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.dev domain registration for developers and tech teams
A .dev is a generic domain extension for developers and software projects, open to anyone worldwide, and every .dev site must load over HTTPS because the extension is on the browser HSTS preload list. It suits portfolios, documentation, open source projects and developer tools. You can register a .dev at NameBest for 1 to 10 years, with WHOIS privacy, DNS management and custom nameservers included.
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Search .dev domain names
Type your name, handle or project and we check the .dev registry live. The results show the .io, .app and .com versions next to it with first year and renewal prices.
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.dev domain price per year
First year, renewal and transfer prices for .dev come from our live pricing table and match search results and the cart. The renewal price is visible before you pay, so a side project domain does not surprise you next year. Compare all extensions on the domain prices page.
- First year
- $11.98
- Renews at
- $15.98
- Transfer
- $15.98
- WHOIS privacy included
- Term from 1 to 10 years
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.dev registry facts
| Fact | .dev |
|---|---|
| Type | Generic top level domain (gTLD) |
| Registry operator | A commercial registry under contract with ICANN |
| Country | None, open worldwide |
| Who can register | Anyone, person or company, in any country |
| Minimum term | 1 year |
| Maximum term | 10 years |
| WHOIS privacy | Allowed, included at NameBest |
| Special requirements | HTTPS only, the whole extension is on the HSTS preload list |
| Transfer lock after registration | 60 days (ICANN transfer policy) |
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What HTTPS only means for a .dev domain
Browsers never load a .dev address over plain HTTP. They upgrade every request to HTTPS, and a site without a valid TLS certificate shows an error. For local development that also means you cannot use a real .dev name over HTTP on your machine, which is why many teams use a reserved name such as localhost for that. In production, point the domain to a host that issues certificates automatically and wait for the certificate before you share the link. DNS records for email and verification work as usual in DNS management.
- Use a host or platform that issues TLS certificates
- Do not rely on plain HTTP for any .dev subdomain
- Redirects on a .dev also need HTTPS in browsers
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Included with every .dev domain
- WHOIS privacy on the public record
- DNS management with A, AAAA, CNAME, MX, TXT and SRV records
- Custom nameservers for your cloud provider or CDN
- URL forwarding with 301 or 302 redirects
- Transfer lock and the EPP code in your dashboard
- Auto renew with reminders 30 and 7 days before expiry
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Who should register a .dev domain
A .dev reads as developer at a glance and usually leaves your exact name available, even when the .com is long gone.
- Developers who want a portfolio at theirname.dev
- Open source projects, documentation and changelogs
- Developer tools, APIs and SDK sites
- Engineering blogs and internal tool portals for tech teams
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.dev vs .io, .app and .com
An .io domain is the classic tech startup extension, with no HTTPS rule. An .app domain uses the same HTTPS only rule but faces end users. A .com domain is the broadest choice for a company. A .dev is the clearest signal that the audience is technical. For a broader view, read should I buy all domain extensions and how to choose a domain name.
| Extension | Audience | HTTPS required |
|---|---|---|
| .dev | Developers | Yes |
| .app | App users | Yes |
| .io | Tech buyers | No |
| .com | Everyone | No |
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Renewing and transferring a .dev domain
Your .dev renews automatically each year at the renewal price shown here, and you can switch auto renew off per domain in the dashboard. Reminder emails go out 30 and 7 days before expiry, which helps with project domains you rarely look at. You can extend a .dev for several years at once, up to 10 years in total. To move a .dev to NameBest, unlock it at your current registrar, copy the EPP code and start a domain transfer. The transfer adds one year to the registration and most transfers finish within 5 days. A .dev cannot be transferred within 60 days of registration.
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Questions about .dev domains
Do I need an SSL certificate for a .dev domain?
Yes, for any website. Browsers only load .dev over HTTPS, so the host serving the site needs a valid TLS certificate. Most hosts issue one automatically when you add the domain.
Can anyone register a .dev?
Yes. There is no requirement to be a developer or a company. Anyone in any country can register an available .dev name.
Can I use a .dev domain for local development?
Not over plain HTTP. Because browsers force HTTPS on every .dev name, local setups that run on HTTP break. Use a reserved name such as localhost for local work, and your real .dev in production.
Is WHOIS privacy included for .dev?
Yes. Privacy is allowed on .dev and is part of the yearly price at NameBest.
Can I point a .dev to my own nameservers?
Yes. Set custom nameservers in the dashboard, or keep ours and edit records in the DNS table.
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Register your .dev domain
Search your name or project and see the first year and renewal price before you add it to your cart.