When a domain enters the redemption period after expiration, recovering it comes at a significant cost that varies dramatically between registrars. After the grace period expires, domains enter a 30-day redemption phase where restoration fees can range from $100 to over $200, plus mandatory renewal costs.
Understanding Redemption Fees
Redemption fees consist of two components: the registrar’s service fee for processing restoration and the registry restore fee mandated by organizations like Verisign. Most registrars bundle these costs together, though the total varies widely depending on your provider and domain extension.
2025 Fee Comparison by Registrar
Budget Options ($100-150 total)
- Porkbun: $115-135 for .com domains
- Dynadot: $125-140 for .com domains
- Namesilo: $150-165 for .com domains
Mid-Range ($150-180 total)
- Name.com: $165-175 for .com domains
- Bluehost: $165-175 for .com domains
- Google Domains/Squarespace: $165-180 for .com domains
- Namecheap: $175-190 for .com domains
Premium/High-Cost ($180-220+ total)
- GoDaddy: $90-100 for .com domains
- Register.com: $180-200 for .com domains
- Network Solutions: $200-220 for .com domains
Fees by Domain Type
Generic TLDs (.com, .net, .org): Standard range of $100-200 total, with registry restore fees around $80-100.
Country Code TLDs (ccTLDs): Vary significantly. UK domains often have no redemption period and drop immediately after grace, while .de domains range $100-150 and .ca domains cost $120-180.
New gTLDs (.io, .tech, .store): Highly variable from $80-300, with some registries offering no redemption option at all. Premium domains may incur double or triple the standard costs.
Hidden Costs to Consider
Beyond the advertised redemption fee, expect to pay for at least one year of renewal, which is mandatory during restoration. For a .com at GoDaddy, this means $80 (redemption) + $20 (renewal) = $100 total. Some registrars also require multi-year renewals, add payment processing fees, or charge premiums for domains classified as valuable by the registry.
How to Avoid Redemption Fees
The best strategy is prevention through auto-renewal. Enable multiple notification methods including email and SMS, maintain updated payment information, and review your payment methods quarterly. Choosing registrars with longer grace periods (40-45 days vs. the standard 30) provides extra buffer time to renew at normal rates before redemption kicks in.
For domain portfolios, maintain a tracking spreadsheet with expiration dates, stagger renewals throughout the year, and conduct quarterly audits of payment methods and notification settings.
Alternatives to Redemption
If redemption costs are prohibitive, you can wait for the domain to drop after the redemption period ends (another 30 days) and attempt to re-register it at standard rates ($10-15). However, this carries significant risk—someone else may register it immediately, and your website remains down for 60+ days minimum.
Backorder services like SnapNames or DropCatch offer middle-ground solutions, monitoring domains and attempting registration the moment they drop. Costs range from $59-300 depending on competition, often cheaper than redemption but without guaranteed success.
Best Practices
When selecting a registrar, factor redemption fees into your total cost of ownership, especially for business-critical domains. Budget registrars like Porkbun save money on redemption, while premium providers like Network Solutions charge substantially more. For high-value domains, consider 10-year registrations to minimize expiration risks altogether.
Understanding these fee structures helps you make informed decisions when redemption becomes necessary, whether to pay for restoration, use backorder services, or compete for the domain after it drops.
For more information on grace periods, redemption timelines, and the complete domain deletion process, see our pillar guide: Domain Expiration to Deletion: Complete Guide to Grace, Redemption & Drop Times.
Last Updated: October 2025 | Always verify current fees with your registrar.
