ReCatch vs. backorder
ReCatch takes over a domain before the public drop – on the final day of its Redemption Grace Period, at a fixed price and without an auction. A classic backorder tries to re-register a domain at or after the drop. Both paths have their merits; which one fits depends on the domain.
| Criterion | ReCatch | Classic backorder |
|---|---|---|
| Timing | before the public drop, on the final RGP day | registration at or after the drop |
| Domain source | exclusively domains from the Redomain process | in principle, other expiring domains |
| Pricing logic | fixed price (currently 25 € net) | depending on provider and model |
| Auction | no | possible, depending on the provider |
| Allocation | first come, first served | depends on the provider |
| Success risk | availability decides – the domain may already have been acquired | catch success not guaranteed – other catchers can be faster |
| Platform | DomainCatcher | DomainCatcher or other providers |
When does ReCatch make sense?
When the desired domain is on the ReCatch list: then you get it at a calculable fixed price, without a bidding contest and without the risk of losing to specialized catchers at the drop moment. The condition is clear: ReCatch concerns exclusively domains from Redomain. If your desired domain is not on the list, ReCatch cannot help.
When does the backorder remain relevant?
For all other RGP and drop domains – that is, the large majority of expiring domains. At DomainCatcher, a backorder for .de domains costs Neuregistrierung beim bzw. nach dem Drop; bei DomainCatcher je nach Tier-Status derzeit 4,99 bis 8,99 Euro zzgl. USt., nur im Erfolgsfall. Other providers use other models, some with auctions; blanket statements about all backorder providers are therefore not possible – when in doubt, compare the specific conditions.
ReCatch is not universally better than a backorder – or vice versa. What matters is whether the domain is in the Redomain process at all, and how much price certainty matters to you.
View ReCatch and backorder on DomainCatcher
External link to DomainCatcher.com – the prices and terms published there apply.
Further reading: Understanding the Redemption Grace Period · ReCatch versus Domex and ODM