Table of Contents▼
With hundreds of domain extensions available today, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. Should you stick with the classic .com? Go trendy with .io? Or try something new like .ai?
In this guide, we'll break down the most popular domain extensions, what each one signals to customers, and how to choose the best one for your business.
Why Domain Extensions Matter
Your domain extension (also called a TLD—top-level domain) is more than just the end of your URL. It communicates:
- Industry or purpose - .edu for education, .org for nonprofits, .gov for government
- Geographic location - .uk for UK, .de for Germany, .ca for Canada
- Tech credibility - .io and .ai signal innovation and tech focus
- Professionalism - .com still carries the broadest trust
TLD stands for "Top-Level Domain" — the last segment of a domain name, following the final dot. Examples: .com, .org, .io, .ai
The Most Popular Domain Extensions
.com - The Default Standard
Best for: Any business, especially B2C and established brands
Pros
- ✓ Universally recognized worldwide
- ✓ Default that users type automatically
- ✓ Strongest SEO track record
- ✓ Works for any industry
Cons
- ✗ Most desirable names are taken
- ✗ Premium prices for short/dictionary words
- ✗ May require creative spelling
Real examples: amazon.com, stripe.com, notion.so redirects to notion.com
The .com extension is still the gold standard for most businesses. According to Verisign, .com represents about 37% of all domain registrations despite 1,500+ alternatives.
The catch: Finding a good available .com is increasingly difficult. If your ideal .com is taken, you have options.
.io - The Startup Favorite
Best for: Tech startups, SaaS, developer tools, APIs
.io originally the country code for British Indian Ocean Territory, has been adopted by the startup world. "IO" resonates with developers (input/output) and signals tech credibility.
Real examples using .io:
- Linear.app (project management) - uses both .app and redirects
- Socket.io (WebSocket library)
- CodePen.io (developer playground)
- Console.dev (developer newsletter)
.io is a country-code TLD for British Indian Ocean Territory. While politically stable, some companies prefer generic TLDs for long-term security. The .io registry is managed by the Internet Computer Bureau.
.ai - The AI Era Domain
Best for: AI/ML companies, tech startups building AI products
With AI dominating tech, .ai domains have become premium real estate. Originally the country code for Anguilla, it's been repurposed globally.
Real examples using .ai:
- Character.ai (AI chatbots)
- Perplexity.ai (AI search)
- Stability.ai (Stable Diffusion)
- Play.ht redirects from play.ai
- Copy.ai (AI copywriting)
.ai domains typically cost $50-150/year—significantly more than .com. But for AI companies, the branding value often justifies the premium.
.app - The Application Domain
Best for: Mobile apps, web apps, SaaS products
Google's .app extension launched in 2018 and requires HTTPS for all sites—a built-in security feature.
Real examples using .app:
- Cash.app (Block's payment app)
- Linear.app (project management)
- namemyapp (that's us!)
Other Popular Extensions
| Extension | Best For | Typical Price | Notable Users |
|---|---|---|---|
| .co | Startups, companies | $25-35/yr | Angel.co, Twitter.co (redirect) |
| .dev | Developer tools | $15-20/yr | Web.dev (Google), GitHub.dev |
| .xyz | Creative brands | $10-15/yr | abc.xyz (Alphabet), Block.xyz |
| .tech | Technology | $40-50/yr | CES.tech, MIT.tech |
| .design | Design agencies | $30-40/yr | Figma.design (redirect) |
| .studio | Creative studios | $25-30/yr | Various creative agencies |
Industry-Specific Extensions
.tech
Technology companies, IT services, tech conferences
.design
Design agencies, UI/UX studios, creative professionals
.studio
Creative studios, production companies, agencies
.agency
Marketing, advertising, PR agencies
.store
E-commerce, online retail, DTC brands
.health
Healthcare, wellness, medical services
How to Choose Your Domain Extension
Start with .com
If your exact name is available as a .com at standard price, that's usually the best choice. It's the default, requires no explanation, and works globally.
Consider Your Audience
B2B tech? .io or .ai work great and signal credibility. Consumer app? .app or .com preferred. Enterprise? .com is still safest.
Match Your Brand Story
If you're building an AI company, a .ai domain reinforces your positioning. Stripe could have been stripe.io, but .com fits their payment brand better.
Think About Email
Your domain becomes your email address. Does [email protected] look as professional as [email protected] for your audience?
Common Questions
Should I buy multiple extensions?↓
For brand protection: Consider buying the .com even if you use a different primary domain. This prevents competitors or domain squatters from confusing your customers. For SEO: Multiple domains don't help SEO. Pick one primary domain and use it consistently. Redirecting others is fine for protection, but don't try to rank with multiple TLDs.
Do domain extensions affect SEO?↓
Google has officially stated that new TLDs are treated equally in search rankings. John Mueller of Google has confirmed this multiple times. However, .com may get slightly higher click-through rates due to user familiarity. Content quality matters far more than your TLD.
What about country-code domains?↓
Country-code TLDs (.uk, .de, .fr, .ca) are great for local businesses. They signal local presence and can boost local search rankings. However, they may limit perceived international reach if you plan to expand globally.
Is .io safe long-term?↓
.io is managed by the Internet Computer Bureau under contract. While there have been discussions about British Indian Ocean Territory's status, the TLD remains stable and widely used. For maximum long-term security, some companies also secure the .com.
Our Recommendation
- First choice: Get the .com if available at reasonable price
- Second choice: .io, .ai, or .app depending on your industry
- Third choice: .co or a relevant industry extension
Remember — a great name with a .io is better than a mediocre name with a .com. Notion started as notion.so before acquiring notion.com.
Find Available Domains Instantly
Stop guessing which names are available. namemyapp checks 50+ domain extensions in real-time and only shows you names that are actually purchasable.
Ready to Find Your Perfect Domain?
Generate AI-powered business names with guaranteed availability. No signup required.
What domain extension does your business use? Share your story on Twitter.
