Registrars (unregistered .ai)
Use a registrar when the .ai name is not currently owned by anyone. All major registrars sell .ai at $70–$200/yr with a 2-year minimum. The differences are renewal pricing, UX, and how aggressively they upsell.
| Registrar | Annual price | Strength | Weakness |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cloudflare Registrar | $70–$85/yr | At-cost renewals, no upsells | No phone support |
| Porkbun | $80–$95/yr | Clean UX, low transfer fees | Smaller brand |
| Namecheap | $90–$110/yr | Founder default, solid support | Mid-pack renewals |
| Gandi | $95–$120/yr | EU-friendly, transparent | Higher renewals |
| GoDaddy | $100–$200/yr | Brand recognition | Aggressive upsells, expensive renewals |
Aftermarket marketplaces (listed .ai)
Use a marketplace when the .ai name is owned but listed publicly with a price. Sedo and Afternic carry most premium .ai listings. Dan.com is smaller but founder-friendly. Listed prices are opening anchors — most accept 30–60% below sticker.
| Marketplace | Strength | Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Sedo | Largest aftermarket, strong .ai liquidity | 10–20% seller-side |
| Afternic | GoDaddy-integrated, registrar reach | 15–25% seller-side |
| Dan.com | Founder-friendly UX, transparent pricing | 9% seller-side |
| Squadhelp / Atom | Curated brandable names with logos | Built into list price |
Buy-side brokers (off-market .ai)
Use a broker when the .ai name is owned but not listed publicly, or when the listed price is unrealistic. Broker contacts the owner anonymously, anchors against closed comps, runs escrow through Escrow.com, and manages the registrar transfer.
Laser AI is a buy-side .ai brokerage — see how engagements are structured.
Which to use: quick decision
Free at registrar → registrar. Listed at acceptable price → marketplace. Listed at unrealistic price OR not listed at all → broker. Don't email the owner directly from your startup email — that's the single most expensive mistake AI founders make.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the best registrar for .ai domains?
- Cloudflare Registrar for lowest cost (at-cost renewals, no upsells). Porkbun for cleanest UX. Namecheap for the broadest founder familiarity. All three handle .ai transfers and renewals cleanly. Avoid GoDaddy if renewal price matters.
- Can I buy .ai domains on GoDaddy?
- Yes, GoDaddy sells unregistered .ai and runs Afternic (its aftermarket arm) where many premium .ai are listed. Registration price is competitive; renewal prices and upsell flow are not. Many founders register at GoDaddy then transfer to Cloudflare or Porkbun.
- Is Sedo or Afternic better for buying .ai?
- Sedo has slightly broader .ai inventory; Afternic integrates with GoDaddy and several other registrars so listings appear at registrar search results. Search both — many premium .ai are cross-listed. Dan.com is a smaller third option worth checking.
- Do I need a broker to buy a .ai domain?
- Only for off-market names or premium ($25K+) acquisitions where anonymity matters. For unregistered names, go direct to a registrar. For aftermarket-listed names under $10K, buy through the platform. For everything else, a broker typically pays for itself in price reduction.
- How much does a .ai broker cost?
- Reputable buy-side brokers charge 10–15% of the closed acquisition price as a success fee, with no upfront retainer on qualified deals over $100K. Smaller deals may be quoted flat. Sell-side brokers (representing sellers) work differently and you don't engage them as a buyer.
Keep reading
Need a name acquired off-market?
Laser AI brokers premium .ai and .com domains for funded startups. Anonymous outreach, comp-anchored offers, escrow handled.