Last updated June 2026
Looking for .IO domains for sale? BoldDomains lists premium, short, and brandable .IO domains available to buy now, the names tech startups, SaaS platforms, and developer tools actually want. Every available .IO domain shows its price upfront, transfers are secure, and many are still up for grabs even when the matching .com is long gone. Search availability above, or browse the full collection of available .IO domains.
Premium .IO Domain Names
or $314 down, $105/mo
or $360 down, $120/mo
or $314 down, $105/mo
or $480 down, $160/mo
or $200 down, $67/mo
or $1,760 down, $587/mo
or $360 down, $120/mo
or $960 down, $320/mo
or $200 down, $67/mo
or $296 down, $99/mo
or $200 down, $67/mo
or $960 down, $320/mo
Why Buy a .IO Domain?
The .IO domain extension has become the gold standard for tech startups, developers, and SaaS companies. With over 1.7 million registrations worldwide, .IO represents innovation, technical expertise, and a forward-thinking approach to business.
Originally the country code for the British Indian Ocean Territory, .IO was adopted by the global tech community because "IO" stands for "input/output" in computing. This dual meaning makes it instantly recognizable and relevant for anyone in the tech space.
When a developer or tech-savvy user sees a .IO domain, they immediately understand: this is a technical product, built by people who understand their world.
Developer Recognition
"IO" means input/output in computing. Developers instantly understand the technical nature of your product.
Short & Available
Many great .IO domains are still available that would be impossible to get in .COM.
Companies That Chose .IO
Some of the world's most successful tech companies built their brands on .IO domains.
Design collaboration platform valued at $20B
Real-time engine powering millions of apps
Code coverage tool acquired by Sentry
Viral browser game with 100M+ players
Other notable .IO companies: Repl.it, Raindrop.io, Draw.io, Atom.io, and thousands of YC startups.
.IO is Perfect For
The .IO extension works exceptionally well for these types of businesses and products.
SaaS Platforms
Cloud-based software products, subscription services, and B2B tools. The .IO extension screams "modern software." See our SaaS domains.
Developer Tools
APIs, SDKs, libraries, and development platforms. Developers immediately trust .IO domains.
Browser Games
Agar.io started a trend, and dozens of viral .io games followed. The extension became synonymous with casual web gaming.
Crypto & Web3
Blockchain projects, DAOs, and decentralized apps. The tech-forward nature of .IO fits perfectly.
Tech Startups
Early-stage companies building innovative products. Y Combinator startups frequently choose .IO over unavailable .COMs.
Data & Analytics
Data processing, analytics platforms, and business intelligence tools. "IO" literally means data input/output.
.IO vs .COM: Which Should You Choose?
Choose .IO When:
- Your target audience is developers, tech-savvy users, or startups
- You're building a SaaS product, API, or developer tool
- The .COM version is unavailable or prohibitively expensive
- You want to signal innovation and technical sophistication
Choose .COM When:
- Your target audience is mainstream consumers
- You need maximum universal recognition and trust
- Type-in traffic is important to your business model
- You're building a consumer brand outside of tech
The .IO Extension at a Glance
The quick facts founders ask about before buying a .io domain for sale: who runs it, how widely it is used, what it costs, and how its aftermarket compares.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Registry | Identity Digital (a country-code TLD assigned to the British Indian Ocean Territory, used generically worldwide) |
| Adoption | Roughly 1.9 million registrations, a default across startups, SaaS, and developer tools |
| Eligibility | Open to anyone, first come first served, no local presence required |
| New registration price | About $35 to $60 a year, higher than .com by design |
| Aftermarket | Short, dictionary-word .io names trade from the low thousands into six figures, with Mint.io among the highest public .io sales |
| SEO treatment | Google treats .io as a generic extension, so it ranks the same as .com |
Registry prices vary by registrar and change over time. Check current pricing at your registrar before you commit.
Why do startups pay more for a .io domain?
Because .io reads as technical and modern to the exact audience early startups sell to: developers, founders, and investors. The suffix signals a software product, and short .io words are scarce, so the aftermarket prices them like premium real estate. For a developer tool or API, that recognition can be worth more than the .com.
Is a .io domain good for SEO?
Yes. Google treats .io as a generic top-level domain, so it ranks the same as a .com with no penalty. Your rankings come from content, links, and site quality, not the extension. The only indirect risk is losing type-in traffic to whoever owns the matching .com, so many teams eventually buy both.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a .IO domain?
.IO is the country code top-level domain for the British Indian Ocean Territory. It has become extremely popular among tech startups and developers because "IO" represents "input/output" in computing terminology.
Why do tech startups choose .IO domains?
.IO domains are favored by tech startups because they're short, memorable, and signal technical expertise. With over 1.7 million registrations, .IO is the #1 alternative to .COM for tech companies.
Are .IO domains good for SEO?
Yes, .IO domains perform well in search rankings. Google treats all TLDs equally for SEO purposes. Many successful companies like GitHub, Discord, and Figma have built strong brands on .IO domains.
How do I transfer a .IO domain?
After purchase, we provide you with the authorization code and assist with the transfer to your preferred registrar. Most .IO transfers complete within 24-48 hours. Browse the shortest and most brandable names in our premium .io domains collection, or search everything we list in the domain marketplace.
Are .IO domains available to buy?
Yes. Plenty of short, brandable .IO domains are available to buy right now, including names that are long gone in .com. BoldDomains lists premium .IO domains for sale with instant transfer, so you can check availability and purchase the exact .IO name your startup needs in minutes.
How much does a .IO domain cost?
A standard .IO registration runs roughly $35 to $60 per year. Premium, short, or dictionary-word .IO domains on the aftermarket sell from a few hundred to several thousand dollars, priced by length, brandability, and demand. Every .IO domain for sale on BoldDomains shows its exact price upfront.
Where can I buy a .IO domain?
You can buy a .IO domain from a registrar for a brand-new registration, or from a marketplace like BoldDomains for premium names that are already registered. The marketplace route gets you a short, memorable .IO that would otherwise be taken, with secure escrow and transfer help included.
Do .IO domains need to be renewed every year?
Yes. Like every domain extension, .IO domains are leased annually and must be renewed to keep them. You can register a .IO for up to ten years at once and enable auto-renew so the name never lapses. Renewal pricing is set by your registrar, not by the seller.
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