What’s the difference between .com and .net domains?

Choosing a web address means settling on two parts: the second‑level domain (SLD)—everything before the dot—and the top‑level domain (TLD)—everything after it. The domain shapes first impressions of your site and brand, so weighing .com against .net deserves careful thought. Below, we compare their origins, popularity, use cases, and SEO considerations to help you pick the best fit.

 

Brief history of .com vs. .net

Both .com and .net debuted in 1985, part of the original set of generic top‑level domains (gTLDs) that classified sites by purpose. (CNN, 2015 & ICANNwiki, 2024)

• .com – (short for “commercial”) Introduced for business and commercial entities, it quickly became the web’s go‑to extension—anyone from large companies to personal portfolios uses it for their website.
• .net – (short for “network”) Originally meant for networking and communication service providers (think internet service providers (ISPs)), but has since evolved into a versatile extension suitable for websites across all sectors.

As the web grew, the lines between these extensions blurred, but each still carries its own connotations—subtle signals worth weighing before you settle on a domain.

 

Comparing .com vs. .net trends

While .com and .net are both widely used, .com is by far the most popular TLD in use today. The top five most popular TLDs by number of registrations as of March 31, 2025 are: (DNIB, 2025)

• .com – 157.2 million registrations
• .cn – 21 million registrations
• .de – 17.6 million registrations
• .net – 12.6 million registrations
• .org – 11.1  million registrations

Only .com, .net, and .org on this list are gTLDs; the rest are country‑code TLDs (ccTLDs). Among these generic domains, .com is the largest, followed by .net and .org, making .net the second‑largest gTLD.

Because of its massive footprint and instant recognizability, .com remains the safest choice for most brands.  By contrast, the .net extension is still widely known—yet it doesn’t carry the same universal familiarity.

 

What are the use cases for .com vs. .net?

Why might you use .com or .net as you build your website (and your brand)? Let’s explore some use cases for both:

• General purpose – The popularity of .com cannot be overstated. Whether you’re building a personal blog or an eCommerce site, you’ll likely look for a .com domain first when using a domain name search tool. Simply put, .com domains work for just about any use case. 
• Versatile alternative – As a longstanding generic top‑level domain (gTLD), .net supports a variety of industries when your preferred .com is taken or when you want a concise, easy‑to‑remember web address.
• Brand protection – you can also secure the .net version of your domain to prevent confusion, guard against copycats, and ensure all traffic funnels to your primary site.

But it’s important to remember that .com and .net aren’t the only TLDs on the market today. Whether your ideal second-level domain (SLD) is already claimed with .com and .net or you’re looking to get creative with your domain name, consider a descriptive domain (like .shop, .blog, or .pro) when it’s time to buy a domain.

If you’re committed to using a .net or .com TLD, however, either one could be a good match for your brand—they’re both widely used for all kinds of domain names.

Target audiences

Think about how and who you’re targeting. For mainstream or less tech‑savvy visitors—those who’ll type or search your URL—.com’s universal recognition and ease of recall make it the safest choice. Securing the .net version can help protect your brand and provides a neutral, reliable alternative that resonates across all audiences. To highlight your industry at a glance, consider descriptive TLDs like .software, .boutique, .food, or .fitness, which are increasingly popular for signaling niche focus.

How different industries use .com and .net

Broad recognition and trust make the .com extension the go‑to for e‑commerce, blogs, educational platforms, and professional services. Conversely, the .net extension is often chosen by businesses and online communities that emphasize connectivity and networked interaction—think membership sites, discussion forums, and service platforms.

A cooking blog can maximize reach with a .com extension, whereas a community‑focused recipe sharing site might opt for .net. Professional consultants typically stick with .com (or niche options like .coach), while platforms built around user collaboration and networked services often favor .net as a neutral, reliable choice.

 

SEO considerations for .com and .net domains

When it comes to search engine optimization (SEO), domain extensions like .com and .net don’t directly impact how well your website ranks in search engines like Google. (Growth Badger, 2022) In other words, Google’s algorithms do not prioritize one extension over the other in ranking. 

The most important factors for SEO are content quality, user experience, mobile optimization, keywords, and backlinks.

 

Should you get both .com and .net domains?

As you shop for a domain name for your new website, consider two key points:

• A strong alternative to .com is .net – If your ideal second-level domain (SLD) paired with .com is already taken, try a domain search with .net instead. Opting for a .net domain when a .com domain is already taken is a very common approach. 
• You can register both .com and .net versions of your domain name – If you have a highly unique second-level domain (SLD) name in mind (your first and last name, for instance), it might be available in both .com and .net variations. Why not claim both?

Registering your domain with multiple TLDs can help you protect your brand from future competitors, brands looking to divert attention away from your site in search engine results, or technical difficulties. Even if you don’t have an active site published on all of your claimed domains, having multiple versions of your domain name in reserve can provide peace of mind as your brand grows.

 

Choosing the right top-level domain: .com, .net, and beyond

Your domain extension should mirror your brand’s identity and how people will find you: opting for .com maximizes trust and recall, while securing .net provides a versatile fallback when your ideal .com is unavailable. If you want to spotlight your specialty, descriptive endings like .cafe, .design, or .club instantly convey your niche. At the end of the day, compelling content and a seamless user experience matter most—your TLD simply frames that story.

 

 

Sources:

CNN. 30 Years of .com. https://www.cnn.com/2015/03/13/living/feat-30-years-dot-com/index.html 

ICANNwiki. .net. https://icannwiki.org/.net 

Domain Name Industry Brief. The DNIB Quarterly Report Q1 2025. https://www.dnib.com/articles/the-domain-name-industry-brief-q1-2025 

Semrush. What Is a Top-Level Domain? TLDs Explained with Examples. https://www.semrush.com/blog/top-level-domains/

Growth Badger. Domain Extensions: .com vs .org, .net, .io & 4 Other TLDs (Study). https://growthbadger.com/top-level-domains/