How Much Does a Domain Name Cost in 2025?

The cost of a domain name depends on various factors, including the domain’s extension (i.e. .com vs .xyz), renewal costs, and add-ons like security features, to name a few. In this article we look at each of these factors in detail to help you better understand pricing and make a more informed decision.

First year domain costs 

For the most common domain extensions, also known as top-level domains (TLDs), prices in 2025 remain relatively stable. The following are approximate price ranges:

1. .com Domains: As the most popular and widely recognized domain extension, .com domains typically cost between $10 and $20 per year for new registrations.
2. Country-Code TLDs (ccTLDs): Prices for domains like .uk, .us, or .de can vary widely based on the country’s pricing policies, often costing between $10 and $50 annually.
3. New Generic TLDs (nTLDs): Extensions such as .pro, .shop, and .app may have more dynamic pricing, with annual costs ranging from $15 to over $100. To better understand the variability in costs for new nTLDs, consider that the .xyz nTLD can cost as little as $2 for the first year while the .inc nTLD can cost upwards of $350 for the first year.

Domain renewal costs

When you acquire a domain name, you don’t own it; instead, you are leasing it, and to maintain your ‘lease’, you will need to pay annual renewal fees. Renewal costs vary by domain extension and can go up over time. As a consumer, it is important to take note of domain extension renewal fees. While many domains renew at the same or similar price to the first year registration, consider the aforementioned .inc nTLD, which sells for $350 for the first year, and carries a renewal cost of $2,499 for each additional year. 

Domain transfer costs

When you purchase a domain, you are establishing a relationship with a domain registrar for the purpose of managing and renewing your domain. If you decide to move your domain to another registrar, you will incur a domain transfer fee. The domain transfer fee is set by the new registrar, and will vary by domain. Transferring a .com domain usually costs between $10 and $20, similar to the annual registration fee, while ccTLDs or nTLDs can range from $30 to $100 or more. 

Key points to keep in mind:

• Registrar policies: Most registrars include an additional year of domain registration in the transfer cost, so you’re essentially paying for a renewal as part of the transfer.
• Transfer promotions: Registrars occasionally offer discounts or deals for domain transfers to attract new customers, so it’s worth comparing prices.
• Domain lock period: Domains cannot be transferred within the first 60 days after registration or a previous transfer, per ICANN regulations.
• Additional services: If you’re transferring extra services (e.g., email hosting or website hosting), there may be additional costs.

Premium and aftermarket domains

Premium and aftermarket domains are domains that are already owned by a private party or held by registrars and released in batches during what is commonly known as a premium domain release. Typically, these domains are highly sought-after due to their short length, brand-ability, or keyword relevance. In 2025, these domains can command prices from a few hundred to several million dollars in the aftermarket or during initial registration. For instance:

• A premium .com domain like “business.com” could sell for several million dollars.
• On the aftermarket, prices can go even higher; in 2023, “chat.com” sold for an estimated $15.5 million by OpenAI (DN Journal).

Additional Domain Costs

When a domain is purchased for use with a website, some additional costs to consider include:

1. Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) Certificate: SSLs encrypt the information on your website to increase security and inspire user trust – websites with an SSL certificate in place can be identified by the “https:” prefix in the URL.
2. Domain Lock: To prevent unauthorized activity, domain lock services restrict the ability for someone to transfer or make changes to a domain while the lock is in place.
3. Privacy Protection: Many registrars offer privacy protection services to shield personal information in WHOIS databases.

Market Trends and Predictions

The domain industry in 2025 is shaped by evolving technologies, including blockchain-based domains like .eth or .btc. These decentralized domains often require a one-time payment rather than annual renewal fees, with prices ranging from $50 to over $1,000.

Conclusion

The cost of acquiring and maintaining a domain name in 2025 varies widely based on several factors. While standard domains remain affordable for most users, premium, aftermarket and blockchain-based domains present higher costs reflecting their value in the digital landscape. Individuals and businesses should carefully evaluate their needs and budget when selecting a domain to maximize their online presence.