.foundation Domain Names
41 registrars compared — cheapest from $5.99 at Name.com
Delegated on February 6, 2014, .foundation emerged from ICANN’s 2012 new gTLD program, aiming to serve nonprofits, trusts, and philanthropic entities—but its registry operator, Public Interest Registry (PIR), is itself a nonprofit, adding a layer of authenticity to the namespace.
| # | Registrar | Registration | Renewal | Transfer | 5-Year Cost | 10-Year Cost | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Name.com Cheapest | $5.99 | $40.99 | $37.99 | $169.95 | $374.90 | Visit |
| 2 | Porkbun Cheapest | $5.99 | $22.66 | $22.66 | $96.63 | $209.93 | Visit |
| 3 | Spaceship | $6.41 | $22.39 | $22.39 | $95.97 | $207.92 | Visit |
| 4 | Namecheap | $7.48 | $37.98 | $27.98 | $159.40 | $349.30 | Visit |
| 5 | Sav | $11.64 | $22.56 | $22.56 | $101.88 | $214.68 | Visit |
| 6 | Regery | $11.89 | $22.99 | $22.99 | $103.85 | $218.80 | Visit |
| 7 | Dynadot | $11.99 | $23.01 | $23.01 | $104.03 | $219.08 | Visit |
| 8 | eDomains | $11.99 | $26.88 | $26.88 | $119.51 | $253.91 | Visit |
| 9 | INWX | $13.00 | $43.32 | $43.32 | $186.28 | $402.88 | Visit |
| 10 | OVHcloud | $13.45 | $30.99 | $28.59 | $137.41 | $292.36 | Visit |
| 11 | Truehost | $13.52 | $30.41 | $28.21 | $135.16 | $287.21 | Visit |
| 12 | All Domains | $13.87 | $33.30 | $33.30 | $147.07 | $313.57 | Visit |
| 13 | NameSilo | $13.99 | $23.99 | $21.99 | $109.95 | $229.90 | Visit |
| 14 | Netim | $14.50 | $36.00 | $24.50 | $158.50 | $338.50 | Visit |
| 15 | Directnic | $14.99 | $44.99 | $44.99 | $194.95 | $419.90 | Visit |
| 16 | Gname | $14.99 | $35.99 | $35.99 | $158.95 | $338.90 | Visit |
| 17 | Regtons | $14.99 | $34.00 | $34.00 | $150.99 | $320.99 | Visit |
| 18 | Cloudflare | $21.70 | $21.70 | $21.70 | $108.50 | $217.00 | Visit |
| 19 | Above.com | $23.87 | $23.87 | $23.87 | $119.35 | $238.70 | Visit |
| 20 | Alibaba Cloud | $25.00 | $25.00 | $23.00 | $125.00 | $250.00 | Visit |
| 21 | MrDomain | $27.69 | $27.69 | $27.69 | $138.45 | $276.90 | Visit |
| 22 | Epik | $29.95 | $29.95 | $29.95 | $149.75 | $299.50 | Visit |
| 23 | Internet.bs | $29.99 | $33.99 | $32.99 | $165.95 | $335.90 | Visit |
| 24 | Crazy Domains | $30.71 | $31.69 | $30.71 | $157.47 | $315.92 | Visit |
| 25 | Marcaria | $31.00 | $31.00 | $31.00 | $155.00 | $310.00 | Visit |
| 26 | DreamHost | $31.99 | $31.99 | $31.99 | $159.95 | $319.90 | Visit |
| 27 | Blacknight | $32.17 | $32.17 | $32.17 | $160.85 | $321.70 | Visit |
| 28 | EuroDNS | $32.85 | $32.85 | $32.85 | $164.25 | $328.50 | Visit |
| 29 | 101domain | $34.17 | $41.17 | $34.17 | $198.85 | $404.70 | Visit |
| 30 | Cosmotown | $34.17 | $41.17 | $34.17 | $198.85 | $404.70 | Visit |
| 31 | Hover | $34.19 | $34.19 | $34.19 | $170.95 | $341.90 | Visit |
| 32 | Hello.co | $34.99 | $34.99 | $34.99 | $174.95 | $349.90 | Visit |
| 33 | UK2 | $35.75 | $35.75 | $48.99 | $178.75 | $357.50 | Visit |
| 34 | Infomaniak | $37.12 | $37.12 | $37.12 | $185.60 | $371.20 | Visit |
| 35 | IONOS | $40.00 | $40.00 | $40.00 | $200.00 | $400.00 | Visit |
| 36 | Moniker | $40.99 | $46.35 | $44.99 | $226.39 | $458.14 | Visit |
| 37 | Gandi | $41.21 | $87.98 | $34.92 | $393.13 | $833.03 | Visit |
| 38 | GoDaddy | $43.19 | $43.19 | $43.19 | $215.95 | $431.90 | Visit |
| 39 | 123 Reg | $43.54 | $43.54 | $43.54 | $217.70 | $435.40 | Visit |
| 40 | OnlyDomains | $44.99 | $50.49 | $50.49 | $246.95 | $499.40 | Visit |
| 41 | Squarespace | $50.00 | $50.00 | $50.00 | $250.00 | $500.00 | Visit |
Prices updated daily. Some registrars show promotional first-year prices. Always verify the final price on the registrar's website before purchasing.
A Nonprofit Registry for a Nonprofit TLD
When ICANN opened the floodgates for new gTLDs in 2012, most applicants were commercial registries. But .foundation is operated by Public Interest Registry (PIR), the same nonprofit that runs .org. That's a fitting match: a TLD meant for charitable foundations and NGOs, stewarded by an organization whose own mission is public benefit. The parallel isn't merely symbolic—PIR's operational experience with a massive legacy TLD lends credibility to a smaller namespace, and its nonprofit status means the domain's profits are reinvested into internet infrastructure and social causes rather than shareholder dividends. For a mission-driven entity, registering a .foundation is a statement that aligns the web address with the values behind the organization. It's rare for a TLD's registry model to mirror its intended audience so neatly, and that's precisely what makes .foundation distinctive.
The Philanthropic Signal in a Sea of Corporate TLDs
Because .foundation was delegated in the 2012 new gTLD round, it entered a market saturated with business-oriented extensions like .company, .inc, .llc, .ltd, and .limited. But while those alternatives shout "corporation," .foundation whispers "cause." The word itself carries connotations of philanthropy, research, and legacy—think charitable trusts, educational endowments, and advocacy groups. This semantic difference isn't just cosmetic; it shapes public perception. Registering a .foundation tells visitors, donors, and grant-makers that your site supports a mission rather than a profit margin. That's a powerful trust signal in an online ecosystem where legitimacy is hard to earn. IANA's delegation record confirms the TLD's availability to any registrant, but the intrinsic meaning of the word ensures that it naturally attracts a specific community.
Costly in the Right Way
The pricing spread for .foundation is wide, positioning it as a premium choice among gTLDs. Most registrars list it at a higher price point than mass-market TLDs, reflecting its niche positioning. With 41 registrars offering the extension, the cheapest option is around $5.99 at Name.com, while renewals hold steady at $40.99. This isn't a domain you pick up for pocket change—the price signals commitment. For a registered charity or a family foundation, that premium is justifiable; it deters cybersquatters and reinforces the seriousness of your online presence. In a world where your web address is a credibility cue, a premium TLD like .foundation can be a worthwhile investment. Yet the wide range also means that shopping around matters—some registrars charge $50.00, so comparing options yields savings. The budget-conscious nonprofit can start with Name.com, but should note that moving later carries a premium.
Owned by PIR, But Not a Brand
Despite being run by a nonprofit that also oversees one of the internet's largest TLDs, .foundation remains a standalone venture without brand-specific restrictions. Unlike a brand TLD that limits registrations to the owning corporation, .foundation is open to any applicant. The WHOIS server is whois.nic.foundation, and the registry's own site is nic.foundation—a resource for registrants and the curious alike. This open model means that alongside established nonprofits, you'll find startups, personal projects, and even businesses leveraging the word's positive halo. While PIR's stewardship brings operational reliability, the TLD's success ultimately depends on whether the public associates .foundation with trust. For now, it's a canvas—one that pairs philanthropic cachet with PIR's nonprofit credibility, giving it a unique standing among the new gTLDs.