drop catching
Drop catching needs a catcher. Vacato is the watchlist.
Pending delete vs grace vs drop, explained. Vacato is an alert layer for domain investors — we do not catch or register names. Pair with a catch service when you must win.
Last updated 2026-08-22
Grace, redemption, pending delete, drop
After a registrant misses renewal, most gTLDs move through registrar grace (often renewable at normal price), then redemption (restore fees), then pending delete. For .com and .net, pending delete is typically about five days at Verisign. After that the name returns to the public pool — the “drop.” Details vary by TLD. Glossary: pending delete.
Where Vacato sits
Vacato checks whether each name on your list is still registered, every 5 minutes (Free) or every minute (Pro). When RDAP/WHOIS says it is available, we alert you. You go to your registrar and try to register. We do not run catch clusters, auctions, or registrar lock-in.
If the name is a contested .com, a platform like DropCatch may attempt the delete at the registry and auction the winner. You can still lose after a Vacato alert. Fair comparison: Vacato vs DropCatch.
A practical split
- Long-tail and bulk lists → Vacato watchlist (see for investors).
- Must-win pending deletes → catch or backorder.
- Discovery catalogs → ExpiredDomains-style lists, then import keepers.
Check a name now: RDAP checker. Plans: pricing. FAQ: docs/faq.
FAQ
Is Vacato a drop-catching registrar?
No. Vacato is an alert layer. When a name becomes available on RDAP/WHOIS, we notify you. You register it at any registrar. Dedicated catchers can still win the name.
What is the difference between grace, redemption, and pending delete?
After expiry, most gTLDs enter a registrar grace period, then redemption (often ~30 days, extra fees), then pending delete. For .com/.net, pending delete is typically about five days at Verisign before the name returns to the pool.
When should I use Vacato instead of DropCatch?
Use Vacato to watch a large list cheaply and act when something opens. Use a catch/backorder service when you must contest a high-value delete. Many investors do both.
Start a watchlist free
5 domains, 5-minute checks, email and Telegram. No credit card. Vacato does not register domains for you.