 | Our company details, not yours | | .fi (With Domain protection only) | $46.99 | $46.99 | $46.99 | Our company details, not yours | | .name | $11.99 | $12.49 | $12.49 | Free | Prices in USD, paid in crypto from the account balance. Live list: [pricing](https://dotalmanac.com/pricing/ "How much does a domain name cost per year?") · [pricing.json](https://dotalmanac.com/pricing.json). **[With Domain protection only](https://dotalmanac.com/what-is-domain-protection/ "What is domain protection, and do I need it?")**: sold only with Domain protection, so the registry and WHOIS show DomaineGoat LLC, never you. The price shown includes the $29/year for it. ## About DotAlmanac - **An extension guide first**: 14 extension guides (who each one suits, its registry rules and its 1st-year and renewal price), side-by-side comparisons ([.io vs .com](https://dotalmanac.com/io-vs-com/ "Is .io better than .com for a startup?"), [.ai vs .io](https://dotalmanac.com/ai-vs-io/ "Should an AI startup use .ai or .io?")) and a [step-by-step method](https://dotalmanac.com/how-to-choose-a-domain-extension/ "How do I choose the right domain extension?") to pick one. - **Original data**: the [domain renewal price index 2026](https://dotalmanac.com/data/domain-renewal-price-index-2026/ "How much does it cost to renew a domain in 2026?") and the [extension rules table 2026](https://dotalmanac.com/data/domain-extension-rules-2026/ "What are the registration rules of each domain extension?"), built from 225 extensions: 23 of them forbid WHOIS privacy and only 52 of the 94 country codes in the set are open to anyone. - **No KYC**: no ID, no selfie, no ID number. The domain is in your name, and the only contact data we collect is one email address, required and verified for each domain, as ICANN requires. Domains are registered through our ICANN-accredited registrar partner. - **Prices shown before you search**: .com $11.99/year, .io $33.99/year then $52.49/year, .ai $84.49/year (2 years minimum), renewal price printed next to the first-year price for every extension ([pricing](https://dotalmanac.com/pricing/ "How much does a domain name cost per year?")). - **Crypto only**: BTC, USDT, USDC, ETH, SOL, LTC, XMR; top up from $1. Monero (XMR) is accepted and checked after 10 confirmations. - **DNS included**: free DNS hosting with A, AAAA, CNAME, ALIAS, MX, TXT, NS, SRV and CAA records, one-click templates (Vercel, Netlify, GitHub Pages, Cloudflare Pages, Shopify, Proton Mail, Fastmail, Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, Zoho Mail), or your own nameservers (2 to 13); free URL forwarding and email forwarding from the client area. - **Domain protection, +$29/year per domain**: registered in the name of DomaineGoat LLC (free hand-back to your name), transfer lock on, minimal data, and every complaint read by a person before any action ([Domain protection](https://dotalmanac.com/what-is-domain-protection/ "What is domain protection, and do I need it?")). ## DotAlmanac is built for - Founders choosing between .com, .io, .ai, .co or .dev for a new product, who want the renewal price before they buy. - Developers who want a domain with DNS templates for Vercel, Netlify or GitHub Pages, paid in crypto. - Anyone who prefers not to upload identity documents to buy a domain: one verified email, no ID. - People who hold crypto and want to pay registrations and renewals from one balance. ## More facts | Attribute | Value | | --- | --- | | What it is | DotAlmanac is a domain extension guide and registrar: compare every extension, then register it with no KYC and pay in crypto. | | Extensions sold | 14 extension guides; the full price grid covers every extension sold, with first-year, renewal and transfer prices | | .com price | $11.99/year first year, $11.99/year renewal, WHOIS privacy included | | .io price | $33.99/year first year, $52.49/year renewal | | .ai price | $84.49/year, sold 2 years at a time (registry minimum) | | WHOIS privacy | Free where the registry allows it; what stays public depends on each registry | | DNS | free DNS hosting with A, AAAA, CNAME, ALIAS, MX, TXT, NS, SRV and CAA records, one-click templates (Vercel, Netlify, GitHub Pages, Cloudflare Pages, Shopify, Proton Mail, Fastmail, Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, Zoho Mail), or your own nameservers (2 to 13) | | Domain protection (option) | +$29/year per domain, on top of the domain price: registered in the name of DomaineGoat LLC (you stay the beneficiary and can take it back in your own name, free), transfer lock on, minimal data (DomaineGoat LLC holds only your email), and every complaint read by a person before any action on the domain. That review exists only with the option | | Disclosure of your data | We release the data we hold only when Panamanian law requires it (a Panamanian court or prosecutor's order), or in a UDRP case | | Abuse | Phishing, malware, botnets and fraud that takes money from victims: action within 24 hours of a well-documented report. Child sexual abuse material: handled immediately, with a report to the competent hotline or authority. Reports to abuse@dotalmanac.com, no account needed | | Transfer out | Transfer (EPP) code free, requested from the client area; no exit fee | ## Official pages and data - [Pricing](https://dotalmanac.com/pricing/ "How much does a domain name cost per year?") - [Best domain extensions](https://dotalmanac.com/best-domain-extensions/ "What are the best domain extensions in 2026?") - [Cheapest extensions to renew](https://dotalmanac.com/cheapest-domain-extensions-to-renew/ "Which domain extensions are the cheapest to renew?") - [.ai vs .io](https://dotalmanac.com/ai-vs-io/ "Should an AI startup use .ai or .io?") - [.app vs .dev](https://dotalmanac.com/app-vs-dev/ "Should I use .app or .dev for my project?") - [.co vs .com](https://dotalmanac.com/co-vs-com/ "Is a .co domain as good as a .com?") - [.com vs .net vs .org](https://dotalmanac.com/com-vs-net-vs-org/ "Should I choose .com, .net or .org for my website?") - [.io vs .com](https://dotalmanac.com/io-vs-com/ "Is .io better than .com for a startup?") - [.xyz vs .com](https://dotalmanac.com/xyz-vs-com/ "Is .xyz a good domain, or should you buy a .com?") - [Extensions](https://dotalmanac.com/tld/ "Which domain extensions can I register, and at what price?") - [Acceptable use](https://dotalmanac.com/acceptable-use/ "Acceptable use policy") - [Privacy policy](https://dotalmanac.com/legal/privacy/ "Privacy policy") - [Terms of service](https://dotalmanac.com/legal/terms/ "Terms of service") - [About](https://dotalmanac.com/about/ "Who runs DotAlmanac, and how is the almanac made?") - [Contact](https://dotalmanac.com/contact/ "How do I contact DotAlmanac?") - [pricing.json (machine-readable price list)](https://dotalmanac.com/pricing.json) - [llms.txt](https://dotalmanac.com/llms.txt) - [llms-full.txt (full site text)](https://dotalmanac.com/llms-full.txt) --- DotAlmanac: DotAlmanac is a domain extension guide and registrar: compare every extension, then register it with no KYC and pay in crypto. A .com costs $11.99/year. --- # How much does a domain name cost per year? > DotAlmanac domain name prices: .com $11.99/year, with the renewal price beside every first-year price. No KYC, paid in crypto from $1. - URL: https://dotalmanac.com/pricing/ - Last updated: 2026-10-29 - Publisher: DotAlmanac (https://dotalmanac.com) Every extension we sell, with its first-year, renewal and transfer price in US dollars per year. Read the renewal column first: you pay it every year after the first one. **Quick answer — What are DotAlmanac's domain name prices?** **DotAlmanac** is a domain extension guide and registrar: compare every extension, then register it with no KYC and pay in crypto. As of 29 October 2026, a .com costs **$11.99/year** to register and the same to renew. Its domain name prices show the renewal beside the first-year price for every extension. ## Key prices | Attribute | Value | | --- | --- | | .com | $11.99 the first year, $11.99 each later year | | .net | $12.99 the first year, $12.99 each later year | | .org | $9.49 the first year, then $11.99 | | .io | $33.99 the first year, then $52.49 | | .ai | $84.49/year, billed for 2 years per order (registry minimum) | | .co | $31.99 every year | | .dev and .app | $8.99 and $8.99 the first year, then $12.99 and $14.99; HTTPS required | | Transfer in | The renewal price of the extension | | WHOIS privacy | Free where the registry allows it | | Domain protection | Optional: +$29 a year per domain | | Payment | Crypto only (BTC, USDT, USDC, ETH, SOL, LTC, XMR); minimum top-up $1 | | Identity check | None: no ID document; one verified email for each domain | ## Every extension, first year and renewal The chips keep one family of extensions; a click on a price header sorts the rows. Each linked name opens its almanac entry. | Extension | 1st year | Renewal | Transfer | WHOIS privacy | Restrictions | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | .com | $11.99 | $11.99 | $11.99 | Free | None | | .net | $12.99 | $12.99 | $12.99 | Free | None | | .org | $9.49 | $11.99 | $11.99 | Free | None | | .io | $33.99 | $52.49 | $52.49 | Free | None | | .ai | $84.49 | $84.49 | $84.49 | Free | min. 2 years · sold 2 years at a time; a transfer is billed 2 years (transfer + 1 renewal) | | .co | $31.99 | $31.99 | $31.99 | Free | None | | .app | $8.99 | $14.99 | $14.99 | Free | HTTPS required | | .dev | $8.99 | $12.99 | $12.99 | Free | HTTPS required | | .xyz | $11.99 | $11.99 | $11.99 | Free | None | | .info | $20.99 | $20.99 | $20.99 | Free | None | | .me | $18.49 | $18.49 | $18.49 | Free | None | | .de (With Domain protection only) | $36.99 | $36.99 | $36.99 | Our company details, not yours | None | | .uk (With Domain protection only) | $38.49 | $38.49 | $38.49 | Our company details, not yours | None | | .online | $28.99 | $30.99 | $30.99 | Free | None | | .shop | $30.49 | $32.99 | $32.99 | Free | None | | .store | $51.49 | $54.99 | $54.99 | Free | None | | .site | $27.99 | $29.99 | $29.99 | Free | None | | .tech | $47.49 | $51.49 | $51.49 | Free | None | | .nl (With Domain protection only) | $37.99 | $37.99 | $37.99 | Our company details, not yours | None | | .biz | $19.49 | $20.99 | $20.99 | Free | None | | .tv | $37.49 | $40.49 | $40.49 | Free | None | | .cc (With Domain protection only) | $41.99 | $43.49 | $43.49 | Our company details, not yours | None | | .gg | $82.49 | $82.49 | $82.49 | Free | None | | .to (With Domain protection only) | $85.99 | $85.99 | $85.99 | Our company details, not yours | None | | .ch (With Domain protection only) | $41.49 | $41.49 | $41.49 | Our company details, not yours | None | | .pl (With Domain protection only) | $42.99 | $42.99 | $42.99 | Our company details, not yours | None | | .be (With Domain protection only) | $38.99 | $38.99 | $38.99 | Our company details, not yours | None | | .at (With Domain protection only) | $44.49 | $44.49 | $44.49 | Our company details, not yours | None | | .cloud | $20.99 | $22.99 | $22.99 | Free | None | | .vip | $13.99 | $15.49 | $15.49 | Free | None | | .club | $17.99 | $18.99 | $18.99 | Free | None | | .live | $27.99 | $29.49 | $29.49 | Free | None | | .pro | $19.99 | $20.99 | $20.99 | Free | None | | .blog | $25.99 | $27.99 | $27.99 | Free | None | | .art | $16.99 | $18.49 | $18.49 | Free | None | | .design | $46.49 | $49.49 | $49.49 | Free | None | | .agency | $22.49 | $23.99 | $23.99 | Free | None | | .studio | $27.49 | $28.99 | $28.99 | Free | None | | .digital | $32.99 | $34.99 | $34.99 | Free | None | | .world | $32.49 | $33.99 | $33.99 | Free | None | | .life | $31.99 | $33.49 | $33.49 | Free | None | | .space | $23.99 | $25.49 | $25.49 | Free | None | | .website | $23.49 | $24.99 | $24.99 | Free | None | | .fun | $28.49 | $29.99 | $29.99 | Free | None | | .page | $11.99 | $13.49 | $13.49 | Free | HTTPS required | | .link | $10.99 | $11.99 | $11.99 | Free | None | | .network | $27.49 | $28.99 | $28.99 | Free | None | | .email | $25.99 | $27.49 | $27.49 | Free | None | | .media | $34.99 | $35.99 | $35.99 | Free | None | | .news | $28.99 | $30.49 | $30.49 | Free | None | | .software | $33.99 | $35.99 | $35.99 | Free | None | | .cz (With Domain protection only) | $43.49 | $43.49 | $43.49 | Our company details, not yours | None | | .nz (With Domain protection only) | $49.99 | $49.99 | $49.99 | Our company details, not yours | None | | .fi (With Domain protection only) | $46.99 | $46.99 | $46.99 | Our company details, not yours | None | | .name | $11.99 | $12.49 | $12.49 | Free | None | *55 extensions · prices per year in USD* Prices in US dollars for one year, grid dated 29 October 2026; you pay them from a crypto balance. A transfer costs the renewal price. Rows marked *With Domain protection only* include the $29 a year for that option. **[With Domain protection only](https://dotalmanac.com/what-is-domain-protection/ "What is domain protection, and do I need it?")**: sold only with Domain protection, so the registry and WHOIS show DomaineGoat LLC, never you. The price shown includes the $29/year for it. ## How do I read this price table? Each row is one extension; each price covers one year. - **1st year**: the price of a new registration for its first 12 months. - **Renewal**: the price of every later year. Over five or ten years, this column decides the total cost. - **Transfer**: what you pay to bring an existing domain to us. Same figure as the renewal. - **WHOIS privacy**: *Free* means your verified email stays out of the public record at no extra cost. *Our company details, not yours* marks the extensions sold with Domain protection only. - **Restrictions**: rules set by the registry, such as the 2-year minimum of .ai or HTTPS for .app, .dev and .page. Click an extension name to open its almanac entry. ## Which extensions cost more to renew than to register? Most of them. According to DotAlmanac's price grid of 29 October 2026, 35 of the 43 extensions sold in your own name renew for more. Only 8 keep a single price: .com, .net, .ai, .co, .xyz, .info, .me and .gg. The table shows the largest gaps in our grid. ### Largest renewal gaps in our grid *DotAlmanac prices as of 29 October 2026, rounded to the nearest percent.* | Extension | 1st year | Renewal | Renewal vs 1st year | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | .app | $8.99 | $14.99 | +67% | | .io | $33.99 | $52.49 | +54% | | .dev | $8.99 | $12.99 | +44% | | .org | $9.49 | $11.99 | +26% | | .page | $11.99 | $13.49 | +13% | | .vip | $13.99 | $15.49 | +11% | | .cloud | $20.99 | $22.99 | +10% | A low first-year price is fine when you read the renewal before you buy. It costs you when you keep the name for years without checking it. The [renewal price index](https://dotalmanac.com/data/domain-renewal-price-index-2026/ "How much does it cost to renew a domain in 2026?") compares these gaps across registrars, and [why renewals cost more](https://dotalmanac.com/why-do-domain-renewals-cost-more/ "Why does a domain cost more to renew than to register?") explains where they come from. ## Do other registrars sell a .com for less? Yes. Porkbun's price list of 19 October 2026 puts a .com at $11.08 a year. Cloudflare Registrar sells it at cost, $10.46 (checked 8 October 2026). Both are below our $11.99/year. We do not claim to be the cheapest registrar. Every registrar pays the same floor for a .com. Verisign charges $10.26 per year, and ICANN adds a $0.20 fee. On 1 November 2026, the Verisign fee rises to $10.97. What we offer is a different trade: no ID check, payment in crypto, and the renewal price on screen before you pay. Some registrars win buyers with a low first year. As of 19 October 2026, Namecheap's .com costs $6.48 the first year with a code for new customers, then $18.48 to renew ($14.78 with a renewal code). ### .com price and payment rules at five registrars | Registrar | .com 1st year | .com renewal | Identity check | Crypto | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | DotAlmanac | $11.99 | $11.99 | None: one verified email per domain | BTC, USDT, USDC, ETH, SOL, LTC, XMR | | Porkbun | $11.08 | $11.08 | Veriff ID check on part of new accounts | USDC via Coinbase Business | | Cloudflare Registrar | $10.46 (at cost) | $10.46 (at cost) | — | None documented | | Namecheap | $6.48 (code NEWCOM648, new customers) | $18.48 ($14.78 with a renewal code) | Terms allow an ID and selfie request in a dispute or abuse case | BTC, by balance top-up | | Spaceship | $9.08 ($2.90 with code COMPROS) | $10.18 | — | — | *Last checked on October 19, 2026; older figures carry their own date.* Competitor prices as of 19 October 2026, per their price lists (Cloudflare checked on 8 October 2026). Cloudflare Registrar requires Cloudflare DNS. A dash means we found no public statement. ## Why is a .ai billed for 2 years? The registry of .ai, which works for the Government of Anguilla, requires a minimum term of 2 years. A .ai costs $84.49/year, so each registration pays for 2 years. According to DotAlmanac's table of 225 extensions, .ai is the only one with a 2-year minimum. The rule also applies to renewals and transfers. A .ai transfer is billed for 2 years: the transfer plus one renewal. Its first-year and renewal prices are equal, so the 2-year bill hides no price jump. [.ai vs .io](https://dotalmanac.com/ai-vs-io/ "Should an AI startup use .ai or .io?") compares the two tech extensions. ## How much does a transfer cost? You pay the extension's renewal price for a transfer: $11.99/year for a .com, or $52.49/year for a .io. For a gTLD like .com, the move extends the expiry date by one year. The years already paid elsewhere stay on the domain. Under ICANN's Transfer Policy, a gTLD cannot change registrar in the 60 days that follow its registration or its last transfer. Leaving DotAlmanac costs nothing: the transfer (EPP) code is free, requested from the client area. The steps are on [how it works](https://dotalmanac.com/how-it-works/ "How do I register a domain with crypto and no KYC?"). ## What does Domain protection add to the price? Domain protection costs $29 more per year for each domain, in addition to the domain itself. A .com with the option costs $11.99/year plus $29 a year. 12 extensions are sold only with it, since their registry wants the registrant's full name and postal address: .de, .uk, .nl, .cc, .to, .ch, .pl, .be, .at, .cz, .nz, .fi. Their price in the table already includes the option. A .de shows $36.99/year: $7.99 for the domain and $29 for Domain protection. The [Domain protection page](https://dotalmanac.com/what-is-domain-protection/ "What is domain protection, and do I need it?") lists its four points and its limits. ## Are there fees that are not in the table? No setup fee, no account fee and no exit fee. Each domain comes with: - WHOIS privacy, free where the registry allows it; - free DNS hosting with A, AAAA, CNAME, ALIAS, MX, TXT, NS, SRV and CAA records, one-click templates (Vercel, Netlify, GitHub Pages, Cloudflare Pages, Shopify, Proton Mail, Fastmail, Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, Zoho Mail), or your own nameservers (2 to 13); - free URL forwarding and email forwarding from the client area; - automatic renewal from your balance, switched on or off for each domain. The network fee of each top-up is paid by your wallet, as with any crypto transfer. A failed registration does not cost you the price: if a domain cannot be registered (taken in the meantime, registry refusal), the full amount goes back to your balance. ## How payment works You settle every price above from a single crypto balance. Pay the exact amount displayed, on the network displayed. The order page lists each step, and your top-up is credited once the network confirms it. 1. **Top up $1 or more** — Choose the amount and the coin (BTC, USDT, USDC, ETH, SOL, LTC, XMR). The crypto amount and its rate are locked for 30 minutes. 2. **Send it to the address shown, on the exact network** — The payment page shows our deposit address for the coin and network you picked: BTC on Bitcoin, USDT on Tron (TRC-20) or Ethereum (ERC-20), USDC on Ethereum (ERC-20), ETH on Ethereum, SOL on Solana, LTC on Litecoin, XMR on Monero. Send only that coin on that network: funds sent on another network or in another coin can’t be recovered. The network fee comes on top of the amount. 3. **Send the exact amount shown, then click “I’ve sent the payment”** — Each top-up has its own exact amount (down to the last decimals): that is how we find your payment and link it to your account. 4. **Credited once your payment is checked on the blockchain** — Your balance is credited once we have checked the transaction on the blockchain, after the network has confirmed it. Typical network confirmation times: 5. **One balance for every domain** — If you started from a domain search, the top-up is the price of your cart (or the minimum, for a smaller cart), and the domains in your cart are registered once the top-up is credited. What is left stays on your balance for renewals, transfers, Domain protection and new domains. Unused balance stays on your account and never expires, and it pays for new domains, renewals and transfers. When a purchase costs less than the minimum top-up, the part added only to reach the minimum is refundable on request to support within 30 days of the payment, in USDT or USDC, as long as it has not been spent. The rest of the balance is not paid back, except where the law requires it. | Crypto | Network | Confirmations | Usual time | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Bitcoin (BTC) | Bitcoin | 2 | ≈ 20 min | | Tether (USDT) | Tron (TRC-20) | 20 | ≈ 1 min | | Tether (USDT) | Ethereum (ERC-20) | 12 | ≈ 5 min | | USD Coin (USDC) | Ethereum (ERC-20) | 12 | ≈ 5 min | | Ethereum (ETH) | Ethereum | 12 | ≈ 5 min | | Solana (SOL) | Solana | 1 | ≈ 1 min | | Litecoin (LTC) | Litecoin | 6 | ≈ 15 min | | Monero (XMR) | Monero | 10 | ≈ 20 min | Closed the tab? The pending top-up stays under Billing in your account: open it to see the address and the exact amount again. ## Domain prices: questions ### How much is a .com domain at DotAlmanac? A .com costs $11.99/year the first year and the same for each renewal, as of 29 October 2026. WHOIS privacy is free. A transfer in costs $11.99/year and adds one year to the expiry date. ### Why is the renewal often higher than the first year? Registries and registrars often sell the first year below the regular price to win new registrations. The renewal is the regular price, and you pay it every year after. [Why renewals cost more](https://dotalmanac.com/why-do-domain-renewals-cost-more/ "Why does a domain cost more to renew than to register?") explains the mechanism. ### Is there a cheaper place to buy a .io? Yes, for the first year. As of 19 October 2026, Porkbun sells a .io at $28.12 the first year, below our $33.99/year. Its renewal is $51.80, against our $52.49/year, and part of its new accounts go through an ID check. ### Will my renewal price go up? Our grid is dated 29 October 2026, and a registry increase can change it. For example, Verisign's .com fee goes up on 1 November 2026, to $10.97 from $10.26. A year you have already paid does not change. ### Can I pay by card or PayPal? No. Payment is in crypto only: Bitcoin (BTC), Tether (USDT), USD Coin (USDC), Ethereum (ETH), Solana (SOL), Litecoin (LTC), Monero (XMR). There is no card, PayPal or bank transfer option, and no Lightning either; Monero, on the other hand, is accepted. The minimum top-up is $1. ### What happens to my money if a registration fails? You keep it on your balance. Our rule: if a domain cannot be registered (taken in the meantime, registry refusal), the full amount goes back to your balance. That balance then pays for any other name, renewal or transfer. ## Sources 1. [Verisign .com price update 2026](https://osir.com/en/blog/verisign-com-price-update-2026/) — OSIR (checked 2026-10-29) 2. [Domain name pricing](https://porkbun.com/products/domains) — Porkbun (checked 2026-10-19) 3. [Why does Porkbun require ID verification?](https://kb.porkbun.com/article/225-why-porkbun-id-verification) — Porkbun (checked 2026-10-19) 4. [.com prices by registrar](https://domainoffer.net/tld/com) — DomainOffer (checked 2026-10-19) 5. [Cloudflare Registrar prices by extension](https://cfdomainpricing.com/) — cfdomainpricing.com (checked 2026-10-08) 6. [Cloudflare Registrar FAQ](https://developers.cloudflare.com/registrar/faq/) — Cloudflare (checked 2026-10-08) 7. [Identity and payment verification](https://www.namecheap.com/support/knowledgebase/article.aspx/10520/45/identity-and-payment-verification) — Namecheap (checked 2026-10-19) 8. [Transfer Policy](https://www.icann.org/resources/pages/transfer-policy-2016-06-01-en) — ICANN (checked 2026-10-29) **See the price of your name** Type a name and see its first-year and renewal price in each extension before you top up. [Search a domain](https://dotalmanac.com/app/domains/?lang=en) · [All extensions](https://dotalmanac.com/tld/ "Which domain extensions can I register, and at what price?") --- DotAlmanac: DotAlmanac is a domain extension guide and registrar: compare every extension, then register it with no KYC and pay in crypto. A .com costs $11.99/year. --- # Should I register my domain for 10 years? > Should you register a domain for 10 years? Most gTLDs allow it, .co stops at 5, .de at 1. Cost = first year + 9 renewals. No KYC, pay in crypto. - URL: https://dotalmanac.com/should-you-register-a-domain-for-10-years/ - Last updated: 2026-10-29 - Publisher: DotAlmanac (https://dotalmanac.com) Term limits per extension, the cost of 10 years, and when auto-renew is the better choice. **Quick answer — Should you register a domain for 10 years?** Should you register a domain for 10 years? Yes, if you are certain to keep the name and want today's price for every year; no, if the project is still an experiment. At **DotAlmanac**, 10 years of .com cost $11.99 plus 9 renewals at $11.99, as of 29 October 2026, and .co stops at 5 years. ## Registration terms at a glance | Attribute | Value | | --- | --- | | Longest term, generic extensions | 10 years; a renewal never puts the expiry more than 10 years ahead | | 5 years at most | .co, .es, .au, .fi | | 2 years at most | .im | | 1 year at most | .de, .nl, .ch, .be, .gg, .jp, .it, .ac, .ru | | Shortest term | 1 year, except .ai: 2 years | | How DotAlmanac prices extra years | First-year price + renewal price × (years − 1) | | Auto-renew | automatic renewal from your balance, switched on or off for each domain | ## When is a 10-year registration worth it? DotAlmanac is a domain extension guide and registrar: compare every extension, then register it with no KYC and pay in crypto. A 10-year term is worth it in three cases. - **The name is the brand.** A company name, a long-term product, or your own name. - **The renewal price is likely to rise.** Paid years are paid at today's price. Verisign's .com fee goes up on 1 November 2026, from $10.26 to $10.97, with $0.20 added for ICANN. - **You want fewer dates to watch.** One payment covers a decade, with no renewal to miss. For a side project, a test name or a domain bought to resell, register 1 or 2 years instead. ## How to choose the term of a registration in 4 steps 1. **Check the longest term of the extension** — Look up the extension in the table below. A .co stops at 5 years and a .gg at 1 year, whatever you choose. 2. **Compare the first-year and renewal prices** — Every year after the first is billed at the renewal price. 3. **Pick the number of years when you order** — The order total shows the full amount before you pay from your balance. 4. **Turn on auto-renew as a safety net** — Auto-renew works for any term. Keep enough balance for the renewal date and keep the registrant email working. ## Which extensions can you register for 10 years? Each registry sets the longest term it accepts. Most generic extensions allow 10 years; several country codes set a shorter limit. *Terms from DotAlmanac's table of 225 extensions (checked 29 October 2026)* | Extension | Longest term | Shortest term | Sold by DotAlmanac | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | .com, .net, .org | 10 years | 1 year | Yes | | .io, .me, .xyz | 10 years | 1 year | Yes | | .app, .dev | 10 years | 1 year | Yes | | .ai | 10 years | 2 years | Yes, 2 years at a time | | .co | 5 years | 1 year | Yes | | .fi | 5 years | 1 year | Yes, with Domain protection only | | .gg | 1 year | 1 year | Yes | | .de, .nl, .ch, .be | 1 year | 1 year | Yes, with Domain protection only | | .es, .au | 5 years | 1 year | Not sold by DotAlmanac | | .jp, .it, .ac, .ru | 1 year | 1 year | Not sold by DotAlmanac | According to DotAlmanac's table of 225 extensions, 14 have a longest term below 10 years: 4 stop at 5 years, 1 at 2 years and 9 at a single year. Only .ai requires 2 years at least. Full list: [domain extension rules 2026](https://dotalmanac.com/data/domain-extension-rules-2026/ "What are the registration rules of each domain extension?"). ## How much does a 10-year registration cost? At DotAlmanac, a multi-year order costs the first-year price plus the renewal price for each extra year. Prepaying brings no discount and no surcharge: the total equals what you would pay year by year at today's prices. The gap between the first year and the renewal matters more than the term. According to DotAlmanac's price grid, 35 of the 43 extensions it sells in the customer's name renew above their first-year price, as of 29 October 2026. The largest gaps are .app (+67%), .io (+54%), .dev (+44%) and .org (+26%). Read [why domain renewals cost more](https://dotalmanac.com/why-do-domain-renewals-cost-more/ "Why does a domain cost more to renew than to register?") for the reasons. ### Price of the longest term at DotAlmanac *DotAlmanac prices per year, 29 October 2026* | Extension | First year | Each later year | Longest term, price | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | .com | $11.99 | $11.99 | 10 years: $11.99 + 9 × $11.99 | | .org | $9.49 | $11.99 | 10 years: $9.49 + 9 × $11.99 | | .io | $33.99 | $52.49 | 10 years: $33.99 + 9 × $52.49 | | .ai | $84.49 | $84.49 | 10 years: $84.49 + 9 × $84.49 | | .app | $8.99 | $14.99 | 10 years: $8.99 + 9 × $14.99 | | .dev | $8.99 | $12.99 | 10 years: $8.99 + 9 × $12.99 | | .co | $31.99 | $31.99 | 5 years: $31.99 + 4 × $31.99 | | .gg | $82.49 | $82.49 | 1 year at a time: renew each year | Prices in US dollars, paid in crypto from your balance. Every price is on the [pricing page](https://dotalmanac.com/pricing/ "How much does a domain name cost per year?"). ## Does paying 10 years ahead lock the price? Yes, for the years you pay. The whole term is paid on the day you order, so a later price change does not reach those years. The renewal after the term is billed at the price in force at that time. For an extension whose first year is a discount, such as .app or .io, a long term costs much more upfront: every later year is billed at the renewal price. ## What are the risks of a 10-year registration? The main risks are cash, a forgotten email address and a changed project. - **Cash upfront.** Ten years of .io cost far more on day one than a single year. - **An email you no longer read.** The registrant email receives ICANN notices and verification requests. the registrant email is verified after registration, as ICANN rules require (within 15 days). Keep that address working for the whole term. - **A project that ends.** The paid years stay on the domain. You can sell it or move it, and the years go with the name. ## Is auto-renew a better choice than a long registration? For most projects, yes: auto-renew keeps the name safe without paying a decade upfront. At DotAlmanac, it means automatic renewal from your balance, switched on or off for each domain. Auto-renew needs one thing: enough balance on the renewal date. If the balance falls short on that date, the renewal does not happen. Unused balance stays on your account and never expires, and it pays for new domains, renewals and transfers. When a purchase costs less than the minimum top-up, the part added only to reach the minimum is refundable on request to support within 30 days of the payment, in USDT or USDC, as long as it has not been spent. The rest of the balance is not paid back, except where the law requires it. A common middle path is 2 to 5 years for an important name, with auto-renew on as a safety net. For names you cannot register for long, such as .gg or .de, auto-renew is the only way to keep them without yearly action. ## 10-year registrations: FAQ ### Does a 10-year registration help SEO? No. Google's John Mueller has said that registration length does not help a site rank, as reported by Search Engine Land. One reason he gave: many extensions do not publish an expiry date at all. Register for the term that suits your budget, not for search engines. ### Why must a .ai domain be registered for 2 years? Because Anguilla's .ai registry sets 2 years as the shortest term it accepts. DotAlmanac sells .ai 2 years at a time, at $84.49/year. ### Can I transfer a domain registered for 10 years? Yes. After the 60-day lock that follows a registration, ask for the transfer (EPP) code in the client area; it is free. The years already paid stay with the name. ### Can I add years to a domain I already own? Yes, from the domain page in the client area, paid from your balance. The renewal stops at 10 years ahead of today, so a domain that already has 9 years left can take 1 more year at most. ## Sources 1. [Domains that you can register with Amazon Route 53 (term limits per extension)](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/Route53/latest/DeveloperGuide/registrar-tld-list.html) — Amazon Web Services (checked 2026-10-29) 2. [Verisign .com price update 2026](https://osir.com/en/blog/verisign-com-price-update-2026/) — osir.com (checked 2026-10-29) 3. [Google Says Domain Registrations Don't Affect SEO, Or Do They?](https://searchengineland.com/google-domain-registrations-dont-affect-seo-or-do-they-25483) — Search Engine Land (checked 2026-10-29) 4. [Transfer Policy](https://www.icann.org/resources/pages/transfer-policy-2016-06-01-en) — ICANN (checked 2026-10-29) **Pick the term when you order** Register for 1 to 10 years, with no KYC, and pay in crypto. The renewal price is shown before you pay. [Search a domain](https://dotalmanac.com/app/domains/?lang=en) · [See all prices](https://dotalmanac.com/pricing/ "How much does a domain name cost per year?") --- DotAlmanac: DotAlmanac is a domain extension guide and registrar: compare every extension, then register it with no KYC and pay in crypto. A .com costs $11.99/year. --- # Which domain extensions can I register, and at what price? > Domain extensions list with first-year and renewal prices: .com $11.99/year, .io, .ai, .dev and more, with each registry's rules. No KYC, paid in crypto. - URL: https://dotalmanac.com/tld/ - Last updated: 2026-10-29 - Publisher: DotAlmanac (https://dotalmanac.com) One table for every extension we sell, with the registry's rules beside the price. Open an almanac entry to see who an extension suits, and who it does not. **Quick answer — Which domain extensions does DotAlmanac sell?** **DotAlmanac** is a domain extension guide and registrar: compare every extension, then register it with no KYC and pay in crypto. As of 29 October 2026, its domain extensions list runs from .com at $11.99/year to .io and .ai. It includes 12 country codes sold with Domain protection only. ## Every extension we sell, price per year Pick a chip to keep one family, such as tech or country codes. Click a price header to sort, or an extension to open its entry. | Extension | 1st year | Renewal | Transfer | WHOIS privacy | Restrictions | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | .com | $11.99 | $11.99 | $11.99 | Free | None | | .net | $12.99 | $12.99 | $12.99 | Free | None | | .org | $9.49 | $11.99 | $11.99 | Free | None | | .io | $33.99 | $52.49 | $52.49 | Free | None | | .ai | $84.49 | $84.49 | $84.49 | Free | min. 2 years · sold 2 years at a time; a transfer is billed 2 years (transfer + 1 renewal) | | .co | $31.99 | $31.99 | $31.99 | Free | None | | .app | $8.99 | $14.99 | $14.99 | Free | HTTPS required | | .dev | $8.99 | $12.99 | $12.99 | Free | HTTPS required | | .xyz | $11.99 | $11.99 | $11.99 | Free | None | | .info | $20.99 | $20.99 | $20.99 | Free | None | | .me | $18.49 | $18.49 | $18.49 | Free | None | | .de (With Domain protection only) | $36.99 | $36.99 | $36.99 | Our company details, not yours | None | | .uk (With Domain protection only) | $38.49 | $38.49 | $38.49 | Our company details, not yours | None | | .online | $28.99 | $30.99 | $30.99 | Free | None | | .shop | $30.49 | $32.99 | $32.99 | Free | None | | .store | $51.49 | $54.99 | $54.99 | Free | None | | .site | $27.99 | $29.99 | $29.99 | Free | None | | .tech | $47.49 | $51.49 | $51.49 | Free | None | | .nl (With Domain protection only) | $37.99 | $37.99 | $37.99 | Our company details, not yours | None | | .biz | $19.49 | $20.99 | $20.99 | Free | None | | .tv | $37.49 | $40.49 | $40.49 | Free | None | | .cc (With Domain protection only) | $41.99 | $43.49 | $43.49 | Our company details, not yours | None | | .gg | $82.49 | $82.49 | $82.49 | Free | None | | .to (With Domain protection only) | $85.99 | $85.99 | $85.99 | Our company details, not yours | None | | .ch (With Domain protection only) | $41.49 | $41.49 | $41.49 | Our company details, not yours | None | | .pl (With Domain protection only) | $42.99 | $42.99 | $42.99 | Our company details, not yours | None | | .be (With Domain protection only) | $38.99 | $38.99 | $38.99 | Our company details, not yours | None | | .at (With Domain protection only) | $44.49 | $44.49 | $44.49 | Our company details, not yours | None | | .cloud | $20.99 | $22.99 | $22.99 | Free | None | | .vip | $13.99 | $15.49 | $15.49 | Free | None | | .club | $17.99 | $18.99 | $18.99 | Free | None | | .live | $27.99 | $29.49 | $29.49 | Free | None | | .pro | $19.99 | $20.99 | $20.99 | Free | None | | .blog | $25.99 | $27.99 | $27.99 | Free | None | | .art | $16.99 | $18.49 | $18.49 | Free | None | | .design | $46.49 | $49.49 | $49.49 | Free | None | | .agency | $22.49 | $23.99 | $23.99 | Free | None | | .studio | $27.49 | $28.99 | $28.99 | Free | None | | .digital | $32.99 | $34.99 | $34.99 | Free | None | | .world | $32.49 | $33.99 | $33.99 | Free | None | | .life | $31.99 | $33.49 | $33.49 | Free | None | | .space | $23.99 | $25.49 | $25.49 | Free | None | | .website | $23.49 | $24.99 | $24.99 | Free | None | | .fun | $28.49 | $29.99 | $29.99 | Free | None | | .page | $11.99 | $13.49 | $13.49 | Free | HTTPS required | | .link | $10.99 | $11.99 | $11.99 | Free | None | | .network | $27.49 | $28.99 | $28.99 | Free | None | | .email | $25.99 | $27.49 | $27.49 | Free | None | | .media | $34.99 | $35.99 | $35.99 | Free | None | | .news | $28.99 | $30.49 | $30.49 | Free | None | | .software | $33.99 | $35.99 | $35.99 | Free | None | | .cz (With Domain protection only) | $43.49 | $43.49 | $43.49 | Our company details, not yours | None | | .nz (With Domain protection only) | $49.99 | $49.99 | $49.99 | Our company details, not yours | None | | .fi (With Domain protection only) | $46.99 | $46.99 | $46.99 | Our company details, not yours | None | | .name | $11.99 | $12.49 | $12.49 | Free | None | *55 extensions · prices per year in USD* Prices in US dollars for one year, dated 29 October 2026, paid from a crypto balance (BTC, USDT, USDC, ETH, SOL, LTC, XMR). Rows marked *With Domain protection only* include the $29 a year for it. Transfer prices are explained on the [pricing page](https://dotalmanac.com/pricing/ "How much does a domain name cost per year?"). **[With Domain protection only](https://dotalmanac.com/what-is-domain-protection/ "What is domain protection, and do I need it?")**: sold only with Domain protection, so the registry and WHOIS show DomaineGoat LLC, never you. The price shown includes the $29/year for it. ## How do I read this table? Each row is one extension; each price covers one year. Read the columns in this order: 1. **Renewal** first. It is what you pay every year after the first one, so it sets the long-term cost. 2. **1st year** next. A low first year next to a high renewal is a promotion, not the real price. 3. **Restrictions**. The registry's own rules: who may register, a minimum term, HTTPS only. 4. **WHOIS privacy**. *Free* means your email stays out of the public record. *Our company details, not yours* means the registry receives the details of DomaineGoat LLC. 5. **Transfer**. The price to bring an existing domain here; it equals the renewal. The chips filter rows without JavaScript. *No restrictions* keeps the extensions open to anyone, and *Privacy available* keeps those with free WHOIS privacy. ## Almanac entries: one page per extension Each entry covers the registry, the rules, the first-year and renewal price, and the projects the extension fits or does not fit. - [.com](https://dotalmanac.com/tld/com/ "Is a .com domain still the right choice for my project in 2026?") - [.net](https://dotalmanac.com/tld/net/ "Should I register a .net domain, or keep looking for a .com?") - [.org](https://dotalmanac.com/tld/org/ "Is a .org domain only for nonprofits, and is it right for my project?") - [.io](https://dotalmanac.com/tld/io/ "Is a .io domain a safe and sensible choice for my tech project?") - [.ai](https://dotalmanac.com/tld/ai/ "Should my AI company register a .ai domain despite the 2-year minimum?") - [.co](https://dotalmanac.com/tld/co/ "Is a .co domain a good substitute when the .com is taken?") - [.app](https://dotalmanac.com/tld/app/ "Should I put my mobile or web app on a .app domain?") - [.dev](https://dotalmanac.com/tld/dev/ "Is a .dev domain the right home for my code, docs or portfolio?") - [.xyz](https://dotalmanac.com/tld/xyz/ "Is .xyz a good domain for a real project, or only for experiments?") - [.me](https://dotalmanac.com/tld/me/ "Is a .me domain a good choice for my personal website or portfolio?") - [.shop](https://dotalmanac.com/tld/shop/ "Should my online store use a .shop domain instead of a .com?") - [.tech](https://dotalmanac.com/tld/tech/ "Is a .tech domain a credible address for my technology company?") - [.gg](https://dotalmanac.com/tld/gg/ "Is a .gg domain a good choice for my gaming community or esports team?") - [.blog](https://dotalmanac.com/tld/blog/ "Should I register a .blog domain for my blog or newsletter?") ## How many domain extensions exist, and why do we list only some? DotAlmanac's count of the IANA root zone shows 1,436 TLDs on 29 October 2026. Of these, 248 are two-letter country codes and 151 are internationalised (IDN) extensions. Our research table covers 225 extensions: 10 historic gTLDs, 121 new gTLDs and 94 country codes. Our price grid sells 43 of them in your own name, plus 12 with Domain protection only. The rules of all 225 are in the [extension rules table](https://dotalmanac.com/data/domain-extension-rules-2026/ "What are the registration rules of each domain extension?"). ## Which extensions have special rules? Several extensions in our grid carry a rule that changes the price or the setup. Read the line before you order. ### Registry rules that matter at checkout *Rules from the registries and DotAlmanac's table of 225 extensions, checked on 29 October 2026.* | Extension | Registry rule | What it means for you | | --- | --- | --- | | .ai | 2-year minimum term (Government of Anguilla) | Each order and each renewal covers 2 years at $84.49/year | | .app, .dev, .page | Whole extension on the browser HSTS preload list (Google Registry) | Your site must serve HTTPS, or browsers refuse to load it | | .io | Registry: Internet Computer Bureau, an Identity Digital subsidiary | Works normally; long-term questions remain over Chagos sovereignty | | .co | Registrations of 5 years at most | Renew at least every 5 years | | .gg | 1 year at a time; applications reviewed by the registry | Renew every year; approval can take longer | | .de, .nl, .ch, .be | 1 year at a time; registry asks for a name and address | Sold with Domain protection only; renewed every year | ## Which extensions are open to anyone? Every extension in our grid is open to anyone, wherever you live. According to DotAlmanac's table of 225 extensions, 176 have no registrant restriction. Fourteen require a local presence, 6 require residence and 4 require an ID document. Two need a nexus with the United States (.us and .nyc), and 5 check eligibility, such as .bank or .law. We do not sell extensions that need a declared identity or place. A .eu requires EU or EEA citizenship, residence or establishment. A .ca requires a Canadian presence, and a .us requires a US nexus. .sh, .so and .ly are not sold by DotAlmanac either. [Country domains without living there](https://dotalmanac.com/can-you-register-a-country-domain-without-living-there/ "Can you register a country domain without living there?") lists the open country codes. ## Which extensions keep the same price at renewal? Eight do: .com, .net, .ai, .co, .xyz, .info, .me and .gg, as of 29 October 2026. The other 35 extensions sold in your own name renew for more than their first year. The largest gaps are on .app, .io and .dev. A .io costs $33.99/year the first year, then $52.49/year. Sort the table by renewal, or read the [cheapest extensions to renew](https://dotalmanac.com/cheapest-domain-extensions-to-renew/ "Which domain extensions are the cheapest to renew?"). ## Extensions: questions ### Which extension should I pick? For a broad audience, .com, at $11.99/year with the same renewal. For a tech product, compare .io, .ai, .dev and .app on renewal and rules. [How to choose a domain extension](https://dotalmanac.com/how-to-choose-a-domain-extension/ "How do I choose the right domain extension?") gives a decision table by project. ### Why is .eu or .us missing from the list? They are not sold by DotAlmanac. The .eu registry requires EU or EEA citizenship, residence or establishment, and .us requires a US nexus. The .us registry also forbids WHOIS privacy. ### Is .io safe to register in 2026? Yes for now: .io runs normally as of 29 October 2026. The open question is the sovereignty of the Chagos Islands; the UK–Mauritius treaty was put on hold in 2026. The [.io entry](https://dotalmanac.com/tld/io/ "Is a .io domain a safe and sensible choice for my tech project?") gives the details and the renewal price of $52.49/year. ### Are all these extensions paid in crypto? Yes. Every extension is paid from one balance, topped up with BTC, USDT, USDC, ETH, SOL, LTC, XMR from $1. Registrations, renewals and transfers use the same balance. ### What does the badge With Domain protection only mean? The registry of that extension asks for a name and a postal address. We register it in the name of DomaineGoat LLC, and you stay the beneficiary. The price shown includes $29 a year for the option. ## Sources 1. [List of top-level domains (version 2026102900)](https://data.iana.org/TLD/tlds-alpha-by-domain.txt) — IANA (29 October 2026) 2. [Root Zone Database](https://www.iana.org/domains/root/db) — IANA (checked 2026-10-29) 3. [News report: .io and the UK–Mauritius Chagos deal](https://domainincite.com/31642-io-safe-for-now-as-trump-puts-chagos-deal-on-ice) — Domain Incite (checked 2026-10-29) 4. [HSTS preload and Google Registry extensions](https://kb.porkbun.com/article/96-hsts-preload-and-google-registry) — Porkbun Knowledge Base (checked 2026-10-29) **Find a name in any extension** Type a name and compare its first-year and renewal price across extensions. [Search a domain](https://dotalmanac.com/app/domains/?lang=en) · [See pricing](https://dotalmanac.com/pricing/ "How much does a domain name cost per year?") --- DotAlmanac: DotAlmanac is a domain extension guide and registrar: compare every extension, then register it with no KYC and pay in crypto. A .com costs $11.99/year. --- # What is a TLD (top-level domain)? > A TLD is the last part of a domain name, like .com. DotAlmanac's count of the IANA root zone: 1,436 TLDs on 29 Oct 2026, incl. 248 country codes and 151 IDNs. - URL: https://dotalmanac.com/what-is-a-tld/ - Last updated: 2026-10-29 - Publisher: DotAlmanac (https://dotalmanac.com) The definition, the main kinds of TLD, who runs them, and how many exist today, counted from the IANA root zone file of 29 October 2026. **Quick answer — What is a TLD?** A **TLD (top-level domain)** is the last label of a domain name: .com in example.com, .io in example.io. DotAlmanac's count of the IANA root zone shows 1,436 TLDs as of 29 October 2026, including 248 two-letter country codes and 151 internationalized TLDs in non-ASCII characters. ## The root zone on 29 October 2026 - **1,436** TLDs in the IANA root zone file, version 2026102900 - **248** two-letter ASCII country codes such as .de, .uk or .io (17%) - **151** internationalized TLDs written in non-ASCII characters, stored as xn-- (11%) - **1,037** ASCII TLDs of three letters or more: generic, sponsored and brand TLDs, plus .arpa (72%) ## How does a TLD fit into a domain name? A TLD is the rightmost part of a domain name, just before the invisible root of the DNS. Read a name from right to left: in **blog.example.com**, .com is the TLD, example is the second-level domain you register, and blog is a subdomain you create yourself. DotAlmanac is a domain extension guide and registrar: compare every extension, then register it with no KYC and pay in crypto. In everyday use, "domain extension" and "TLD" mean the same thing. The DNS root zone lists every TLD and the name servers of the registry that runs it. When someone opens your site, resolvers ask the root where .com lives, then ask .com where example.com lives. ## TLD terms in one place **Top-level domain (TLD)** — The label after the last dot of a domain name, such as .com, .org or .ai. Every TLD in use is listed in the IANA root zone. **Root zone** — The top file of the DNS, published by IANA. It lists each TLD and the name servers of its registry. **gTLD (generic top-level domain)** — A TLD not tied to a country, such as .com, .net, .org or .info. DotAlmanac's table counts 10 legacy gTLDs created before ICANN's 2012 expansion. **ccTLD (country-code top-level domain)** — A two-letter TLD for a country or territory, such as .de, .fr or .io. Codes follow the ISO 3166-1 list, with exceptions such as .uk and .eu. The root zone holds 248 ASCII ccTLDs. **New gTLD** — A generic TLD added through ICANN's New gTLD Program, which accepted applications in 2012: .app, .dev, .xyz, .shop and hundreds more. DotAlmanac's table covers 121 of them. **sTLD (sponsored top-level domain)** — A TLD run for a defined community by a sponsor that sets its rules, such as .aero, .coop, .museum or .travel. Only members of that community can register. **IDN TLD (internationalized TLD)** — A TLD written in non-ASCII characters, stored in the DNS as Punycode starting with xn--. Russia's .рф is xn--p1ai. The root zone holds 151 of them. **Registry** — The organisation that runs a TLD: its database, its name servers, its rules and its wholesale price. Verisign runs .com and .net; Google Registry runs .app and .dev; DENIC runs .de. **Registrar** — The company that sells domains to the public and sends each registration to the registry. ICANN accredits registrars for gTLDs. At DotAlmanac, domains are registered through our ICANN-accredited registrar partner. **Second-level domain** — The label just left of the TLD, the part you choose: example in example.com. It is what you actually register. ## How many TLDs are there in 2026? There are 1,436 TLDs in the root zone file published by IANA on 29 October 2026 (version 2026102900). DotAlmanac's count of the IANA root zone splits them into three groups: - **248 two-letter ASCII country codes** (17%), from .ac to .zw. - **151 internationalized TLDs** (11%), in scripts such as Cyrillic, Arabic or Chinese. - **1,037 ASCII TLDs of three letters or more** (72%): generic, sponsored and brand TLDs, plus the technical .arpa. Only part of them are sold to the public. Brand TLDs serve a single company, and sponsored TLDs serve one community. DotAlmanac's table of 225 extensions covers the main public ones: 10 legacy gTLDs, 121 new gTLDs and 94 ccTLDs, or 38% of all ASCII country codes. ## Which kinds of TLD can you register? | Kind | Examples | Who can register | In DotAlmanac's table of 225 | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Legacy gTLD | .com, .net, .org, .info, .biz, .name | Anyone | 10 | | New gTLD | .app, .dev, .xyz, .shop, .tech, .blog | Anyone, except a few community or professional ones (.music, .law, .bank) | 121 | | ccTLD | .io, .ai, .co, .de, .uk, .us | Anyone for 52 of the 94; others need residency, presence, ID or a nexus | 94 | | Sponsored TLD | .aero, .coop, .museum, .travel | Members of the sponsor's community | — | | Brand TLD | A company's own name as a TLD | The company only | — | | Infrastructure | .arpa | Nobody: reserved for technical use | — | *Last checked on October 29, 2026; older figures carry their own date.* ## What is the difference between a gTLD and a ccTLD? A gTLD is generic and follows ICANN's contracts; a ccTLD belongs to a country or territory and follows local rules. That difference shows up in who can register and what is public. According to DotAlmanac's table of 225 extensions, 124 of the 131 gTLDs are open to anyone, against 52 of the 94 ccTLDs. Country codes also carry most special rules: all 31 extensions whose registry hides owner data itself are ccTLDs, such as .de and .uk. Some country codes are used as generic names. Google treats .ai, .co, .io, .me, .tv and 15 other country codes as gTLDs in search, because people see them as generic. Other ccTLDs tell Google that a site targets that country. Details are in [can you register a country domain without living there](https://dotalmanac.com/can-you-register-a-country-domain-without-living-there/ "Can you register a country domain without living there?"). ## Who decides which TLDs exist? ICANN decides which generic TLDs are created, and IANA keeps the official list of every TLD in the root zone. Country codes are delegated to an operator chosen for each country or territory. Each TLD then has one registry. For example, Verisign runs .com, Google Registry runs .app, .dev and .page, and Internet Computer Bureau, a subsidiary of Identity Digital, runs .io. The registry sets the rules and the wholesale price. Verisign's .com fee is $10.26 a year, rising to $10.97 on 1 November 2026, plus a $0.20 ICANN fee. Registrars like DotAlmanac sell names under those TLDs and add their own price on top. Ours are on the [price list](https://dotalmanac.com/pricing/ "How much does a domain name cost per year?"): a .com costs $11.99/year and a .io $33.99/year. ## Does the TLD you choose matter? Yes: it changes the price, the rules and how people read your address. - **Price:** at DotAlmanac, a .com renews at $11.99/year and a .ai at $84.49/year, billed 2 years at a time. - **Rules:** 23 of the 225 extensions in our table forbid WHOIS privacy, and 49 have a known or possible condition on who can register. - **Technical limits:** .app, .dev and .page require HTTPS on every site. - **Search:** Google treats any TLD that ICANN does not list as a country code as generic, so a new gTLD is not tied to any country in search. Our [guide to choosing a domain extension](https://dotalmanac.com/how-to-choose-a-domain-extension/ "How do I choose the right domain extension?") turns these points into a decision, and the [extension pages](https://dotalmanac.com/tld/ "Which domain extensions can I register, and at what price?") cover 14 popular TLDs one by one. ## Top-level domains: FAQ ### Is .com a TLD? Yes. .com is a legacy generic TLD run by Verisign. It is the most common extension for businesses. At DotAlmanac it costs $11.99/year the first year and the same to renew, as of 29 October 2026. ### Is a TLD the same as a domain extension? Yes. "Domain extension" is the everyday name for a TLD. Both mean the part after the last dot, such as .org or .dev. ### How many TLDs are there? 1,436, according to DotAlmanac's count of the IANA root zone file of 29 October 2026. That includes 248 two-letter ASCII country codes and 151 internationalized TLDs. ### Is .io a country-code TLD? Yes. .io is the ccTLD of the British Indian Ocean Territory, open to anyone. Google treats it as generic in search. Its long-term future is tied to the Chagos sovereignty question, but .io works normally in 2026. ### Can I create my own TLD? Not through a registrar. A new TLD is created only through an ICANN application round, by an organisation able to run a registry. Most people register a second-level domain under an existing TLD instead. ## Sources 1. [List of top-level domains (tlds-alpha-by-domain.txt), version 2026102900](https://data.iana.org/TLD/tlds-alpha-by-domain.txt) — IANA (checked 2026-10-29) 2. [Root Zone Database](https://www.iana.org/domains/root/db) — IANA (checked 2026-10-08) 3. [Managing multi-regional and multilingual sites (generic ccTLDs)](https://developers.google.com/search/docs/specialty/international/managing-multi-regional-sites) — Google Search Central (updated 2025-12-10, checked 2026-10-29) 4. [Verisign .com price update 2026](https://osir.com/en/blog/verisign-com-price-update-2026/) — osir.com (checked 2026-10-08) 5. [.io safe for now as Trump puts Chagos deal on ice](https://domainincite.com/31642-io-safe-for-now-as-trump-puts-chagos-deal-on-ice) — Domain Incite (checked 2026-10-08) 6. [HSTS preload and Google Registry](https://kb.porkbun.com/article/96-hsts-preload-and-google-registry) — Porkbun (checked 2026-10-08) **Compare TLDs, then pick one** Every extension we sell shows its registry, its rules and its first-year and renewal price. No ID; pay in crypto. [Browse extensions](https://dotalmanac.com/tld/ "Which domain extensions can I register, and at what price?") · [Search a domain](https://dotalmanac.com/app/domains/?lang=en) --- DotAlmanac: DotAlmanac is a domain extension guide and registrar: compare every extension, then register it with no KYC and pay in crypto. A .com costs $11.99/year. --- # What is domain protection, and do I need it? > What is domain protection? At DotAlmanac, +$29/year per domain: registered in our company name, transfer lock on, human review of complaints. Paid in crypto. - URL: https://dotalmanac.com/what-is-domain-protection/ - Last updated: 2026-10-29 - Publisher: DotAlmanac (https://dotalmanac.com) What the option changes in the registrant record, and who sees what with and without it. Also: the extensions that require it, and what it does not do. **Quick answer — What is domain protection at DotAlmanac?** **DotAlmanac** is a domain extension guide and registrar: compare every extension, then register it with no KYC and pay in crypto. As of 29 October 2026, its Domain protection option adds $29 per domain and per year to the domain price. It puts the domain in the name of DomaineGoat LLC, while you remain the beneficiary. ## Domain protection in short | Attribute | Value | | --- | --- | | Price | +$29 a year per domain, added to the domain price | | Registrant of record | DomaineGoat LLC | | Beneficiary | You, with a free hand-back to your own name | | Transfer lock | On | | Data held by DomaineGoat LLC | Your email address only | | Complaints | Each one read by a member of our team first | | Available on | 55 extensions | | Required for | .de, .uk, .nl, .cc, .to, .ch, .pl, .be, .at, .cz, .nz, .fi | ## What are the four points of Domain protection? Domain protection is four commitments, no more and no less: 1. **The company is the registrant.** DomaineGoat LLC is the registrant of record, and you remain the beneficiary. Getting the domain back in your own name costs nothing. 2. **The transfer lock stays on.** Nobody can move the domain to another registrar until you turn the lock off in your account. 3. **Minimal data.** The only thing DomaineGoat LLC keeps about you is your email address. 4. **Human review.** A member of our team reads each complaint before anything happens to the domain. Domains without the option do not get this review. You keep full control of DNS records, nameservers and renewals from the client area, as with any other domain. ## Who sees what: standard registration vs Domain protection *Registrar, dates, status and nameservers stay public in RDAP for every domain, with or without the option.* | Who or what | Standard registration | With Domain protection | | --- | --- | --- | | Registrant of record | You | DomaineGoat LLC | | The registry | Your registrant record where the registry collects one; .com and .net are thin registries with no contact data | The details of DomaineGoat LLC | | Public WHOIS / RDAP | Free privacy where the registry allows it; the rest depends on each registry | DomaineGoat LLC as registrant, never your email | | DomaineGoat LLC | Your verified email and your orders | Your verified email and your orders, nothing else | | Someone who files a complaint | Handled under the abuse policy | Handled under the same policy, after a person reads it | | Transfer lock | Your choice | On; you switch it off from your account | | Price per year | The domain price, such as $11.99/year for a .com | The domain price + $29 | ## How is Domain protection different from free WHOIS privacy? WHOIS privacy hides contact data in the public record; Domain protection changes who the registrant is. Privacy is free here on every extension where the registry allows it. Registries do not all allow it. According to DotAlmanac's table of 225 extensions, 135 registries allow WHOIS privacy, 31 hide registrant data themselves, and 23 forbid privacy. The rule of the other 36 is unknown. We sell none of the 23 that forbid it, such as .us, .in or .es. For a .com or a .net, free privacy already keeps your email out of the public record. The Verisign registry receives no contact data at all. Domain protection adds another layer: the registrant record itself names a company. ## Why are some extensions sold only with Domain protection? Because their registries require a full name and a postal address for the registrant. We collect neither, so we register these domains in the name of DomaineGoat LLC. The registry then receives the company's details, never yours. The 12 extensions concerned are .de, .uk, .nl, .cc, .to, .ch, .pl, .be, .at, .cz, .nz, .fi. Their price already includes the option. A .de shows $36.99/year: $7.99 for the domain and $29 for Domain protection. Registrars that collect your name and address sell a .de for less, without the option. Several of these registries, such as DENIC for .de, also keep personal data out of their public WHOIS. ## What does Domain protection not do? It does not change the abuse policy. The same rules apply to every domain, with or without the option: - Phishing, malware, botnets or fraud that takes money from victims: action within 24 hours of a well-documented report. - Child sexual abuse material is handled immediately, with a report to the competent hotline or authority. - Trademark disputes on generic extensions go through the UDRP, with a lock within 2 business days of a request from a UDRP provider. - We release the data we hold only when Panamanian law requires it (a Panamanian court or prosecutor's order), or in a UDRP case. It does not make a use of the domain legal, and it does not replace a trademark search before you choose a name. Reports go to abuse@dotalmanac.com; the [abuse page](https://dotalmanac.com/abuse/ "How do I report abuse on a DotAlmanac domain?") gives the full process. ## Do I need Domain protection? You need it only for the 12 extensions above, because there is no other way to buy them here. Everywhere else, it is a choice. Take the option if you want three things. The registrant record names a company, the transfer lock is on from the start, and a person reads each complaint first. Skip it if free WHOIS privacy is enough for you, as it often is on a .com. You then save $29 a year per domain. ## How do I add or remove it? Tick the option when you order, or add it later from the client area. It is paid from your crypto balance, $29 a year per domain. To stop the option, ask us to return the domain to your own name, at no charge. To move the domain to another registrar, switch the transfer lock off first. The transfer (EPP) code is then free, requested from the client area. ## Domain protection: questions ### Who owns the domain with Domain protection? The registrant of record is DomaineGoat LLC; the beneficiary is you. DNS records, nameservers and renewals stay under your control in the client area. Returning the domain to your own name is free, whenever you ask. ### Does Domain protection stop abuse complaints? No. Every complaint follows the same abuse policy as for any other domain. The difference is human review: a member of our team reads each complaint before anything is done to the domain. ### How much does a .io with Domain protection cost? $33.99/year for the domain the first year, plus $29 a year for the option. From the second year, the .io renews at $52.49/year, plus the same $29. ### What does the public WHOIS show with the option? It shows DomaineGoat LLC as registrant, and your email does not appear. The registrar, the dates, the status and the nameservers stay public, as for any domain. ### Why does a .de cost more here than at some registrars? Because our .de price includes Domain protection. The domain itself costs $7.99 a year, and the option brings it to $36.99/year. Registrars that collect your name and address can sell a .de without it. ## Sources 1. [Domain terms and conditions](https://www.denic.de/en/domain-terms-and-conditions/) — DENIC (checked 2026-10-29) 2. [Uniform Domain-Name Dispute-Resolution Policy](https://www.icann.org/resources/pages/help/dndr/udrp-en) — ICANN (checked 2026-10-29) 3. [ICANN Lookup (RDAP)](https://lookup.icann.org/en) — ICANN (checked 2026-10-29) **Add Domain protection to a name** Search a name, then tick Domain protection at checkout for $29 a year. [Search a domain](https://dotalmanac.com/app/domains/?lang=en) · [See pricing](https://dotalmanac.com/pricing/ "How much does a domain name cost per year?") --- DotAlmanac: DotAlmanac is a domain extension guide and registrar: compare every extension, then register it with no KYC and pay in crypto. A .com costs $11.99/year. --- # Why does a domain cost more to renew than to register? > Domain renewals cost more because the first year is discounted. At DotAlmanac 35 of 43 extensions renew higher; .app +67%, .io +54%. No KYC, paid in crypto. - URL: https://dotalmanac.com/why-do-domain-renewals-cost-more/ - Last updated: 2026-10-29 - Publisher: DotAlmanac (https://dotalmanac.com) The first-year price is often a discount; the renewal is the real yearly cost. Here is where the gap comes from, how large it was in October 2026, and how to avoid paying it by surprise. **Quick answer — Why do domain renewals cost more than the first year?** Domain renewals cost more because the first year is often sold below the normal price, as a promotion by the registrar or the registry, and renewals return to full price. As of 29 October 2026, 35 of the 43 extensions DotAlmanac sells in your name renew higher; .io goes from $33.99 to $52.49. ## Renewal pricing in brief | Attribute | Value | | --- | --- | | What a renewal is | The yearly payment that keeps a domain registered in your name | | Usual term | 1 to 10 years per payment; .ai needs at least 2 years | | Typical cause of the jump | A first-year promotion paid by the registrar or the registry | | .com wholesale cost | $10.46 per year in October 2026, then $11.17 per year (Verisign + ICANN fee) | | Largest jump at DotAlmanac | .app, +67% as of 29 October 2026 | | Same price every year at DotAlmanac | .com, .net, .ai, .co, .xyz, .info, .me, .gg | ## What is a domain renewal? A renewal is the payment that keeps your domain registered for another period, usually one year. You never buy a domain outright: you register it for a fixed term, then extend it. DotAlmanac is a domain extension guide and registrar: compare every extension, then register it with no KYC and pay in crypto. Most extensions accept 1 to 10 years per payment. According to DotAlmanac's table of 225 extensions, only .ai imposes a 2-year minimum. Nine extensions, including .de, .nl and .ch, accept only 1 year at a time. If you do not renew, the domain expires and can later be released to someone else. DotAlmanac offers automatic renewal from your balance, switched on or off for each domain. ## What is a first-year promo price? A first-year promo price is a discount that applies to the first year only. Registrars use it to win new customers; the renewal then charges the full price. Three examples from October 2026: - **Namecheap .com:** $6.48 the first year with the code NEWCOM648, for new customers only. The renewal is $18.48, or $14.78 with a renewal code (19 October 2026). - **Spaceship .com:** $9.08 the first year, or $2.90 with the code COMPROS, then $10.18 to renew (19 October 2026). - **Porkbun .xyz:** $2.04 the first year, then $14.21 to renew (19 October 2026). Verisign and ICANN charge registrars $10.46 per .com year. A $6.48 or $2.90 first year is therefore below that list cost, while Namecheap's $18.48 renewal ($14.78 with a code) sits $8.02 above it. ## Do registries charge more for renewals too? Yes, on some extensions the jump starts at the registry itself. The cleanest proof is Cloudflare Registrar, which states that it charges the registry and ICANN fees with no markup. On 8 October 2026, Cloudflare listed .io at $32.00 for the first year and $50.00 to renew: +56%, with no registrar margin. On .com, Cloudflare charges $10.46 in both years: the registry price has no first-year discount. Registry fees also rise over time. On 1 November 2026, Verisign lifts its .com fee from $10.26 to $10.97; with the $0.20 ICANN fee, a .com year then costs registrars $11.17 instead of $10.46 (+6.8%). Public Interest Registry raised the .org fee to $11.00 on 1 June 2026. Verisign's .net fee goes from $10.91 to $12.00 on 1 March 2027. ## How big is the jump? First year vs renewal in October 2026 | Extension | DotAlmanac (29 Oct 2026) | Change | Porkbun (19 Oct 2026) | Change | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | .app | $8.99 → $14.99 | +67% | $8.75 → $14.93 | +71% | | .io | $33.99 → $52.49 | +54% | $28.12 → $51.80 | +84% | | .dev | $8.99 → $12.99 | +44% | $8.75 → $12.87 | +47% | | .org | $9.49 → $11.99 | +26% | $7.98 → $11.84 | +48% | | .co | $31.99 → $31.99 | 0% | $15.76 → $31.20 | +98% | | .xyz | $11.99 → $11.99 | 0% | $2.04 → $14.21 | +597% | | .com | $11.99 → $11.99 | 0% | $11.08 → $11.08 | 0% | *Last checked on October 19, 2026; older figures carry their own date.* First-year price → renewal price, per year. Change = renewal ÷ first year − 1, rounded. More registrars and extensions are in the [domain renewal price index 2026](https://dotalmanac.com/data/domain-renewal-price-index-2026/ "How much does it cost to renew a domain in 2026?"). ## How much does the renewal add over five years? Over five years, renewals are four payments out of five, so they decide the total. The registrar with the cheapest first year often ends up more expensive. - **.com at Namecheap:** $6.48 + 4 × $18.48 = $80.40 at the list renewal price, or $65.60 with both codes. - **.com at Cloudflare Registrar:** 5 × $10.46 = $52.30, with no code. - **.io at Porkbun:** $28.12 + 4 × $51.80 = $235.32. The first year is 12% of the total. The $6.48 promo year saves $3.98 against Cloudflare, then the renewals cost $17.28 more over the next four years. Our list of the [cheapest domain extensions to renew](https://dotalmanac.com/cheapest-domain-extensions-to-renew/ "Which domain extensions are the cheapest to renew?") ranks extensions by the price that lasts. ## How do you avoid the renewal trap? Five checks before you pay for a new domain. 1. **Read the renewal price first** — Look for the renewal price before the first-year price. On DotAlmanac's price list, every extension shows both side by side. 2. **Work out five years** — Add the first year to four renewals. Compare that total between extensions and registrars, not the first year alone. 3. **Check the promo conditions** — A low first year can need a code, be limited to new customers, or apply to one year only. Namecheap's $6.48 .com needs NEWCOM648. 4. **Prefer a one-price extension** — At DotAlmanac, .com, .net, .ai, .co, .xyz, .info, .me and .gg cost the same every year, as of 29 October 2026. 5. **Turn on auto-renew and keep a balance** — DotAlmanac offers automatic renewal from your balance, switched on or off for each domain. Unused balance stays on your account and never expires, and it pays for new domains, renewals and transfers. When a purchase costs less than the minimum top-up, the part added only to reach the minimum is refundable on request to support within 30 days of the payment, in USDT or USDC, as long as it has not been spent. The rest of the balance is not paid back, except where the law requires it. ## Does DotAlmanac charge more at renewal? Yes, on 35 of its 43 extensions sold in your name, by 3% to 67% as of 29 October 2026. The other eight keep one price. We show the renewal price next to the first-year price for every extension, and no price on our list needs a promo code. We do not claim to be the cheapest registrar. Porkbun's first year of .io ($28.12, 19 October 2026) is below ours ($33.99), and Cloudflare renews .io at $50.00 against our $52.49. Our case is different: registration with no ID, payment in crypto (BTC, USDT, USDC, ETH, SOL, LTC, XMR), and no surprise in year two. The optional Domain protection adds +$29/year per domain, every year you keep it. See [what is Domain protection](https://dotalmanac.com/what-is-domain-protection/ "What is domain protection, and do I need it?"). ## Domain renewal prices: FAQ ### Is it normal for a domain renewal to cost more? Yes. In DotAlmanac's grid, 35 of 43 extensions renew higher than their first year, as of 29 October 2026. At Porkbun, six of the nine extensions in our index renew higher (19 October 2026). ### Does a transfer avoid the higher renewal price? No. At DotAlmanac, a transfer costs the renewal price: $52.49/year for a .io, as of 29 October 2026. Moving to another registrar saves money only if its renewal price is lower, so compare renewals, not first-year promos. ### Why is .io so expensive to renew? Because the registry price itself is high. Cloudflare, which sells at cost, renews .io at $50.00 (8 October 2026). The registry is Internet Computer Bureau, a subsidiary of Identity Digital. At DotAlmanac, .io renews at $52.49/year. ### Will .com renewals rise in November 2026? The registry cost rises on that date: Verisign's $10.26 becomes $10.97, or $11.17 a year once the ICANN fee is added. DotAlmanac's .com renews at $11.99/year as of 29 October 2026. ### Which extensions renew at the same price at DotAlmanac? Eight, as of 29 October 2026: .com, .net, .ai, .co, .xyz, .info, .me and .gg. The full list with every first-year and renewal price is in the [domain renewal price index 2026](https://dotalmanac.com/data/domain-renewal-price-index-2026/ "How much does it cost to renew a domain in 2026?"). ## Sources 1. [Cloudflare Registrar FAQ](https://developers.cloudflare.com/registrar/faq/) — Cloudflare (checked 2026-10-08) 2. [Cloudflare Registrar prices](https://cfdomainpricing.com/) — cfdomainpricing.com (checked 2026-10-08) 3. [Domain pricing](https://porkbun.com/products/domains) — Porkbun (checked 2026-10-19) 4. [.com prices by registrar](https://domainoffer.net/tld/com) — domainoffer.net (checked 2026-10-19) 5. [Verisign .com price update 2026](https://osir.com/en/blog/verisign-com-price-update-2026/) — osir.com (checked 2026-10-08) 6. [.org prices to increase on June 1](https://domainnamewire.com/2026/03/12/org-prices-to-increase-on-june-1/) — Domain Name Wire (12 March 2026, checked 2026-10-08) 7. [Verisign announces .net price increase](https://domainnamewire.com/2026/08/27/verisign-announces-net-price-increase/) — Domain Name Wire (27 August 2026, checked 2026-10-08) 8. [.io registry record](https://www.iana.org/domains/root/db/io.html) — IANA (checked 2026-10-08) **Know the price of year two before year one** Search a name: the first-year and renewal price appear together. No ID; pay in crypto. [Search a domain](https://dotalmanac.com/app/domains/?lang=en) · [See all prices](https://dotalmanac.com/pricing/ "How much does a domain name cost per year?") --- DotAlmanac: DotAlmanac is a domain extension guide and registrar: compare every extension, then register it with no KYC and pay in crypto. A .com costs $11.99/year. --- # Is .xyz a good domain, or should you buy a .com? > Is .xyz a good domain? Yes for web3 and side projects. At DotAlmanac .xyz costs $11.99/year, .com $11.99/year: choose on the name. No KYC, crypto. - URL: https://dotalmanac.com/xyz-vs-com/ - Last updated: 2026-10-29 - Publisher: DotAlmanac (https://dotalmanac.com) .xyz carries a low-cost image because of its first-year promotions at other registrars. At DotAlmanac it costs what a .com costs, which turns the question into one about the name alone. **Quick answer — Is .xyz a good domain compared with .com?** **.xyz vs .com**: .xyz is a good domain for web3 projects, side projects and short brand names, but .com remains the better default for a business. As of 29 October 2026, DotAlmanac sells .xyz at $11.99/year and .com at $11.99/year, both with flat renewals. Price does not separate them here; the name does. ## Key facts | Attribute | Value | | --- | --- | | Registries | .xyz: XYZ.COM LLC · .com: Verisign | | Kind of extension | .xyz: new generic TLD · .com: original generic TLD from 1985 | | Who can register | Anyone, for both | | Premium names | .xyz: the registry prices some names separately · .com: no registry premium tier | | Search engines | Google treats new generic extensions like .com and .org | | A known user | Alphabet, the parent company of Google, uses abc.xyz | ## How do .xyz and .com compare side by side? | | .xyz | .com | | --- | --- | --- | | First year at DotAlmanac | $11.99/year | $11.99/year | | Renewal | $11.99/year | $11.99/year | | Cost over 5 years | $11.99 + 4 × $11.99 = $59.95 as of 29 October 2026 | $11.99 + 4 × $11.99 = $59.95 as of 29 October 2026 | | Registry | XYZ.COM LLC | Verisign | | Who can register | Anyone | Anyone | | Registry premium names | Yes, at a separate price | No | | WHOIS privacy | Allowed; free here | Allowed; free here | | Longest term | 10 years | 10 years | | DNSSEC | Yes | Yes | | How people read it | Web3, crypto and tech side projects; low-cost for some | The default for any business | | Main risk | Doubts from non-technical visitors | Short names are hard to find unregistered | *Last checked on October 29, 2026; older figures carry their own date.* Identical 5-year totals at DotAlmanac on 29 October 2026: the choice between these two is not a price question here. ## Is .xyz a good domain? Yes, when your audience is technical or crypto-native, or when the exact name you want is free only as .xyz. It works with the same DNS, email and HTTPS as any other extension. It is a weaker choice for a local business or a brand that sells to the general public, who read .com as the norm. DotAlmanac is a domain extension guide and registrar: compare every extension, then register it with no KYC and pay in crypto. Both extensions are on sale here at the prices in the table, so this verdict is not about margin. All prices are on our [pricing page](https://dotalmanac.com/pricing/ "How much does a domain name cost per year?"). ## Is a .xyz domain cheaper than a .com? Not at DotAlmanac, and not by much anywhere once you count 5 years. Our 5-year totals for .xyz and .com are identical, as the table above shows. At Porkbun, a .xyz starts at $2.04 and renews at $14.21 (19 October 2026), so 5 years cost $58.88. A Porkbun .com costs $55.40 over the same 5 years. The $2 first year is a promotion, not the price of the extension. Judge any .xyz offer by its renewal, which you pay every year after the first. The page on the [cheapest domain extensions to renew](https://dotalmanac.com/cheapest-domain-extensions-to-renew/ "Which domain extensions are the cheapest to renew?") sorts them by that figure. ## Does Google rank .xyz sites lower than .com sites? No. Google stated on 21 July 2015 that its systems treat new generic extensions like other generic ones, naming .com and .org. It added that keywords in an extension give no advantage or disadvantage in search. What a person thinks on seeing the link in the results is a separate matter. That is about trust, and it depends on your audience, not on Google. ## Why do some people doubt .xyz? The doubt comes from price history, not from a technical limit. A first year at one or two dollars makes .xyz an easy pick for tests and short-lived projects. Some visitors link the extension with those. The counter-example is well known: Alphabet, the parent company of Google, uses abc.xyz for its website. A .xyz with a real product behind it reads as a choice, not as a shortcut. ## Who runs .xyz, and what is a premium .xyz name? XYZ.COM LLC runs .xyz as a new generic extension open to anyone. WHOIS privacy is allowed, and terms run up to 10 years, as with .com. The registry prices some short or popular names separately; these are called premium names. The standard price in our grid applies to standard names only. For a premium name, check both the first-year price and the renewal price before you pay. A .com has no registry premium tier: a taken .com can only be bought from its owner. ## How many extensions compete with .com today? There are 1,436 top-level domains in the IANA root zone, by DotAlmanac's count on 29 October 2026. In our table of 225 extensions, 121 are new generic ones like .xyz, against 10 legacy generic ones like .com. .xyz is one of the 121, and .com still sets the reference for all of them. For alternatives ranked by use, see the [best domain extensions](https://dotalmanac.com/best-domain-extensions/ "What are the best domain extensions in 2026?") and our method in [how to choose a domain extension](https://dotalmanac.com/how-to-choose-a-domain-extension/ "How do I choose the right domain extension?"). ## Which one fits your project? | Project | Pick | Reason | | --- | --- | --- | | Web3 or crypto project | .xyz | A common extension in that field | | Side project or demo | .xyz | Same price as .com here, and short names are free more often | | Holding company for several brands | .xyz works | Alphabet uses abc.xyz in that role | | Online store | .com | Shoppers expect the familiar ending | | Local business | .com | Customers type .com from memory | | Brand whose .com is free | .com | No reason to choose a less familiar ending at the same price | ## What do other registrars charge for .xyz? Several registrars sell the first .xyz year far below our price, then renew higher. Porkbun and Dynadot end up slightly below our 5-year total. Namecheap renews .xyz at $21.68 (8 October 2026), so its $2.20 first year turns into the highest 5-year total in the table. Our .xyz has no promotion and no renewal jump. ## Prices for .xyz and .com at other registrars First-year and renewal prices in US dollars, with the 5-year .xyz total worked out from them. | Registrar (date read) | .xyz | .xyz over 5 years | .com | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | DotAlmanac (29 Oct 2026) | $11.99 / $11.99 | $11.99 + 4 × $11.99 = $59.95 | $11.99 / $11.99 | | Porkbun (19 Oct 2026) | $2.04 / $14.21 | $58.88 | $11.08 / $11.08 | | Dynadot (8 Oct 2026) | $1.99 / $14.45 | $59.79 | $10.88 / $10.88 | | Namecheap (.xyz 8 Oct, .com 19 Oct 2026) | $2.20 / $21.68 | $88.92 | $6.48 (code NEWCOM648, new customers) / $18.48 ($14.78 with a renewal code) | *Last checked on October 19, 2026; older figures carry their own date.* Namecheap figures from domainoffer.net; its .xyz figures include the $0.20 ICANN fee. Verisign's .com fee rises to $10.97 on 1 November 2026. ## .xyz vs .com: FAQ ### Is .xyz safe to use for a business? Technically, yes: it supports DNSSEC, HTTPS and email like .com. The open question is perception. For a business that sells to the general public, .com is the safer first choice. .xyz works for a tech-facing brand or as a second domain. ### What does .xyz stand for? Nothing official: the name is the last three letters of the Latin alphabet. It is a generic extension, so anyone can register it for any purpose allowed by the registry's rules. ### Can I use a .xyz domain for email? Yes. MX, SPF and DKIM records work as on any domain. Our DNS templates set up Proton Mail, Fastmail, Google Workspace, Microsoft 365 or Zoho Mail in one click. ### Why is .xyz about $2 elsewhere but $11.99 at DotAlmanac? Other registrars sell the first year as a promotion and recover it at renewal. Porkbun renews at $14.21 and Namecheap at $21.68 (October 2026), while our renewal stays at $11.99/year. Over 5 years, the totals come out close. ### Can I pay for a .xyz domain in crypto? Yes. Top up a DotAlmanac balance with BTC, USDT, USDC, ETH, SOL, LTC, XMR, from $1, then register or renew from it. No ID is requested: one verified email per domain is the only contact data. ## Sources 1. [Delegation record for .XYZ](https://www.iana.org/domains/root/db/xyz.html) — IANA (checked 2026-10-29) 2. [List of top-level domains, version 2026102900](https://data.iana.org/TLD/tlds-alpha-by-domain.txt) — IANA (checked 2026-10-29) 3. [.xyz](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.xyz) — Wikipedia (checked 2026-10-29) 4. [Google's handling of new top level domains](https://developers.google.com/search/blog/2015/07/googles-handling-of-new-top-level) — Google Search Central (21 July 2015) 5. [Domain pricing](https://porkbun.com/products/domains) — Porkbun (checked 2026-10-19) 6. [Domain prices by TLD](https://www.dynadot.com/domain/tlds) — Dynadot (checked 2026-10-08) 7. [.xyz registration prices compared](https://domainoffer.net/tld/xyz) — domainoffer.net (checked 2026-10-08) 8. [.com registration prices compared](https://domainoffer.net/tld/com) — domainoffer.net (checked 2026-10-19) ## Search your name in .xyz and .com Search a domain name: https://dotalmanac.com/app/domains/?q=yourname Popular extensions: .xyz ($11.99), .com ($11.99), .dev ($8.99), .co ($31.99) --- DotAlmanac: DotAlmanac is a domain extension guide and registrar: compare every extension, then register it with no KYC and pay in crypto. A .com costs $11.99/year.