Can anyone register a .app domain?

Not without meeting the eligibility requirement: Requires HTTPS — enforced via mandatory HSTS preload. Check with your registrar on the specific documentation needed before attempting to register.

How much does a .app domain cost?

Typically $15–$20/yr. As with most domains, confirm the renewal price separately from any first-year promotional discount before registering.

What is .app commonly used for?

.app is most associated with mobile and web applications.

Who operates the .app registry?

Google Registry (Charleston Road Registry) operates the .app registry, which has been in operation since 2018.

Does .app affect SEO compared to .com?

No direct ranking penalty exists for any legitimate TLD — Google has stated extensions themselves aren't a ranking factor. What matters more is the same thing that matters for any domain: relevant content, backlinks, and a name people trust enough to click.

Can I transfer a .app domain to a different registrar later?

In most cases yes, following the standard domain transfer process (unlocking, obtaining an authorization code, and waiting out the 60-day post-registration transfer restriction). Restricted extensions may have additional registry-specific transfer requirements beyond the standard process.

TLD Guide

.app Domain: Price, Registration Rules & Is It Worth It (August 2026)

.app is a newer generic top-level domain (gTLD), operated by Google Registry (Charleston Road Registry) and available for registration since 2018. It's best known as the domain of choice for mobile and web applications.

Quick answer: .app domains typically cost $15–$20/yr. Registration has eligibility restrictions — requires https — enforced via mandatory hsts preload.

Who Can Register a .app Domain

Registration is restricted: Requires HTTPS — enforced via mandatory HSTS preload. Check your chosen registrar's specific documentation requirements before attempting to register — an application that doesn't meet the registry's eligibility rules will be rejected rather than simply flagged.

Typical .app Pricing

.app domains fall into the mid pricing tier, typically running $15–$20/yr. As with most domains, watch for a discounted first-year promotional rate that jumps significantly at renewal — always check the renewal price before registering, not just the checkout price you're shown initially.

What .app Is Actually Used For

.app is most commonly chosen by mobile and web applications. Same HTTPS enforcement mechanism as .dev; every .app domain is HTTPS-only by registry policy

Is .app the Right Choice for Your Project?

.app is a genuinely newer extension, part of the wave of top-level domains ICANN approved from 2012 onward -- so awareness still varies by audience. Technical and startup audiences tend to recognize purpose-built extensions like .app readily, while more general consumer audiences may still default to expecting .com. Check whether your exact name is actually available before assuming you need it, since availability (not novelty) should drive the decision.

What to Check Before You Buy

.app usually runs somewhat higher than a comparable .com, so it's worth confirming the exact renewal price matches what you're prepared to pay every year, not just at signup. Three things are worth confirming before you commit to any .app domain: the real renewal price once any first-year discount ends, whether WHOIS privacy is included or billed separately, and -- if it's a restricted extension -- whether you actually qualify under the registry's eligibility rules. Each of those has caused a real, avoidable surprise for someone who skipped the check.

Once you've decided, check .app availability instantly for your exact name, or run a WHOIS lookup if you find it's already registered and want to see who owns it and when it expires.

Frequently Asked Questions

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