A domain name is the address of your website and the ending of your business email, so where you buy it matters more than it looks. This guide shows where to search for the best price on .com and other international domains, and where to buy Kenyan domains such as .co.ke and .ke.
TL;DR: Quick Summary
For .com and other international domains, search on TLD-List to find the registrar with the lowest registration and renewal prices. For Kenyan domains such as .co.ke and .ke, buy from a KENIC-accredited registrar such as Hosting.com Kenya, Truehost, HostPinnacle or Safaricom. Whichever you use, compare the renewal price and register the domain in your business’s own name. Need help? See Studio6’s website design and hosting services.
Status note: this post reflects public information available on 1 November 2026. Domain prices and promotions change often, so confirm the price at checkout. We are not sponsored by any provider mentioned here.
How Domain Registration Works
A domain is registered through a registrar, a company that sells domains on behalf of the registry that runs each extension. For Kenyan domains the registry is KENIC. You do not buy a domain forever. You rent it for a period and renew it, and KENIC says it stays yours as long as it is registered and active. Three things decide whether a domain is a good buy:
- The first-year price is often a promotion.
- The renewal price is what you pay every year after, and it is frequently higher.
- The registrant is the name the domain is registered to. It should be your business.
Where to Search and Buy .com and International Domains
For .com, .org, .net and other international extensions, you can buy from many registrars, so the best approach is to compare before you pay. TLD-List is a free price-comparison site for exactly this. Its table lists the cheapest registration, cheapest renewal and cheapest transfer price for each extension, along with popularity and a best three-year value ranking.
How to use TLD-List to find a good deal
- Open TLD-List and find the extension you want, such as .com.
- Look at the cheapest registration price and the cheapest renewal price. These are often different registrars.
- Check the three-year value if you plan to keep the domain for several years.
- Open the registrar and search for your exact name to confirm the price at checkout.
- Before you pay, check for extras that are not optional, such as taxes, add-ons selected by default and privacy fees.
Registrars such as Spaceship and Namecheap are common choices for international domains, and TLD-List will show you whichever is cheapest for your extension on the day. A low first-year price from a registrar with a high renewal price is a poor deal if you keep the domain for years.
TLD-List compares registrar prices as a service for domain buyers and is not a registrar itself, so you still buy from the registrar it points to. Prices can change between your search and checkout.
Kenyan Domain Extensions: .co.ke, .ke and Others
KENIC runs the .ke registry and describes what each extension is for. Most are open to register, and a few need supporting documents.
| Extension | Intended for | Documents needed |
|---|---|---|
| name.ke | One name before .ke, with no specialisation | No |
| name.co.ke | Companies and businesses | No |
| name.or.ke | Not-for-profit organisations and NGOs | No |
| name.me.ke | Personal names | No |
| name.info.ke | Information sites | No |
| name.mobi.ke | Mobile content | No |
| name.ne.ke | Network devices | No |
| name.go.ke | Government | Yes: authority letter and supporting documents from the Government IT Services department |
| name.ac.ke | Higher learning institutions | Yes: a certificate of registration, college charter or Act of Parliament |
| name.sc.ke | Lower and middle learning institutions | Yes: a copy of the certificate of registration from the Ministry of Education |
For most Kenyan businesses, .co.ke is the familiar choice, and KENIC also lists the shorter name.ke. A new domain can take up to about 30 minutes to be recognised by DNS servers worldwide after you register it.
Where to Buy .co.ke and .ke Domains in Kenya
Kenyan domains are sold by KENIC-accredited registrars, and many of them are hosting companies. Before you buy, confirm that the registrar is accredited by KENIC. These are the sources we recommend checking:
| Source | .co.ke first year | .co.ke renewal | .ke price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hosting.com Kenya | KSh 460 | KSh 2,300 | KSh 2,635 | Domain search on its Kenya site. Its page also advertises a free first year on a 2-year purchase. |
| Truehost Kenya | KSh 299 (promotion) | KSh 1,500 | Not shown on the page we checked | Transfer in is KSh 1,000. It also lists .com at KSh 1,100 in the first year, renewing at KSh 1,600. |
| HostPinnacle | KSh 250 | Not listed separately | Not listed | Prices are per year and exclude VAT, with no split between registration and renewal. .com is KSh 1,750. |
| Safaricom Domains | KSh 1,160 | KSh 1,160 | KSh 4,640 | The same price for registration, transfer and renewal. .com is KSh 2,430. VAT is not stated. |
Prices are approximate and change with promotions, so confirm the first-year and renewal price at checkout.
For plan details and prices on each of these hosts, see our guide to top web hosting companies in Kenya.
Should You Take the Free Domain That Comes With Hosting?
Many hosts include a free domain, and it is a fair way to save money. Read the conditions first:
- Is it free once or every year? Most are free for the first year only, and then renew at the normal price.
- Is a longer purchase required? Hosting.com’s page lists a free first year on a 2-year purchase, and other offers need annual billing or a particular plan.
- Who is listed as the owner? The registrant should be your business, with an email address you control. If it’s the hosting company, you may not be able to move the domain later.
- Can you move it? If you leave the host later, you should be able to transfer the domain, even if a fee applies.
What to Check Before You Buy a Domain
- Compare the renewal price, not just the first-year price.
- Register in your business’s name. KENIC advises this for companies, because changing the registrant later is time-consuming and can cost extra.
- Use an email address you control as the contact, so renewal notices and transfer codes reach you.
- Turn on auto-renewal or register for more years. KENIC allows up to 5 years on a .ke domain.
- Keep your login. Store the registrar account details somewhere your business owns, not in one person’s inbox.
- Check you can control DNS. You will need it to point the domain at your website and your business email. See our guide to the best business email hosting for Kenyan businesses.
Common Domain Mistakes to Avoid
- Letting a web designer or host register the domain in their name.
- Choosing a registrar for a low first-year price and then paying a high renewal every year.
- Registering with a personal email that a former employee controls.
- Forgetting renewal dates, which can take your website and email offline.
- Buying a lookalike or misspelled name that confuses customers.
How Studio6 Can Help
At Studio6, we register and manage domains in your business’s name, so you keep direct ownership of the account. We also connect your domain to your website and business email, and set the DNS records that keep your mail out of spam. If you are starting from scratch, see how to launch a website in Kenya for KES 500.
Explore our website design and development services, or email us at hello@bystudio6.com.
Related Guides
- Top web hosting companies in Kenya
- Best international web hosting for Kenyan businesses
- Best business email hosting for Kenyan businesses
- How to launch a website in Kenya for KES 500
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I buy a .co.ke domain?
You buy a .co.ke domain from a registrar accredited by KENIC, the Kenya Network Information Centre. Many Kenyan hosting companies are registrars, including Hosting.com, Truehost and HostPinnacle, and Safaricom sells domains through its domains store. Compare the first-year price and the renewal price before you choose.
How much does a .co.ke domain cost?
It depends on the registrar and on promotions. Among the registrars compared here, first-year .co.ke prices run from about KES 250 to KES 1,160, and renewals from about KES 1,160 to KES 2,300 a year. Check the renewal price on the registrar’s own page, because that is what you pay every year after the first.
Where should I search for a cheap .com domain?
Use TLD-List to compare registrars. It lists the cheapest registration, renewal and transfer prices for each extension, so you can see which registrar is lowest before you buy. Then check that registrar’s checkout for extras and the renewal price.
How long can I register a domain for?
KENIC says a .ke domain can be registered for 1 year or up to 5 years, and you can set auto-renewal with your registrar. Registering for longer protects you from missing a renewal, but it ties up more money upfront.
Should my company’s domain be in the company’s name?
Yes. KENIC advises that if a company pays for the registration, the domain should normally be registered in the company’s name, because transferring it later is time-consuming and may cost extra. Make sure the registrant details and the contact email belong to your business, not to a developer or a staff member.
Is a free domain with hosting a good deal?
It can be, as long as you check the conditions. Some free domains are free only for the first year, some need a multi-year purchase, and the domain renews at the normal price afterwards. Confirm who is listed as the registrant and that you can move the domain if you leave the host.
