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Tech domain extension

Your Product, With a Modern Tech Identity.

.io is the country-code domain for the British Indian Ocean Territory that has become the default choice for startups, SaaS platforms, developer tools and digital products. A .io domain such as startup.io places your chosen name immediately before the extension and signals a clear connection to technology and innovation.

  • Tech signal. The address immediately communicates a modern, product-focused brand.
  • Open registration. Available to anyone worldwide — no residency or industry restrictions.
  • Clear purpose. Ideal for startups, SaaS, open-source projects, APIs and developer platforms.
Your product, brought to life with a .io domain startup.io above an illustrative website with layered scenery and a [email protected] email card. One name for a website, email, portal and product hub. startup.io Your name. Your tech identity. STARTUP ProductDocsAPIContact A productbeginning. Trusted identity for startups,SaaS and developer tools. Discover more hello@startup.io Website Email API Product
The name identifies your product; .io is the tech domain extension that follows it.

Current prices

.io Domain Pricing

Start with the right name. See registration, renewal and transfer prices together, before you decide.

Your New Beginning

Make It Yours

TSh 82,628 / first year

A modern address for your tech product or startup.

Search .io domains
Renew

Keep Your Name

TSh 234,546 / year

The current price to keep an existing .io domain registered.

View Domain Prices
Transfer

Bring Your Domain

TSh 180,830 / transfer

Move the registrar management of an eligible .io domain.

Transfer a .io domain

Price note: prices are loaded from the Truehost catalogue. Taxes, premium names and checkout conditions can change the final total.

Find Your Fit

.io, .com or .ai?

One name. Three different first impressions. Compare the audience and the cost before you choose.

Domain comparison and current Truehost prices
The Right Ending
for Your Name
.ioTech.comUniversal.aiAI / ML
Best ForStartups, SaaS
& developer tools
Broad consumer
or B2B brands
AI products
& research
The ImpressionA modern tech identityA global presenceAn AI-first brand
First YearTSh 82,628TSh 20,150TSh 481,000
Renewal / YearTSh 234,546TSh 30,888TSh 277,134

Made for Your Product

A .io Domain for Your Tech Work

For the startup, SaaS platform or developer tool that needs a clean, modern address.

Find Your .io

Your Startup

Let Your Name Lead

A memorable address that keeps the focus on your product and its tech identity.

Your API / SaaS

Make It Easy to Share

A concise name for APIs, documentation portals and developer platforms.

Your App

Give Your Work a Home

Show features, docs and pricing under a trusted tech address.

Your Existing Brand

Keep Your Name Together

Add the matching .io to protect and extend your product identity.

Domain management

.io Domain Management, Made Simple

Manage your .io registration from the Truehost account and connect the domain to compatible website, email and DNS services.

DNS management

Add and update the records used by your website, email and verification services.

Nameserver control

Point the domain to a compatible external DNS or hosting provider.

Renewal management

See the expiry date and renew the domain from your account.

Behind the Extension

.io Domain Facts

A tech-favoured country-code domain, managed by Internet Computer Bureau / Identity Digital.

1.8 Million
Registry operator
Internet Computer Bureau under Identity Digital
Tech / Startup
Intended use
Startups, SaaS, developers & digital products
Open
Registration policy
Available to anyone worldwide

.io Registry and Registration Specifications

Find the details you need. Open a chapter to explore the full specifications.

Visit NIC.IO
Registry IdentityThe extension, operator and category
Registry Identity: .io registry and registration specifications
PropertyCurrent .io specification
Registration sold hereSecond-level name under .io, for example startup.io
Registration levelSecond level under the .io country-code domain
Parent namespace.io (British Indian Ocean Territory ccTLD)
Registry operatorInternet Computer Bureau Ltd (ICB) / Identity Digital
Category purposeWidely used for technology, startups and digital products
Registration RulesEligibility, name format and registration terms
Registration Rules: .io registry and registration specifications
PropertyCurrent .io specification
Who can registerAnyone worldwide — no residency, local presence or industry restrictions
Allocation methodFirst come, first served when the requested name is available
Registration termTypically 1–10 years; available term confirmed during checkout
Allowed charactersLetters a–z, digits 0–9 and hyphens (not leading or trailing); 3–63 characters
Case sensitivityNone. Uppercase and lowercase versions are treated as the same domain
Matching extensionsNot included. .io and other endings must each be registered separately
DNS & Registry ServicesNameservers, DNSSEC and public registration data
DNS & Registry Services: .io registry and registration specifications
PropertyCurrent .io specification
DNSSECSupported when the DNS provider supplies compatible signing and DS records
NameserversMultiple nameservers can be recorded
Public registration dataSubject to registry and ICANN policies
Domain lookupAvailable through WHOIS / RDAP services and accredited registrars
Lifecycle & ProtectionRenewal, recovery and domain disputes
Lifecycle & Protection: .io registry and registration specifications
PropertyCurrent .io specification
Expiry recoveryGrace and recovery windows follow registry rules; exact periods confirmed by the registrar
Domain disputesHandled under applicable dispute procedures (including UDRP where applicable)

Domain lifecycle

What Happens If .io Expires?

Renew before expiry whenever possible. Exact grace and redemption windows are confirmed by the registry and your registrar.

01Resolving

Active

The domain and connected services can operate normally. Keep contact and billing details current.

02Action due

Renewal Due

Renew at TSh 234,546 before expiry to avoid disruption.

03Grace period

Expired

The domain may still be renewable at the standard price for a limited period after expiry.

04Redemption

Recovery window

Recovery may involve additional fees. Contact support before the name is released.

05Released

Available again

Once released, the name may become available for registration by others.

Compare the available durations

Plan the Registration Beyond Year One

A longer registration can reduce the number of renewal transactions while you build. The table uses priced catalogue terms rather than multiplying an introductory offer. Any saving is measured against today’s annual-registration-and-renewal path, not a guaranteed future rate.

Current catalogue prices. Savings compare the total with one year of registration plus annual renewals at today’s rates. Future renewal rates may change. Only available priced terms are listed.
.io: registration TSh 82,628 (researched ≈ $42.23); renewal TSh 234,546 (researched ≈ $90.21) per year.
Term Total Price Savings vs Annual Renewal Action
1 year ≈ $42.23 No saving Search domains
2 years ≈ $132.44 No saving Search domains
3 years ≈ $222.65 No saving Search domains
4 years ≈ $312.86 No saving Search domains
5 years ≈ $403.07 No saving Search domains

Select your term in checkout. Domain availability, applicable promotions, premium-name pricing and taxes are confirmed there. Estimates use Truehost catalogue research (registration ≈ $42.23 + renewal ≈ $90.21 per additional year). Live prices are loaded by the shortcodes and may differ slightly at checkout.

Existing domains

Already Have a .io Domain?

A transfer changes the registrar managing an existing .io domain. It does not require a new name or a website rebuild.

Transfer — TSh 180,830
  1. 01

    Check the registration

    Confirm the domain is eligible to move and you can access its registrar account.

  2. 02

    Submit the transfer

    Enter the existing .io name in the Truehost transfer order.

  3. 03

    Complete registry steps

    Follow the instructions from the current registrar, Truehost and the registry.

Frequently asked questions

.io Domain FAQs

Answers about .io domain registration, pricing, eligibility, DNS, transfers and expiry.

What is a .io domain?

A .io domain is a second-level name such as yourname.io within the country-code top-level domain originally assigned to the British Indian Ocean Territory. It is widely used by startups, SaaS companies, developers and digital products because of its association with “input/output” and modern tech branding.

How much does a .io domain cost?

The current Truehost prices shown on this page are TSh 82,628 to register, TSh 234,546 to renew and TSh 180,830 to transfer. Checkout confirms the final amount. Researched catalogue figures are approximately $42.23 (registration) and $90.21 (renewal).

Who can register a .io domain?

Anyone can register a .io domain. There are no residency, local presence or industry restrictions.

Should I choose .io or .com?

Choose .io when you want a modern tech or product identity. Choose .com for the broadest global recognition. Each ending is registered separately.

Can I use .io for email?

Yes. Connect the domain to a compatible email service and create addresses such as [email protected].

Can I host the website with another provider?

Yes. Point the domain to the nameservers or DNS records supplied by the compatible hosting provider.

How long can I register a .io domain?

Available terms are shown during checkout (commonly 1–10 years). Multi-year options may be offered depending on current catalogue settings.

Which characters can I use in a .io name?

Use letters, numbers and internal hyphens. Length is typically 3–63 characters. Spaces, underscores, other punctuation and a hyphen at either end are not accepted.

Does registering .io include other extensions?

No. The .io name is a separate registration. Search matching .com, .ai or other endings if brand protection matters.

Who manages .io domains?

Internet Computer Bureau Ltd (ICB), under Identity Digital, operates the .io registry. Truehost provides the search, registration, billing, account management and customer support used on this page.

What happens when a .io domain expires?

Grace and recovery periods follow registry rules. Renew early. Exact windows and any recovery fees are confirmed by the registry and your registrar.

Is DNSSEC supported?

Yes. DNSSEC is supported when your DNS provider supplies compatible signing and DS records.

.io domain search

Ready for Your .io Domain?

Check availability and see the current registration price before checkout. Open to anyone worldwide.

Live availabilityCurrent pricesDNS control