What is .app domain used for? Data from Google Registry indicates[3] that .app was purpose-built for applications: mobile apps, SaaS products, and web apps. It costs $14-20/year and requires HTTPS by default, meaning every .app site is automatically secure.
.app Domain Guide
Everything you need to know about .app domains
What .app Means for Your Product
.app is a generic top-level domain (gTLD) launched by Google Registry in 2018. Google acquired the rights to .app at auction for $25 million, the highest price ever paid for a TLD at the time. According to W3Techs, .app has grown steadily among technology-focused websites since its launch[1]. ICANN's registry data shows that .app is one of hundreds of gTLDs introduced through the new gTLD program, but its single-operator model under Google gives it unusual consistency[4]. The extension was purpose-built for applications of every kind.
What sets .app apart from other TLDs is its mandatory HTTPS requirement. Google Registry requires that all .app domains use HTTPS via inclusion on the HSTS preload list, meaning browsers refuse to load any .app site over an unencrypted connection[3]. Every .app website is secure by default. If you're building an app and weighing your TLD options, our .dev domain guide covers Google's other developer-focused extension.
Companies using .app include Cash.app (Block/Square), Podcast.app, and numerous mobile-first startups. The domain communicates exactly what your product is: an application.
HTTPS and the Security Advantage
.app is the only major TLD where encryption is mandatory, not optional. Google included .app in the HTTP Strict Transport Security (HSTS) preload list that ships with every major browser. When a user visits any .app domain, the browser upgrades the connection to HTTPS before even contacting the server. There is no way to serve an .app site over plain HTTP.
For application builders, this removes an entire category of configuration mistakes. Mixed-content warnings, accidental HTTP redirects, and cookie-hijacking attacks over unsecured connections are all eliminated at the TLD level. Modern hosting providers like Vercel, Netlify, and Cloudflare Pages provision free SSL certificates automatically, so the HTTPS requirement adds no meaningful cost or setup time.
The security benefit extends to user perception. When your customers see the lock icon is always present on your .app domain, it reinforces the message that your product takes security seriously. For applications that handle user data, financial transactions, or authentication flows, that signal carries weight beyond the technical protection itself.
Google's other developer-focused TLD, .dev, shares this HSTS requirement. If you're comparing the two, the key distinction is positioning: .app says "this is an application," while .dev says "this is built by developers." The security model is identical.
Best Use Cases for .app
Mobile app companies: .app is the most literal TLD for a mobile application. It tells users what to expect before they click. If you're shipping on iOS or Android, yourname.app is immediately clear.
SaaS products: Web applications and software-as-a-service tools benefit from the .app signal. Data from Cloudflare Radar indicates that HTTPS adoption now covers the vast majority of web traffic, and .app's enforced encryption aligns with that industry direction[5]. The built-in HTTPS adds a practical security layer that SaaS customers expect. For more on how tech startups choose domain names, see our industry guide.
Web applications: Progressive web apps, browser-based tools, and web platforms fit naturally under .app. The extension tells users they're visiting a functional product, not a content site.
Who should avoid .app: Businesses that aren't building software. A restaurant, law firm, or retail store on a .app domain creates confusion. If your product isn't an application, the domain works against you. The HTTPS requirement also adds a setup step that non-technical users may find frustrating.
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Cost and Registration
.app domains cost $14-20/year through most registrars, making them competitively priced against .com. Registrars like Namecheap, Porkbun, and Cloudflare typically offer .app at the lower end of this range.
Registration is open to anyone with no restrictions beyond the HTTPS requirement. You'll need an SSL certificate for your site to work. Most modern hosting providers include free certificates via Let's Encrypt, so this is rarely an obstacle.
Verisign's Domain Name Industry Brief reports that total domain registrations across all TLDs exceed 359 million[2]. Within that market, .app still has strong name availability compared to saturated extensions like .com. Two-word combinations and brandable names remain available at standard registration prices.
How .app Compares
| TLD | Best For | Price Range | Credibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| .app | Mobile apps, SaaS, web apps | $14-20/year | High (for apps) |
| .io | Tech startups, dev tools | $30-60/year | High (in tech) |
| .com | Everything | $10-15/year | Highest |
| .dev | Developers, portfolios | $12-20/year | High (in dev) |
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Try DecideDomain FreeCommon Questions
What does .app mean?
.app is a generic top-level domain operated by Google Registry. It was designed specifically for applications: mobile apps, web apps, and software products. Every .app domain requires HTTPS, which means all .app websites are encrypted by default.
Why does .app require HTTPS?
Google added .app to the HSTS preload list, which forces all browsers to use HTTPS connections. This means every .app site is encrypted automatically. You'll need an SSL certificate to use a .app domain, but most hosting providers include free certificates through Let's Encrypt.
Is .app good for SEO?
Google treats .app as a generic TLD with no geographic restrictions. Your .app domain can rank globally. The built-in HTTPS requirement is a minor SEO advantage since Google uses HTTPS as a ranking signal. SEO performance still depends primarily on content quality.
Should I use .app or .com for my application?
Use .com if a good name is available. If your preferred .com is taken, .app clearly communicates that your product is an application. For mobile apps and SaaS products, .app is more descriptive than a generic .com and costs less than most alternative TLDs.
References
- W3Techs TLD Usage Statistics: Distribution of top-level domains for websites (updated monthly)
- Verisign Domain Name Industry Brief Q3 2025: Total domain registrations across all TLDs
- Google Registry: .app: Official .app registry information including HTTPS and HSTS requirements
- ICANN Registry Listings: gTLD program registry operators and delegated TLDs
- Cloudflare Radar: Web traffic trends, HTTPS adoption, and internet security data