The .ai extension has become shorthand for anything artificial-intelligence related — a valuable branding shorthand for startups, labs, and side projects. But unlike .com or .net, .ai domains often come with higher mandatory minimums and registry fees, and privacy protection isn’t always treated the same way from registrar to registrar. If you’re thinking about getting a .AI domain, here’s a practical, up-to-date guide to where to buy one affordably with privacy protection — and what to watch for when you register.

Quick price comparison (2-year view)

Prices shown are representative based on the registrars’ published pages and recent trackers; many .ai registrations are sold on a minimum 2-year basis. Always confirm currency and VAT/fees at checkout.

Notes on the table and why the 2-year view

Many registrars (and the .ai registry rules) require a minimum registration period — often two years — which is why we displayed prices as 2-year totals. Register.Domains, for example, notes .ai typically comes in at roughly $70/year and emphasizes the mandatory two-year registration (≈ $140).

Prices vary by registrar and over time — registrars sometimes show a per-year rate and enforce the minimum at checkout, or they advertise a single-year price but force 2 years on acceptance. That’s why checking the checkout cart and the renewal terms is essential before you pay.

Top picks explained

1) Register.Domains — Best place to start

If you want a combination of competitive pricing and straightforward checkout for getting a .AI domain, Register.Domains places itself as a convenient first stop and explicitly mentions the typical .ai cost and the two-year minimum in its guide. They also advertise easy DNS and transfer options — useful if you want a lightweight provider that puts domains first. Be sure to confirm whether they include WHOIS/privacy by default or as an add-on at checkout.

2) Porkbun — Clear, low everyday price and privacy included

Porkbun lists .ai at about $72.40 per year and shows the same rate for renewals — that translates to roughly $144.80 for two years. Porkbun is known for including WHOIS privacy at no extra cost on many TLDs; their pricing is transparent and often among the lowest for techy TLDs.

3) Dynadot — Solid mid-range option with privacy allowed

Dynadot publishes a per-year figure of about $74.90 for .ai (so ~ $149.80 for two years). They support WHOIS privacy and give a clean control panel for DNS and transfers, making them a good balance of price and UX.

4) Spaceship — Often the cheapest in community reports

Spaceship has appeared in community price trackers as one of the lowest options (often around $68–$69/year), which converts to roughly $137–$138 for two years. Community threads and price aggregators list Spaceship as budget-friendly and supportive of privacy features — but always confirm the checkout minimum and final fees.

5) Namecheap — Big brand, but watch promotional vs renewal pricing

Namecheap is a very popular registrar and often recommended for features like free privacy — but their .ai pricing can be higher and more complex (their site lists different multi-year figures and renewal rates). Check their exact 2-year total at checkout; some published pages show substantially higher renewal figures than initial pricing.

6) Gandi — Trusted, but usually pricier

Gandi lists .ai at a higher per-year rate than the budget registrars (their per-year listing is significantly higher), which makes two years more expensive than most budget options. That said, Gandi is reliable and focuses on transparency and included technical features.

Privacy protection: what to check

Privacy (WHOIS redaction) is the main reason many people look beyond sticker price. When comparing registrars:

• Is WHOIS/privacy included or an add-on? Some registrars bundle privacy for free; others charge an extra fee. Free privacy is common with Porkbun and some promotional offers; other registrars may charge.
• Is privacy allowed for .ai specifically? Some country/ccTLD rules restrict what data can be hidden. Most of the registrars above allow privacy for .ai, but confirm at checkout.
• Does the registrar forward email or supply GDPR/CCPA compliance details? If you rely on WHOIS redaction for safety, make sure the registrar’s privacy practices match your legal region.

Practical tips before you buy

1. Check the mandatory minimum term. Many registrars enforce a 2-year minimum for .ai; this affects the true cost of registration and the effective renewal cycle.
2. Compare renewal pricing, not just promo pricing. A cheap first year can be followed by a much higher renewal. Look at the 2-year renewal projection in your cart.
3. Confirm privacy is included and active immediately. Some registrars require extra steps to enable WHOIS privacy. If you want shielded registration, enable it before finalizing payment.
4. Consider transferring only if prices are better long term. Transfers sometimes include a year’s renewal; compare transfer fees vs renewal fees.

If branding, credibility, and being clearly “AI-focused” matter to you, getting a .AI domain can be a great investment — but it pays to shop the total cost (two-year minimums, renewals, and privacy add-ons). Register.Domains is a solid first stop for transparent guidance and typical .ai pricing, while registrars like Porkbun, Dynadot, and Spaceship are often the cheapest places to register with privacy included. Always review the checkout totals and privacy options before you buy.