DomainToolBelt

Drop-catching services: who catches expiring domains

In our data over the last 30 days, DropCatch caught 71% of the dropped names that went to a catch service, GNAME 25% and SnapNames 2.3%, out of 21,887 catches. For .com and .net the drop has started around 12:00 UTC since October 1, 2026, so DropCatch asks for backorders 30 minutes before and SnapNames and NameJet 15 minutes before.

Catch shares updated from our data, over the last 30 days.

Catch share per service, last 30 daysShare of dropped names caught by each catch service over the last 30 days: DropCatch 71% (15,478); GNAME 25% (5,538); SnapNames 2.3% (496); Sav.com 0.5% (120); Dynadot 0.5% (116); NamePal 0.5% (111); Catched 0.1% (28).DropCatch71% (15,478)GNAME25% (5,538)SnapNames2.3% (496)Sav.com0.5% (120)Dynadot0.5% (116)NamePal0.5% (111)Catched0.1% (28)
Share of the dropped names that went to a catch service, by service, over the last 30 days in our data (21,887 catches).

Who catches what

Over the last 30 days, DropCatch took 15,478 of the 21,887 dropped names we saw go to a catch service, and GNAME took 5,538. Everyone else shared the rest. The split changes by extension, so the service to use depends on the name you want.

The catch service with the largest share per extension, last 30 days
ExtensionCatchesCatches the mostIts share
.com19,551DropCatch69%
.net1,721DropCatch85%
.org550DropCatch79%

Extensions with at least 100 catches in the window. Our pending delete list usually points each name's Backorder button at the service with the largest share for its extension.

How a backorder works

A backorder is an order placed before a name drops, asking a catch service to try to register it for you. Take Dynadot's published terms as one example: you agree to pay only if the service catches the name, a name only you backordered is yours at the backorder price, and a name several people backordered goes to a public auction that runs 7 to 10 days. Other services set their own prices and auction rules.

How a backorder worksYou place a backorder before the name drops. The registry deletes the name at the end of pending delete, and the fastest catch service registers it. If yours was the only backorder at that service, the name is yours at the backorder price. If several people backordered it, an auction sets the price.1. Place a backorderBefore the name drops, at one or more services2. The name dropsThe registry deletes it at the end of pending delete3. A service registers itThe fastest service gets it; the others missOnly your backorderThe name is yoursat the backorder priceSeveral backordersAn auction among bidderssets the price
How a backorder becomes a registration or an auction, following Dynadot's published backorder terms.

Timing for .com and .net

Since October 1, 2026 the .com and .net drop starts around 12:00 UTC; before that it ran in the evening UTC. DropCatch asks for orders 30 minutes ahead, so by 11:30 UTC, and SnapNames and NameJet ask for backorders no later than 15 minutes before the drop. Other extensions drop at their own times.

Choosing where to backorder

  • Start with the service that catches the most names in your extension (the table above).
  • Backordering at more than one service raises your chance of a catch, but you may owe the service that catches it, and you may face other bidders in its auction.
  • Check what the name is worth before you bid: our appraisal tool shows comparable sales.
  • Place the order before the cutoff. For .com and .net that now means the morning UTC.

Find names to backorder on the expiring domains list, and read the domain expiration timeline for how a name gets there.

Questions people ask

What is drop catching?

Drop catching is registering a domain the moment the registry deletes it at the end of pending delete. Catch services try to register wanted names at the instant of the drop, and the fastest one gets the name for the customers who backordered it.

Which drop-catching service catches the most domains?

In our data over the last 30 days, DropCatch caught 71% of the dropped names that went to a catch service and GNAME 25%. The leader can differ by extension, so check the table on this page for yours.

Do I pay if a backorder fails?

At Dynadot, no: you agree to pay only if the name is caught for you. Other services set their own terms, so read them before you order.

Sources

  1. Verisign changes drop time for .com and .net domains, Domain Name Wire, published Sep 9, 2026. Checked Oct 15, 2026.
  2. Drop time change, DropCatch. Checked Oct 15, 2026.
  3. What is a backorder auction?, Dynadot. Checked Oct 15, 2026.

Live numbers on this page come from our own data and refresh through the day.