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TLD Comparison & Chooser
The TLD comparison & chooser puts the common top-level domains side by side so the right extension can be picked on evidence rather than habit. A TLD is the part of a domain after the final dot, and the choice between a .com, a new gTLD like .dev, or a country code like .io shapes how memorable, trusted, and geographically targeted a name feels before a single page is written.
This tool is free and runs entirely in the browser. It renders a filterable reference table of fourteen widely used extensions across their type, typical use, registration restrictions, and an SEO and branding note, plus a help-me-choose mode that highlights the extensions that usually fit a stated goal.
| TLD | Type | Typical use | Registration | SEO & branding note |
|---|
No extensions match that filter. Try a broader keyword or reset.
Reference data is editorial and factual, not live. Pricing is deliberately omitted because it varies widely by registrar, promo, and renewal terms — always confirm the renewal price, not just the first-year offer, before you register.
🔒 Private: everything runs in your browser. Nothing you paste is uploaded.
How to use the TLD comparison tool
Filter the reference table by keyword or type to compare extensions directly, or switch to help-me-choose, pick the intended use, and watch the rows that typically fit light up with the reasoning attached.
Compare extensions by type, use, and registration rules
The compare tab lists each extension with its registry type, typical use case, registration restrictions, and a plain SEO and branding note. Type the keyword filter to narrow the list instantly: searching country surfaces the ccTLDs, startup surfaces the names founders reach for, and unrestricted finds the ones anyone can register. The type dropdown separates legacy gTLDs, newer gTLDs, and country codes, because each behaves differently. The notes flag the practical catches, such as the missing letter risk on a .co or the enforced HTTPS on a .dev.
Read registration restrictions before you fall for a name
Not every extension is open to everyone, and discovering that after choosing a name wastes time. Several country codes carry a presence requirement: .us needs a United States nexus, .ca enforces Canadian presence rules, and .uk and .de typically expect a local contact. The table states each restriction in one line so an ineligible option is ruled out early. The open gTLDs and the globally registrable ccTLDs like .io, .co, and .ai have no such gate, which is part of why they spread far beyond their origins.
Use help-me-choose to match a TLD to your goal
The chooser turns intent into a shortlist. Pick a goal such as a tech startup, a developer tool, an AI product, a personal portfolio, or a business targeting one country, and the matching rows move to the top and highlight with a short reason for the fit. A SaaS goal lifts .io, .co, and .ai; a local goal lifts the relevant country code. The reasoning is editorial convention, not an algorithm, so the highlights are a starting shortlist rather than a verdict, and a strong brand can succeed on any extension.
TLD comparison frequently asked questions
Q1Does the choice of TLD affect SEO rankings?
Not directly. Google has repeatedly stated that new and legacy gTLDs carry no inherent ranking advantage, so a .com and a .xyz start on equal footing. The real effects are indirect: a familiar extension earns more trust and clicks, and a country-code TLD sends a geo-targeting signal that helps rank in that country. Content, links, and relevance still decide rankings far more than the extension.
Q2What is the difference between a gTLD and a ccTLD?
A gTLD is a generic top-level domain, such as .com, .org, or .dev, that is open to a global audience and not tied to any country. A ccTLD is a two-letter country-code domain, such as .uk or .de, assigned to a specific territory. Some ccTLDs like .io, .co, and .ai are registered worldwide and used purely for branding, even though they technically belong to a country.
Q3Why does this tool not show prices?
Because domain pricing is not a stable fact. The same extension costs different amounts at different registrars, first-year promotional prices rarely match the renewal price, and rates change often. Showing a single number would be misleading. The tool focuses on the durable attributes, type, use, restrictions, and branding notes, and recommends checking the renewal price, not just the introductory offer, at your chosen registrar.
Q4Should I register my brand on more than one TLD?
Often, yes, for defensive reasons. If recall matters, securing the .com alongside a shorter pick like .co or .io prevents visitors from landing on a competitor when they type the wrong ending. Many brands also register the matching country code in their main market. The right number depends on budget and risk, but the .com of an exact brand name is usually the first defensive registration worth making.
Q5Is .io or .co a good alternative when the .com is taken?
Both are popular, brandable alternatives, but they carry trade-offs. The .io reads naturally to a technical audience and suits startups and developer tools, while .co reads as company and is one letter shorter than .com. The main risk with both is that some visitors still type the .com out of habit, so if the .com points to a competitor, weigh securing it too or choosing a different name.
