.io vs .ai
Choosing between tech's two premium TLDs
| Feature | .io | .ai |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $30-60/year | $50-100/year |
| Best For | All tech companies | AI-focused companies |
| Recognition | Strong in tech | Growing rapidly |
| Signal | Tech company | AI company |
| Availability | Good | Very good |
| Minimum Term | 1 year | 2 years |
When to Choose .io
You're building general tech. SaaS, dev tools, APIs, platforms - .io signals tech without specifying what kind. It's versatile and recognized across the industry.
AI is a feature, not the product. If you use machine learning internally but sell something else (analytics, automation, personalization), .io avoids overpromising on AI.
You want established credibility. .io has been the startup TLD since the early 2010s. VCs, developers, and tech buyers recognize it instantly.
Budget matters. .io costs less than .ai and requires only 1-year commitment. For bootstrapped startups, this difference matters.
When to Choose .ai
AI is your core product. If you're building models, providing AI APIs, or selling AI-first products, .ai reinforces your positioning in every URL and email address.
You want the AI halo effect. In the current market, AI companies attract attention. .ai signals you're part of that wave to investors, customers, and press.
Better names are available. .ai's shorter history means more good names remain at standard prices. You may get a stronger name in .ai than .io.
You're confident in your direction. .ai commits you to the AI narrative. If you might pivot away from AI messaging, .io offers more flexibility.
The Verdict
For AI-native companies: .ai is the better choice. It reinforces your positioning and takes advantage of AI's current momentum. The higher cost is worthwhile for the signal value.
For general tech companies: .io remains the stronger choice. It signals tech credibility without committing to a specific technology. It's also cheaper and more established.
The practical test: Would you put "AI" in your company description regardless of domain? If yes, use .ai. If you'd describe yourself as a "tech company" more broadly, use .io.
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Try DecideDomain FreeFrequently Asked Questions
Should an AI startup use .ai or .io?
If AI is central to your product and messaging, use .ai - it reinforces your positioning. If AI is one feature among many, .io works better as a general tech signal without pigeonholing your company.
Is .ai more expensive than .io?
Yes. .ai costs $50-100/year compared to $30-60 for .io. The premium reflects both scarcity (Anguilla controls .ai) and demand from AI companies. Both cost more than .com.
Which has better name availability - .io or .ai?
.ai has better availability since it's newer to the mainstream market. .io has been popular with tech companies for over a decade, so more names are taken. Both have better availability than .com.
Do .io and .ai have the same SEO impact?
Yes. Google treats both as generic TLDs with no geographic restrictions. Neither helps nor hurts SEO compared to .com. Content quality determines rankings, not TLD choice.