Type
Generic
All TLDs / .net
.net — should you use it?
Generic TLD · introduced 1985
The short answer
The eternal runner-up. Fine, trusted, and slightly sad — like naming your band after the venue that rejected you.Why it works
- Old, trusted, no restrictions
- Often available when .com isn't
Why it might not
- Reads as 'we couldn't get the .com'
- Traffic leaks to the .com owner
The longer take
Originally for network providers, .net still makes genuine sense for ISPs, hosting, and infrastructure tools. For anything else it mostly signals second choice. If you're picking between .net and a sharp newer TLD, the newer TLD usually says more about you.
Straight answers about .net
Where to buy .net
| Registrar | First year | Renews | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dynadot Sponsored | $12.52 | $12.52 | Go → |
| Porkbun Trust pick cheapest | $12.52 | $12.52 | Go → |
| Cloudflare Trust pick at-cost | $11.86 | $11.86 | Go → |
| Namecheap Sponsored | Live price unavailable — confirm at the registrar. | Go → | |
Porkbun & Cloudflare prices in USD, pulled from their daily feeds (checked 2026-10-21). Cloudflare sells at wholesale cost but requires using Cloudflare’s nameservers. Full comparison: where to buy .net.
Some links are affiliate links. Prices are set by the registrar and can change — always confirm at checkout.