.com vs .io: Which TLD Should You Choose for Your Startup?
A detailed comparison of .com and .io domain extensions to help you decide which is best for your tech startup or business.
The Quick Answer
TL;DR — Which Should You Choose?
- Choose .com if: You're building a consumer-facing brand, targeting non-technical audiences, or can afford the premium for your ideal .com
- Choose .io if: You're building a developer tool, SaaS product, or API service, and your ideal .com is unavailable or prohibitively expensive
- Best option: If you can afford both, register both and use whichever fits your brand better
Understanding the Two Extensions
What is .com?
The .com extension (short for "commercial") is the original and most recognized domain extension in the world. Launched in 1985, it was intended for commercial businesses but has become the default for virtually any website.
What is .io?
The .io extension is technically the country code for British Indian Ocean Territory, but it has been adopted by the tech industry. The letters "I/O" (Input/Output) resonate with developers and tech companies, making it a popular alternative to .com.
Detailed Comparison
| Factor | .com | .io |
|---|---|---|
| Recognition | Universal — everyone knows .com | High in tech circles, lower outside |
| Trust Level | Highest trust from all demographics | High trust from tech audiences |
| Availability | Poor — most good names taken | Good — more options available |
| Cost (Standard) | $10-15/year | $30-50/year |
| Cost (Premium) | $500 - $500,000+ | $100 - $50,000 |
| SEO Impact | Neutral globally | Neutral (treated as gTLD by Google) |
| Email Perception | Always professional | Professional in tech contexts |
| Resale Value | Highest — appreciates over time | Growing but less established market |
The Case for .com
Advantages
1. Universal Recognition
When people think "website," they think .com. Your grandmother knows .com. Investors know .com. Everyone defaults to typing .com when they're not sure of an address.
2. Maximum Trust
Studies consistently show that .com domains are perceived as more trustworthy. In a survey by GrowthBadger, .com domains were rated 33% more trustworthy than alternative TLDs.
3. Long-term Asset Value
Quality .com domains appreciate over time. If you secure a good one, it becomes an appreciating business asset that could be worth significantly more if you ever sell the company.
4. No Geographic Limitations
Unlike country-code TLDs, .com has no geographic targeting implications for SEO and can be used effectively for any global audience.
Disadvantages
1. Scarcity
With 150+ million registered .com domains, finding a short, brandable, available name is extremely difficult. Most single-word and common two-word .coms were registered decades ago.
2. High Premium Costs
Desirable .com domains often cost thousands or tens of thousands of dollars. Brand-perfect .coms can cost millions.
3. May Force Compromises
To get a .com, you might have to add words (get, try, use) or modify your brand name in ways you wouldn't prefer.
The Case for .io
Advantages
1. Better Availability
Short, clean, brandable names are much more likely to be available as .io than .com. This means you can often get your exact brand name.
2. Tech Credibility
In the startup and developer community, .io signals technical sophistication. It's widely recognized and accepted by the people who matter most for many tech products.
3. Shorter Domain Names
Because availability is better, you can often secure 4-6 character domains that would be impossible or extremely expensive as .com.
4. Growing Acceptance
Major companies like GitHub (github.io), Socket.io, and Itch.io have normalized .io for tech products. It no longer raises eyebrows.
Disadvantages
1. Less Universal Recognition
Outside tech circles, people may be confused by .io. Your non-technical customers might type .com by mistake.
2. Higher Base Cost
Standard .io registration costs $30-50/year compared to $10-15 for .com. Over time, this adds up.
3. Political Concerns
There are ongoing discussions about the British Indian Ocean Territory's status, which theoretically could affect .io in the future (though this is considered unlikely to impact existing registrations).
4. Industry-Limited Perception
Using .io for a law firm or restaurant might seem odd. The tech connotation can work against non-tech businesses.
Real-World Examples
Successful .io Domains
Companies That Started with .io and Acquired .com
Many successful startups began with .io and later acquired the .com:
Started as notion.so → Acquired notion.com
Used intercom.io → Now uses intercom.com
Started as segment.io → Acquired segment.com
This is a valid strategy: Start with .io to prove your concept, then acquire the .com when you have funding or revenue to justify the expense.
Decision Framework
Use this flowchart to help decide:
Is your ideal .com available at reasonable cost (<$5,000)?
Is your primary audience technical (developers, startups, tech)?
Can you find a good .com with a modifier (get, try, use)?
Our Recommendation
The Best Strategy for Most Startups
- First, seriously try to get the .com. Use our Domain Generator to find creative variations.
- If .com is truly unavailable, .io is an excellent alternative for tech products.
- Register both if possible. Use one as primary and redirect the other.
- Plan for the future. If using .io, set aside budget to acquire .com later if it becomes available.
Conclusion
Both .com and .io are legitimate choices for your startup. The "right" answer depends on:
- Your target audience (technical vs. general)
- Your budget for domain acquisition
- The availability of your ideal name
- Your long-term brand strategy
Don't let domain indecision paralyze you. Choose one, build something great, and remember that successful companies have been built on both extensions.
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