.IO vs .DEV: Battle of the Developer Domains
Both .io and .dev are beloved by developers, startups, and tech companies—but they're fundamentally different. This guide compares pricing, features, credibility, and ideal use cases to help you choose the right TLD for your project.
Quick Answer
Choose .io if: You're building a SaaS product, startup, or API service and the "input/output" association resonates with your brand. Budget isn't a constraint ($50-100/year).
Choose .dev if: You're a developer with a portfolio, open-source project, or tool targeting developers. You want built-in HTTPS security and prefer Google's ecosystem. Budget-conscious ($15-20/year).
Both are excellent choices for tech projects. .io is more startup/business-oriented, while .dev is more developer/community-focused.
At-a-Glance Comparison
| Feature | .IO | .DEV |
|---|---|---|
| Type | ccTLD (repurposed) | gTLD |
| Introduced | 1997 | 2019 |
| Registry | Internet Computer Bureau | Google Registry |
| Price | $50-100/year | $15-20/year |
| HTTPS Required | No | ✓ Yes (HSTS preload) |
| Primary Association | Input/Output, Startups | Developers, Tech |
| Perceived As | Startup/SaaS | Developer-focused |
| Best For | APIs, platforms, SaaS | Tools, portfolios, OSS |
Pricing: The Biggest Difference
.IO: Premium Pricing ($50-100/year)
.io is one of the more expensive TLDs. Most registrars charge $50-100/year for registration and renewal. This premium pricing hasn't hurt adoption among well-funded startups, but can be prohibitive for side projects and individual developers.
Cost Over 5 Years: $250-500
.DEV: Competitive Pricing ($15-20/year)
.dev is priced similarly to .com, making it accessible for everyone. At $15-20/year, you can register multiple domains for different projects without breaking the bank. Google keeps pricing competitive to encourage developer adoption.
Cost Over 5 Years: $75-100 (3-5x cheaper than .io)
Security: .DEV's Built-in HTTPS Advantage
.DEV Requires HTTPS (HSTS Preload)
All .dev domains are on Google's HSTS preload list. This means browsers will only load .dev sites over HTTPS, never falling back to insecure HTTP. This prevents man-in-the-middle attacks and enforces security by default.
.IO: HTTPS Optional (But Recommended)
.io domains work with both HTTP and HTTPS. While you should absolutely use HTTPS for production sites, the flexibility can be useful for local development or legacy systems. Most modern .io sites use HTTPS anyway.
Ideal Use Cases
When .IO is Perfect
🚀 SaaS Products & Platforms
Stripe.io, Socket.io - .io signals "tech platform" and has strong startup credibility
🔌 APIs and Developer Services
Input/output metaphor fits perfectly for data processing and API services
🎮 Gaming Platforms
Itch.io - Popular in indie gaming community
When .DEV is Perfect
👨💻 Developer Portfolios
Perfect for personal sites: yourname.dev
📚 Developer Tools & Documentation
GitHub.dev, Hashnode.dev - Immediately signals developer-focused content
🌐 Open Source Projects
Community projects, libraries, frameworks
Which Should You Choose?
Choose .IO if:
- You're building a funded startup or SaaS product
- The "input/output" metaphor aligns with your product
- Budget isn't a concern ($50-100/year is acceptable)
- You want the established "startup cool" factor
Choose .DEV if:
- You're a developer building a portfolio or side project
- You want built-in HTTPS security
- Budget matters ($15-20/year is more reasonable)
- Your audience is primarily developers
- You prefer Google's ecosystem
Frequently Asked Questions
.io domains cost $50-100/year while .dev costs $15-20/year due to different registry pricing strategies. The .io registry (Internet Computer Bureau) charges higher wholesale prices, partly because of demand from the tech startup community. .dev is managed by Google Registry with more competitive pricing to encourage adoption. The price difference is significant - you could register 3-5 .dev domains for the cost of one .io domain.
Yes. All .dev domains are on Google's HSTS preload list, meaning browsers will only load them over HTTPS - never HTTP. This is actually a security benefit as it prevents downgrade attacks. However, it means you must have an SSL certificate from day one (free via Let's Encrypt). If you're running a modern web app, you should be using HTTPS anyway, so this is rarely an issue. But it could be problematic for legacy systems or local development setups.
Not significantly, though growth has slowed. .io remains popular with tech startups, SaaS companies, and API services. However, .dev has been gaining ground since its 2019 launch due to lower pricing and Google backing. Many newer startups now consider both equally. The choice often comes down to brand fit and budget rather than one being definitively 'cooler' than the other.
Both are treated equally by Google's algorithm. Despite Google owning .dev, there's no ranking preference. However, .dev's required HTTPS gives a slight edge since Google does favor secure sites. For tech-focused content, both TLDs may see good click-through rates because developers recognize and trust them. The SEO difference is negligible - focus on content quality and technical optimization instead.
There's controversy around .io because it's the ccTLD for British Indian Ocean Territory, whose indigenous population (Chagossians) was forcibly removed. Revenue from .io registrations technically should benefit the territory, but critics argue it instead supports the disputed British claim. Some developers have moved away from .io for ethical reasons. If this concerns you, .dev (or .com, .net, .org) avoids this issue entirely.
Technically yes, both are unrestricted. However, both extensions have strong tech associations that could create confusion. Using .io for a restaurant or .dev for a law firm would seem odd to most users. If your project isn't tech-related, you're better served by .com, .net, or an industry-specific TLD. The tech branding is baked into these extensions.