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Domain registrar · by Gandi SAS

Gandi

French registrar with 750+ extensions, LiveDNS anycast DNS with automatic DNSSEC and a full API, but a .com renewal near $38.

Visit gandi.net ↗ Alternatives Paid EU region
Gandi homepage
§1

Overview

Gandi is a French registrar accredited by Verisign for .com since February 2000, and one of the older independent registrars still operating. It offers over 750 extensions, including many ccTLDs that US retail registrars do not carry, and sells hosting, email, SSL certificates and GandiCloud VPS alongside domains.

Every domain registered at Gandi gets LiveDNS, its anycast DNS service with changes propagating in under 250 ms. DNSSEC is automatic on LiveDNS, can be set up manually for external nameservers, and Gandi also offers a free secondary nameserver that accepts pre-signed DNSSEC zones. LiveDNS and domain management are available through a REST API and CLI.

The weak point is renewal cost. In September 2026 a .com was $11.00 to register or transfer but $38.38 a year to renew (US prices, excluding VAT), or $34.54 a year on a multi-year promotion. That is more than three times what near-wholesale registrars charge, so Gandi makes sense mainly when its extension coverage, EU base or DNS tooling matter to you.

§2

Pricing and plans

Plan Price What you get
.com registration $11.00/yr US prices, excluding VAT, A-rate grid
.com renewal $38.38/yr Promotion: $34.54/yr for 2 to 9 years
.com transfer $11.00 Renews for the minimum duration
Late renewal $38.38 Up to 45 days after expiry
Volume grids B to E Lower rates From $600 to $12,000+ purchased per calendar year

Prices shown are for the United States, in USD, excluding VAT, on Gandi's standard A-rate grid; customers spending $600, $2,000, $6,000 or $12,000 a year get lower grids. Restoring a domain after the late-renewal period costs $55.00. Gandi's .com page did not state whether WHOIS privacy is free, so the privacy fact is left empty; independent reviews say privacy is included for GDPR-eligible registrations.

Source: www.gandi.net/en-US/domain/tld/com · prices as published, excluding tax.

§3

What it does

LiveDNS
Free anycast DNS for every domain, with updates propagating in under 250 ms.
Automatic DNSSEC
DNSSEC is handled automatically on LiveDNS and can be enabled manually for external nameservers.
Secondary DNS
A free secondary nameserver that supports pre-signed DNSSEC zones for Gandi domains.
API and CLI
LiveDNS records and domains can be managed through a REST API.
Wide extension list
Over 750 extensions, including many ccTLDs.
§4

Strengths and limitations

Strengths

  • EU company with long registrar history
  • Anycast DNS with DNSSEC and API included
  • Large ccTLD catalogue
  • Volume price grids for heavy buyers

Limitations

  • .com renews at $38.38 a year excluding VAT, far above most competitors
  • Prices exclude VAT
  • Late renewal up to 45 days costs the full renewal price, and restoring after that costs $55
§5

Who it suits

Good for

  • EU teams needing many ccTLDs
  • Developers automating DNS with a REST API
  • Organisations that want an EU-based registrar

Look elsewhere if

  • Anyone keeping a cheap .com for years
  • Hobby projects on a tight budget
§6

Alternatives to Gandi

Tool From Free option Stages
INWX Domain registrar
$15.72/yr Paid
DNSimple DNS hosting and domain management
$0.5/mo Paid
Amazon Route 53 Managed DNS and traffic routing
$0.5/mo Paid
easyDNS Managed anycast DNS and registrar
$20/yr Paid
NameBright Domain registrar
$10.99/yr Paid
Dynadot Domain registrar and aftermarket
$10.88/yr Paid

All domain registrars →

§7

Questions

How much does Gandi charge to renew a .com?

$38.38 per year excluding VAT on US pricing in September 2026, or $34.54 a year on a 2 to 9 year promotion.

Does Gandi include DNS and DNSSEC?

Yes. Every domain gets LiveDNS anycast DNS, and DNSSEC is automatic on LiveDNS.

How many extensions does Gandi offer?

Over 750, according to Gandi's .com page.

Is Gandi an EU company?

Yes, Gandi SAS is French.

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