TLD Comparison: .com vs .net vs .ai vs .io in 2024

Choosing the right Top-Level Domain (TLD) extension is a crucial decision that affects your brand perception, SEO performance, and marketing success. With over 1,500 TLDs available today, understanding the differences between popular extensions like .com, .net, .ai, .io, .dev, and others can help you make an informed choice that aligns with your business goals.

Understanding TLD Basics

A Top-Level Domain (TLD) is the final part of a domain name—the letters that appear after the last dot. TLDs are categorized into several types:

• Generic TLDs (gTLDs): .com, .net, .org, .info
• Country Code TLDs (ccTLDs): .uk, .de, .jp, .ca
• New gTLDs: .ai, .io, .dev, .app, .tech, .online
• Sponsored TLDs: .edu, .gov, .mil

Each TLD carries different connotations, pricing structures, and SEO implications. Let's dive into the most popular options for businesses and startups in 2024.

Comprehensive TLD Comparison

.com - The Universal Standard

.com

Cost: $10-15/year typically
Best For: Businesses, e-commerce, mainstream brands
Availability: Low (most desirable names taken)

Pros:

• Most recognized and trusted TLD globally
• Default choice for users typing domains
• Excellent for SEO (no inherent penalty)
• Maximum credibility and professionalism
• Best for customer-facing businesses

Cons:

• Extremely limited availability for short names
• Premium .com domains can cost thousands to millions
• High competition for good names
• May require creative spellings or longer names

.net - The Technical Alternative

.net

Cost: $12-15/year
Best For: Tech companies, networks, internet services
Availability: Moderate (better than .com)

Pros:

• Well-established and trusted (second only to .com)
• No SEO disadvantages
• More availability than .com
• Good for tech-related businesses
• Lower premium domain prices than .com

Cons:

• Users often default to typing .com instead
• Slightly less prestigious than .com
• Can seem like a "backup option"
• May confuse customers if competitor has .com version

.ai - The AI and Innovation Extension

.ai

Cost: $80-100/year (premium pricing)
Best For: AI companies, tech startups, innovation-focused brands
Availability: Good (high demand but still options)

Pros:

• Perfect branding for AI and machine learning companies
• Instantly communicates tech innovation
• Trendy and modern perception
• Good availability for creative names
• Strong association with cutting-edge technology
• Enables creative domain hacks (like "my.ai")

Cons:

• Significantly more expensive than .com
• Actually a country code TLD for Anguilla (ccTLD)
• Less universal recognition outside tech circles
• May become dated if AI hype diminishes
• High renewal costs

.io - The Startup Favorite

.io

Cost: $35-60/year
Best For: SaaS, tech startups, developer tools, gaming
Availability: Moderate to good

Pros:

• Extremely popular with tech startups and VCs
• "Input/Output" tech association
• Short, memorable extension
• Great for domain hacks (like "portfol.io")
• Signals modern, tech-savvy brand
• Better availability than .com

Cons:

• Higher cost than .com/.net
• Actually British Indian Ocean Territory ccTLD
• Some geopolitical concerns (territory status)
• Less recognition outside startup ecosystem
• May not work well for traditional businesses

.dev - The Developer's Choice

.dev

Cost: $12-20/year
Best For: Developers, dev tools, tech projects, coding platforms
Availability: Good

Pros:

• Clear developer/tech focus
• Requires HTTPS (built-in security)
• Managed by Google Registry (reliable)
• Affordable pricing
• Great for portfolio sites and dev tools
• Strong brand association with development

Cons:

• Limited to tech/developer audience
• Forced HTTPS requirement (pro for security, con for setup)
• Less mainstream recognition
• May pigeonhole your brand as dev-only

.app - Mobile App Extension

.app

Cost: $15-20/year
Best For: Mobile apps, web applications, app developers
Availability: Good

Pros:

• Perfect for mobile and web applications
• Instantly conveys purpose
• Requires HTTPS for security
• Managed by Google (reliable)
• Great for app landing pages

Cons:

• Limited to app-related businesses
• Less versatile than .com
• Mandatory HTTPS can complicate setup

.tech - Technology Focused

.tech

Cost: $10-50/year (varies significantly)
Best For: Tech companies, innovation hubs, tech blogs
Availability: Good

Pros:

• Clear technology association
• Good availability and affordability
• Works for various tech niches
• Professional appearance

Cons:

• Less established than older TLDs
• Pricing can be unpredictable
• Limited mainstream appeal

.co - The Compact Alternative

.co

Cost: $25-35/year
Best For: Startups, companies, businesses of all types
Availability: Moderate

Pros:

• Short and memorable
• Can represent "company" or "corporation"
• Good availability
• Works internationally
• Used by major brands (Twitter used t.co)

Cons:

• Actually Colombia's ccTLD
• Users might type .com instead
• Higher cost than .com
• Some confusion with .com

TLD Comparison Table: Quick Reference

SEO Considerations for Different TLDs

Google officially states that TLD choice doesn't directly impact search rankings—a .io domain has the same SEO potential as a .com. However, indirect factors matter:

• User Trust: .com domains often receive more clicks due to familiarity
• Brand Perception: Professional TLDs may earn more backlinks
• Local SEO: ccTLDs like .uk or .de can help with regional targeting
• Direct Traffic: Users default to typing .com, affecting type-in traffic

For most businesses, TLD choice matters less than having a strong domain name, quality content, and solid backlink profile. Choose the TLD that best fits your brand and budget.

Pricing Strategy: When to Pay Premium

Domain pricing varies dramatically:

• Standard TLDs: $10-20/year (.com, .net, .org)
• Premium TLDs: $30-100/year (.ai, .io)
• Premium Domains: $1,000-$1,000,000+ (short, keyword-rich domains)

Consider paying premium prices for:

• Perfect brand fit (e.g., OpenAI using openai.com)
• Short, memorable domains
• Exact-match keywords for your niche
• Protecting your brand from competitors

How to Choose the Right TLD for Your Business

Follow this decision framework:

1. Try .com first: Always check if your desired .com is available
2. Consider your industry: Tech? Try .ai, .io, .dev. Apps? Try .app
3. Think about budget: .ai domains cost 6-8x more than .com
4. Check availability: Use Shinobi Domain to search 70+ TLDs instantly
5. Test pronunciation: Will customers understand when spoken?
6. Look long-term: Will this TLD work as you scale?
7. Verify social handles: Ensure matching social media names exist

Emerging TLDs to Watch in 2024

New TLDs gaining traction:

• .xyz - Gen Z friendly, affordable, high availability
• .cloud - Cloud computing and SaaS companies
• .store - E-commerce and online shops
• .blog - Content creators and bloggers
• .design - Creative professionals and agencies

Common TLD Myths Debunked

Myth 1: "New TLDs hurt SEO"
False. Google treats all TLDs equally in search rankings.

Myth 2: "You must have a .com to be credible"
Partially true. While .com is most trusted, many successful companies use .io, .ai, and others.

Myth 3: ".org is only for nonprofits"
False. Anyone can register .org domains, though they're associated with organizations.

Myth 4: "Country TLDs only work in that country"
False. .io, .ai, .co are ccTLDs but work globally. However, some like .us or .uk may have regional bias.

Conclusion: Making Your TLD Decision

There's no universally "best" TLD—the right choice depends on your business, budget, and branding goals. For maximum credibility and recognition, .com remains king. For tech startups and innovation-focused brands, .io and .ai offer excellent alternatives with strong industry associations.

The most important factor isn't the extension but having a memorable, relevant name that resonates with your audience. Don't let TLD availability paralyze you—creative naming with the right TLD beats a mediocre .com every time.