Picking a domain extension is one of the first big decisions when starting a project or company. .com, .io and .ai are the three extensions most debated by founders, developers and entrepreneurs. Each sends a different signal to your audience — and comes with a very different price tag.
.com — The Default Standard
.com is the internet's default. The vast majority of users instinctively type .com when guessing a URL. It signals legitimacy, credibility and permanence. For consumer brands, e-commerce, and anything aimed at a general audience, .com is still the gold standard.
- Pros: Maximum trust, type-in traffic, accepted everywhere
- Cons: Good short names are taken; renewals at some registrars reach $23/yr
.io — The Tech Startup Favourite
Originally the country code for British Indian Ocean Territory, .io became the unofficial domain for SaaS tools, developer products and tech startups in the early 2010s. Coders and technical audiences immediately recognise it. Many well-known developer tools use it.
- Pros: Availability much better than .com, signals tech product
- Cons: 3–5× more expensive than .com; non-tech users may not recognise it
.ai — The AI & ML Signal
Originally Anguilla's country code, .ai exploded in popularity after the AI boom. AI companies, ML tools and research labs use it as a badge. If your product is genuinely AI-driven, .ai signals your niche before a visitor reads a single word.
- Pros: Instantly communicates AI focus, availability decent
- Cons: Most expensive of the three; irrelevant signal if your product isn't AI
Price Comparison Table
Registration prices in USD as of October 2025. Renewal prices at select registrars differ significantly.
| Registrar | .com reg | .com renew | .io reg | .io renew | .ai reg | .ai renew |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Porkbun API Price | $9.73 | $9.73 | $37.49 | $37.49 | $69.73 | $69.73 |
| Cloudflare at-cost | $10.44 | $10.44 | $41.65 | $41.65 | $66.18 | $66.18 |
| Namecheap | $10.28 | $16.98 | $39.98 | $59.98 | $79.98 | $79.98 |
| GoDaddy | $11.99 | $22.99 | $44.99 | $69.99 | $89.99 | $89.99 |
| Dynadot | $10.99 | $11.99 | $34.99 | $49.99 | $79.99 | $79.99 |
Note: These are standard non-premium prices. The final checkout price can differ based on promotions, account tier and premium status. Always verify at the registrar before purchasing.
Other Extensions Worth Considering
- .dev — Google-owned, HTTPS enforced. Great for developer tools. ~$10–$20/yr.
- .app — Google-owned, HTTPS enforced. Perfect for mobile apps. ~$12–$20/yr.
- .co — Clean, short, globally understood. ~$12–$45/yr.
- Country codes (.uk, .de, .in, .pk) — Best for local businesses targeting a specific country.
Our Recommendation
If your target audience is general consumers or businesses → Get the .com if at all possible. Spend time brainstorming names until you find an available one.
If you're building a SaaS or developer tool and a good .com is taken → .io is well understood in your target audience and widely accepted.
If your product is genuinely AI-powered → .ai is a worthwhile investment if you can afford $66–$90/yr. Skip it if your product is only tangentially AI-related.
FAQs
Is .io or .com better for a startup?
.com is better for broad consumer appeal and long-term brand trust. .io is popular in the developer and SaaS startup world where good .com names are unavailable, but .io renewals can reach $50–$70/year, so factor that in.
How much does a .ai domain cost?
A .ai domain typically costs $66–$90/year for registration and renewal, depending on the registrar. Cloudflare offers it at $66.18/year at wholesale cost. GoDaddy charges up to $89.99/year. Always check renewal prices before registering.
Can I switch extensions later?
You can register a new domain and redirect traffic at any time, but rebranding costs time and SEO authority. It's better to choose the right extension from the start. Use GetDomainPrice to check availability across extensions instantly.