Saudi Domains Compared: .sa vs .com.sa vs .السعودية – Which One Fits Your Business?

When you decide to register a Saudi domain for your business, you will find several extensions: .sa, .com.sa, .السعودية and more. All are official Saudi domains managed by the Saudi Network Information Center, but each has its own rules and use cases. This guide explains the differences so you can choose the right one.

.sa: short and flexible

The .sa extension is the shortest Saudi domain, with a two-part name such as company.sa. It is available to any eligible individual or legal entity in Saudi Arabia.

• Easy to remember and type, ideal for brands.
• Available to both companies and individuals, subject to the name-relationship criteria.
• Gives a modern, compact impression.

.com.sa: the official commercial identity

The .com.sa extension is for entities with commercial activity and a valid Commercial Registration (CR) in Saudi Arabia, or a locally registered trademark.

• Tells customers immediately that you are a licensed business.
• One of the most widely used extensions among Saudi companies.
• Requires your CR number and verification through the Nafath platform.

.السعودية: the Arabic domain

The .السعودية extension is written entirely in Arabic script, such as شركتي.السعودية. It suits businesses with an Arabic-speaking audience that want an easy-to-remember Arabic address.

• Stands out in Arabic ads and marketing materials.
• Best used alongside a Latin domain (such as .sa), since some email systems and apps may not fully support Arabic addresses.

Specialized extensions

Some Saudi extensions are reserved for specific sectors and require a license from the competent authority:

• .edu.sa: universities, colleges, institutes and training centers.
• .sch.sa: schools up to secondary level.
• .med.sa: hospitals, clinics and pharmacies.
• .net.sa: technology, telecom and media providers.
• .org.sa: non-profit organizations.
• .pub.sa: individuals.

Quick comparison

Extension	For	What you need
.sa	Eligible individuals and entities	National ID or CR number + Nafath verification
.com.sa	Commercial companies	CR number + Nafath verification
.السعودية	Eligible registrants, Arabic address	National ID or CR number + Nafath verification
.edu.sa / .med.sa / .sch.sa	Education and healthcare	License from the competent authority

Which one should your business choose?

If you have a company with a Commercial Registration, the most common choice is .com.sa, as it reflects your official business identity. We also recommend registering the .sa version of the same name to protect your brand. If your audience is fully Arabic-speaking, you can add .السعودية for marketing campaigns.

For the detailed naming rules, see the Saudi domain registration criteria.

Ready to get your domain? Register your Saudi domain with Hyyat Host for SAR 99 per year. Activation usually takes up to 24 hours after Nafath verification.