.com vs .io vs .ai: What Should You Choose?

For decades, .com was the only extension that mattered. Today, we are seeing unicorns launch on .io (Input/Output) and .ai (Anguilla / Artificial Intelligence). But picking the wrong TLD can cap your growth ceiling.

The King: .COM

.com is still the default. If you tell someone to visit "Veltra," 95% of people will type Veltra.com into their browser. If you don't own the .com, you are leaking traffic to whoever does.

• Pros: Universal trust, mobile keyboard default, highest resale value.
• Cons: Extremely scarce and expensive.

The Tech Darling: .IO

Adopted by the startup world, .io is clean, short, and visually appealing. However, it is technically the country code for the British Indian Ocean Territory.

"Use .io for SaaS tools and developer platforms. Do not use it for consumer goods or mass-market retail."

.COM

.AI

.IO

The Hype: .AI

If you are in machine learning, .ai is mandatory. It signals relevance immediately. Just be aware that renewal prices are significantly higher (often $60-$80/year) compared to standard domains.

Verdict

If you can afford the .com, buy it. It is an asset on your balance sheet. If you are a B2B SaaS, .io is perfectly safe. If you are an AI wrapper, go with .ai. Avoid .net or .org for commercial ventures unless you are a non-profit.