5 Best Registrar for .ai Domain Names (.AI Domain Guide + 2-10 Years Pricing Comparison)

.AI domain hype is real. You already know it’s not as straightforward as buying a .com. 

This .AI TLD has a higher registration pricing. And domain registrars also force you to subscribe for at least 2 years in the beginning. And if you don’t focus, you might get into high renewal and other hidden charges.

Others don’t support .ai domains properly or make DNS management harder than it needs to be. 

So the real question isn’t just where to buy a .ai domain, but which registrar actually makes sense in the long run.

In this guide, I’ll break down the 5 best registrars for .ai domain names. Plus:

• We will see how 2-10 year pricing compares among them
• Key perks
• How to register a .AI domain name
• And a lot more.

The goal is simple: help you choose a reliable .AI domain registrar that saves you money in both the short and long run. 

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Best Registrars for .AI Domain Names (Quick Comparison)

Before diving into detailed reviews, here’s a side-by-side comparison of the most popular .ai domain registrars.

Registrar	2-Year .AI Domain Price	Renewal	Perks
Hostinger	$179.88	$199.88	Free domain privacy and a money value hosting package. Use code: BPDOMAIN for an extra 10% OFF
Namecheap	$159.96	$159.96	Free domain privacy for a lifetime and same renewals
GoDaddy	$194.98	$289.98	Initial discounts
Dynadot	$149.80	$149.80	Cost-effective for longer .ai domain registration
Cloudflare	$140.00	$140.00	Cheapest pricing and strong security

Quick Takeaways:

• Cheapest long-term option: Cloudflare Domains (if you already use Cloudflare)
• Best for beginners: Hostinger or Namecheap
• Best pricing transparency: Dynadot
• Most expensive renewals: GoDaddy

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1. Hostinger – Best for Beginners Registering a .AI Domain

Hostinger is a good choice if you’re registering a .ai domain for the first time and want a simple, guided experience. The interface is clean, pricing is fairly competitive, and you don’t need to jump through hoops to manage DNS or privacy settings.

• 2-Year .AI Price: $179.88
• Renewal Cost: $99.99 per year, which equals $199.98
• WHOIS Privacy: Included
• Best For: First-time buyers, small AI projects, startups
• Use code: BPDOMAIN to get an extra 10% OFF.

Pros

• They have a free AI domain name generator for those who are facing tough times in coming up a good domain name for their website
• Option of transferring an AI domain is also available without any charge
• Free domain privacy
• Option to claim a .AI domain for free for the first year through their web hosting package
• No technical skills required to register an .ai domain

Cons

• Fewer advanced DNS controls than developer-focused registrars
• Only allows you to register for 2 years. Not supported for longer tenure registration.

Verdict:

If you want to register an AI domain without dealing with complexity, Hostinger is a safe and beginner-friendly option.

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2. Namecheap – Reliable and Straightforward .AI Domain Name Registration

Namecheap has long been a go-to registrar, and its .ai domain offering follows the same pattern: simple pricing, clear renewals, and no unnecessary upsells. 

We also moved all our site domains to here from GoDaddy.

• 2-Year .AI Price: $159.96
• Renewal Cost: ~$45 per year
• WHOIS Privacy: Free
• Best For: Users who want a domain-only solution

Tenure	.AI Domain pricing	Renewals
2 Years	$159.96	$159.96
3 Years	$239.94	$239.94
4 Years	$319.92	$319.92
5 Years	$399.90	$399.90
6 Years	$479.88	$479.88
7 Years	$559.86	$559.86
8 Years	$639.84	$639.84
9 Years	$719.82	$719.82
10 Years	$799.80	$799.80

Pros

• Transparent pricing by offering the same renewal cost
• Free WHOIS privacy for lifetime
• Support long-term tenures as well

Cons

• No at-cost pricing model for .ai domains
• They don’t offer quality web hosting, hence it is best to choose Namecheap only for domains

Verdict:

If you want a no-nonsense way to buy a .ai domain from a trusted registrar, Namecheap does the job well.

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3. GoDaddy – Popular but Expensive for .AI Domains

GoDaddy supports .ai domains, but it’s usually the most expensive option in this list. Initial prices can look acceptable with coupons, but renewals tend to be on the higher side.

• 2-Year .AI Price: $194.98
• Renewal Cost: $289.98
• WHOIS Privacy: Free
• Best For: Users already managing domains on GoDaddy

Tenure	.AI Domain pricing	Renewals
2 Years	$194.98	$289.98
4 Years	$484.96	$579.96
6 Years	$774.94	$869.94
8 Years	$1064.92	$1159.92
10 Years	$1354.90	$1449.90

Pros

• Well-known brand with 20+ million customers around the world
• Easy DNS and domain management
• Frequent discount codes, especially for initial .AI domain pricing
• Real time domain monitoring for uptime
• Support long term ai domain name registration
• Domain privacy is free forever
• Offers hosting package with a first year free domain

Cons

• Higher domain renewal pricing

Verdict:

GoDaddy works, but unless you’re already using it, there are cheaper registrars for long-term .ai domain registrations.

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4. Dynadot – Best Value for Long-Term .AI Domain Registration

Dynadot is often overlooked, but it’s one of the most cost-effective options for registering .ai domains, especially if you plan to hold the domain for several years. 

Dynadot comes as the most cost effective domain registration service when we compare the average pricing of top domain .TLD’s.

• 2-Year .AI Price: $149.80
• Renewal Cost: $149.80
• WHOIS Privacy: Included
• Best For: Long-term holders, developers, bulk buyers

Tenure	.AI Domain pricing	Renewals
2 Years	$149.80	$149.80
3 Years	$224.70	$224.70
4 Years	$299.60	$299.60
5 Years	$374.50	$374.50
6 Years	$449.40	$449.40
7 Years	$524.30	$524.30
8 Years	$599.20	$599.20
9 Years	$674.10	$674.10
10 Years	$749.00	$749.00

Pros

• Offers the same renewals on all domain TLDs, including .AI and .COM
• Bulk and multi-year discounts
• Domain privacy and Email add-on are absolutely free

Cons

• Interface feels basic compared to others
• Offers a basic website builder with hosting

Verdict:

If pricing and renewal clarity matter most, Dynadot is one of the best registrars for .ai domain names.

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5. Cloudflare Domains – Cheapest .AI Domain

Cloudflare doesn’t mark up domain prices, which makes it the cheapest place to buy a .ai domain in most cases. However, it’s best suited for users already comfortable with Cloudflare’s ecosystem.

• 2-Year .AI Price: ~$140
• Renewal Cost: ~$140 
• WHOIS Privacy: Included
• Best For: Developers, Cloudflare users, security-focused sites

Tenure	.AI Domain pricing	Renewals
2 Years	$140.00	$140.00
3 Years	$210.00	$210.00
4 Years	$280.00	$280.00
5 Years	$350.00	$350.00
6 Years	$420.00	$420.00
8 Years	$560.00	$560.00
9 Years	$630.00	$630.00
10 Years	$700.00	$700.00

Pros

• Cheapest .AI domain pricing in the market
• Free WHOIS privacy
• Excellent DNS and security tools

Cons

• You cannot change the nameservers of the .AI domain registered here. In other words, you have to buy hosting with Cloudflare.

Verdict:

If you’re comfortable using Cloudflare, this is the cheapest and cleanest way to register a .ai domain long term.

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How to Register a .AI Domain Name (Step-by-Step)?

Well, you don’t have to worry about technical skills. That’s the first thing I am clearing before moving forward.

Step 1: Choose a Registrar That Supports .AI Domains Well

Not every registrar handles .ai domains properly. Before anything else, pick a registrar that:

• Clearly shows multi-year pricing
• Displays renewal costs upfront
• Includes WHOIS privacy (or offers it reasonably)

If you’re cost-focused, Cloudflare or Dynadot are strong options. If you want simplicity, Hostinger or Namecheap are easier to navigate.

Hostinger is also a great way to start if you’re thinking of buying a domain and hosting for your new website from the same registrar.

Their hosting plans are proven to be the most money value among entry level hosting comparisons.

They also give you a 1 year domain free of cost with their hosting package.

Step 2: Search for Your .AI Domain Name

Use the registrar’s domain search tool to check availability. Since .ai domains are popular, many short or generic names may already be taken.

This is where using a blog or AI domain name generator can save time. Some .AI domain registrars like Hostinger offers this functionality for free. All you need to describe your website idea, and it will generate a lot of good names for you.

Step 3: Select the Registration Period (Usually 2+ Years)

Most registrars will ask you to register the domain for at least 2 years. Some allow you to go up to 5 or even 10 years during checkout.

For experimental projects, sticking to the minimum is fine. That’s my money saving guide for you.

Step 4: Review WHOIS Privacy and Add-ons

Many registrars include WHOIS privacy for .ai domains, but some charge extra. Always double-check this before completing the purchase.

Also watch out for:

• Unnecessary email hosting add-ons
• SSL or hosting bundles you don’t need yet

You can safely skip most extras and add them later if required.

Step 5: Complete Checkout and Secure Your Domain

Once payment is done, your .ai domain will usually be active within minutes. In some cases, it may take a few hours to fully propagate.

In case you are transferring your domain from other registrars, then Most of the .AI domain registrars’ customer agents support you in every step through live chat. 

That’s the process you’ll encounter in your .AI domain registration.

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How Much Does a .AI Domain Cost?

If you’re used to registering .com domains for a few dollars a year, .ai pricing can feel unexpectedly high. 

That’s normal. 

.ai domains operate very differently from standard generic extensions, and understanding the pricing model upfront can save you money later.

Minimum Registration Period for .AI Domains

Most registrars require a minimum 2-year registration for .ai domains. You usually won’t see a 1-year option at checkout. This is enforced by the .ai registry itself, not individual registrars.

Because of this, the initial cost looks higher, even though the per-year price may still be reasonable when you break it down.

Average .AI Domain Pricing by Term Length

Here’s a realistic pricing range across popular registrars:

• 2 years: ~$70 to $120
• 3 years: ~$105 to $180
• 5 years: ~$175 to $300
• 10 years: ~$350 to $600

The spread depends on:

• Registrar markup
• Whether WHOIS privacy is included
• Additional services bundled at checkout

Registrars like Cloudflare charge close to the registry’s base price, while others add a margin on top.

Why .AI Domains Cost More Than .COM

.ai is the country-code top-level domain (ccTLD) for Anguilla, and the registry has positioned it as a premium extension. That means:

• No aggressive discounting
• Very limited promo codes
• Higher base pricing across all registrars

This also explains why “cheap .ai domain” deals are rare and why pricing differences between registrars are smaller than with .com domains.

Registration Price vs Renewal Price (Don’t Ignore This)

One of the most important things to check before you buy a .ai domain is the renewal cost.

Some registrars:

• Keep renewal pricing consistent
• Others increase the per-year cost after the first term

Over 5–10 years, even a small difference in renewal price can add up. When comparing registrars, always look beyond the first checkout screen and confirm the renewal rate.

Should You Register a .AI Domain for More Years?

If you’re confident about your project, registering for 5 or 10 years often makes sense.

Longer registrations:

• Lock in current pricing
• Reduce renewal hassle
• Protect your domain from future registry price hikes

This is especially relevant for startups, SaaS tools, or AI products where the domain is central to branding.

Can .AI Domain Prices Increase in the Future?

Yes. Since pricing is controlled by the registry, increases can happen with little notice. Several domain investors and founders choose longer registration periods specifically to hedge against future price changes.

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Is a .AI Domain Worth It? Pros & Cons:

Pros of Using a .AI Domain

1.) Clear relevance for AI-focused brands: I feel that if your product or startup is related to artificial intelligence, a .ai domain makes that clear right away.

2.) High brand recall: .AI is the new hype and people don’t forget easily…They also give you more flexibility when a clean .com is already taken.

3.) Growing acceptance in the market: Many AI tools and SaaS companies already use .ai domains. This has made the extension more familiar to users and investors.

4.) A strong alternative to .com: Instead of using long names or hyphens, a .ai domain helps keep your brand simple and professional.

Cons of Using a .AI Domain

1.) Higher registration and renewal costs: .ai domains cost more than most traditional extensions. Over time, the difference becomes noticeable. Yes, that’s the sad part.

2.) Multi-year commitment: Most registrars require a minimum two-year registration. This can be limiting for short-term projects.

3.) Fewer registrar options: There are fewer registrars that offer good pricing and smooth management for .ai domains.

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FAQs About .AI Domain Registration:

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Bottom Line: One Last Tip Before You Register

.AI domains are not impulse purchases. They cost more and usually renew at higher prices. Most registrars also require multi-year registrations. 

If the domain will play a key role in your brand or product, the investment can make sense. If not, it may be smarter to look at other extensions first.

You can also explore:

• Best .com alternatives if your preferred name is already taken
• Most expensive domain names ever sold to understand long-term brand value
• Best places to buy expired domains if you’re looking in this scenario

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