.app Domain Benefits: Why Google's Secure Extension Deserves Your Attention

The .app domain is one of the most thoughtfully designed new extensions available. Backed by Google and with built-in security features, it offers genuine advantages for software companies, mobile app developers, and digital brands.

What Makes .app Special

Mandatory HTTPS

Every .app domain requires HTTPS — it's built into the extension at the registry level via HSTS preloading. This means your site can never be served insecurely. For users and search engines alike, this is a trust signal.

Google Registry Backing

Google operates the .app registry, bringing the infrastructure reliability and trust you'd expect. This also means seamless integration with Google services.

Clear Purpose

The extension immediately communicates that you're offering a software application or digital product. No ambiguity.

Who Should Use .app?

• Mobile app developers — Perfect for app landing pages and download portals
• SaaS companies — Signals a modern, software-first product
• Web applications — Clean branding for web-based tools
• App portfolios — Companies with multiple apps can use subdomains (product1.yourbrand.app)

Pricing

.app domains are competitively priced:

• Standard registration: $14-20/year
• Premium names: $30-10,000+/year (varies by registrar)
• Renewal: Generally matches first-year price

This makes .app one of the most affordable premium extensions, significantly cheaper than .io or .ai.

.app vs Other Extensions

.app vs .com

.com has broader recognition, but .app provides clearer context for software products. If you're building an app, "yourname.app" is more descriptive than "yourname.com."

.app vs .io

Both are popular in tech. .io has broader tech credibility, while .app is more specific to software applications. .app is also cheaper.

.app vs .dev

.dev targets developers specifically. .app targets end users and products. Choose based on your audience — building tools for developers? Use .dev. Building consumer apps? Use .app.

SEO Considerations

Google treats .app as a generic TLD with no geographic restrictions. It doesn't receive preferential treatment in search results — rankings depend entirely on your content and SEO efforts. However, the mandatory HTTPS is a minor positive ranking factor since Google prioritizes secure sites.

Setting Up a .app Domain

Step 1: Register

Purchase through any major registrar. Cloudflare, Google Domains, Namecheap, and GoDaddy all offer .app registration.

Step 2: Get an SSL Certificate

Because .app requires HTTPS, you need an SSL certificate before your site will load. Let's Encrypt provides free certificates, and most hosting providers include SSL.

Step 3: Configure DNS

Point your .app domain to your hosting provider using A records or CNAME records, just like any other domain.

Step 4: Deploy Your Site

Your .app domain works with any hosting provider — Vercel, Netlify, AWS, or traditional hosting.

Creative Uses for .app Domains

• getmyapp.app — App download landing page
• yourbrand.app — Primary brand domain for software companies
• internal.app — Internal tools and dashboards
• yourbrand.app/ios — Subdirectory for platform-specific pages

Availability Check

Quality .app domains are still widely available, especially brandable names and two-word combinations. But the best names are being registered steadily — don't wait too long.

Check your brand name across .app and other domains with BrandScout. See instantly which extensions are available for your brand and make a confident decision.