What is .software?
.software entered the DNS root zone on May 31, 2014, 12 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.
Dog Beach, LLC operates a large portfolio of 48 TLDs, including .actor, .airforce, .army, .attorney and .auction.
On the technical side, .software 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 .software, which lets validating resolvers check its answers cryptographically. Registration data is published over RDAP.
Same registry, other endings
47 other TLDs share this operator.
.software FAQ
What does .software mean?
.software is a generic top-level domain named for the word "software", and it's aimed at tech & startups. It doesn't belong to any country.
What is .software used for?
.software is mostly used for tech & startups. Like most gTLDs, it's a label of intent rather than a guarantee — check the site, not just the ending.
What country is .software?
None. .software is a generic top-level domain, so it isn't tied to any country.
Who owns the .software domain extension?
Dog Beach, LLC operates .software as its registry, under a registry agreement with ICANN.
When was .software created?
.software was delegated to the DNS root zone on May 31, 2014.
Is .software a valid domain?
Yes. .software is an active top-level domain in the DNS root zone, delegated in 2014, so .software addresses work in every browser.
Can I buy a .software domain?
.software names are sold through ICANN-accredited registrars. Some gTLDs restrict who can register, so read Dog Beach, LLC's policy if you're unsure.
Is .software DNSSEC-signed?
Yes, the root zone holds a DS record for .software.
Sources
Data from IANA root zone version 2026102000. Last changed October 7, 2025. Spotted something wrong? Tell us.
