TLD List
TLD List is a domain name price comparison tool that aggregates pricing from 54 registrars across 3,495 domain extensions, helping users find the cheapest registrar for different TLDs. The site offers a free ad-supported tier and paid subscription plans with API access, data downloads, and ad-free browsing.
Score generated by AI agents based on publicly cited evidence and reviewed by the project maintainer. Not independently validated.
Score History
Timeline events are AI-curated from public reporting. Score trajectory is derived from documented events.
Tim White launched TLD List on January 22, 2015 as a solo side project, comparing 818 TLDs across 7 registrars with transparent pricing. The site had no paid subscriptions, no display advertising, and no affiliate program at launch. Revenue was essentially zero, and the site ran on minimal infrastructure. The product was a pure utility tool with no monetization friction.
Through 2015-2016, TLD List rapidly expanded from 7 to over 30 registrars and added the Value Score algorithm, registrar reviews with Bitcoin tipping, price history charts, WHOIS privacy pricing, and paid data download subscriptions. The affiliate revenue model was introduced, and the site was translated into 11 languages. The ICANN fee ($0.18) was integrated into pricing. These additions introduced mild algorithmic opacity through the Value Score formula and modest monetization friction, but the core product remained freely accessible.
By 2019, TLD List had matured into a full-featured platform with currency conversion, dark theme, email price alerts, and an update frequency improved from every 6 hours to every 3 hours. The site began actively removing problematic registrars (HostGator for false pricing, 1&1 IONOS for complaints, Alpnames after ICANN accreditation termination). Display advertising was formalized with a dedicated advertising page, and Tim White published a transparent breakdown of affiliate program quality. The registrar curation stance established TLD List's identity as a quality-focused tool willing to delist revenue sources.
The 2020-2022 period saw accelerated registrar policing: Regery was removed for fake reviews, Dotintra and LCN for user complaints, Netfirms and Dotster for inaccurate pricing, and multiple registrars cycled through removal and reactivation based on data quality. Custom registrar filtering was launched for paid subscribers in mid-2020. The OVH VAT pricing controversy was resolved. Paid subscription tiers solidified with distinct Starter and Professional plans. The site's dark pattern score increased marginally as the subscription model expanded, though no manipulative design was introduced.
TLD List operates as a mature, independent domain price comparison tool covering 3,495 TLDs from 54 registrars. The site continues to actively curate its registrar listings, removing problematic registrars like Epik and Regery while adding new ones like Spaceship. Custom filters, promotional pricing toggles, and expanded TLD content round out the feature set. Traffic has declined but the product remains functionally healthy with transparent monetization and no extractive pressure.
Alternatives
Visual domain price comparison tool covering a large range of TLDs and registrars with a clean interface. Free to use, no account required. Slightly smaller registrar coverage than TLD-List but easier to browse at a glance. Good option if TLD-List's data download and API features are not needed.
Straightforward price comparison for domain registration, renewal, and transfer across major registrars. Free, no signup, and covers the major TLDs most users actually need. Less comprehensive than TLD-List's 3,495 extensions but faster to use for common searches.
In the News
Dimensional Breakdown
Summaries below were written by AI agents based on the cited evidence. They are editorial interpretations, not independent research findings.
Dimension History
Timeline (46 events)
TLD List launches on Hacker News with 818 TLDs
Tim White launched tld-list.com as a solo project, comparing pricing across 818 top-level domains from 7 registrars with transparent pricing. The Show HN post reached #6 on Hacker News, generating approximately 5,400 unique visitors on launch day with 6.38 page views per visit. The site was described as 'quickly hacked out' with no monetization model.
First registrar expansion: Dotster, Netfirms, NameSilo added
Within days of launch, TLD List began expanding registrar coverage based on Hacker News user feedback. Dotster, Netfirms, NameSilo, Uniregistry, and 101domain were among the first additions, growing the platform from 7 to over a dozen registrars in the first week.
GoDaddy added with search improvements
GoDaddy, the largest domain registrar, was added to TLD List along with search improvements including green highlighting for cheapest prices. This represented a significant coverage milestone as GoDaddy is the market leader in domain registrations.
Promo codes feature integrated into listings
TLD List integrated promotional codes from registrars directly into the pricing comparison interface, allowing users to see available discounts alongside standard pricing. The promo code display includes codes from registrars like Namecheap, NameSilo, and Name.com.
Value Score algorithm launched for registrar comparison
TLD List introduced the Value Score, a proprietary formula that calculates the value of a domain registration over a 3-year ownership period by factoring in registration price, two years of renewal, and the monetary value of free features (email, DNS hosting, etc.). The formula was published in the FAQ but the exact monetary values assigned to features remain undisclosed.
Promotional pricing limit highlighting introduced
When 1&1 registrar was added, TLD List introduced highlighting for limited-use promotional pricing, distinguishing between regular prices and promotions that can only be used a limited number of times per customer. This transparency measure helps users understand true pricing.
Responsive mobile-friendly design implemented
TLD List was redesigned with a responsive layout to support mobile devices, making the price comparison tool accessible across screen sizes. This was a significant usability improvement for a data-heavy comparison site.
Site translated into 11 additional languages
TLD List was translated into 11 languages beyond English, including Spanish, German, Russian, and Japanese, expanding its accessibility to non-English-speaking domain buyers worldwide. This was done without adding any localization-based monetization barriers.
WHOIS privacy pricing tracking added
TLD List began tracking and displaying WHOIS privacy pricing from registrars, updating every 6 hours alongside registration, renewal, and transfer pricing. A new WHOIS Privacy column was added to the main comparison table, showing which TLDs support privacy services.
Paid data download subscriptions launched
TLD List introduced its first paid subscription offering: full data set downloads containing all registrar pricing, features, and TLD details. The subscription included a non-restrictive license allowing subscribers to reuse, republish, and resell the downloaded data. This marked TLD List's first revenue stream beyond affiliate commissions.
Registrar ratings and reviews system launched
TLD List launched a registrar review system allowing users to rate registrars, leave comments, upload screenshots, and even submit Bitcoin addresses for tips. Reviews are scored and sorted using the Wilson score confidence interval, and overall registrar ratings use a weighted average of star ratings.
Cheapest price history charts added to TLD pages
TLD List introduced historical price tracking charts on every TLD detail page, documenting the cheapest registrar pricing for registration, renewals, and transfers since March 29, 2016. This feature provided transparency into pricing trends over time, helping users identify price increases.
Epik registrar initially added to platform
TLD pricing and features for Epik were added to TLD List. Epik would later become a source of controversy, eventually being removed in May 2023 for failing to fulfill domain registrations and renewals.
Minds + Machines removed after Uniregistry acquisition
Minds + Machines registrar was removed from TLD List after being acquired by Uniregistry. The registrar had migrated approximately 49,000 domains to Uniregistrar as part of exiting the registrar and back-end services markets.
Affiliate program transparency blog post published
Tim White published 'The Best and Worst Domain Name Affiliate Programs,' rating each affiliate program TLD List participates in from A+ to F-. The post described BigRock's program as 'a complete scam' and disclosed that affiliate commissions provide 'a (small) amount of money' to keep the site running. Last updated October 2019.
Domain availability checker and JavaScript UI launched
TLD List added a real-time domain availability checker allowing users to type keywords to check availability across TLDs. The main list was rebuilt in JavaScript, enabling faster searching and automatic infinite scrolling without page navigation.
Network Solutions removed for opaque pricing
Network Solutions was removed from TLD List because the registrar did not publish transparent pricing, violating TLD List's requirement that all featured registrars make their prices publicly accessible.
TLD categories feature launched
TLD List introduced a categorization system for domain extensions, organizing TLDs into groups like Technology, Professional, Services, and Education. This structural improvement made it easier for users to browse and discover relevant domain extensions.
HostGator removed for false price advertising
HostGator was removed from TLD List for false advertising of their domain prices. This was one of the earliest instances of TLD List taking a firm stance against registrar pricing inaccuracy, establishing a precedent for future removals.
ICANN fee integrated into registrar pricing
TLD List began adding the $0.18 ICANN fee to applicable registrar prices displayed on the site, ensuring users see the true total cost of domain registration rather than prices that exclude mandatory fees.
Second and third-level domain support added
TLD List expanded beyond top-level domains to support second and third-level domain pricing, such as .co.uk and .com.au. This significantly broadened the site's coverage to include ccTLD substructures commonly used in many countries.
Email alerts and newsletter launched on 4th anniversary
On TLD List's fourth anniversary, email alerts were launched allowing users to receive notifications when TLD prices change, availability dates are updated, or new TLDs are delegated. Custom alerts could monitor specific TLDs with price change thresholds.
Alpnames removed after ICANN accreditation terminated
TLD List removed Alpnames after the registrar ceased operations and had its ICANN accreditation terminated. This action reflected TLD List's commitment to only listing active, properly accredited registrars.
Registrar tax information displayed on detail pages
TLD List began displaying tax information (VAT, GST, HST) on TLD detail pages, helping users understand the true cost of domains from registrars that charge different taxes based on jurisdiction.
OVH VAT overcharging exposed and corrected in listings
In July 2019, TLD List discovered that OVH.ie was charging a 23% VAT to all customers regardless of location, including non-EU customers. TLD List automatically added 23% to all OVH prices to reflect true costs. The issue was resolved in February 2020 when OVH stopped charging VAT to non-EU customers.
Price update frequency doubled to every 3 hours
TLD List improved its automated price crawlers, increasing registrar pricing update frequency from every 6 hours to every 3 hours. This improvement reduced the window during which users might see stale pricing data.
Dark UI theme added to website
TLD List added a dark mode theme option, responding to the broader industry trend toward dark UIs and providing a more comfortable browsing experience for users who prefer reduced screen brightness.
Multi-currency support and locale formatting added
TLD List added currency conversion allowing users to view all prices in their preferred currency using a dropdown menu, with automatic exchange rate conversion. Displayed prices are also formatted based on the browser's locale settings, showing numbers in local notation.
1&1 IONOS removed for user complaints
1&1 IONOS, one of the largest domain registrars, was removed from TLD List following numerous user complaints. This demonstrated that even major registrars were not exempt from removal if they generated sufficient negative user feedback.
Dotintra removed for user complaints
Dotintra registrar was removed from TLD List due to numerous user complaints about their service, continuing the pattern of prioritizing user protection over registrar coverage.
LCN removed for user complaints
LCN registrar was removed from TLD List following user complaints, another instance of the site's ongoing registrar quality control. The removal was documented on the blog.
Netfirms and Dotster removed for inaccurate pricing
Both Netfirms and Dotster registrars were removed from TLD List on the same day for advertising inaccurate pricing. These were registrars that had been listed since the platform's earliest days in January 2015.
Custom registrar filters launched for subscribers
TLD List released custom registrar filtering for paid subscribers, allowing users to show or hide specific registrars across the website and in data downloads. This was a significant feature differentiator between free and paid tiers.
Hostinger removed for withholding pricing
Hostinger was removed from TLD List after the registrar stopped publishing its pricing publicly. The registrar was later reactivated in May 2023 after resolving the pricing transparency issue.
Regery removed for fake review submissions
Regery registrar was removed from TLD List due to numerous user complaints and fake review submissions on the platform. This was one of the most significant integrity actions taken by TLD List, as it involved manipulation of the review system rather than just pricing inaccuracies.
Regery conditionally reactivated with restrictions
Regery was reactivated on TLD List after a year-long removal, but with restrictions noted. The site placed conditions on Regery's listing, reflecting a cautious approach to re-listing previously problematic registrars.
NameSilo temporarily removed for API pricing errors
NameSilo, a major registrar, was temporarily removed from TLD List because its API was returning inaccurate pricing data. The registrar was reactivated after correcting its API, demonstrating TLD List's policy of data integrity enforcement even with popular registrars.
Channel Island Hosting removed for inaccurate pricing
Channel Island Hosting was removed from TLD List for advertising inaccurate pricing, only a few months after being added to the platform in September 2020. This quick removal demonstrated that newly added registrars are held to the same data quality standards.
Register.to removed after losing Tonga registry authorization
Register.to was removed from TLD List after it was no longer authorized by the Tonga registry to sell .to domains. This removal was due to external authorization issues rather than the registrar's own misconduct.
Truehost removed following user complaints
Truehost registrar was removed from TLD List due to numerous user complaints, only a few months after being added in December 2022. The rapid addition-then-removal cycle reflected the challenge of vetting registrars before listing them.
Spaceship registrar added to platform
Spaceship, a newer registrar offering competitive .COM pricing at $3.08, was added to TLD List. The registrar quickly became notable for having some of the lowest domain prices available.
Transfer guide published to help Epik customers escape
Tim White published a step-by-step guide titled 'How to Transfer Domain Names Away from Epik' after many users reported paying Epik for domain registrations and renewals that were never fulfilled. The guide was published alongside the disclosure that Epik was millions of dollars in debt and facing a $307,000 fraud lawsuit.
Epik removed for failing to fulfill registrations
Epik was removed from TLD List after it became clear the registrar was not fulfilling domain registrations and renewals despite accepting payment. ICANN Contractual Compliance had received 40 complaints by June 2023, initiating 19 compliance investigations.
Promotional pricing toggle feature released
TLD List released a setting allowing users to hide limited-use promotional pricing throughout the website. Enabling this toggle removes all registration, renewal, and transfer prices limited to 3 or fewer uses per customer, showing regular pricing instead. The feature was described as 'highly requested' by domain investors.
Full data download expanded to XML format
TLD List expanded its full data download to include XML format alongside the existing JSON format, providing subscribers with additional flexibility for data integration.
Blog documents wholesale price increases across 211 TLDs
Tim White published a detailed analysis of wholesale domain price increases by four registries (VeriSign, XYZ.COM, Global Registry Services, Identity Digital) affecting 211 TLDs. The post documented increases ranging from 6.91% for .com ($8.97 to $9.59) to 135% for .reviews, providing transparency to users about industry-wide price movements.
Evidence (34 citations)
D1: User Value Erosion
D2: Business Customer Exploitation
D3: Shareholder Extraction
D4: Lock-in & Switching Costs
D5: Twiddling & Algorithmic Opacity
D6: Dark Patterns
D7: Advertising & Monetization Pressure
D8: Competitive Conduct
D9: Labor & Governance
D10: Regulatory & Legal Posture
Scoring Log (4 entries)
Stripped for Phase 2 re-enrichment