The similar first-year figures conceal a much larger renewal difference.
For the checked standard .com, Gandi and Porkbun have close registration prices but different recurring costs. Porkbun’s published annual renewal is substantially lower. Gandi’s included services may matter to a particular account, but compare their value against the regular renewal rather than only the introductory amount. [1] [2]
| THE DETAILSFind your fit. | GandiRead research review | PorkbunView profile |
|---|---|---|
| What you get | Domain registration with LiveDNS and DNSSEC listed among included services. [1] | Domain registration [2] |
| .com · first year | US$11.00 for a standard one-year .com registration in the U.S. view, before applicable tax. [1] | US$11.08 / year. ICANN and other domain fees included. [2] |
| .com · annual renewal | US$38.38 standard one-year renewal. Advertised US$34.54/year requires a 2–9-year renewal term; tax and checkout conditions apply. [1] | US$11.08 / year. Same fee inclusion. Porkbun has announced a .com increase to approximately US$11.81 on November 1, 2026 at 04:00 UTC. This is a future estimate, not the current price. Announcement checked October 4, 2026. [2] [3] |
| Nameserver choice | LiveDNS or external nameservers. Switching away deactivates an optional Premium DNS service. [4] | Choose Porkbun or another DNS provider. [5] |
| Contact privacy | Free, default WHOIS redaction with extension-specific exceptions. State, country, anonymized email and applicable company name may remain visible. [6] | Free WHOIS privacy offered; availability depends on the extension. [2] |
| Affiliate status | Customer referrals reward discount codes, not documented cash commission. A qualifying friend’s first order must reach US$3; the third referral has a different reward. [7] | Official affiliate page says the program has been discontinued. [8] |
| Consider it forATN assessment | A registrar whose renewal bill and included services justify the ongoing cost for your domain; compare the exact term. [1] [4] | Keeping your registrar and DNS choices flexible. [5] |
Domain registration only. Hosting plans and permission to host adult content require a separate check. USD snapshots are for standard, non-premium .com domains; promotions, taxes and checkout totals can vary.
Compare Gandi’s standard one-year renewal with Porkbun’s one-year amount. Gandi’s lower displayed per-year promotion requires a longer renewal term, so it commits more years at once. Tax and checkout conditions still need confirmation. [1] [2]
Both document external nameserver use. Gandi notes that changing away from LiveDNS deactivates optional Premium DNS. Check dependencies before moving an existing domain; registration, DNS and hosting are separate decisions. [4] [5]
Gandi explicitly lists contact details that can remain visible after redaction. Porkbun’s privacy availability depends on the extension. Choose the actual extension and review its contact exposure; an included privacy feature is not a promise of anonymity. [6] [2]
Research based · No hands-on testing or numeric scores · Direct links, no affiliate tracking. Our editorial standards
Compare .com renewal pricesDecide whether nameserver choice or a no-markup registration model fits the domain.
Read comparisonBUILD / Domain registrarsThe standard renewal gap is more consequential than the small registration difference.
Read comparisonBUILD / Domain registrarsCompare a published renewal with a funded-account discount whose renewal quote remains open.
Read comparisonBUILD / Domain registrarsCompare renewal totals, term conditions and referral rewards separately.
Read comparisonBUILD / Domain registrarsRequired nameservers and prepaid discount conditions are clearer than an unverified price ranking.
Read comparisonBUILD / Domain registrarsCompare a published standard .com rate with a funded-account registration discount.
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