If you are planning to start a website in Nepal, one of your first decisions is choosing a domain name. You might be wondering how much a .com domain costs, whether you should choose .net or .org, or why a .com.np domain is available for free.
In 2026, paid domain registration prices in Nepal are affected by international registry charges, the US dollar exchange rate, and the pricing policies of individual domain providers. At the same time, eligible Nepali individuals and businesses can still register a .com.np domain without paying a registry fee.
But the price is only one part of the decision.
Your domain represents your business on the internet. It is connected to your website, professional email, and brand identity. Choosing the right extension matters, but making sure the domain remains under your control is equally important.
This guide explains current domain registration prices in Nepal, the differences between popular domain extensions, why international prices are increasing, and how to protect your domain ownership.
Domain Registration Price in Nepal 2026
In Nepal, a standard .com domain commonly costs around NPR 2,000 per year based on selected local provider listings, while .com.np registration is free for eligible applicants. Prices for .net and .org vary depending on the provider and renewal terms.
Here is a comparison of publicly advertised domain prices in October 2026.
| Domain extension | Example annual registration prices | Suitable for |
|---|---|---|
| .com | NPR 2,500 to 3,000 | Businesses, brands, online stores |
| .net | NPR 2,500 to 3,000 | Technology companies, online services |
| .org | NPR 2,500 to 3,000 | NGOs, associations, communities |
| .com.np | Free | Nepali businesses and individuals |
| .org.np | Free | Eligible Nepali organizations |
Pricing note: The paid domain figures are examples from public listings by AstraCloud and DomainNepal reviewed on October 14, 2026. They are not fixed national prices or Webtech Nepal’s official quotations. Registration offers, renewal prices, taxes, and additional services may differ. Free .np domains have no official registry registration fee, although an agency may charge separately for assistance.
For an exact quotation, you can contact Webtech Nepal’s domain registration team.
Why do domain registration prices differ between companies?
You may find one company offering a .com domain for NPR 1,500 and another charging NPR 2,200 or more.
There are several possible reasons.
- Some companies offer discounted registration for the first year.
- Different providers charge different amounts for renewal.
- Some include DNS management, privacy services, or customer support.
- International payment charges and currency conversion can affect costs.
- Premium domains may have special registration and renewal prices.
A lower registration price does not always mean lower costs over time.
For example, suppose a provider advertises a .com domain for NPR 999 in the first year but charges NPR 2,500 for renewal. Another provider charges NPR 2,000 annually without an introductory discount.
Over three years, assuming those renewal prices remain unchanged, the first option would cost NPR 5,999, while the second would cost NPR 6,000.
The total is almost identical, even though the first offer initially looks much cheaper.
Before registering, always compare the registration price, renewal fee, transfer terms, and the services included.
What Is the Difference Between .com, .net, .org and .com.np?
A domain extension is the part of a domain name that appears after the final dot.
For example, in yourbusiness.com, the extension is .com.
These extensions are also called Top Level Domains, or TLDs. They help form the web address people use to reach your website.
Each extension has a different background and common use, but your choice should mainly depend on your audience and business plans.
.com Domain: A Familiar Choice for Businesses
The .com extension is widely recognized and is suitable for businesses of almost any size.
If you operate a company in Kathmandu, run an online store, offer professional services, or plan to reach customers outside Nepal, .com is often a practical first choice.
Why choose .com?
- It is familiar to internet users around the world.
- It works for almost every type of business.
- It is suitable for local and international audiences.
- It gives businesses flexibility if they expand into new markets.
For example, if your business is called Everest Crafts and everestcrafts.com is available, that address could work for customers in Nepal and overseas.
The main drawback is availability. Many short and popular .com names are already registered. Certain names may also be sold as expensive premium domains.
Our recommendation: If your budget allows and you have plans to grow beyond Nepal, check whether your business name is available under .com first.
.net Domain: An Option for Technology and Online Services
The .net extension originally had an association with networks and internet infrastructure.
Today, it can be registered by businesses and individuals from many industries. However, it remains especially familiar in technology and internet services.
A .net domain may suit:
- IT and software companies
- Internet service providers
- Network service businesses
- Online platforms and technical projects
For example, a networking solutions business might find nepalnetwork.net appropriate.
You do not need to operate a technology business to register .net.
Still, if your target customers are likely to type .com automatically, you should consider whether a .net address might lead to confusion with an existing .com website.
Our recommendation: Choose .net when it fits your brand, not simply because the .com version is unavailable.
.org Domain: Suitable for NGOs, Associations and Communities
The .org extension is commonly associated with nonprofit organizations, community groups, educational initiatives, and public interest projects.
In Nepal, an NGO or social organization might choose a .org domain because it matches the nature of its work.
For example, a community education initiative may prefer learningforall.org instead of a commercially focused domain.
Although .org is commonly used by nonprofit organizations, registration is not limited to registered NGOs. Individuals and businesses can also register it.
A .org address does not prove that an organization is legally registered as a nonprofit.
Our recommendation: Consider .org if your website represents a social initiative, association, charity, educational community, or similar organization.
Free .com.np Domain: A Practical Choice for Nepali Businesses
A .com.np domain is part of Nepal’s official .np country domain system.
Unlike the international extensions discussed above, eligible applicants can register .com.np without paying an official domain registration fee.
For example, a registered Nepali business called Himalayan Traders might be eligible to apply for himalayantraders.com.np, provided the name meets the registry’s requirements and is available.
The benefits include:
- No official registration fee
- A clear connection with Nepal
- A suitable identity for businesses serving Nepali customers
- The ability to use the domain for a website and professional email
- No need to pay international annual registration fees under the current registry policy
However, you cannot simply select any available name.
The requested domain must have a close connection to the applicant’s name or registered business identity, and supporting documents are required.
The official .np registry operates under its own policies. International registrar rules for .com, .net and .org should not be assumed to apply to .com.np.
Also, when people refer to a free “.np domain”, they usually mean an approved category such as .com.np, .org.np or .name.np. Nepal’s official registration system uses these defined categories rather than allowing unrestricted direct registration of every name ending in .np.
You can read the eligibility requirements on the official Nepal domain registry.
For documents and application steps, read our guide to free .com.np domain registration.
3. Should You Register a Paid .com Domain or a Free .com.np Domain?
Choose .com if you want a familiar international brand address. Choose .com.np if your primary audience is in Nepal and you qualify for free registration. Neither extension is automatically the best choice for every website.
Here is a simple comparison.
| Feature | Paid .com | Free .com.np |
|---|---|---|
| Registration cost | Annual fee | Free through official registry |
| Target audience | Nepal and international | Primarily Nepal |
| Eligibility | Generally open to anyone | Requires eligible applicant and documents |
| Name selection | Based on availability and registration rules | Must meet Nepali registry naming requirements |
| Renewal costs | Annual charges apply | No official annual registration fee under current policy |
| Brand positioning | General international identity | Clearly connected with Nepal |
| Registration process | Usually quick after successful payment | Requires document verification and approval |
When a .com Domain Makes More Sense
Consider .com when you:
- Plan to sell products or services internationally.
- Want an address suitable for future global expansion.
- Operate a business with customers in different countries.
- Have a brand name available in .com and can afford the renewal cost.
When Free .com.np Makes More Sense
Consider .com.np when you:
- Run a business serving mainly Nepali customers.
- Are starting a website with a limited budget.
- Want an address clearly connected with Nepal.
- Meet the official registration requirements.
- Prefer to avoid an annual international domain registration fee.
Can You Register Both .com and .com.np?
Yes, provided both names are available and you meet the eligibility requirements for .com.np.
For example, a Nepali business could use yourbrand.com as its main website and register yourbrand.com.np to protect its local brand identity.
You can then redirect the second domain to the primary website.
This means customers who enter either address can reach the same business. It also avoids the unnecessary work of maintaining two separate copies of the same website.
Registering both is optional, not a requirement for every small business.
Why Are Domain Prices Increasing Globally in 2026?
International domain prices are influenced by registry fees, operating costs, and the commercial terms under which domain extensions are managed.
To understand why prices change, it helps to know how domain registration works.
A domain registry manages a particular extension, such as .com. A registrar sells registrations to customers, and a local service provider may help businesses purchase and manage those domains.
A registry may charge a wholesale fee in US dollars. By the time the customer pays in Nepali rupees, the final amount can also include registrar charges, exchange conversion, and applicable taxes.
Verisign’s .com Price Increase
Verisign operates the .com domain registry.
Its annual wholesale price for .com registrations and renewals increased from USD 9.59 to USD 10.26 on September 1, 2024.
On April 23, 2026, Verisign announced another increase:
| Period | .com annual registry wholesale price |
|---|---|
| Before September 1, 2024 | USD 9.59 |
| September 1, 2024 to October 31, 2026 | USD 10.26 |
| From November 1, 2026 | USD 10.97 |
The increase from USD 10.26 to USD 10.97 is approximately 6.9%.
As of October 14, 2026, the November increase has been announced but has not yet taken effect.
These amounts are wholesale registry charges, not the final retail prices paid by domain owners.
The Verisign announcement can be found in its April 2026 financial results.
Other extensions, including .net and .org, operate under different registry and pricing arrangements. They should not be assumed to increase at the same rate or on the same date.
Why Do Global Price Changes Affect Nepal?
Most international domain registrations are part of a global market.
Even when a Nepali customer pays a local company in rupees, the underlying domain registration may involve charges set in US dollars.
When international wholesale costs increase, registrars and local providers may need to adjust their retail prices.
This does not mean every provider must immediately increase its prices. Some businesses may absorb part of the increase, offer discounts, or change their margins.
However, international registry pricing is one reason domain renewal costs can become more expensive over time.
How Does the Rising US Dollar Affect Domain Prices in Nepal?
When the US dollar becomes more expensive against the Nepali rupee, a domain priced in dollars can cost more in NPR even if its dollar price stays unchanged.
This is particularly relevant to paid international domains because many underlying registry charges are set in USD.
According to Nepal Rastra Bank’s published foreign exchange rates, the USD selling rate on October 14, 2026 was NPR 152.76 per dollar.
Let’s use a simple example to understand the effect.
Example: How Currency Conversion Changes Domain Costs
Suppose the underlying international charge for a service is USD 10.26.
| Exchange rate | Cost in Nepali rupees |
|---|---|
| NPR 140 per USD | Approximately NPR 1,436 |
| NPR 152.76 per USD | Approximately NPR 1,567 |
The NPR 140 rate is a hypothetical comparison, not a quoted historical rate.
In this example, the same USD 10.26 charge becomes about NPR 131 more expensive solely because of the exchange rate.
Now consider the announced .com wholesale increase from USD 10.26 to USD 10.97.
At the same NPR 152.76 exchange rate:
- USD 10.26 equals approximately NPR 1,567.
- USD 10.97 equals approximately NPR 1,676.
That is another increase of around NPR 109 in the underlying annual registry cost.
These figures are illustrations. The actual price a customer pays includes the provider’s pricing and may reflect a different exchange rate, processing charges, and taxes.
What Does This Mean for Nepali Businesses?
For a business maintaining only one domain, the yearly difference might seem small.
But businesses that manage several domain names, international websites, and online services can see a larger combined effect.
This is why domain owners should budget for renewal rather than expecting the registration price to remain unchanged.
If your business relies on its domain for email, customer enquiries, online sales, or daily operations, keeping the domain active is far more important than saving a small amount by delaying renewal.
Domain Registration Is Not the Same as Domain Ownership
This is one of the most important things every business owner should understand.
Paying someone to register a domain does not automatically mean your name is listed as its registered holder.
When you register an international domain, the person or organization listed as the registrant is the holder of the registration rights, subject to the relevant policies and registration agreement.
According to ICANN’s domain registration information, the registrant is the party that holds the rights to the registered domain name.
A domain is not a permanent purchase. It is a registration that must be maintained according to the applicable terms.
The Problem When an Agency Registers the Domain in Its Own Name
Imagine a business owner in Nepal hires a website company.
The company registers mybusiness.com, creates the website, and provides hosting.
The business owner pays all the bills and assumes everything belongs to the business.
Two years later, the owner decides to hire a different website company.
But the original agency registered the domain using its own company name and contact email.
The business owner might discover that they cannot independently access the domain account, change important settings, or begin a registrar transfer.
This is a hypothetical example, but it explains a genuine risk in allowing someone else to hold the registration.
It is possible for domain disputes to arise through misunderstandings, missing records, or disagreements between the client and service provider.
Some website owners also report situations in which a provider is unwilling to release domain access after a working relationship ends.
No business should have to discover who controls its domain only when it needs to change providers.
How to Check Whether Your Domain Is Under Your Control
Before paying for domain registration, ask your provider:
- Will the domain be registered using my personal or business name?
- Which email address will be used for the registrant account?
- Will I have access to the registrar account?
- Can I change the website hosting company without losing the domain?
- Will you assist with an authorized domain transfer if I decide to use another provider?
- How will I receive renewal notices and proof of registration?
If your provider cannot clearly explain these details, ask for clarification before proceeding.
You should also keep your domain account email accessible and use two factor authentication wherever available.
How Webtech Nepal Protects Your Domain Ownership
At Webtech Nepal, we believe that your business domain should remain under your control, regardless of who builds or manages your website.
When a client asks us to register a domain, we handle the registration on their behalf. The domain is registered using the client’s name and relevant ownership details.
Our role is to help with the technical process, not to take ownership of the client’s online identity.
Your Domain Is Registered in Your Name
If you register a .com, .net, or .org domain through Webtech Nepal, the client is the registered name holder.
We arrange the registration and management process so the client retains control of the domain account and registration details.
We do not register a client’s domain in our own name and then treat it as our property.
You Can Change Your Website Company
You might work with Webtech Nepal today and decide to work with another company in the future.
That is your business decision.
We do not withhold a client’s domain as a way to force them to continue using our website development, hosting, or maintenance services.
If you request an authorized transfer, we assist with the necessary steps, subject to the relevant registrar or registry rules.
We Assist With Domain Management
Not every business owner wants to handle DNS records, domain renewals, and registrar settings.
We can assist with these technical tasks while keeping the client’s registration rights separate from our role as a service provider.
Our domain registration and management services include help with registration, renewal, DNS configuration, and transfers.
Our approach is simple: we can manage your domain for you, but that does not make it our domain.
Can a Domain Registration Company Refuse to Transfer Your Domain?
For international extensions such as .com, .net, and .org, domain transfers are governed by the applicable registrar agreements and ICANN policies.
A registered domain holder can generally request a transfer to another registrar, but legitimate restrictions may apply.
For example, a transfer may be restricted during the first 60 days after registration or shortly after a previous registrar transfer. Certain changes to registrant details can also trigger a temporary transfer lock.
To transfer a domain, you may need an authorization code, sometimes called an EPP code or Auth Code.
The registrar must follow the applicable transfer rules. You can read more in ICANN’s domain transfer information.
A security restriction is different from an agency deliberately refusing to cooperate with a client who is entitled to control the domain.
If your domain is registered through Webtech Nepal, we help you understand the transfer process and applicable restrictions.
For .com.np and other Nepali domains, changes are governed by the official .np registry’s procedures rather than the standard ICANN registrar transfer process.
The best protection is to make sure the correct person or business is registered as the domain holder from the beginning.
What Should You Check Before Registering a Domain in Nepal?
A domain may look like a small expense, but it plays a major role in keeping your business accessible online.
Before choosing a provider, review the following points.
Confirm the Registration and Renewal Prices
Ask for both the first year price and the regular renewal price.
Also check whether VAT, payment charges, domain privacy, or other services are included.
Make Sure the Domain Is Registered in Your Name
Your business or personal details should be recorded accurately.
Use an email address you can access independently of your website provider.
Understand the Transfer Process
Ask whether you will have access to the registrar account and how an authorized transfer will be handled.
Check Domain Security
Protect your account with a strong password, two factor authentication where supported, and a registrar transfer lock.
The lock helps prevent unauthorized transfers, but should not prevent you from requesting a legitimate transfer under the applicable rules.
Keep Track of the Expiry Date
A paid domain normally needs renewal to remain active.
If it expires, your website or email may stop working, and recovery may involve extra charges or become impossible after the applicable recovery periods.
Know That Domain and Hosting Are Different
A domain is your website address.
Hosting is the service that stores and delivers your website’s files and applications.
Registering a domain does not automatically give you a functioning website or professional email hosting.
If you are planning a complete business website, you may also find our website design cost guide for Nepal helpful.
How to Register a Domain With Webtech Nepal
If you have decided to register a paid international domain, the process can be straightforward.
Step 1: Choose your domain name. Select a name that matches your business, is easy to spell, and is memorable.
Step 2: Select the extension. Decide whether .com, .net, or .org fits your business goals and audience.
Step 3: Check availability. Contact Webtech Nepal to check whether your preferred name is available and confirm the registration and renewal prices.
Step 4: Provide your registration details. We use the appropriate client information so the domain registration is associated with its rightful holder.
Step 5: Complete registration. Once the registration requirements and payment are completed, we help set up the domain and relevant DNS settings.
Step 6: Keep your details and renewal information. Retain your confirmation and account access information, and note the expiry date.
For an eligible free .com.np domain, the process is different because the official Nepali registry requires documents and approval.
We can also guide you through those requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is .com.np really free in Nepal in 2026?
Yes. Eligible applicants can register .com.np and other approved .np domain categories without an official registry registration fee. You must satisfy the registry’s eligibility and documentation requirements. Optional professional assistance, hosting, and website development may cost extra.
Does a .com domain rank better than .com.np on Google?
Not automatically. Google does not guarantee better rankings simply because a website uses .com. A country domain such as .np can help indicate a geographic focus, while content quality, relevance, website usability, and other search signals also matter.
Choose a domain that suits your audience and brand rather than selecting an extension solely for assumed SEO benefits.
Can a business register both .com and .com.np?
Yes, if both names are available and the applicant qualifies for .com.np registration. Some businesses use .com as their main website and redirect .com.np to it. Others prefer .com.np as their primary address.
Is domain registration a one time payment?
Usually not for paid international domains. Extensions such as .com, .net, and .org have registration periods and require renewal to remain active. Multi year registration may be available. Free .np domains follow their own registry rules.
Can I transfer my existing .com domain to Webtech Nepal?
Generally, yes, if you are authorized to transfer the domain and it is eligible under the applicable registrar policies. Webtech Nepal can help review the requirements and coordinate the transfer.
Conclusion: Choose the Right Domain and Keep It Under Your Control
The best domain for your business is not always the cheapest one.
A .com domain is a practical choice for businesses that want an internationally familiar address. A .net domain can suit technology and online service brands, while .org is commonly used by nonprofit organizations and communities.
For businesses focused on Nepal, a free .com.np domain can be an excellent option if they meet the official registration requirements.
In 2026, international wholesale prices and US dollar exchange rates remain important factors in paid domain registration and renewal costs.
Whatever extension you choose, make sure the domain is registered under the correct name and that you understand how to access, renew, and transfer it.
At Webtech Nepal, we help clients register and manage domains while keeping the client’s registration rights and control at the centre of the process.
Need help choosing or registering a domain in Nepal?
Contact Webtech Nepal for domain availability, current prices, registration assistance, and guidance on protecting your business domain.
