.com vs .co vs .io: Which Domain Extension Should You Choose?

A plain comparison of the most popular domain extensions for new businesses.

.com

The default. Most people type .com without thinking, so it is the safest choice for businesses with non-technical customers. The downside is that short, good .com names are hard to find.

.co

Short and modern. Popular with startups and small businesses. Some people may type .com by mistake, so it works best when the .com isn't used by a competitor.

.io

Associated with tech and software companies. Developers and tech buyers recognise it; mainstream customers less so. Registration usually costs more than .com.

.app, .shop and .studio

These say what you are. .app suits mobile and web apps, .shop suits online stores and .studio suits creative businesses. They can make a short, memorable domain possible when the .com is taken.

Country extensions like .ae

A country extension shows you're local, which helps if you only serve one country. Some have registration rules, such as needing a local presence.

Our recommendation

Choose the extension your customers will remember and trust. If you serve the general public, try for .com first. If you're a tech startup, .co or .io are fine.