Full list of Original Generic Top-level domain extensions
The classic gTLD domain extensions.
Domain | Cheapest Registration | Cheapest Renewal | Cheapest Transfer | Popularity | Best 3 Year Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
$9.08 $5.87 COM67 | $9.77 | $7.90 | Registration - $11.75Renewal - $13.99 | ||
$11.40 $10.44 NET19 | $11.11 | $11.40 $11.07 SPST25 | Registration - $12.19Renewal - $16.89 | ||
$6.85 | $9.99 | $6.90 | Registration - $10.49Renewal - $14.49 | ||
$3.31 $2.73 SPSR86 | $13.17 | $21.94 $13.16 SPST25 | Registration - $4.37Renewal - $24.29 | ||
$1.24 $1.15 DOM80 | $13.68 | $7.90 | Registration - $8.69Renewal - $22.02 | ||
$3.82 $3.44 SPSR86 | $22.15 | $14.90 | Registration - $6.01Renewal - $33.69 | ||
$8.81 | $21.35 | $0.47 | Registration - $21.89Renewal - $21.89 | ||
$20.70 $15.12 SPSR86 | $20.70 | $20.70 | Registration - $20.91Renewal - $20.91 | ||
$6.21 $0.81 SPSR86 | $6.21 | $6.21 | Registration - $6.49Renewal - $6.49 | ||
$9.99 | $15.87 | $0.48 | Registration - $15.76Renewal - $15.87 |
Generic top-level domain extensions frequently asked questions
Generic top-level domains are domain extensions that aren't tied to any specific country or territory. Original gTLDs are the first generic extensions created when the domain name system was established in 1985, including .com, .net, .org, .edu, .gov, and .mil. A few more were added before 2012, such as .info, .biz, and .name. These are considered "original" because they predate the massive expansion of new gTLDs that ICANN approved starting in 2012.
A gTLD is open to registration by any registrar worldwide regardless of location, while country code top-level domains (ccTLDs) are two-letter extensions assigned to specific countries. For instance the .uk for the United Kingdom, .de for Germany, or .jp for Japan. ccTLDs are managed by designated national organizations and may require local residency or a business presence to register. gTLDs have no such geographic restrictions, making them accessible to anyone globally.
Generally, yes. The original list of tlds like .com, .net, and .org have decades of recognition and are widely perceived as established and credible. Users are familiar with them, and they carry inherent trust. Newer gTLDs introduced after 2012 (like .shop, .online, or .xyz) are still building recognition and can sometimes be associated with spam due to low registration costs. However, trust ultimately depends on the quality of the website and brand behind the domain name.
The price of a generic TLD is primarily determined by the registry operator that manages the extension. Each gTLD has a designated registry responsible for maintaining the DNS infrastructure and processing all domain name registrations for that extension. The registry sets a wholesale price that registrars must pay for each new domain registered.
Several factors influence this pricing. The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) charges fees to registry operators for each domain registration, which gets passed on to consumers. Operating costs also play a role, maintaining reliable DNS servers, security measures, and technical infrastructure requires significant investment. Market demand matters too; established TLDs like .com command higher prices due to their popularity and perceived value.
New TLDs are created through an application process managed by ICANN. Organizations apply to operate a new extension, and if approved, they become the registry operator responsible for managing it. ICANN has conducted expansion rounds introducing hundreds of new gTLDs like .app, .blog, and .shop.
For a TLD to function, it must be delegated in the root zone, which is the authoritative list of all valid top-level domains in the DNS hierarchy. This delegation, overseen by ICANN and IANA, legitimizes the registry operator's authority to sell domains under that extension.