Best Domain Extensions for Startups in 2026

The TLD Landscape Has Changed

A decade ago, the answer was simple: get the .com. Today, startups have over 1,500 top-level domains to choose from. While .com remains dominant, alternatives like .io, .ai, .co, and .dev have gained real legitimacy.

Here's what actually works in 2026.

Tier 1: The Gold Standard

.com

Still the default. Still the most trusted. Users type .com instinctively, and email deliverability is highest with .com domains. If you can get a good .com, get it.

Best for: Every business. Universal trust and recognition. Downside: Most good names are taken. Expect to pay premium prices or get creative with compound names.

Tier 2: Strong Alternatives

.io

Originally the country code for British Indian Ocean Territory, .io became the tech startup default. It signals "tech company" to a savvy audience.

Best for: Developer tools, SaaS, B2B tech. Downside: Ongoing geopolitical concerns about the British Indian Ocean Territory could theoretically affect the TLD's future. Also, non-tech audiences may not recognize it.

.ai

Exploded in popularity with the AI boom. It's the country code for Anguilla, but it's become synonymous with artificial intelligence companies.

Best for: AI/ML companies, data products, tech tools. Downside: Expensive ($50-100/year for registration). May feel gimmicky if your product isn't actually AI-powered.

.co

Short for "company" in practice (officially Colombia's country code). Used by major brands like Twitter (t.co) and Google (g.co).

Best for: Startups wanting a short, clean alternative to .com. Downside: People might think you meant .com and mistype.

.dev

Google-owned TLD for developers. Requires HTTPS, which is a security bonus.

Best for: Developer tools, personal developer portfolios, open-source projects. Downside: Narrow audience perception.

Tier 3: Niche but Viable

.app

Another Google-owned TLD. Clean, modern, requires HTTPS.

Best for: Mobile apps, SaaS products.

.design

Self-explanatory. Works well for design agencies and portfolio sites.

.store / .shop

E-commerce focused TLDs that clearly signal online retail.

.xyz

Cheap and increasingly popular. Used by Google's parent company Alphabet (abc.xyz).

Best for: Budget-conscious startups, experimental projects.

.tech

Direct and clear. Signals technology focus.

Tier 4: Generally Avoid

.biz, .info, .net

These carry spam associations from the early 2000s. They don't signal quality.

.ninja, .guru, .rocks

Fun but unprofessional. Fine for personal projects, risky for businesses.

Random country codes (.tk, .ml, .ga)

Free domains from small nations. Heavily associated with spam and phishing.

Decision Framework

Ask yourself:

Is a reasonable .com available? (Even with a modifier like "get," "try," or "use" prefix?) If yes, go .com.
Is your audience technical? .io and .dev are safe choices.
Is AI core to your product? .ai makes sense.
Is your audience general consumers? Stick with .com or .co.
Are you bootstrapping on a tight budget? .xyz or .co are affordable.

The Multi-TLD Strategy

Smart startups secure multiple extensions:

Primary: yourname.com (or .io/.ai)
Defensive: yourname.co, yourname.net (redirect to primary)
Country-specific: yourname.co.uk, yourname.de (for international expansion)

This prevents competitors and squatters from confusing your customers.

Check All Extensions at Once

Don't check domain availability one extension at a time. Use BrandScout to see which extensions are available for your brand name across all major TLDs — plus social handles and trademarks — in a single search.