.net vs .com: Which Domain Should You Register?

A .net and a .com are both generic top-level domains, the extensions at the end of a web address, and anyone can register either one for any kind of website. The .net was intended for network infrastructure and the .com for commercial use. This guide covers the difference between them, what each costs in India, when to choose a .net instead of a .com and whether a .net is as good for a website.

What is the difference between .net and .com?

The main differences between .net and .com are their original purpose and their price. Both are open to any website, and Google treats both as generic extensions. The differences are listed in the table below.

Feature: Original purpose

.net: Network infrastructure
.com: Commercial use

Feature: Who can register

.net: Anyone
.com: Anyone

Feature: First-year price on Namelume (as of October 2026)

.net: ₹1,999
.com: ₹979

Feature: How Google treats it

.net: As a generic extension
.com: As a generic extension

In practice, the choice comes down to the price, how the name reads and whether the name you want is free as a .com.

How much does a .net domain cost compared with a .com in India?

On Namelume the domain price of a .net is ₹1,999 for the first year and ₹2,239 a year at renewal, as of October 2026. A .com costs ₹979 for the first year, so a .net costs ₹1,020 more in the first year. Prices are in Indian rupees and include GST. The prices of other extensions are in our guide to domain prices in India.

When should you choose a .net instead of a .com?

Choose a .net when the .com you want is taken, or when your project is about networks or technology, which matches the original purpose of the extension. Choose a .com when the name you want is free as a .com. You can search the name and register a .net domain on Namelume.

Is a .net domain as good as a .com for a website?

Yes. Google treats both as generic extensions, so a .net site can reach searchers in any country, including India, in the same way as a .com site. Which one suits you depends on the name and the price. To register a .com domain instead, search the name on its page.