What is the renewal price for a .io domain?
Typical renewal cost
The .io TLD is managed by the Internet Computer Bureau (ICB) and has wholesale pricing that leads to retail renewals generally between $30 and $60 annually. Popular registrars like Namecheap, GoDaddy, and Porkbun often list .io renewals around $35–$50.
First-year registration for .io can be discounted, sometimes $20–$30, but the renewal rate is what you'll pay going forward. Some registrars offer slightly lower renewals if you prepay for multiple years.
Why .io costs more
.io is a country-code TLD for the British Indian Ocean Territory, but it's widely used by tech startups and developers. Its popularity and limited supply of short names contribute to higher prices compared to .com. The registry also charges more than Verisign does for .com.
Prices can change if the registry adjusts wholesale rates. It's wise to check your registrar's renewal price before buying, as some offer low first-year deals but higher renewals.
- Renewal range: $30–$60 per year.
- First-year promos: sometimes $20–$30.
- Multi-year prepay may reduce annual cost slightly.
- Check registrar's renewal price, not just first-year.
Common mistakes
- Assuming the first-year price is the same as renewal.
- Forgetting that .io is a ccTLD with different rules than .com.
- Not comparing registrars: renewal prices can vary by $10 or more.