Simple, Transparent .dev Pricing
New
First-year registration price
- ✔ Free WHOIS privacy
- ✔ Free DNS management
- ✔ Instant activation
Renewal
Standard annual renewal rate
- ✔ Auto-renew available
- ✔ Renewal reminder emails
- ✔ No hidden fees
Transfer
Move an existing .dev domain to us
- ✔ Adds 1 year on transfer
- ✔ Free transfer assistance
- ✔ No downtime
What Is A .dev Domain, And Who Is It For?
.dev is a generic top-level domain operated by Google, introduced through ICANN's expanded namespace program and aimed squarely at software developers, engineering teams, and developer-facing products. Its most notable technical trait sets it apart from nearly every other extension: every .dev domain is included on the HSTS preload list built into Chrome, Firefox, and other major browsers, which means HTTPS is enforced automatically and a plain HTTP connection will simply refuse to load. It's a security requirement baked into the extension itself, not an optional add-on.
That built-in HTTPS enforcement makes .dev a natural fit for developer tools, API documentation sites, open-source project pages, coding portfolios, and internal engineering dashboards — audiences that already expect secure-by-default infrastructure and won't be surprised by the requirement. It's also a popular choice for individual developers who want a domain that immediately signals technical credibility to other engineers.
Among developers specifically, .dev is instantly recognizable and well-regarded — it's become something of a badge for technical projects. It doesn't carry .com's broad, decades-old recognition with general consumers, so it's a poor fit for a mainstream commercial brand chasing casual visitors, but that's rarely the audience a .dev domain is registered for. Because HTTPS is mandatory, you'll need a valid SSL certificate in place before the site will load in any browser — DomainHost includes free SSL on every hosting plan, which makes this a non-issue for customers hosting with us.
Choose .dev when you're building something explicitly for a developer or technical audience and want a domain that signals that focus while getting HTTPS enforcement for free. For a general-audience commercial brand, a broader extension like .com or .tech will read more naturally to non-technical visitors.
- ✔ Minimum length: 2 characters
- ✔ Category: Tech / Startup
- ✔ WHOIS privacy: Included, free
- ✔ Typical renewal: $14.99/yr
.dev Domain Requirements & Specs
.dev is open to anyone — individuals, dev teams, and organizations worldwide can register one with no eligibility restrictions or ownership verification beyond standard registrant contact details. It comes with the same free WHOIS privacy and DNS management every DomainHost domain includes, along with the extension's built-in requirement for a valid HTTPS certificate before the site will load.
.dev Domain Questions, Answered
Every .dev domain is on the browser HSTS preload list, so HTTPS is enforced automatically and a plain HTTP connection won't load. You'll need a valid SSL certificate active before your site works — free SSL is included on every DomainHost hosting plan, so this is a non-issue if you host with us.
Yes, every .dev domain registered through DomainHost includes free WHOIS privacy protection by default, hiding your personal contact details from the public WHOIS database at no extra charge.
Most .dev domains become active within minutes of completing checkout. Full DNS propagation across every server worldwide can occasionally take a little longer, typically no more than a few hours.
Yes. You can transfer a .dev domain to or away from DomainHost at any time, subject to the standard 60-day post-registration transfer lock. Transfers to us cost $12.99 and add a year to your registration.