Should I choose .io or .ai for my startup? If AI is central to your product, use .ai. It reinforces your positioning and signals AI-first to investors and customers. If you're building general tech (SaaS, dev tools, APIs), use .io. It's more versatile, cheaper ($30-60 vs $50-100/year), and widely recognized across the tech industry.
.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 |
Why Startups 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. According to W3Techs, .io ranks among the top 10 most-used TLDs for websites worldwide[1]. If you're weighing .io against the classic default, see our .com vs .io comparison.
Budget matters. .io costs less than .ai and requires only 1-year commitment. For bootstrapped startups, this difference matters.
Why AI Companies 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. Data from the Anguilla government shows that .ai domain revenue exceeded $32 million in 2023, driven by AI industry demand[2]. The extension 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 brandable domain 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.
Check .io and .ai availability together
Our AI generates names and checks both .io and .ai so you can pick the right extension for your brand.
The Bottom Line
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.
Find the Right Domain
Ready to find available domains in .io and .ai? Our AI-powered generator creates unique, brandable suggestions and checks availability in both extensions.
Try DecideDomain FreeCommon 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.
Sources
- W3Techs TLD Usage Statistics: Distribution of top-level domains for websites (updated monthly)
- Government of Anguilla 2024 Budget Address: .ai domain registration revenue figures (2024)