Developer Domain Guide

.io vs .dev

The definitive comparison for developers and coding projects. Discover which domain extension best represents your development work.

Quick Decision Guide

Choose .io if:

  • • You're building a commercial product
  • • You want startup credibility
  • • Your project targets tech industry
  • • You're seeking investment or funding

Choose .dev if:

  • • You're creating a developer portfolio
  • • Your project is purely for developers
  • • You want maximum security (HTTPS required)
  • • You prefer Google's backing

Pricing Comparison at namepick.co

Startup Standard
.io Domain

Tech Industry Favourite

Registration£49.99/year
Renewal£69.99/year
Transfer£69.99/year
Industry RecognitionExcellent
Commercial AppealHigh
Developer Focus
.dev Domain

Google-Backed

Registration£15.99/year
Renewal£19.99/year
Transfer£19.99/year
Developer FocusPerfect
Security (HTTPS)Required

.dev costs £34 less per year than .io

Key Differences to Consider

.io Advantages:
  • Established startup credibility
  • Recognized by VCs and investors
  • Perfect for commercial products
  • No restrictions on usage
.dev Advantages:
  • Clear developer focus and branding
  • Google-backed with strong support
  • Built-in HTTPS security requirement
  • Much more affordable pricing

Perfect Use Cases for Each Extension

.io is Perfect For:
  • SaaS Products:

    Commercial software applications

  • API Services:

    Developer tools and platforms

  • Funded Startups:

    Companies seeking investment

  • Tech Companies:

    Established tech businesses

.dev is Perfect For:
  • Developer Portfolios:

    Personal coding showcases

  • Open Source Projects:

    Community-driven development

  • Developer Blogs:

    Technical writing and tutorials

  • Development Tools:

    Coding utilities and resources

Important: .dev Security Requirement

All .dev domains require HTTPS. This means you must have an SSL certificate installed for your website to work properly. This is a security feature, not a limitation.

Benefits:

Enhanced security, better SEO, user trust

Requirement:

Must have SSL certificate to function

Our Recommendation

Choose Based on Your Project Type

For personal projects and developer portfolios, choose .dev. For commercial products and startups, choose .io for maximum credibility.

For Developers

Portfolios, projects, blogs

For Startups

Commercial products, SaaS

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