Buying the perfect domain—or selling a valuable one for a meaningful profit—doesn’t have to be out of reach. With the right domain broker, you can move quickly and confidently through outreach, negotiation, escrow, and transfer for almost any domain you’re targeting.
The 7 Best Domain Brokers for 2025
- VPN.com – Best for buying and selling premium domains over $100k
- Namecheap – Best for affordable, DIY domain brokerage and marketplace selling
- GoDaddy – Best for a dedicated, month-long domain outreach program
- Grit Brokerage – Best for securing brand-perfect domains
- MediaOptions – Best for boutique, white-glove brokerage
- Brannans – Best for acquiring category-defining .coms
- Domain Holdings – Best for valuations and premium transactions
Below, we break down what each broker does best—plus what to expect around fees, anonymity, and timelines.
VPN.com – Best for Buying and Selling Domains Over $100k
VPN.com is a specialist in premium, six-figure-plus domains, with a public track record highlighting large, high-visibility acquisitions and sales for founders, investors, and enterprise brands.
The team excels at sourcing off-market names, negotiating discreetly, and protecting your leverage—whether you’re the buyer or the seller. If speed matters, their process is built for momentum without sacrificing due diligence.
Highlights worth calling out:
- No upfront costs on many engagements; success-based compensation is common
- Buyer and seller anonymity throughout negotiations
- Third-party escrow and payment protection
- Senior negotiators experienced with premium .com assets
- You pay only when the deal closes
Notable targets and case studies often include seven-figure or high-traffic properties. If you’re evaluating a premium name, contact VPN.com to get paired with a senior broker.
Namecheap – Best for Affordable, DIY Domain Brokerage
Namecheap is a budget-friendly way to find, list, and sell domains without paying boutique-broker rates. It’s ideal for buyers and sellers who want more control and lower fees.
Beyond brokerage tools, Namecheap bundles essentials like hosting, SSL, and free domain privacy on many TLDs—handy if you’re spinning up a project fast. The marketplace supports buy-it-now listings, make-offer pages, and auctions for higher-value names.
Once your account is set up, bidding, listing, and closing through a protected checkout is straightforward. Sellers benefit from a simple fee structure, and buyers get transparent pricing plus optional add-ons like premium DNS.
Seller fees are competitive—10% on Buy Now marketplace sales—which helps maximize take-home value on lower and mid-tier domains. Explore Namecheap’s marketplace here.
GoDaddy – Best for Month-Long Domain Outreach Plan
GoDaddy assigns a dedicated broker for a focused, 30-day outreach and negotiation sprint. You set a target budget, and your broker works the owner network, handles back-and-forth, and keeps your identity private.
Pricing is straightforward: a $99.99 non-refundable initial fee and a 20% success commission if the deal closes, plus any applicable transfer/registry fees. If the owner is open to selling, GoDaddy will negotiate price and terms, then facilitate secure payment and transfer.
Ready to try a broker-led sprint? Start with GoDaddy’s brokerage services here.
Grit Brokerage – Best for Securing an On-Brand Domain
Grit Brokerage helps founders and marketers lock in memorable, on-brand names—particularly when “everything good is taken.” They’re known for creative outreach, realistic pricing guidance, and a helpful industry newsletter.
Because sellers often anchor high when they sense a serious buyer, Grit builds leverage quietly, then negotiates firmly. The goal: secure a name that fits your brand story without torching your launch budget.
Whether you’re after a single flagship .com or building a strategic portfolio, Grit partners with you on naming priorities, valuation ranges, and a step-by-step acquisition plan.
They also invest in community education around domain investing and branding. Learn more or reach out at Grit Brokerage.
MediaOptions – Best for Boutique Domain Brokerage Services
MediaOptions is a boutique brokerage trusted by major brands. Since 2007, they’ve focused on hands-on strategy, discreet negotiations, and high-touch support for both acquisitions and sales.
With a large private network and deep market intel, MediaOptions tailors outreach and pricing to your situation—useful when you need a specific .com and want to minimize bidding wars or public attention.
Typical services include:
- Domain consulting and naming strategy
- Appraisals and pricing guidance
- Curated premium inventory
- Secure escrow for larger transactions
- Streamlined payment handling for smaller deals
Fees: MediaOptions’ published structure is 15% of the final sale price (minimum $1,000), and some bespoke engagements may require a $1,250 retainer that’s applied to the commission upon success. If your target fits their premium criteria, start a conversation here.
Brannans – Best for .com Domains
Brannans is a veteran .com brokerage with a long international track record and thousands of successful transactions across many verticals.
Their edge is experience in premium .com negotiations. They run structured outreach, manage pricing expectations on both sides, and keep deals moving to closing. Contact Brannans directly for current fee structures and availability.
Get in touch with Brannans here to discuss a specific .com.
Domain Holdings – Best for Domain Valuations and Premium Transactions
Domain Holdings focuses on premium names and high-profile transactions for both enterprises and individual investors. Their client list spans major consumer brands and nonprofits.
With significant volume in closed transactions, they leverage private inventory and long-standing relationships to surface opportunities that rarely hit public marketplaces. For details on current fee structures and engagement minimums, reach out directly.
How to Find the Best Domain Broker for You
Picking the right broker can determine whether you overpay, stall out, or close on time. Because domain brokerage isn’t a licensed profession, it’s on you to vet experience, fees, and process before you commit.
Start by reviewing public deal histories and any case studies a broker can share. When you reach out, ask pointed questions about strategy, communication cadence, and how they’ll protect your anonymity and leverage.
Use these criteria as a quick checklist:
Domain Value
Know your ballpark. Some firms only work on premium deals (e.g., $75k+ or six figures). If you’re below that range, a marketplace approach (like Namecheap’s) or a flat-fee service may be more cost-effective. If you’re above it, you’ll want a premium specialist with off-market reach.
Remember: most brokers are paid on success. They’ll prioritize deals they can realistically close at your target budget and timeline.
Track Record and Testimonials
Look for verifiable wins, recognizable sales, or client references. Solid brokers can share anonymized examples, negotiation stories, and the specific playbooks they use to avoid bidding wars and price inflation.
When possible, ask for a few recent references you can contact directly and confirm: responsiveness, realism on pricing, and how the broker handled obstacles.
Marketing Strategy
Whether buying or selling, insist on a written plan: who they’ll contact, how they’ll position the asset, and how they’ll handle counters and deadlines. Good brokers set expectations on timing—most serious negotiations take weeks to months, not days.
For sellers, ask how your domain will be packaged (landing page, comps, traffic data) and which buyers will be prioritized first.
Usage of Escrow Services
If you transact yourself through platforms like Namecheap, your checkout is protected. For independent brokers, confirm they use a reputable third-party escrow service for funds and domain transfer.
Escrow protects both parties: the buyer’s money isn’t released until the domain is in their control, and the seller doesn’t transfer ownership until payment is verified.
Clarify upfront which escrow service you’ll use, who pays the fee, and the exact closing steps.
Fees, Exclusivity, and Timeline
Ask for fees in writing: percentage, minimums, and any retainers. Exclusivity windows commonly range from 30–120 days; shorter windows keep momentum high. Also confirm expected update frequency (weekly is typical) and how success will be measured.
If you’re buying, make sure your broker will keep your identity confidential until closing to avoid price creep.
Summary of the Best Domain Brokers
For six-figure or enterprise-level targets, VPN.com and MediaOptions bring premium reach and discretion. If you want low-fee, hands-on control, Namecheap is a solid DIY path. For a time-boxed, broker-led push, GoDaddy offers a clear 30-day plan with transparent fees. If brand fit is your north star, Grit Brokerage shines, and for category-defining .coms, Brannans is a proven choice. Domain Holdings is a strong partner for valuations and complex premium deals.
Define your budget and target range, decide how much white-glove help you need, and pick a partner whose strengths match your goal. The right broker will protect your anonymity, negotiate with leverage, and get your domain over the finish line securely.