When Renewal Fees Make You Question Everything
You just got the email: your domain is up for renewal. And the price makes you wince.
Maybe it's a .ai domain that costs $80/year. Maybe it's a .io that jumped to $60. Maybe you have five .com domains at $15 each and the total bill is starting to feel like a subscription you forgot to cancel.
Sound familiar? You're not alone. Domain renewal costs are one of the top reasons people let domains expire. But there's a much better option than silently letting them drop.
The Real Cost of Premium TLDs
Let's look at what popular TLDs actually cost to renew in 2026:
Renewal prices (approximate):
And these are base prices — some registrars charge even more, especially for "premium" domain names where the registry itself sets a higher price.
The portfolio problem
If you're a domain investor or serial entrepreneur, renewal costs compound fast:
That's real money being spent on digital assets generating zero return.
The $99 Flip
Here's where it gets interesting. Instead of paying $40-90 to renew a domain you're not using, you could earn $99 by selling it on NotRenewing.
The math for a single .ai domain:
The math for a portfolio:
Let's say you have 10 domains you're not renewing:
| Action | Cost/Income |
|--------|------------|
| Renew all | -$385 |
| Let all expire | $0 |
| Sell all on NotRenewing | +$990 |
That's a $1,375 swing between the worst option (renewing domains you don't use) and the best option (selling them all).
Who Should Sell Instead of Renewing?
Startup founders with pivot domains
You registered 5 domains while brainstorming names. You picked one. The other 4 are collecting dust. Sell them.
Domain investors pruning portfolios
You bought 50 domains last year. Half of them haven't generated any interest. Instead of renewing the whole portfolio, sell the underperformers for $99 each on NotRenewing and reinvest in better names.
Side project hoarders
We've all been there — registering a domain for a project that "definitely" launches next month. It's been 18 months. Let it go. Let someone else build something with it.
Premium TLD holders
If you're sitting on .ai or .io domains you're not using, those expensive renewals make selling an even easier decision. Why pay $80/year for something that earns you nothing?
But What If My Domain Is Worth More Than $99?
Great question. Some domains are worth significantly more than $99. If you think your domain falls in this category, here's how to check:
If similar domains are selling for $500+, you might want to list on a traditional marketplace where you can set your own price. But be honest with yourself — most domains aren't worth as much as their owners think.
The 80/20 rule of domain portfolios:
For that 80%, NotRenewing is the best option. Fast sale, guaranteed price, zero hassle.
How to List Your Domains
It's free to list during our beta. No listing fees, no commissions. You keep the full $99 per sale.
The Renewal Deadline Is Your Sales Deadline
Here's a pro tip: list your domains at least 30-60 days before their renewal date. This gives buyers time to discover your domain, purchase it, and complete the transfer before you'd need to renew.
If your domain expires March 15, list it by February 1. Don't wait until the last minute.
Stop Paying for Domains You Don't Use
Every year, domain owners waste millions of dollars renewing domains they'll never build on. That money could be in your pocket instead — literally.
For every domain you're not planning to renew:
It's the smartest financial decision you can make for your unused domains.