Search .io domains
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What is a .io domain?
A .io domain is the country code top-level domain for the British Indian Ocean Territory. Identity Digital operates the registry, and anyone can register one with no residency requirement. In computing “I/O” means input/output, and that coincidence made .io the go-to extension for startups, developer tools, and SaaS products. Google treats it as a generic extension rather than a regional one. The UK’s 2024 agreement to transfer the Chagos Islands to Mauritius has raised questions about the extension’s long-term future; the registry says existing domains stay stable, and any change would take years.
- Type
- Country code (ccTLD)
- Country or territory
- British Indian Ocean Territory
- Registry
- Identity Digital
- Since
- 1997
- Who can register
- Anyone, worldwide
- Registration
- $32–$80/year
- Renewal
- $45–$87/year
Quick overview
A snapshot of the .io market – how many domains exist, what’s being registered, and what premium pricing looks like right now.
Total number of .io domains registered worldwide.
New .io domains registered this month.
Average sale price of .io domains on the secondary market.
Why choose a .io domain?
A .io domain signals that you’re building something technical. The extension has become shorthand for startups, developer tools, and SaaS products, thanks to its connection to “I/O” (input/output) in computing. If your ideal .com is taken or costs six figures, .io often has shorter, cleaner alternatives that still look professional.
Best for:
- Developer recognition - Instantly signals tech focus to your target audience
- Startup credibility - Widely adopted by funded companies and open source projects
- Better availability - Short, brandable names still available vs. exhausted .com inventory
- Gaming crossover - The “.io games” genre has made the extension familiar to millions
Who uses .io?
Tech companies across SaaS, developer tools, and gaming use .io domains for product sites, documentation, and APIs. GitHub, Socket.io, and Sentry all run on .io.
Recently registered .io domains
See what developers and founders are building. Here are the latest .io domains registered in the last 24 hours.
Premium .io domains for sale
The best .io names were registered during the startup boom of the early 2010s. Many are now available on aftermarket platforms like Dan, Sedo, and Afternic. Short dictionary words and common tech terms command premium prices.
.io vs other domain extensions
How .io compares to alternatives on price, availability, and market positioning. For developer-focused products, .io often beats a compromised .com.
| TLD | Registered | Price | Best for | Companies | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ~991K | $50–$90 | AI, ML |     | High | |
| ~304M | $5–$19 | Universal |     | Very Low | |
| ~25M | $10–$18 | Tech, Networks |     | Low | |
| ~1.9M | $12–$20 | Apps, Software |     | Good |
.io domain pricing
Standard .io registrations range from $32-80/year depending on the registrar. Renewals typically run $45-87/year. Unlike some TLDs, .io has no registry-level premium pricing on standard names.
Where to register a .io domain
Compare .io pricing across major registrars. Prices vary significantly, so check renewal rates before committing.
Tips:
- Compare registration + renewal rates
- Look for DNS management and easy transfers
- Consider support quality if this is a core brand domain
FAQ about .io domains
The .io extension is the country code top-level domain (ccTLD) for the British Indian Ocean Territory. But in the tech world, it’s become associated with “I/O” (input/output), a fundamental concept in computing. This coincidence helped .io become the unofficial domain extension for tech startups and developer tools.
Yes. There are no residency or business requirements. Anyone worldwide can register a .io domain for any purpose. The registry doesn’t restrict who can register, making it accessible to individuals, startups, and enterprises alike.
Google treats .io as a generic top-level domain, not a country-specific one. This means your .io site won’t be geo-targeted to the British Indian Ocean Territory. For ranking purposes, .io is treated the same as .com or any other extension. Your content quality and site authority matter far more than your TLD.
Several factors combined: the “I/O” connection to computing, better name availability than .com, and early adoption by successful startups like GitHub Pages. Once a few prominent companies used .io, it became a signal of tech credibility.
Both are popular with tech companies, but they signal different things. Use .ai if your product is specifically about artificial intelligence or machine learning. Use .io for general tech products, developer tools, SaaS, or games.
In 2024, the UK announced plans to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands (the British Indian Ocean Territory) to Mauritius. This has raised questions about .io’s future since country code domains are tied to ISO country codes. However, any transition would take years, and the .io registry has stated that domains remain stable and protected.
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