.io

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The .io domain is the country code top-level domain (ccTLD) originally assigned to the British Indian Ocean Territory.

Overview

Because "IO" is widely understood in computer science as an abbreviation for Input/Output, the domain has been embraced globally as a generic tech domain. Note: Due to recent sovereignty agreements regarding the Chagos Archipelago, the long-term future of the .io extension is subject to geopolitical discussion, though it continues to operate normally.

Usage

It is predominantly used by tech startups, SaaS (Software as a Service) companies, and open-source software projects. The domain signals a highly technical or developer-focused product.

Where to Buy & Pricing

Registrar	Notes
NameSilo	Consistent pricing with volume discount options.
StableDomains ↗	Seamless integration for SaaS and tech startups.
Namecheap	Often has first-year promotions for startups.

For a sourced comparison of how selected registrars handle .io renewals, APIs and DNS control, see Best domain registrars for developers in 2026.

In the news

Week of 10 November 2026 — Identity Digital to offer two-year domain options through Deqo

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.ch — The .ch domain is the country code top-level domain (ccTLD) for Switzerland. It is operated by SWITCH.
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.in — The .in domain is the country code top-level domain (ccTLD) for India. It is operated by the National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI).
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