--- title: ".app vs .dev Domains: Prices, Rules & Verdict | GlobalHostia" url: "https://globalhostia.com/domains/compare/app-vs-dev" description: ".app vs .dev: $17.98 vs $15.41 first year, renewing at $17.40 vs $15.00. Three-year cost, rules, SEO facts and a verdict per use case." source: "GlobalHostia; prices are synced from the billing system and exclude any taxes shown at checkout" --- Compare extensions # .app vs .dev: which domain should you choose? Google Registry’s two HTTPS-only extensions: products against people who build them. .dev is cheaper in the first year, and over three years ($45.41 against $52.78). ## .app and .dev prices From our current price list, in USD. +VAT 5% where applicable. The order form always shows the price before you pay. .app and .dev prices in USD; the lower price in each row is marked. | Price | [.app](https://globalhostia.com/domains/app) | [.dev](https://globalhostia.com/domains/dev) | | --- | --- | --- | | First year | $17.98 | $15.41Lower | | Renews at (per year) | $17.40 | $15.00Lower | | Transfer inUsually adds a year to the registration. | $16.79 | $14.39Lower | | 3 years in totalFirst year plus two renewals. | $52.78 | $45.41Lower | | Price rise after year one | None | None | ## Is your name free in .app or .dev? [Search multiple domains](https://globalhostia.com/domains/bulk-search) Extension to add when you type a name without one**.app**$17.98**.dev**$15.41 Type a name without an extension and pick .app or .dev; we check availability live. First-year prices in USD. ## Who each one suits ### .appGeneric A 2018 extension for mobile and web applications. Run by Google Registry Who can register Anyone. Best for startup or SaaS product, tech or developer project Costs $17.98 first year, then $17.40 a year [.app details and search](https://globalhostia.com/domains/app) ### .devGeneric A 2019 extension for developers, engineering teams and documentation. Run by Google Registry Who can register Anyone. Best for tech or developer project, personal brand or portfolio Costs $15.41 first year, then $15.00 a year [.dev details and search](https://globalhostia.com/domains/dev) ## Registry rules and restrictions What applies before and after you register. We confirm anything special before you pay. ### .app - Anyone. - On browsers’ HSTS preload list: a .app site only loads over HTTPS, so it needs an SSL certificate from day one. ### .dev - Anyone. - On browsers’ HSTS preload list: a .dev site only loads over HTTPS, so it needs an SSL certificate from day one. .app and .dev are HTTPS-only: browsers refuse plain http:// for every name in the extension. Every GlobalHostia hosting plan includes free SSL, or [add a certificate](https://globalhostia.com/ssl-certificate). ## SEO: does the extension matter? Short answer: not for rankings. Content, links and site speed decide where you rank; the extension mostly affects trust, memorability and which country search engines assume you serve. ### .app A generic extension: no ranking advantage or penalty on its own. Search engines rank the content and the links, and let you target any country. ### .dev A generic extension: no ranking advantage or penalty on its own. Search engines rank the content and the links, and let you target any country. Myth check: no extension gets a hidden ranking bonus, and keyword extensions (like .shop or .tech) do not rank better for that keyword. Switching an established site to a new extension costs time while search engines re-learn it, so choose well up front. ## Our verdict, by kind of site Based on what each extension signals to visitors and its three-year cost at today’s prices. - Startup or SaaS product**.app**.app reads as a product brand to investors and users; .dev is a weaker match for a startup name. - Local business**Either**Neither is a natural fit; a broader extension such as .com usually reads better for this. - Tech or developer project**.dev**Both fit equally well; .dev costs less over three years at today’s prices. - Online shop**.app**.app tells shoppers they can buy here or is the address they trust most; .dev fits a shop less naturally. - Non-profit or community**.dev**.dev is the better fit for an organisation or community; .app reads as more commercial or technical. - Personal brand or portfolio**.dev**.dev reads naturally as a personal name or portfolio; .app is less personal. ## .app vs .dev: questions and answers ### .dev is cheaper in the first year (.app $17.98, .dev $15.41). Renewals are $17.40 and $15.00 a year, so three years cost $52.78 for .app and $45.41 for .dev, in USD before VAT where it applies. ### ### ### ### ### ## More on these extensions [All about .app](https://globalhostia.com/domains/app)[All about .dev](https://globalhostia.com/domains/dev)[.io vs .dev](https://globalhostia.com/domains/compare/io-vs-dev)[.com vs .app](https://globalhostia.com/domains/compare/com-vs-app)[.com vs .dev](https://globalhostia.com/domains/compare/com-vs-dev)[All comparisons](https://globalhostia.com/domains/compare) ## Got the name? Register it in .app or .dev Search now and see the live price before you pay. [Search names](#tc-q)[Every extension and price](https://globalhostia.com/domains/all)