Are .NET Domains Still Relevant in 2025?

[Razx]

Hey everyone,

I wanted to start a discussion about the current state of .NET domains in 2025, based on some recent experiences I've had.

Earlier this year, I completed a few sales involving .NET domains. The names were mostly short, brandable, and had some level of

relevance or generic value. All inquiries came directly from buyers no outbound involved.
These transactions got me thinking:

Is .NET still a viable extension for certain types of domain buyers in today’s market?
In some cases, .NET seems to be considered when the .COM version is taken.
Also, in tech and SaaS-related contexts, I noticed a bit more openness toward .NET than I expected.

These are just individual observations, of course, and may not reflect the broader market.

I’d love to hear from others:
Have you noticed any recent interest in .NET domains?
Do you still include .NET names in your portfolio or strategy?

Looking forward to your thoughts and experiences.

Disclaimer:
This post and any replies do not constitute investment advice. All shared experiences are for discussion purposes only. Domain investing carries risks, and it's important to do your own due diligence before making decisions.

 

[alcy]

no.
but if u own cars.net
renew it

for the small guys like alcy
I will also renew my
mortgagednet

just cause it's an old friend by now

 

[Razx]

no.
but if u own cars.net
renew it

for the small guys like alcy
I will also renew my
mortgagednet

just cause it's an old friend by now

Haha, "just cause it's an old friend" really resonates with me. Some domains definitely create an emotional bond in the portfolio.
I also have a few names where I’m like, “I don’t even know why I’m still holding this… but I just can’t let it go.

 

[BaileyUK]

I doubt I would ever register a dot net these days. There was a time 25 years ago that I held hundreds, thinking these are the logical global replacement for .com. That never came to be.

net is still relevant for many businesses that are happy not to have a high profile presence, and mostly serve repeat customers

 

[damance]

I sold two-words .net for $100 via outbound few days ago it was handreg

 

[Grego85]

the only companies .net is still relevant to are the ones that still use one from 2 decades ago.

 

[Razx]

I doubt I would ever register a dot net these days. There was a time 25 years ago that I held hundreds, thinking these are the logical global replacement for .com. That never came to be.

net is still relevant for many businesses that are happy not to have a high profile presence, and mostly serve repeat customers

Totally get that perspective .NET didn’t evolve into the global alternative many expected back then.
Still, I’ve noticed that in some niches (especially tech/SaaS), it continues to quietly serve a purpose.
Not flashy, but functional and for some buyers, that’s enough.

 

[Razx]

the only companies .net is still relevant to are the ones that still use one from 2 decades ago.

Fair point many .NETs you see in the wild today do feel like digital fossils.
Still, I’ve run into a few modern startups using them by choice or necessity. The extension has lost momentum, but not all relevance.

 

[phaethon]

AI said... In 2025, .com remains the most popular domain extension for websites, followed by .net, .org, .co, and .us
Additionally, extensions like .ai, .io, .dev, and .app are gaining popularity, especially in the tech sector.

AI sucks, it did not mention XYZ

 

[Future Sensors]

Today, I focus exclusively on .com and .org domains, deliberately skipping .net. In fact, the .org extension continues to offer excellent opportunities that align perfectly with the non-profit mission. I still own several legacy .net domains from earlier projects, some of which once powered high-traffic websites. However, the digital landscape has evolved dramatically since then.

 

[Razx]

Today, I focus exclusively on .com and .org domains, deliberately skipping .net. In fact, the .org extension continues to offer excellent opportunities that align perfectly with the non-profit mission. I still own several legacy .net domains from earlier projects, some of which once powered high-traffic websites. However, the digital landscape has evolved dramatically since then.

I ve seen a similar trend .ORG has quietly become a very focused, meaningful extension
I still keep an eye on .NET, mostly because some older ones still get occasional interest. The market definitely favors clarity and mission fit these days.

 

[rh2000]

Hey everyone,

I wanted to start a discussion about the current state of .NET domains in 2025, based on some recent experiences I've had.

Earlier this year, I completed a few sales involving .NET domains. The names were mostly short, brandable, and had some level of

relevance or generic value. All inquiries came directly from buyers no outbound involved.
These transactions got me thinking:

Is .NET still a viable extension for certain types of domain buyers in today’s market?
In some cases, .NET seems to be considered when the .COM version is taken.
Also, in tech and SaaS-related contexts, I noticed a bit more openness toward .NET than I expected.

These are just individual observations, of course, and may not reflect the broader market.

I’d love to hear from others:
Have you noticed any recent interest in .NET domains?
Do you still include .NET names in your portfolio or strategy?

Looking forward to your thoughts and experiences.

Disclaimer:
This post and any replies do not constitute investment advice. All shared experiences are for discussion purposes only. Domain investing carries risks, and it's important to do your own due diligence before making decisions.

I do pretty well with them. I get most interest in .net than I do with .com or .org.

 

[Razx]

I do pretty well with them. I get most interest in .net than I do with .com or .org.

For me, the main appeal is the accessibility and realistic resale potential. Quality .COMs are often priced out or long gone, while .NET still offers some decent opportunities if you know what to look for.

 

[Stankodomains]

I think only domainers don't like .net extension

 

[NameGroove]

.net can sell but it's less relevant imho. There are now hundreds of gTLDs and many more make more sense than .net to the end user. Plus you can hand reg a dictionary word that fits the gTLD in many. Meanwhile, with >11 million .nets regged you're left with gobbledygook or paying high prices for a secondary extension. Here are 2 powerful keywords that sold to investors recently. Can you imagine the price if this was .ai (or .com)? The reality is .net is worse than it was with all the new gTLDs. They feel new - while .net feels old and out of touch. It only works due to it's known status among older age brackets, which diminishes every day.

 

[Razx]

.net can sell but it's less relevant imho. There are now hundreds of gTLDs and many more make more sense than .net to the end user. Plus you can hand reg a dictionary word that fits the gTLD in many. Meanwhile, with >11 million .nets regged you're left with gobbledygook or paying high prices for a secondary extension. Here are 2 powerful keywords that sold to investors recently. Can you imagine the price if this was .ai (or .com)? The reality is .net is worse than it was with all the new gTLDs. They feel new - while .net feels old and out of touch. It only works due to it's known status among older age brackets, which diminishes every day.

Show attachment 275800

Definitely not as strong as before, but I think .NET benefits from legacy trust and is still more familiar to non-tech-savvy users than most gTLDs.
It may feel outdated, but that recognition still has value at least for now.

 

[Braden Pollock]

.net can sell but it's less relevant imho. There are now hundreds of gTLDs and many more make more sense than .net to the end user. Plus you can hand reg a dictionary word that fits the gTLD in many. Meanwhile, with >11 million .nets regged you're left with gobbledygook or paying high prices for a secondary extension. Here are 2 powerful keywords that sold to investors recently. Can you imagine the price if this was .ai (or .com)? The reality is .net is worse than it was with all the new gTLDs. They feel new - while .net feels old and out of touch. It only works due to it's known status among older age brackets, which diminishes every day.

Show attachment 275800

I won these names today, along with Sato.net.
Do a company search in Crunchbase or LinkedIn and you'll find hundreds using these names. But only one is using the .com. The exact match .net is an upgrade for 99% of the existing companies, not to mention new companies that want to use these names.

 

[Braden Pollock]

I think only domainers don't like .net extension $20k

A couple months ago I sold Interface.net: $12,500.
Last year, Dose.net: $8k, Derma.net: $14k, Kernel.net: $20k, Vertex.net: $25k, Spring.net: $100k and Super.net: $150k
That's over a 3% STR for my .nets
(I declined $100k for True.net and $58,500 for Superior.net)

 

[rh2000]

For me, the main appeal is the accessibility and realistic resale potential. Quality .COMs are often priced out or long gone, while .NET still offers some decent opportunities if you know what to look for.

I agree. Here is one I sold. I have others but I just don't publish many sales.

 

[OnlineProxy]

Even though fewer people are registering NET domains lately, it's still a solid and trusted choice, especially in tech. More users are renewing their NET domains than COM ones, which shows people still believe in it In 2024, NET domain sales reached $3.9 million, so the market is doing well. Newer options like AI are becoming popular, but NET still has great potential for tech projects. For certain niches, it can actually be a great and underrated option.