Afternic vs Sedo: Where Should You List Your Domains? (2026)
Afternic and Sedo are the two marketplaces most domain sellers actually use. They overlap, but they're not the same tool, and the smart play is knowing what each is for.
The short version: Afternic wins on raw distribution (it puts your name in front of the most buyers), while Sedo offers a big marketplace plus the only real seller API. Serious sellers often use both. Here's how they compare:
| Afternic | Sedo | |
|---|---|---|
| Distribution | 90+ registrar network | Own large marketplace |
| Seller API | No (CSV upload only) | Yes |
| Commission | ~15 - 30% | ~10 - 20% |
| Best for | Maximum exposure | API & tooling |
Commission depends on your plan and whether you point nameservers to their system.
Afternic: the distribution hub
Afternic, owned by GoDaddy, syndicates your listing across a large network of registrar storefronts, and that reach is its superpower. List once and your name shows up where buyers are already searching, including inside GoDaddy itself. It's bulk-friendly via CSV upload, and its Fast Transfer network can close a sale the instant a buyer clicks Buy Now.
The catch: there's no public listing API for individual sellers. You manage pricing through the dashboard or by uploading CSV files, not by code.
Sedo: the one with an API
Sedo has its own large marketplace, with particular strength in Europe, and, crucially, a real seller API. If you want to programmatically list domains, update prices, and pull status, Sedo is the only major platform that lets you. For anyone building tooling around a portfolio, that's a genuine advantage.
Commission and fees
Both take a commission on sale, typically in the 10-20% range, depending on your plan and whether you point your nameservers to their system. Read the current terms before you list: the difference between plans can be ten points of commission, which is real money on a five-figure sale.
So which should you use?
It's less "either/or" than most people assume, match the platform to the job:
| If you want to... | Use |
|---|---|
| Reach the most buyers | Afternic |
| Manage listings by API or tooling | Sedo |
| Sell one premium name | Both, or a broker |
| List a bulk portfolio fast | Afternic (CSV upload) |
| Sell more into Europe | Sedo |
The double-sale trap
If you list the same name on both platforms with a Buy-It-Now price, you risk two buyers purchasing at once, an awkward, reputation-damaging mess. Keep one source of truth for pricing and availability, and delist promptly when a name sells anywhere. This reconciliation is exactly the kind of thing a portfolio-management tool should handle for you.
Frequently asked questions
Is Afternic or Sedo better for selling domains?
Afternic gives the widest distribution, it syndicates across the GoDaddy network and 90+ registrars, so it's usually the better default for exposure. Sedo has a large marketplace (strong in Europe) plus the only real seller API. Many serious sellers list on both.
Can I list a domain on both Afternic and Sedo?
Yes, and many sellers do for maximum reach. The one risk is a double-sale if both carry a Buy-It-Now price and two buyers purchase at once. Keep pricing consistent and delist promptly wherever a name sells to avoid it.
What commission do Afternic and Sedo charge?
Both fall roughly in the 10-20% range, varying by plan and whether you point nameservers to their system (Afternic's rate can be lower if you use its nameservers). Always check the current terms, plan differences can be ten points of commission.
Does Afternic or Sedo have a seller API?
Sedo does, it's the only major marketplace with a real seller API for listing, pricing, and status. Afternic has no public listing API for individual sellers; you manage listings via its dashboard or CSV bulk uploads.
What is Afternic Fast Transfer?
Fast Transfer is Afternic's network that lets a buyer purchase and receive an eligible domain instantly, without waiting on the seller, by pre-authorising the transfer. It greatly increases the chance of an impulse sale, so opting eligible names in is worthwhile.
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