SIDN
SIDN BV operates the .nl country-code top-level domain registry for the Netherlands, managing over 6 million domains and 8 billion daily DNS queries, serving domain holders and registrars exclusively through its accredited registrar channel.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1996
- HeadquartersArnhem, Netherlands
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What SIDN does
SIDN BV is the registry operator for the .nl country-code top-level domain (ccTLD) for the Netherlands, founded in 1996 and headquartered in Arnhem. The company manages over 6 million .nl domain names and processes more than 8 billion DNS queries daily through its authoritative DNS infrastructure for the .nl zone. SIDN's product portfolio spans core domain name services — Whois lookup, Domain Portfolio Checker (DPC), .nl domain registration, .nl Control add-on, .nl Suggestion Tool, and Registry Services (RSP) supporting other TLDs such as .politie, .aw and .amsterdam — together with a cybersecurity suite anchored by SIDN BrandGuard (Merkbewaking) and Logo Detection for brand protection against phishing and lookalike domains. The company also operates SIDN Academy, an online learning platform for registrars, and SIDN Labs, which conducts research on DNS, DNSSEC, BGP, DDoS mitigation and post-quantum cryptography.
SIDN operates an indirect, channel-only go-to-market: it sells exclusively through a network of accredited .nl registrars that act as intermediaries between SIDN and the 6+ million domain name holders, and it does not sell directly to end customers. Revenue streams include recurring registry fees from registrars per .nl registration, subscription fees for value-added services such as .nl Control and BrandGuard, fees for Registry Services provided to other TLD operators, and transaction-based dispute resolution fees administered via WIPO (€1,500–€2,000 per case). SIDN also pursues a public-interest agenda, promoting modern internet standards (DNSSEC, SPF, DKIM, DMARC, DANE) and operating SIDN Fund, which has supported more than 400 internet projects, while maintaining ISO 27001 certification and GDPR compliance.
The company has two wholly-owned subsidiaries, SIDN Labs (research and development) and SIDN Fund (philanthropy), and partners with entities including DNS Belgium (ML research), NBIP (DDoS research), the Dutch National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), the Platform for Internet Standards (internet.nl), the Registrars' Association (RA), and WIPO.
SIDN firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- SIDN
- Legal name
- SIDN BV
- Website
- https://sidn.nl
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1996
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- SIDN BV operates the .nl country-code top-level domain registry for the Netherlands, managing over 6 million domains and 8 billion daily DNS queries, serving domain holders and registrars exclusively through its accredited registrar channel.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
SIDN industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Domain Name Registry Services
- NAICS
- Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (518)
- SIC
- Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Fault & Performance Monitoring (SNMP/Telemetry/APM for Networks) (HDAFAMAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- SDN & Controller-Based Management (Campus/DC Fabrics) (HDAFAMAD), Privacy Management (Consent, DSAR, RoPA) (HDADAFAH)
Keywords
Where SIDN is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Arnhem
- HQ country
- Netherlands
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
SIDN business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations
Revenue model
- .nl Domain Registration Fees: Revenue from registrar fees for registering and maintaining .nl domain names. Registrars pay registry fees to SIDN for each domain registration under the .nl TLD. This is the core revenue stream for SIDN as the .nl registry operator.
- Additional Registry Services: Fees for .nl Control service (extra control over domain name changes) and Registry Services (RSP) for supporting other TLD operators.
- Cybersecurity Services: Revenue from SIDN BrandGuard (brand protection monitoring) and potentially other cybersecurity products for domain holders and registrars.
- Dispute Resolution Fees: Fees collected from complainants for domain name dispute resolution proceedings administered through WIPO. Administrative costs and panelist fees are charged per case (e.g., €1,500 for 1-5 domain names).
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Annual | SIDN Academy - Free for .nl registrars |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Multi-year contract | Dispute Resolution - 1 to 5 domain names |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Multi-year contract | Dispute Resolution - 6 to 10 domain names |
| Subscription | Annual | .nl Control service for registrars |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels12 records
SIDN product offering
Product offeringCore offering
SIDN operates the registry for the .nl country-code top-level domain, managing registration, DNS resolution, and lifecycle of more than 6 million .nl domain names through an accredited network of registrars. It complements this core registry role with cybersecurity services (brand protection via SIDN Merkbewaking and Logo Detection), Registry Services for other TLDs, dispute resolution administration via WIPO, registrar training through SIDN Academy, and applied internet-security research through SIDN Labs.
Product overview
SIDN operates the .nl country-code top-level domain (ccTLD) registry, managing over 6 million .nl domain names and processing more than 8 billion DNS queries daily. Its product portfolio is organized into two main areas: Domain Names and Cybersecurity. The domain name suite includes the Whois lookup tool, the Domeinportfoliochecker (Domain Portfolio Checker) for portfolio management, the core .nl-domeinnaam registration and management service, the .nl Control add-on for enhanced registrant control over domain changes, the .nl-suggestietool for creative domain name suggestion, and Registrydiensten (Registry Services) providing technical and legal support for third-party TLD operators such as .politie, .aw, and .amsterdam. The cybersecurity portfolio centers on SIDN Merkbewaking (BrandGuard) for brand protection against phishing and lookalike domain registrations, complemented by the Logodetectie (Logo Detection) feature that detects online logo misuse. SIDN also operates SIDN Academy, a learning platform for registrars, and provides a formal Dispute Resolution Regulations framework for .nl domain name disputes via WIPO.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- .nl Domain Name Registration Core registry service that enables registration, renewal, transfer, and lifecycle management of .nl domain names. Sold exclusively through accredited registrars; SIDN manages over 6 million .nl domain names and processes more than 8 billion DNS queries daily.
- .nl Control Add-on service that gives .nl registrants extra control and security over important updates to their domain name registrations, including authorization requirements for changes.
- Registry Services (RSP) Expertise and support service for organizations setting up and running their own top-level domain, providing technical and legal support. Used by the operators of .politie, .aw, and .amsterdam.
- SIDN Merkbewaking (BrandGuard) Brand-protection subscription service that monitors global domain name registrations resembling the customer's brand, helping detect phishing campaigns and reputational damage.
- Logodetectie (Logo Detection) Detects online use and misuse of a brand's logo across the internet, identifying brand abuse and fraudulent registrations that complement SIDN Merkbewaking.
- Dispute Resolution for .nl Domain Names Formal dispute resolution process administered via WIPO for .nl domain name disputes concerning registration, bad-faith use, and trademark or name conflicts; standardized per-case fees apply (e.g., €1,500 for 1–5 domain names).
- SIDN Academy Online learning platform integrating on- and offline learning methods, offering modules on DNS, DNSSEC, email standards, and IPv6 for .nl registrars. Free for .nl registrars with two user licences per registrar account.
- Whois Lookup tool for checking whether a .nl domain name is available and, if already registered, viewing the current registrant.
- Domain Portfolio Checker (Domeinportfoliochecker) Provides a full overview of all .nl domain names in a registrant's portfolio, enabling domain name management at scale.
- .nl Suggestion Tool Creative tool that helps users find their ideal .nl domain name by generating and suggesting variations of a specific domain name.
Quantifiable outcome
- More than 6 million .nl domain names under management
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use SIDN
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
SIDN technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration3 records
Feature11 records
SIDN partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Vereniging van Registrars (Registrars' Association / RA)coreJoint initiative for SIDN Academy, a learning platform combining online and offline methods for registrar training on technical subjects. The RA and SIDN jointly promote quality, security, and continuity of the .nl zone.
- WIPO Arbitration and Mediation CentercoreWIPO is designated by SIDN for the organization of .nl domain name disputes. The center administers dispute resolution proceedings, maintains the pool of panelists, and handles complaints from third parties against .nl domain name holders.
- NBIP (Nationale Beheer Internet Providers)coreCollaboration with NBIP for DDoS research. SIDN participates in unique studies to understand and combat DDoS attacks affecting Dutch internet infrastructure.
- Anti-Abuse NetworkcoreSIDN is part of the Anti-Abuse Network, which was officially launched with an Internet Security Manifesto to coordinate efforts against internet abuse.
- National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC)coreCollaboration with the Dutch National Cyber Security Centre for cybersecurity initiatives and national internet security efforts.
- DNS BelgiumcoreCollaboration on ML project aimed at detecting suspicious domain name registrations, sharing research and methodologies between the .be and .nl registries.
- Platform for Internet Standards (internet.nl)coreJoint initiative by Dutch business community and government to promote open standards including IPv6, DNSSEC, TLS, DMARC, DKIM, and SPF. SIDN works with the platform to encourage use of modern internet standards.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
SIDN competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- AFNIC: Registry operator for France's .fr ccTLD and several overseas territories. Operates a parallel non-profit/regulated model with registrar channel distribution, making it a direct operational peer for SIDN.
- Nominet: Registry operator for the .uk ccTLD and provider of registry/cybersecurity services. Nominet's combination of registry operations and value-added services (e.g., domain takedowns, analytics) closely mirrors SIDN's product mix.
- SWITCH: Registry operator for Switzerland's .ch and .li ccTLDs. Operates a similar small but highly reliable ccTLD registry with DNS expertise, making it a structural and operational peer.
- DENIC: Registry operator for Germany's .de ccTLD, one of the largest ccTLDs globally. Operates a similar registry model with registrar-mediated distribution and is structurally comparable to SIDN's role for the .nl zone.
- Internetstiftelsen (IIS): Swedish Internet Foundation operating the .se ccTLD registry. Comparable non-profit/regulated registry model, also investing in internet standards adoption (DNSSEC, IPv6) and registrar enablement.
- DNS Belgium: Registry operator for the .be ccTLD and the historical .eu TLD, providing the closest functional analog to SIDN as a country-code registry with security and registrar-channel focus. SIDN and DNS Belgium also collaborate directly on ML-based abuse detection.
Broad incumbents
- GoDaddy Registry: Commercial registry services arm of GoDaddy, operating multiple TLDs. A peer for SIDN's RSP services and a channel partner that also competes at the registrar layer with .nl resellers.
- Identity Digital: Operates a large portfolio of new gTLDs and provides registry services to TLD operators. A broad incumbent competitor/peer for SIDN's Registry Services (RSP) business targeting smaller TLDs.
- Verisign: Operator of the .com and .net registries — the dominant global registry by volume and revenue. While a much larger commercial registry, Verisign is the most relevant incumbent benchmark for registry economics and infrastructure at scale.
Emerging players
- CentralNic: Registry services provider for a wide portfolio of country-code and new gTLDs. Relevant emerging peer for SIDN's RSP expansion ambitions, particularly into smaller and emerging TLDs.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
SIDN social profiles
Digital presenceSIDN compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
SIDN financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
SIDN leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
SIDN subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries2 records
SIDN funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
SIDN M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about SIDN
What does SIDN do?
SIDN operates the registry for the .nl country-code top-level domain, managing registration, DNS resolution, and lifecycle of more than 6 million .nl domain names through an accredited network of registrars. It complements this core registry role with cybersecurity services (brand protection via SIDN Merkbewaking and Logo Detection), Registry Services for other TLDs, dispute resolution administration via WIPO, registrar training through SIDN Academy, and applied internet-security research through SIDN Labs.
Is SIDN a public or private company?
SIDN is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was SIDN founded?
SIDN was founded in 1996. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is SIDN based?
SIDN is headquartered in Arnhem, Netherlands, in the Europe region.
How does SIDN make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. .nl Domain Registration Fees are the primary driver. The others are additional Registry Services, cybersecurity Services and dispute Resolution Fees.
Who are SIDN's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are AFNIC, Nominet, SWITCH, DENIC, Internetstiftelsen (IIS) and DNS Belgium. Broad incumbents are GoDaddy Registry, Identity Digital and Verisign. CentralNic is listed as an emerging player.
Does SIDN have an API?
No public API is recorded for SIDN.
What industry is SIDN in?
SIDN's product category is Domain Name Registry Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAFAMAA, Fault & Performance Monitoring (SNMP/Telemetry/APM for Networks), with a secondary code of HDAFAMAD, SDN & Controller-Based Management (Campus/DC Fabrics). Its NAICS code is 518 and its SIC code is 7370.