Above.com is the only ICANN-accredited registrar offering Cost Pricing on individual and bulk domain registrations, renewals, and transfers for all supported domain extensions.
Costs include registry fees, reseller fees, ICANN fees, and Merchant/Bank processing fees applied per transaction on all domains. The only exemption applies to domain extensions that offer additional price promotions, discounts, or rebates.
So, whether you are new to domain investing or a seasoned professional with an extensive portfolio, it’s worth evaluating your current costs and learn how to save money using the Above.com platform.
Top Level Domains (TLDs)
Standard retail pricing for the most popular extensions, such as .com domains, is typically around $12 to $15 per year per registration; however, prices can fluctuate. Examples of average registration costs in USD for other TLDs are:
.com $12-$15 our price $10.46
.net $13–$16 our price $11.11
.org $11–$14 our price $10.13
.io $50–$60 our price $45.00
.ai $75–$120+ our price $70.00
.au AUD$10 -$20 our price AU$8.45
The .com TLD remains the most widely used top-level domain (TLD) worldwide. It generally indicates a commercial business, and as it’s currently the most recognized and trusted extension, it remains a good choice for use with your ideal domain name.
However, it’s worth keeping an eye on new TLD extensions that are periodically released to the market. For example, Shortdot, also an ICANN-accredited top-level domain registrar, owns and operates five new top-level domain extensions: .icu, .bond, .cyou, .cfd, and .sbs. They first launched the .icu (short for I see you) extension in 2018. This TLD gained global appeal due to its distinct and memorable three-letter name, as well as its flexibility, allowing its use across many industries and geographical regions.
Tip: If you are in the EU and use a US-based registrar, be aware that you will be charged VAT in addition to the registration fee. Using a non-EU registrar can save you money.
Tip: For country-specific TLDs, check with the local eligibility requirements and read more about choosing the right TLD in our blog, How to Choose a Domain Extension: Tips for Small Businesses and Startups.
Registration Costs
Registration costs refer to the price a domain investor pays to register, renew, or transfer a domain name through an accredited domain registrar, such as Above.com. It is a core recurring cost in domain investing, potentially affecting direct profit margins.
Many registrars offer promotional registration discounts throughout the year; however, these discounts do not necessarily reflect the renewal fee. Check with your registrar about potential hidden costs. Some offer low first-year pricing but then revert to charging higher renewal fees.
Tip: Some companies also charge for add-ons like Domain Privacy, (WHOIS), SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificates, and DNS (Domain Name System) management, but Above.com does not!
Tip: Above.com charges domains at cost price. Our transparent pricing system means there are no hidden fees at the checkout.
Renewals
Renewal fees vary depending on key factors, including whether the TLD is a common or premium domain. Premium domains may carry higher ongoing renewal fees, so a low initial cost domain with a $50 annual renewal fee can reduce profits unless it has a substantial resale value.
Using a domain portfolio management tool like Above.com to monitor ROI will help investors make better-informed decisions about dropping underperforming domains before paying the renewal fee and avoid letting high-performing TLDs drop unintentionally due to a missed domain renewal payment.
Renewal fees are one of the few predictable, controllable expenses in domain investing. Managing them well boosts overall ROI, so even a few dollars extra in renewal cost can mean the difference between profit and loss. This is especially important for investors managing thousands of domains who should control renewal costs to maintain a sustainable business model.
Tip: Most registrars charge their customers more for New and Transfer domains than they do for regular domains, so it’s worth choosing a platform such as Above.com, which does not raise its fees once you are on board.
Smart Domain Investing Means Transferring to Above.com
Wanting better renewal rates is a wise decision! However, beware that some registrars offer initial discount pricing to transfer your domains to them, but they often charge significantly higher renewal costs later. Above.com does not do that.
We make it worthwhile for domain investors to transfer their portfolios to our platform, as they will benefit from a centralized portfolio management system that offers reliability, cost efficiency, and maximum profit potential.
Here’s how it works:
Set Up an Above.com Account
- Go to Above.com and create an account if you don’t already have one.
- Once inside the platform, you will have access to tools for monetization, DNS management, and portfolio optimization.
Unlock Your Domains at Your Current Registrar
- Log in to your current registrar.
- Unlock each domain you wish to transfer.
- Disable the privacy option on each domain.
Obtain the EPP/Auth Codes
- Request the EPP code (also known as the Auth code) for each domain. You’ll need this to authorize the transfer.
Initiate Transfer on Above.com
- In Above.com’s interface, look for the Domain Transfer section.
- Enter your domain names and EPP codes.
Pay the Transfer Fee
- The transfer typically includes a one-year renewal fee, and the cost is often competitive, ranging from $8 to $10 per .com. You’ll pay this upfront during the process.
Confirm the Transfer
- You’ll receive an email from your current registrar requesting your approval for the transfer.
- Some registrars allow you to fast-track the approval process by approving it online or via email. If not fast-tracked, it usually transfers automatically in 5–7 days.
Domains Are Now Managed in Above.com
- Once transferred, your domains will appear in your Above.com portfolio dashboard.
- You can now utilize Above’s full suite, which includes traffic routing, DNS control, monetization, and auto-renewal tools.
Get your domains at cost price with Above.com and contact our Account Managers today for swift domain transfer support.
Frequently Asked Questions
What TLDs does Above’s Registrar support?
Above.com supports all top-level domains (TLDs). Click here for a full list of available TLD options.
What does at cost mean?
At cost pricing means the amount of money required to obtain goods or services, without any extra cash added for profit. In other words, at the cost price, without profit to the seller. Above.com does not earn commissions on domain registration costs, nor do we charge for extras at the checkout. We also don’t lower domain costs only to increase the renewal fees!
What is a domain transfer, and why can it be worthwhile?
A domain transfer is the process of changing the registrar (the company that manages your domain name) for your website’s domain name from one provider to another.
When you transfer a domain, you’re moving the administrative control of your domain name from one registrar to another. A domain transfer only affects who manages your domain name. It does not move your website files, emails, or other services associated with your domain.
Individuals or organizations might transfer a domain to take advantage of different pricing, features, or customer support offered by another registrar.
