What is .compare?
.compare entered the DNS root zone on January 15, 2016, 10 years ago. It came out of ICANN's New gTLD Program, the 2012 application round that grew the root from 22 generic TLDs to well over a thousand.
Registry Services, LLC operates a large portfolio of 36 TLDs, including .abogado, .beer, .biz, .blackfriday and .boston.
On the technical side, .compare is served by 6 authoritative name servers, every one of them reachable over IPv6. It is also DNSSEC-signed: the root zone carries a DS record for .compare, which lets validating resolvers check its answers cryptographically. Registration data is published over RDAP and WHOIS (the WHOIS server is whois.nic.compare).
Same registry, other endings
35 other TLDs share this operator.
.compare FAQ
What does .compare mean?
.compare is a generic top-level domain named for the word "compare", and it's aimed at shopping & e-commerce. It doesn't belong to any country.
What is .compare used for?
.compare is mostly used for shopping & e-commerce. Like most gTLDs, it's a label of intent rather than a guarantee — check the site, not just the ending.
What country is .compare?
None. .compare is a generic top-level domain, so it isn't tied to any country.
Who owns the .compare domain extension?
Registry Services, LLC operates .compare as its registry, under a registry agreement with ICANN.
When was .compare created?
.compare was delegated to the DNS root zone on January 15, 2016.
Is .compare a valid domain?
Yes. .compare is an active top-level domain in the DNS root zone, delegated in 2016, so .compare addresses work in every browser.
Can I buy a .compare domain?
.compare names are sold through ICANN-accredited registrars. Some gTLDs restrict who can register, so read Registry Services, LLC's policy if you're unsure.
Is .compare DNSSEC-signed?
Yes, the root zone holds a DS record for .compare.
Sources
Data from IANA root zone version 2026102000. Last changed October 14, 2026. Spotted something wrong? Tell us.
