Choosing a domain for a website involves selecting both the name and its extension, which can be a challenging decision for many. The domain extension is the part that comes after the website name in the URL.
Despite the numerous domain extensions available, two are prominent: .com and .com.br, the most commonly used extensions in Brazil. What sets them apart and which should you choose for your domain registration?
I wrote this article to provide detailed information about the differences between .com.br and .com domains, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each option. Keep reading to discover which extension is best for your website!
Contents
- What is the domain .COM.BR and what is the domain .COM?
- What does the .COM domain refer to?
- What is the domain extension .COM.BR?
- Differences between .com and .com.br include popularity, domain priority, regions for domain registration, prices of the domains, and where to register them.
- Popularity: The state of being widely liked or admired.
- Domain Privacy refers to a service that helps keep personal information associated with a domain name confidential.
- Domain registration guidelines
- Domain prices for .com and .com.br domains
- Where to register a .com or .com domain in Brazil.
- What is the best domain to use: .com or .com.br? When you opt for .com, .com.br, or both.
- When you select a .com domain
- When you select a .com.br domain
- When you select both .com and .com.br
- Conclusion
- What is the domain ending in .COM?
- What does the .COM.BR domain refer to?
- Popularity: Being well-liked or admired.
- Domain Privacy refers to the protection of personal information associated with a domain name.
- Rules for registering a domain
- Domain prices for .com and .com.br domains
- Where can a .com or .com domain be registered?
- When you select a .com domain
- When you select a .com.br domain
- When you select both .com and .com.br
About .com and .com extensions. Br.
Before making recommendations on using .com or .com.br domains, I provide an overview of your stories and how these extensions are currently utilized.
What does the .COM domain represent?
.com is a generic top-level domain (gTLD) that was initially intended for commercial organizations. Due to its age and lack of registration restrictions, .com has become highly popular and widely utilized, making it the most commonly used extension globally.
.com has become the domain for various websites and industries, used internationally, including in Brazil, for commerce, services, and personal ventures.
The .com extension was established in 1985 as one of the original top-level domains (TLDs) designed for Internet use and is overseen by the global entity Verisign, which manages other widely used extensions like .net.
What is the domain .COM.BR?
The .com.br domain, similar to .com, was initially intended for business purposes. Despite slight technical differences – .com.br being a generic category under .br – both function as domain extensions with the same objective.
The .com.br extension, being a well-established and widely used option, has been embraced by individuals and businesses in different industries across Brazil. It is important to note that the .br domain is specifically reserved for use by the Brazilian population, requiring valid documentation for registration.
The .br’s history predates the existence of the Internet in this region. In 1989, Jon Postel assigned the .br domain to the team managing Brazilian academic networks at Fapesp, primarily for academic purposes.
With the internet’s increasing popularity, the .br domain gained prominence, leading to the establishment of NIC.br in 2003. This institution oversees the registration of .br domain names through the Registry.br.
Visit the NIC page for more information on the history of .br.
Understand the main domain categories and how they differ.
Differences in extensions between .com and .com.br
Both .com and .com.br are utilized by individuals and businesses across various sectors. However, .com is globally recognized, whereas .com.br is exclusive to Brazilian users.
Differences extend to various aspects like pricing, registration sites, domain regulations, and extra services, depending on the extension.
Popularity: widespread appeal or recognition.
.com surpasses .com.br in popularity due to being a global generic termination used worldwide, while .com.br is specific to Brazil.
Analyzing both the .com domain as an international extension and the national .com.br, we can conclude that they are both dominant within their respective categories. Below are the statistics for each extension.
.com is the most widely used globally
The .com domain extension, one of the oldest, holds the highest number of records globally, with over 156 million domain names registered by the end of 2024, as reported by Verisign.
.com.br is the most widely used category within .br domains.
The .br extension is one of the most registered domain extensions globally, ranking 9th among all terminations and 6th among country domains with 5.4 million domain names.
The .com.br, a category under .br, holds over 5 million records and is the most widely used extension among .br domains, accounting for 98.5% of them according to registry statistics from December 2024.
Domain Privacy refers to the protection of personal information associated with a domain name.
It is feasible to obtain details about a domain’s owner through a public online search using the Whois tool, with the aim of enabling identification in cases of fraudulent activities, violations of consumer protection laws, or misuse of trademarks, among other reasons.
Domain privacy is an option that can be used as an alternative to limiting public access to data. This service allows the owner of a domain to conceal their ownership information, replacing it with the details of the company where the domain was registered. It is important to note that this service does not absolve the domain owner of their responsibilities or conceal their identity in legal matters.
.com surpasses .com.br in this aspect, as each extension handles domain privacy information differently.
Domain privacy is permitted by Texto.com.
In the .com domain extension, like other international domains such as .net and .org, you have the option to utilize domain privacy services. Simply activate this service through your domain registration company, as it is typically offered by most companies, sometimes at no extra cost.
The main benefit of this service is shielding the domain owner’s data from public access, which can be helpful for maintaining privacy and avoiding unwanted communication.
Domain information for .com.br cannot be kept private.
Domains ending in .br do not offer domain privacy protection. Consequently, when you register a .com.br domain, the owner’s details, contact emails, and technical information are accessible to the public. For individuals, their name and CPF may be visible, while for companies, the CNPJ, phone number, and physical address can be viewed.
This policy is set by the Registry.br, which oversees the management of domains ending in .br. While it may raise concerns about data security for domain owners, it ultimately enhances transparency and security for users by revealing the entity behind each domain, thus deterring fraudulent activities online.
Domain registration guidelines
Each domain extension has specific registration regulations, including .com and .com.br. .com offers more flexibility, whereas .com.br has stricter registration rules.
You must pay the registration fee in order to use the domain, and it is essential to renew it regularly to keep this privilege. Renewal is typically done annually, but you can sometimes renew for up to 10 years in advance.
Less strict regulations are in place at Texto.com.
The .com domain can be registered by individuals or businesses from any country, including Brazil.
To sign up, you only need one email address linked to the domain and details about the person registering.
You can purchase .com domains from any company that provides this service, regardless of whether they are national or international. You are not required to register or manage all your .com domains in one place if you wish to have multiple domains.
When selecting the domain name, it is important to adhere to the following rules.
- The size should be between 2 and 63 alphanumeric characters, excluding the termination from the count.
- Valid characters include letters (A to Z), numbers (0 to 9), and hyphens (-). Special characters, including accented ones, are typically not permitted.
- Spaces are not permitted.
- Hyphens cannot be used at the beginning or end.
.com.br has stricter registration requirements.
Domain registration in the .br domain extension is only allowed for individuals (CPF) and businesses (CNPJ) that are legally represented or established in Brazil and have a valid registration with the Ministry of Finance.
When someone or a business registers a .br domain, their identification document (CPF or CNPJ) is linked to the registering entity, such as a hosting company or the Registry.br. This connection requires the user to consistently use the same entity for any future .br domain registrations or renewals.
You can transfer the domain(s) to another entity if you are interested in the registrant. In essence, when the user moves to a new company, they can take the .br domains associated with their document (CPF or CNPJ) with them.
There are additional rules concerning the domain name in addition to the ones mentioned above.
- The size can range from 2 to 26 characters, which can be alphanumeric, without including the termination in the count (e.g., .com.br is not included in the limit).
- Valid characters include letters (A to Z), numbers (0 to 9), hyphens (-), and accented characters (à, á, â, ã, is, ê, o, õ, u, ü, ç).
- It must include more than just numerical values.
- Spaces are not permitted.
- Hyphens cannot be used at the beginning or end.
All the regulations can be found on the Registry page.
I suggest refraining from using accented characters in the domain, as it may cause compatibility issues in some services that are not equipped to handle such distinctions.
Domain prices for .com and .com.br domains
Domain registration fees can differ based on the preferred extension and the provider. Prices can vary significantly, ranging from receiving a free domain for 1 year with the purchase of certain services to paying anywhere between R$ 5 and R$ 350 annually, depending on the extension and registrar chosen.
Below are the prices for registering .com and .com.br domains.
.com tends to have more price fluctuations and is generally slightly pricier.
The .com extension is widely sought after and can be registered through various entities. Prices vary depending on the company, but it’s worth noting that .com domains are generally more expensive than those ending in .com.br due to factors like currency fluctuations impacting pricing in Brazil.
When the value of the dollar rises in a country, the registration cost for a .com domain also goes up for registrar companies, leading to higher prices for consumers. This price fluctuation is reflected in registrations made with foreign companies due to exchange rate changes.
In recent years, there has been an increase in .com prices, but many companies have maintained lower prices for new registrations to remain competitive. Some companies provide extra services like domain privacy for free or at a discounted rate.
Here are the registration fees for a .com domain at some of the major companies in Brazil with competitive pricing.
| Company | Registration .com (1st year) | Renewal .com | |
| Hostinger | $49.99 | $ 79,99 | Visit > |
| HostGator | $ 28,99 | $ 79,99 | Visit > |
| GoDaddy | $ 74,99 | $ 109.99 | Visit > |
.com.br offers the most reliable and cost-effective prices.
Domains with the extension .br are managed by a Brazilian entity called NIC.br, specifically by Registry.br, which oversees the registration and upkeep of these domains. Due to this arrangement, .br domain prices tend to be more consistent and less affected by currency fluctuations compared to .com domains, making them generally more affordable.
Prices differ depending on the company chosen, with Registration.br offering lower prices in the long run compared to its competitors and resellers as it is the entity responsible for .br domains.
Below are the registration fees for a .com.br domain at both the same companies and the Registry.br.
| Company | Price 1st year (.com.br) | Annual renewal | |
| Registration. Br. | $40 | $40 | Visit > |
| Hostinger | $ 29,99 | $ 59,99 | Visit > |
| HostGator | $ 26,90 | R$ 67,99 | Visit > |
| GoDaddy | $ 49,99 | $ 64,99 | Visit > |
Where can a .com or .com domain be registered in Brazil?
Most domain registration companies provide a range of extensions, but only a few offer both .com and .com.br extensions. The availability of .br domains is mainly because they are tailored for the Brazilian audience. Check below for where to register each extension.
Companies in Brazil or overseas can register the domain .com.
.com is open for registration by any company worldwide, from Brazilian to foreign companies, as detailed in the previous section. Check our list and compare top domain registration websites.
Brazilian companies are the only entities that can access Texto:.com.br.
The completed domains in .br are unique as they are linked to Brazil, making this extension typically limited to businesses based in the country. Consequently, it is challenging (potentially impossible) to locate this extension through a foreign domain or hosting provider (unless they have a presence in Brazil).
The user looking to register a .br domain also has the choice of using Registry.br, which oversees the maintenance and management of all .br domains, regardless of where they were purchased. This makes it a great option for domain registration.
chsyys/GettyImages
I am not saying that buying a domain from a hosting company is never a good idea. There are cases where it might be more beneficial. To understand the pros and cons of each choice, read our article comparing Registration. br with hosting companies.
Which domain is more recommended: .com or .com.br?
After receiving a lot of information, you might still be uncertain about the best domain extension for your specific requirements. To provide clarity and assistance in your decision-making process, I have compiled a list showcasing the optimal domain extension for each scenario.
When you opt for a .com domain
- Using .com instead of .com.br is preferable for international websites as it aids in Google’s identification of the site’s geographical segmentation. Websites operating in multiple countries can also consider having specific domains for each country, though this is a more advanced approach according to Google’s detailed article on the topic.
- In situations where you want to conceal domain holder information in public Whois searches, .com is the sole practical choice for domain privacy.
- Having a shorter domain, such as .com, can make your address more memorable and distinctive, like facebook.com.
- People and companies without proper Brazilian documentation or interest in associating with a CPF or CNPJ may choose to use a .com domain, where the email is connected to the registration.
When you select a .com.br domain
- Sites targeting Brazil can enhance their identity with a .br domain, indicating that the site is associated with a legally established entity or individual in the country. This extension offers users increased confidence through the option to access the domain owner’s information publicly.
- The cost of registering and renewing a .com.br domain is more affordable and consistent compared to international extensions such as .com, leading to cost savings over time. Additionally, registering a .br domain supports the Brazilian non-profit NIC.br organization, which works towards enhancing and expanding the Internet in Brazil.
- Sites targeting Brazil can enhance their local SEO rankings by utilizing a .br domain, indicating clear geographic focus and leading to increased visibility in local searches like Google. This explains why major international brands frequently use country-specific domains.
When you select both .com and .com.br
A website requires only one domain to function, but it is advisable to register multiple extensions to safeguard the trademark from potential third-party registrations. This precaution is particularly crucial for widely used extensions like .com and .com.br.
This option also benefits the user’s experience by allowing access to the site through any of the available extensions. Simply set up a secondary domain redirect to the main one, as outlined in this tutorial.
Conclusion
The decision between using a .com.br or .com domain is influenced by factors like geographic performance, registrant’s country, price, domain privacy, among others. Both extensions are widely used and cater to diverse types of websites and industries.
Consider registering your domain in both .com.br and .com extensions to protect your address. This advice also applies to websites using alternative extensions like .org, .dev, and .adv.br, as users may have trouble accessing the site directly without the common endings.
I trust that I have resolved any uncertainties regarding the differences between .com and .com.br domains. Once you have decided on the perfect extension for your website, consider exploring prices and companies here before making a commitment. 🙂
Publication date: April 22, 2021 (revised on May 5, 2025)
Comparatives and registration tags.
