TLD Selection Guide: .com vs .io vs .dev - Which Domain Extension Should You Choose?

What is a TLD?

TLD (Top-Level Domain) is the extension at the end of a domain name. In example.com, .com is the TLD. Your choice of TLD can influence brand perception, user trust, and marketing strategy.

2025 Domain Market Overview

As of early 2025, global domain registrations reached 368.4 million. Among these, .com and .net combined account for 169.8 million registrations, maintaining their dominant market share.

Key TLD Market Share

.com: The Reigning Champion

.com has been the most widely used domain extension since its introduction in 1985.

Pros

• High trust: Users trust .com domains the most
• Easy to remember: People default to trying .com first
• Global recognition: Universally understood

Cons

• Scarcity: Desired names are likely already taken
• Price: Premium domains can cost millions

Pilot.com paid $400,000 for their domain. The founder viewed it not as an expense but as "an enduring asset" that helped position them as a billion-dollar company.

.io: The Tech Startup Favorite

.io was originally the country code for the British Indian Ocean Territory but gained popularity among tech companies due to its association with "Input/Output" in computing.

Pros

• Tech image: Preferred by startups, developers, and gaming communities
• Availability: Easier to secure desired names than .com
• Modern feel: Great for building an innovative brand image

Cons

• Limited mainstream recognition: May seem unfamiliar outside tech circles
• Price: Generally higher registration and renewal costs than .com

Growth Trend

As of Q1 2025, .io domains grew by 0.7%. While growth is modest, its position in the tech startup ecosystem remains strong.

.dev: Built for Developers

.dev is a TLD managed by Google, designed specifically for developers and technical projects.

Pros

• HTTPS enforced: Security built-in by default
• Clear targeting: Perfect for developers and open-source projects
• Google-managed: Stable infrastructure

Cons

• Limited use cases: May seem awkward for non-development sites
• Recognition: Lower than .com or .io

Growth Trend

.dev recorded +1.08% growth in Q1 2025, showing steady momentum.

.ai: The New Powerhouse of the AI Era

With the AI boom, .ai domains are rising rapidly.

Growth Rate

.ai recorded 7.8% growth (38,900 new registrations) in early 2025, making it one of the fastest-growing TLDs.

Pros

• Leverage AI trend: Essential choice for AI startups
• Clear positioning: Immediately signals AI focus
• Investor appeal: Domain alone communicates AI specialization

Which TLD Should You Choose?

Choose .com when:

• Running or planning a B2C business
• Targeting global markets
• Brand trust is critical in your industry

Choose .io when:

• Launching a tech startup
• Unable to secure your desired .com domain
• Your primary audience is developers/tech community

Choose .dev when:

• Building open-source projects or development tools
• Creating developer documentation or portfolio sites
• HTTPS is mandatory for your project

Choose .ai when:

• Providing AI/ML-related services
• Wanting to signal AI focus to investors

Conclusion

There's no single right answer for TLD selection. What matters most is defining who your target users are and what image you want to build.

• Need universal trust → .com
• Tech startup image matters → .io
• Developer audience → .dev
• AI sector → .ai

Whatever TLD you choose, it works best when combined with a short, memorable domain name.