Domain Renewal Prices: Why Renewal Costs More Than Registration
On the median domain in our sample cost 81.7% more to renew for one year than to register for one year (based on 8 registrar and extension pairs with both prices on the same date; observed range 0% – 248.9%). 39 registrar and extension pairs are tracked. Methodology · All domain price records.
Registration price and renewal price are different products
A domain is registered for a period, usually one year, and then renewed every year. Registrars publish the two prices separately. The registration price is often reduced to win new customers; the renewal price is what the domain costs every following year. For a domain kept for several years, the renewal price determines most of the total.
For each registrar and extension we record two answers from the public price list: the price to register a standard, non-premium domain for one year, and the current price to renew it for one year. Prices stay in the registrar's currency, USD or EUR per year; we do not convert currencies. Active prices are separated from crossed-out prices, and registration is separated from transfer.
What the renewal premium measures
The Caliper Press Domain Renewal Premium Watch is calculated for pairs where both prices were read on the same check and in the same currency. 81.7% (small sample: 8 records) (based on 8, observed range 0% – 248.9%; ). Median of (renewal / registration - 1) × 100 for eligible same-date, same-currency domain pairs.
In the latest data 30 pairs had both prices measured on the same date. 24 renew at a higher price than the first year. 5 publish the same price for registration and renewal. The largest gap: Gandi .de: $5.99/year for the first term, $39.98/year at renewal (567.4% higher). The smallest: OVHcloud .co: $36.24/year for the first term, $35.69/year at renewal. The table lists every pair with both prices measured on the same date (30); the index counts 8 of them; its definition above says which ones it includes.
Pairs with both prices measured
Sorted by the calculated gap. Last column: renewal ÷ registration price − 1. Each row links to the record's page with the source quote and its history.
| Plan | First term | Renewal | Renewal vs first term (calculated) | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gandi .de | $5.99/year | $39.98/year | 567.4% | |
| Gandi .app | $9.99/year | $47.98/year | 380.3% | |
| Gandi .co | $15.99/year | $71.98/year | 350.2% | |
| Gandi .org | $8.99/year | $39.98/year | 344.7% | |
| Gandi .dev | $9.99/year | $39.98/year | 300.2% | |
| Gandi .com | $11.00/year | $38.38/year | 248.9% | |
| Gandi .net | $12.99/year | $39.98/year | 207.8% | |
| GoDaddy .org (last confirmed Oct 17, 2026) | $9.99/year | $23.99/year | 140.1% | |
| Gandi .io | $31.99/year | $74.99/year | 134.4% | |
| OVHcloud .app | $9.84/year | $20.09/year | 104.2% | |
| Hostinger .org (last confirmed Oct 16, 2026) | $8.99/year | $17.99/year | 100.1% | |
| Porkbun .co | $15.76/year | $31.20/year | 98% | |
| Dynadot .io | $28.89/year | $53.50/year | 85.2% | |
| Porkbun .io | $28.12/year | $51.80/year | 84.2% | |
| OVHcloud .com | $9.20/year | $16.49/year | 79.2% | |
| OVHcloud .io | $35.82/year | $62.69/year | 75% | |
| OVHcloud .dev | $9.84/year | $17.19/year | 74.7% | |
| Porkbun .app | $8.75/year | $14.93/year | 70.6% | |
| OVHcloud .org | $9.24/year | $14.49/year | 56.8% | |
| Porkbun .org | $7.98/year | $11.84/year | 48.4% | |
| Porkbun .dev | $8.75/year | $12.87/year | 47.1% | |
| Porkbun .de | $2.90/year | $4.07/year | 40.3% | |
| OVHcloud .net | $12.19/year | $16.89/year | 38.6% | |
| OVHcloud .fi | $12.49/year | $13.49/year | 8% | |
| Dynadot .com | $10.88/year | $10.88/year | 0% | |
| Gandi .fi | $30.82/year | $30.82/year | 0% | |
| OVHcloud .de | $8.49/year | $8.49/year | 0% | |
| Porkbun .com | $11.08/year | $11.08/year | 0% | |
| Porkbun .net | $12.52/year | $12.52/year | 0% | |
| OVHcloud .co | $36.24/year | $35.69/year | -1.5% |
Extensions with special terms
Some extensions cannot be registered for one year. At the verified sources, .ai requires at least two years; we keep the published annual rate as a quoted offer but do not divide a two-year charge to create a one-year price, so those one-year answers stay unknown and are excluded. Premium domains, which are priced individually, are outside the sample.
What the prices include
Fees differ by registrar. One registrar in the sample states that ICANN and other fees are included; another shows prices without tax; for others the checkout taxes and fees are not verified. A price here is the registrar's published price list on the date shown. Registrars can change renewal prices at any time; when a published value changes, it appears in the pair's history.
Data and limits
We track 39 registrar and extension pairs; prices as shown in the United States, without an account. Regional pricing and promotions can affect results. The history spans 5 observation date(s), from Oct 14, 2026 to Oct 18, 2026.