.net
The classic alternative to .com. Originally designed for networks, today established worldwide as a professional domain.
Enter a name — the extension .net is added automatically. Or enter a complete domain with a different extension.
Bring your domain to us — including an additional year of registration, DNS management and Auto-TLS. For .
You get the AuthCode from your current registrar — depending on the extension it is also called AuthInfo, EPP code or authorization code.
The Alternative to .com
.net is one of the oldest domain extensions and has existed since 1985. Originally intended for network infrastructure providers, today anyone can register it. It is operated by Verisign, the same registry as .com.
As the second most popular generic extension after .com, .net is an established alternative when the desired .com domain is already taken. Many successful companies use .net as their primary domain.
For IT companies, software developers, and technical projects, .net conveys a fitting technical character without sacrificing the credibility of a classic extension.
At a Glance
- Registry
- Verisign
- Introduced
- 1985
- Registered domains
- ~13 million
- Minimum length
- 1 character
- IDN (special chars)
- Yes
- Restrictions
- None
When is .net the right choice?
If your desired domain under .com is taken, .net is often the best alternative. It's also an excellent fit for technical projects, network services, or IT companies. Many also use .net as a supplement to their .com domain.
Registered domains. The second most popular generic extension after .com.
The classic generic extensions.
- More names available
- Technical character
- Same stable registry (Verisign)
- Established since 1985
- Almost everything taken
- More neutral
- Better known
- First choice for many
No restrictions
Anyone can register a .net domain. There are no residency or company requirements.
Typical use case
An IT service provider wants a professional domain. Their desired address under .com is taken. Under network-service.net they find a suitable alternative that signals technical competence and appears professional.
Has operated .net and .com for decades with extremely high availability.
Proven infrastructure
.net runs on the same stable infrastructure as .com. Outages are extremely rare.
- Global anycast DNS
- SSL certificate included
- No setup fee
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about .net registration
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A .net domain costs €19.44 per year. The price applies to both new registrations and transfers. There is no additional setup fee.
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.net is suitable for everyone, but is particularly popular with IT companies, software developers, and technical projects. It is also a good choice as an alternative to a taken .com domain.
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Registration happens in real time. Once the domain is confirmed, you can create DNS records and use the domain immediately.
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No. .net has existed as long as .com and is operated by the same registry (Verisign). Many well-known companies use .net as their primary domain.
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Request an auth code from your current provider and enter it during ordering. The transfer takes a few days and costs the regular annual price of €19.44.
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If you want to protect your brand, it makes sense to secure both variants. This prevents others from registering the alternative.
More domain extensions
Complementary or alternative to .net