New TLDs in 2026: Emerging Extensions Worth Considering
The domain landscape goes far beyond .com. Discover the new extensions that could be the perfect fit for your next project.
Search New TLDs on DomainwiseBeyond .com: The New Domain Landscape
The domain name landscape is no longer limited to .com, .net, and .org. Hundreds of new generic top-level domains (gTLDs) have launched in recent years, and more continue to emerge — offering creative, industry-specific, and brandable alternatives that were simply not available a decade ago. Many domain buyers default to .com without realizing that newer extensions might be a better fit for their project, cheaper to register, or more memorable for their audience. For a foundational overview of how TLDs work, see our guide to TLDs.
ICANN's new gTLD program, launched in 2012, has added over 1,200 new extensions to the domain ecosystem. A new round of gTLD applications in 2026 is expected to bring hundreds more. New TLDs span industry-specific extensions (.shop, .health), geographic options (.nyc, .berlin), tech-focused favorites (.dev, .app, .ai), creative extensions (.design, .studio), and brand TLDs owned by individual companies. Adoption has grown steadily — some new TLDs now count millions of registrations, with .xyz, .online, and .shop leading the way.
Notable New and Emerging Extensions
Here are the most relevant TLD categories and extensions worth considering in 2026:
Tech and Developer
.dev (operated by Google, HTTPS required) has become a go-to for developer tools, portfolios, and tech companies. .app (also Google, HTTPS required) is popular for mobile and web application landing pages. .ai has surged in popularity alongside the AI industry boom, though it is technically a country code for Anguilla. .io remains a tech community favorite for startups and SaaS products. .code and .tech round out the developer-friendly options.
Business, Creative, and Short Extensions
.shop and .store are strong choices for e-commerce. .co has established itself as a credible .com alternative. .inc carries a professional tone for incorporated businesses. On the creative side, .design, .studio, and .art appeal to agencies and freelancers, while .media and .agency serve content producers and consulting firms. For short and brandable domains, .me is ideal for personal brands, and .so, .to, and .cc offer ultra-short options that are easy to type and remember.
Pricing Considerations
New TLD pricing varies widely — from $2 per year for extensions like .xyz to $30 or more for .ai and .inc. One of the most important details to watch is the difference between registration and renewal prices. Some TLDs offer aggressive first-year promotional pricing — sometimes under $1 — but charge significantly more on renewal. Always check the renewal cost before registering to avoid surprises in year two. Premium names within any TLD can cost hundreds or thousands of dollars, set by the registry on top of the registrar's standard fees.
Prices also vary between registrars for the same TLD. Domainwise compares prices across 6+ global registrars — Namecheap, GoDaddy, Porkbun, Cloudflare, Dynadot, and Name.com — plus 13 regional registrars, making it easy to find the best deal for any extension. This comparison can save you significant money, especially on premium extensions where registrar pricing varies the most.
Pros and Cons of New TLDs
Before choosing a new extension, it is important to weigh both the advantages and potential drawbacks. The following comparison covers the key factors:
| Aspect | Advantage | Disadvantage |
|---|---|---|
| Name Availability | Far better selection of short, memorable names | Less immediately recognizable than .com |
| Industry Relevance | Extensions like .dev, .shop, .design signal your niche | May confuse less tech-savvy audiences |
| Pricing | Often cheaper than aftermarket .com domains | Renewal prices may differ from promotional rates |
| SEO Impact | Google treats new gTLDs equally in rankings | No inherent advantage over .com either |
| Email Deliverability | Improving steadily as adoption grows | Some spam filters may still flag unfamiliar TLDs |
The best strategy is straightforward: if a new TLD fits your brand and resonates with your target audience, use it confidently. However, consider registering the .com version defensively if it is available and affordable, since some users will instinctively type .com when trying to reach your site. For more naming strategies and practical advice, see our tips for choosing a domain name.
Searching for New TLDs with Domainwise
Domainwise supports searching across multiple TLD categories, making it easy to explore extensions you might not have considered. When running a domain search, select from six categories: Popular (.com, .net, .org), Tech & Dev (.dev, .io, .app, .tech, .ai, .code), Business (.biz, .co, .company, .inc, .ltd), Creative (.design, .studio, .art, .media, .agency), Short (.me, .tv, .cc, .to, .so), and Country (20 ccTLDs). Select individual TLDs or entire categories with a single click.
All pattern modes — prefix, suffix, both, and wrap — work across every TLD, so you can generate creative name combinations with any extension. After generating results, use the availability filter to see which names are open for registration, and compare prices across registrars to find the best deal. Your next domain might not end in .com, and that is perfectly fine. The best domain is one that fits your brand, resonates with your audience, and is available at a fair price.