Sedo
Sedo
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1999
- HeadquartersCambridge, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingDigital Commerce or Content
What Sedo does
Sedo is a domain name and website marketplace and domain parking provider, founded in 1999 and headquartered in Cologne, Germany, with a US entity (Sedo.com, LLC) in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The company operates the world's largest domain trading platform, listing over 24 million registered domains and serving more than 3 million customers across 150+ countries with multilingual support in 25+ languages. Sedo operates as a subsidiary of IONOS, which has publicly announced plans to divest the Sedo business.
Sedo's core platform combines a two-sided marketplace (Buy Now, Make Offer, auctions, and brokerage) with complementary lifecycle services including secure domain transfer, professional appraisal, and domain parking/SedoTMP monetization. Technology components include a smart search and filtering engine, escrow-style payment and transfer infrastructure, and the SedoMLS integration platform that white-labels Sedo's inventory to 650+ registrar partners worldwide. Proprietary features such as the SedoMLS tiered integrations and the domain transfer safety architecture represent the core technical differentiators.
Revenue is generated through commission-based take rates (10% on Buy Now + parked sales, 15% on standard marketplace sales, 20% on SedoMLS network sales), brokerage commissions (15-20% plus a $99 contracting fee), a 3% external transfer fee, $99 unit-priced appraisals, parking advertising revenue, and showcase placements ($9-$69). Distribution combines the proprietary Sedo.com marketplace, the SedoMLS registrar channel, direct brokerage for high-value enterprise transactions, and content marketing via the annual Global Domain Report co-published with InterNetX.
Sedo firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Sedo
- Legal name
- Sedo.com, LLC
- Website
- https://sedo.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1999
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Sedo
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where Sedo is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Cambridge
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices4 records
Markets served
Sedo business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Digital Commerce or Content
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Marketplace Commissions: Commission-based revenue from domain sales conducted through the Sedo marketplace. Rates vary by sale type: 10% for Buy Now + parked domains, 15% for standard marketplace sales, 20% for SedoMLS network sales
- Brokerage Services: Fee-based brokerage for buyers ($99 + 20% commission) and sellers (15% commission) for high-value domain negotiations and acquisitions
- Domain Transfer Services: 3% fee on external domain transfers conducted outside the marketplace platform, with minimum fees based on TLD category
- Domain Parking Revenue: Earn money through thematically matched advertising on parked domains, with each click generating revenue for domain owners
- Domain Appraisals: One-time fee of $99 for individual domain appraisals, with custom quotes available for extensive portfolios
- SedoMLS Registrar Partnerships: Commission revenue from registrar partners who integrate and sell Sedo's domain inventory, earning referral fees on completed sales
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Buy Now + Parked Domains - 10% commission |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Standard Marketplace Sales - 15% commission |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | SedoMLS Network Sales - 20% commission |
| Hybrid | Pay-as-you-go | Buyer Brokerage - $99 + 20% commission |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Seller Brokerage - 15% commission |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Domain Transfer (External) - 3% fee |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Domain Appraisal - $99 |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | SedoMLS Platinum - Commission-based |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Homepage Showcase - $39-69 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Category Showcase - $9-64 |
Go-to-market motion4 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels8 records
Sedo product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Sedo operates the world's largest domain name marketplace, connecting buyers and sellers of registered internet domains through fixed-price listings, auctions, and negotiated trades across more than 24 million listed domains. The company also provides complementary services including professional domain brokerage for high-value acquisitions, domain appraisal, secure domain transfer, and domain parking for advertising-based monetization, supported by a global partner network of 650+ registrars.
Product overview
Sedo operates a unified domain marketplace platform with a modular architecture, combining a core domain marketplace with multiple complementary services. The central platform enables buying, selling, and trading of over 24 million registered domain names through fixed-price listings, auctions, and negotiated trades. Supporting this core marketplace are add-on modules: Domain Brokerage Service for expert negotiation assistance, Domain Appraisal for professional valuations, Domain Transfer Service for secure transactions, and Domain Parking/SedoTMP for monetizing unused domains. For registrar partners, the SedoMLS suite (Platinum, Brokerage, and Premium tiers) provides white-label and API-style inventory integration, while the Sedo Partner Program offers affiliate commissions. Additional services include auction platforms (marketplace, direct, and expiring domain auctions) and promotional showcases for premium domain visibility.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Sedo Domain Marketplace The world's largest domain name marketplace, connecting buyers and sellers of registered internet domains with over 24 million listed domains and 3 million customers from 150 countries. Supports Buy Now fixed-price listings, Make Offer negotiations, auction-based sales, and domain search with smart-match alternatives.
- SedoMLS Partner Program
Quantifiable outcome
- Domains listed with Buy Now pricing sell up to 3x faster than other sales options
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Sedo
Customer profileNamed customers9 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Sedo technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Sedo partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- InterNetXcoreSedo and InterNetX co-produce the annual Global Domain Report, now in its sixth edition. This comprehensive report analyzes primary and secondary domain markets, featuring extensive data, statistics, top sales, and expert opinions. The partnership provides industry-leading market intelligence for domain investors and professionals.
- SedoMLS Registrar PartnerscoreSedoMLS enables domain registrars worldwide to integrate Sedo's complete domain inventory into their platforms. Partners earn commissions on sales and can upsell value-added services while providing customers access to over 23 million domains including premium, auction, and expiring domain listings.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Sedo competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Afternic: Afternic is a major domain marketplace operated by GoDaddy, offering MLS-style distribution to partner registrars (similar to SedoMLS) and a large fixed-price inventory. Direct peer in both marketplace listings and partner distribution, with comparable commission structure and target buyer/seller segments.
- Namecheap Marketplace: Namecheap operates a domain marketplace integrated with its registrar platform, offering buy-now and auction formats. Comparable to Sedo as a registrar-adjacent marketplace with bundled services and competitive pricing for SMB and individual sellers.
- Undeveloped: Undeveloped operates a curated premium domain marketplace with a focus on branding and design, serving SMBs and startups seeking brandable names. Direct peer in the brokerage and curated sales space, with comparable pricing tiers and a similar enterprise customer target (e.g., startups, venture-backed companies).
- Flippa: Flippa operates a broader online business and digital asset marketplace that includes domain sales alongside websites, SaaS businesses, and apps. Comparable on the domain trading mechanic and SMB buyer/seller base, with a more diversified but less domain-specialized offering.
- Dan.com: Dan.com operates a streamlined domain marketplace with installment payment plans and a modern UX, competing directly with Sedo on fixed-price and negotiated sales. Now owned by GoDaddy but operated as a distinct brand, Dan.com attracts younger, design-forward sellers and is particularly competitive on price-transparent transactions.
- Dynadot: Dynadot operates a registrar with an integrated domain marketplace, including auction and fixed-price listings, plus aftermarket services. Comparable as a registrar-adjacent marketplace with overlapping SMB and individual seller segments and similar commission-based revenue model.
- ParkLogic: ParkLogic specializes in domain parking monetization and traffic optimization, competing directly with Sedo's parking and SedoTMP services. Comparable on the parking revenue stream and often partners or competes with Sedo for domain owner monetization relationships.
- Squadhelp: Squadhelp combines a domain marketplace with a crowdsourced naming platform, serving startups and SMBs seeking brandable names. Comparable to Sedo on the buyer side (startup and SMB) and offers an adjacent alternative for premium domain discovery and acquisition.
- GoDaddy Auctions (Afternic + Dan.com): GoDaddy operates GoDaddy Auctions, Afternic (acquired 2017), and Dan.com (acquired 2022) — three direct competitors to Sedo in the domain marketplace and brokerage space. With the world's largest registrar customer base, GoDaddy has unmatched distribution advantages and is Sedo's most direct head-to-head competitor for both marketplace listings and broker services.
Broad incumbents
- InterNetX: InterNetX is a major domain registrar and partner of Sedo (co-producer of the annual Global Domain Report). While a registrar rather than a direct marketplace competitor, InterNetX operates in overlapping registrar and aftermarket services and serves similar B2B domain professional customers.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Sedo social profiles
Digital presenceSedo financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Sedo leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
Sedo funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Sedo M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A1 record
Investments2 records
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Sedo
What does Sedo do?
Sedo operates the world's largest domain name marketplace, connecting buyers and sellers of registered internet domains through fixed-price listings, auctions, and negotiated trades across more than 24 million listed domains. The company also provides complementary services including professional domain brokerage for high-value acquisitions, domain appraisal, secure domain transfer, and domain parking for advertising-based monetization, supported by a global partner network of 650+ registrars.
Is Sedo a public or private company?
Sedo is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Sedo founded?
Sedo was founded in 1999. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Sedo based?
Sedo is headquartered in Cambridge, United States, in the North America region.
How does Sedo make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Marketplace Commissions are the primary driver. The others are brokerage Services, domain Transfer Services, domain Parking Revenue, domain Appraisals and sedoMLS Registrar Partnerships.
Who are Sedo's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Afternic, Namecheap Marketplace, Undeveloped, Flippa, Dan.com, Dynadot, ParkLogic, Squadhelp and GoDaddy Auctions (Afternic + Dan.com). InterNetX is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Sedo have an API?
No public API is recorded for Sedo.