.com vs .net vs .io vs .ai vs .co
An honest comparison of .com, .net, .org, .io, .ai, .co, .us and new gTLDs: who each suits, pros and cons, and which to choose for your business.
Choosing between .com and the popular alternatives? Here's an honest, side-by-side comparison of the endings people ask about most.
At a glance
| Ending | Best for | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| .com | Almost everyone | Default, most trusted, highest resale value | Good names are taken or expensive |
| .net | Tech and network services | Familiar, often available | Seen as the runner-up, some traffic goes to the .com |
| .org | Non-profits, communities | Trusted for causes | Suggests a non-profit to many people |
| .io | Tech startups, developer tools | Popular in tech, treated as global by Google | Pricey renewals, country ending |
| .ai | AI companies | Instantly signals AI, treated as global by Google | Expensive, country ending (Anguilla) |
| .co | Startups, "company" | Short, global by Google | Easy to confuse with .com |
| .us | US-focused businesses | Patriotic, often available | Requires a US connection, less familiar |
| New gTLDs (.shop, .app) | Names where the ending completes the meaning | Great names available | Lower recognition, watch renewal prices |
.com vs .net
Choose .com if you can. If you take a .net, check who owns the .com, because people will type it by habit and some of your email may go there.
.com vs .io vs .ai
For tech startups, .io and .ai are widely accepted and Google treats them as global. But they cost several times more per year, and as country endings they depend on another country's registry. Many startups launch on .io or .ai and upgrade to the .com later. See ccTLDs Google treats as generic.
.com vs .co
.co is short and global, but people often mistype it as .com, and the reverse. If you use .co, try to own the .com too or be ready for lost visitors.
.com vs new gTLDs
A new ending works best when it completes the name, like bloom.shop. Google treats them equally, but people remember .com more easily. See new gTLDs.
The verdict
- Get a good .com if you can.
- Choose your country ending if you serve one country.
- Choose .io, .ai or .co for tech startups with a global audience.
- Choose a new gTLD when the ending makes the name better.
Check any name across endings with the free domain search.
Questions
Is .io or .ai better than .com?
For most businesses, .com is better for recognition and resale. .io and .ai are strong choices for tech and AI startups, but cost more each year.