What Is a .dev Domain? The Developer's Guide for South Africa

A .dev domain is a top-level domain operated by Google, built specifically for developers and technology projects. Launched in 2019, it comes with a unique feature: HTTPS is mandatory. Every .dev domain is on the HSTS preload list, meaning browsers will only connect over a secure connection — no configuration needed.

Through Allanux Web, you can register a .dev domain from R296.84/year — roughly the same as a .com and far less than a .cloud (R634.99/yr). It's a clean, professional extension that signals technical credibility without saying a word.

This guide covers what .dev is used for, the built-in HTTPS requirement, how it compares to alternatives like .com and .co.za, and who gets the most value from it in South Africa.

Who Uses .dev Domains?

The .dev extension has found a natural home in the developer ecosystem. Here's where it fits best:

• Developer portfolios. A domain like yourname.dev is the modern equivalent of a business card for software engineers. It's concise, professional, and immediately signals what you do.
• Open-source projects. Many open-source tools and libraries use .dev for documentation sites — it separates the project's web presence from its code repository on GitHub.
• API and developer documentation. If your product has a developer-facing API, hosting docs on a .dev domain (like docs.yourtool.dev) signals that you take the developer experience seriously.
• Developer tools and SaaS. Build tools, CI/CD platforms, code editors, testing frameworks — products that developers buy or use daily benefit from the instant credibility .dev carries with that audience.
• Tech agencies and freelancers. Web developers, software consultancies, and freelance engineers use .dev to differentiate from non-technical agencies using .com or .co.za.

Where .dev doesn't fit: businesses that don't target developers or technical audiences. A .dev domain on a restaurant, law firm, or retail store would confuse visitors. For general South African businesses, a .co.za or .com is the right call.

Built-In HTTPS and Pricing Comparison

The HTTPS advantage

Every .dev domain is automatically added to the HSTS preload list maintained by browsers. This means:

• Browsers refuse to load your site over HTTP — only HTTPS works
• You still need an SSL certificate (free with Let's Encrypt or included with most hosting), but you can't accidentally serve insecure pages
• It's a security baseline that's enforced at the browser level, not just the server

For developers who care about security best practices, this is a genuine feature, not a limitation. For non-technical users, it means one less thing to worry about — your site is always encrypted.

Pricing comparison (ZAR)

A .dev domain sits right alongside .com in the pricing sweet spot — less than R300/year to register. The renewal is nearly identical to .com (R346 vs R350). For the branding value it provides to developer-focused businesses, it's excellent value. See all extensions on our domain pricing page.