.net Domain Search
Check .net domain availability and search for available .net domain names. Learn why .net remains a trusted choice for networks, infrastructure, and technology focused businesses.
Country
United States (registry jurisdiction)
Pricing
12 to 25 USD per year
Registrations
Approximately 12.5 million
Growth
Consistent
Why Choose .net?
One of the original and most trusted internet extensions
Strong association with networks, infrastructure, and technology
High renewal rates indicating long term user value
Recognized globally and accepted by enterprises
More available and affordable than .com alternatives
Supported by highly resilient registry infrastructure
History
The .net top level domain was introduced in January 1985 as one of the original six generic top level domains. It was designed specifically for network providers and internet infrastructure organizations during the early ARPANET and NSFNET era. The first active registered domain was nordu.net, representing NORDUnet, a multinational research and education network in the Nordic region. Management of the domain transitioned from U.S. government oversight to Network Solutions in the 1990s. In 2000, Verisign acquired Network Solutions, bringing .net under private stewardship. Since then, .net has evolved from a restricted infrastructure domain into a globally available extension while retaining its technical and network centric identity.
Usage & Applications
The .net domain is widely used for network services, internet infrastructure, developer platforms, utilities, open source projects, gaming networks, and large scale online services. It is especially effective for websites that function as hubs, platforms, or communities rather than single product retail brands. The extension continues to signal technical competence, reliability, and connectivity.
Popular .net Domains
speedtest.net
A globally trusted internet performance testing platform.
slideshare.net
A professional content sharing network.
battle.net
Blizzard Entertainment’s online gaming and social network.
php.net
The official website and documentation hub for the PHP programming language.
sourceforge.net
A major repository for open source software projects.
behance.net
A creative portfolio and professional networking platform owned by Adobe.
Most Expensive .net Domain Sales
poker.net
2021High value gambling related domain reflecting strong type in traffic economics.
750,000 USD
mobile.net
2014Premium technology keyword domain acquired for telecom use.
500,000 USD
sex.net
2006Adult industry driven valuation during the early aftermarket boom.
454,500 USD
porn.net
2008Vice industry demand combined with strong generic keyword value.
400,000 USD
realestate.net
2007High value category domain reflecting early real estate online growth.
300,000 USD
First Registered .net Domain
nordu.net
1985
The first active registered domain name, created for NORDUnet, a multinational research and education network.
Registration Info
Requirements
Open to anyone worldwide with no restrictions
Registry
Verisign Inc
Key Milestones
Frequently Asked Questions
1How can I check .net domain availability
Use a .net domain search tool to instantly check whether a domain name is available for registration.
2Is the .net domain search free
Yes. Most registrars allow you to check .net availability at no cost.
3Who should use a .net domain
.net is ideal for network services, technology platforms, infrastructure providers, and online communities.
4How much does a .net domain cost
Most .net domains cost between 12 and 25 USD per year depending on the registrar.
5Is .net a good alternative to .com
Yes. .net is the most established and trusted alternative when a .com is unavailable.
6Does Google treat .net as a generic domain
Yes. .net is treated as a generic top level domain and ranks globally.
7Can anyone register a .net domain
.net domains are open to individuals and businesses worldwide with no restrictions.
8Is .net safe for long term business use
Yes. .net is supported by enterprise grade infrastructure and high security standards.
9Why do many infrastructure projects use .net
The extension signals networking, reliability, and technical focus, aligning with infrastructure use cases.
10Will .net remain relevant in the future
Yes. While growth is modest, .net remains a stable and essential part of the global internet ecosystem.