The era of new top-level domains (nTLDs) has brought us hundreds of alternatives to .com. But not all nTLDs are created equal. Here is our practical ranking of the best new domain extensions to register in 2026.
Tier 1: Extensions Worth Serious Consideration
.ai — For Artificial Intelligence Companies
The hottest TLD in 2026. If your product involves AI, .ai is now considered near-equivalent to .com in the startup world. Price: $65–80/year. Compare on EasyTLDs.
.io — For Tech Products and SaaS
Established as the default TLD for developer tools and SaaS products. Price: $27–70/year depending on registrar.
.app — For Mobile and Web Applications
Google's TLD for applications. HTTPS-required, clean branding signal. Price: $13–20/year.
.dev — For Developer Tools and Projects
Google's TLD for developer-facing products. HTTPS-required. Perfect for open source projects and developer tools. Price: $11–18/year.
Tier 2: Strong for Specific Use Cases
- .shop — For e-commerce, ~$25–35/year
- .tech — For technology companies, ~$35–50/year
- .online — Versatile for any business, ~$15–25/year
- .co — Popular startup domain (Colombia ccTLD), ~$25–35/year
Tier 3: Interesting But Limited
.xyz — Very cheap ($3–10/year) but widely associated with spam. Avoid for serious projects.
Price vs Credibility
- .com: $9–16/year — gold standard
- .dev / .app: $11–20/year — excellent value for tech products
- .io: $27–70/year — high credibility, meaningful price premium
- .ai: $65–80/year — highest credibility in AI space
Conclusion
For most new projects, the best non-.com options are .dev and .app for technical audiences, .ai for AI products, and .io for SaaS. Use EasyTLDs to compare live prices before you register.