Dropsites

March 18, 2025
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If you’re looking to buy dropping domains—those that have expired and are either in the process of being released back to the public or are up for grabs via auctions—there are several reliable platforms available as of March 16, 2025. These sites cater to different needs, whether you’re hunting for SEO value, premium names, or just a bargain. Here’s a rundown of the top sites where you can snag dropping domains, based on their functionality and reputation:

1. ExpiredDomains.net

  • What it offers: A massive database of expired and dropping domains across 677 TLDs (like .com, .net, .org, and ccTLDs). It lists domains that are pending delete (about to drop) or recently dropped, with SEO metrics like backlinks and archive.org history.
  • How to buy: You can’t buy directly here—it’s a discovery tool. Once you find a domain, you backorder it through a registrar or catch it when it drops using services like Namecheap or GoDaddy.
  • Best for: Free research and finding domains before they hit the open market.
  • Cost: Free to use; registration costs depend on your registrar.

2. GoDaddy Auctions

  • What it offers: A marketplace for expired domains entering the aftermarket, including auctions for dropping names. GoDaddy is a primary source where domains go post-expiration if not renewed within the 77-day deletion process.
  • How to buy: Bid in auctions or buy instantly if listed. Membership is $4.99/year for access to active auctions.
  • Best for: Cheap, wholesale-priced domains and a broad selection (thousands daily).
  • Cost: Starts at $5 + registration fees; premium domains can climb higher.

3. Namecheap Marketplace

  • What it offers: Lists expired domains, including .ai auctions and daily drops. It’s known for competitive pricing and a user-friendly interface.
  • How to buy: Bid on auctions or backorder domains about to drop. Namecheap now auctions .ai domains continuously, not just monthly.
  • Best for: Budget buyers and those targeting specific TLDs like .ai.
  • Cost: Varies—bids can start low (e.g., $10), plus renewal fees.

4. DropCatch.com

  • What it offers: Specializes in catching dropping domains the moment they’re released by registries (e.g., Verisign for .com/.net). It lists thousands of daily drops with a discount club for better pricing.
  • How to buy: Place a backorder or bid in public auctions. If multiple backorders exist, it goes to a 3-day auction.
  • Best for: Snagging high-value domains right as they drop.
  • Cost: Backorders start at $59; auctions vary based on demand.

5. SnapNames

  • What it offers: Over 30 million domains, including dropping and expired names. Offers backordering for domains not yet available (36+ days out) and instant purchase options.
  • How to buy: Backorder or bid in auctions; SnapNames attempts to catch the domain when it drops.
  • Best for: Diverse inventory and expert-curated picks.
  • Cost: Backorders around $79; auctions depend on bidding.

6. Sedo

  • What it offers: A premium domain marketplace with a section for expiring domain auctions (over 2,000 added daily). Focuses on valuable names with traffic or history.
  • How to buy: Bid in auctions starting at $79 or use their “Buy Now” listings.
  • Best for: High-quality domains for branding or SEO.
  • Cost: Starts at $79; premium names can hit thousands.

7. DomCop

  • What it offers: Aggregates dropping domains from auctions, public drop lists, and private sources, with 90+ metrics (Moz DA, Majestic TF, SEMrush traffic). Over 9 million expiring domains listed.
  • How to buy: Backorder or bid via integrated registrars after finding your pick.
  • Best for: Data-driven buyers chasing SEO-friendly domains.
  • Cost: Subscription starts at $99/year; domain costs vary.

8. Moniker Daily Drops

  • What it offers: Lists thousands of .com and .net domains dropped daily by Verisign, refreshed at 2 PM EST. Filters out registered domains in real time.
  • How to buy: Instant purchase (first-come, first-served) with pre-added funds to skip checkout delays.
  • Best for: Speedy grabs of fresh drops.
  • Cost: Standard reg fees (e.g., $10–$15) + account setup.

9. SEO.Domains

  • What it offers: Dropcatches 5,000+ quality domains daily from a 250,000/day expiration pool, focusing on SEO value (backlinks, authority). Covers all niches and geos.
  • How to buy: Direct purchase from their inventory—no bidding hassles.
  • Best for: PBNs, redirects, or money sites with pre-vetted metrics.
  • Cost: Varies widely—$50 to hundreds, based on domain power.

Bonus Tips

  • Backorder Services: Many of these (DropCatch, SnapNames, Namecheap) offer backordering, where they try to register the domain for you the second it drops. It’s a race—multiple services might compete for the same name.
  • Check Metrics: Use tools like Ahrefs or Moz (often integrated into these platforms) to assess backlinks and history before buying. A dropping domain’s value often lies in its past.
  • Timing: Drops typically happen 70–80 days post-expiration (grace + redemption periods). Pending delete lists (e.g., on ExpiredDomains.net) show what’s coming in 5 days.