Best Domain for a Developer Portfolio in South Africa

Your developer portfolio is your professional shopfront — and the domain you put it on is the first thing hiring managers, clients, and collaborators see. Pick the wrong extension and your portfolio looks generic; pick the right one and it reinforces your technical credibility before anyone clicks.

For South African developers, the top contenders are .dev (from R296.84/year), .com (R299/year), and .co.za (R89/year). Each has tradeoffs around branding, price, availability, and audience perception.

This guide compares the best domain extensions for a developer portfolio, with real SA pricing and practical advice on which one to choose based on your career goals.

The Top Domain Extensions for Developer Portfolios

1. .dev — The Developer's Domain

This is purpose-built for you. A domain like jandev.dev or sipho.dev instantly communicates "I'm a developer" — no explanation needed. It's operated by Google, comes with mandatory HTTPS (built into the HSTS preload list), and sits at R296.84/year.

Best for: full-stack developers, frontend/backend specialists, DevOps engineers, and anyone whose primary audience is technical.

2. .com — The Universal Standard

Still the most recognised extension globally. A yourname.com portfolio works for developers who also freelance or consult for non-technical clients. At R299/year, it's virtually the same price as .dev.

Best for: developers who also do client work, freelancers pitching to non-tech businesses, or anyone who wants a single domain that works in every context.

3. .co.za — The Local Budget Pick

At R89/year, a .co.za is the most affordable option. It signals South African presence, which matters if you're targeting local employers or SA-based clients. It's not as "techy" as .dev, but it's professional and trusted.

Best for: developers focused on the SA job market, budget-conscious students, or anyone who wants a local identity.

4. .ai — The ML/AI Specialist

If your portfolio focuses on machine learning, data science, or AI projects, .ai (R288.78/year) adds a relevant signal. Less versatile than .dev for general development work, but powerful for a niche.

Best for: data scientists, ML engineers, AI researchers showcasing specialised work.

Quick Comparison: Portfolio Domain Extensions

The price difference between .dev, .com, and .ai is minimal — all under R300/year. The real decision is about audience and branding, not budget. The exception is .co.za at R89/year, which is the clear winner if cost is the primary concern.

See all current prices on our domain pricing page.