7 Best DNS Hosting Providers (Features & Benefits)

A domain name system is essential to any website or online business.

Started in 1984 with just six domain suffixes, it connects the domain name with the correct IP address and web hosting provider.

In layperson’s terms, DNS hosting is like the telephone book of the Internet.

Without proper DNS hosting, your site will not be accessible to visitors, clients, and customers.

In this article, I’ll rank and review the best DNS hosting services available today.

I’ll also cover the key factors to look for when choosing your DNS hosting, helping you choose the best web hosting service for your business.

What Is The Best DNS Hosting?

Here are the top DNS hosting servers to consider.

1. Cloudflare.

Best Overall DNS Hosting.

Cloudflare is a global network designed to make everything you connect to the Internet secure, private, fast, and reliable.

Cloudflare also provides robust protection against data loss and malware.

By leveraging its Zero Trust application access and Internet browsing solution, it protects websites and applications from malicious bots and DDoS attacks.

Cloudflare monitors for suspicious activity or potential attacks so that your data is always safe and secure.

Cloudflare’s global network speeds up websites, apps & APIs through its extensive infrastructure optimized for content delivery.

Your content is delivered closer to users’ locations worldwide, improving performance and reducing latency in loading times across devices.

Key Features:

• Zero Trust Network Access ensures that only authenticated and authorized users can access your networks, apps, and services.
• A secure web gateway allows web content to be filtered and blocked while providing advanced protection against malicious threats.
• Browser isolation can protect users from accessing potentially dangerous websites or links by opening a virtualized browser in the cloud environment.
• Email security provides an extra layer of protection with advanced threat prevention, DLP, and email encryption.
• Load balancers route traffic to the optimal location for the best performance.

User Experience:

Users of all levels can easily control their security settings with a new user-friendly interface and intuitive dashboard.

Pricing:

Cloudflare offers these pricing plans:

• Free Plan: $0 per user
• Pay-as-you-go Plan: $7 per user
• Contract Plan: Custom prices

What I Like/Dislike About Cloudflare

Like:

• Each record propagation is completed within minutes, ensuring that customers can quickly implement changes.
• In addition, the response time on DNS queries is quick, with very low latency compared to other services.

Dislike:

• The import function doesn’t work perfectly every time, resulting in some records not being imported.

Product Updates:

• Now you can use the Workers platform directly from within a Pages project, thanks to Cloudflare’s new Functions feature.

2. AdGuard DNS.

Best For Protection.

AdGuard DNS provides robust protection against ads, trackers, analytics systems, and malicious domains.

This platform works by intercepting requests for websites and checking them against lists of blocked sites.

If the website is on the list of blocked sites, the user won’t be able to access it.

This process helps protect you from malicious websites or those attempting to track your browsing behavior.

The dashboard of AdGuard also lets you see which websites are being requested by each device connected to the network.

You can then easily block these websites if desired.

Key Features:

• Ad blocking helps eliminate ads and trackers from websites, preventing them from gathering data about you and your browsing habits.
• Parental control allows you to set age-appropriate filtering for each user or device, blocking sites that aren’t suitable for children.
• The stats page lets you see what requests are made by each device connected to the network so that you can monitor any suspicious activity or malicious sites.
• Customized filtering allows you to configure the application to your needs and preferences.

User Experience:

The Private AdGuard DNS offers an easy way to protect your browsing experience by blocking ads, trackers, and malicious domains.

The user-friendly dashboard makes it easy to set up and customize the application according to your preferences.

Pricing:

Users can use AdGuard DNS with any of these plans:

• Starter: Free
• Personal: $2.49
• Team: $14.99
• Enterprise: Contact them for more information

What I Like/Dislike About AdGuard DNS

Like:

• It filters out all ads, trackers, and malicious websites, which can help to protect users’ privacy.
• Excellent documentation makes it easy to learn how to use the application.

Dislike:

• While you can create your own rules, other DNS services are more customizable.

Product Updates:

• With more stats now available in the dashboard, you can monitor your network traffic more closely.

3. DNS Made Easy.

Best For Automated Services.

For over 20 years, DNS Made Easy has been providing next-generation solutions to the world’s largest brands and has achieved great success.

They offer various fully automated services with real-time alerts, intelligent routing capabilities, unlimited queries, DNS analytics, and failover.

As one of the top-rated providers in the industry, DNS Made Easy operates on the fastest and most reliable network (AS16552) in the world, with points of presence (PoPs) located at crucial peering points for optimal connectivity.

Unlike other services that rely on virtualized servers or cloud infrastructure, their nameservers are accurate bare metal machines ensuring maximum performance and reliability from nodes close to your customers’ locations.

Additionally, they route all traffic through a robust Anycast network, which helps prevent single points of failure while ensuring more excellent uptime than standard unicast networks used by many other providers.

Key Features:

• Live Chat Support – their dedicated staff is available 24/7 to assist with any issues you may encounter.
• Business Hour Phone Support – they offer business hour phone support when you need extra help.
• Rest API Access- easily access the DNS Made Easy API and integrate it into your applications or systems so that you can keep your services up and running.
• 100% SLA-backed – they guarantee their network is always up.
• Three-Factor Authentication – use secure authentication methods to ensure your data remains safe and secure.
• Geo Load Balancing (GTD) – this feature offers geolocation-based load balancing and routing to ensure maximum performance.
• SAML/SSO (setup fee) – enables secure, single sign-on access to your DNS Made Easy account from any device or application.

User Experience:

An easy-to-access dashboard makes it simple to manage the DNS Made Easy services with real-time notifications and analytics.

Pricing:

DNS Made Easy comes with these pricing packages:

• DNS-5: $14.50/MO
• DNS-25: $45/MO
• DNS-50: $145/MO
• Enterprise: Custom prices are available.

What I Like/Dislike About DNS Made Easy

Like:

• An intuitive control panel with real-time notifications allows for quickly resolving issues or making changes.
• One can define DNS permissions for their users, allowing them to manage DNS settings without having access to the control panel.

Dislike:

• Documentation for working with advanced tools needs to be improved.

4. Amazon Route 53.

Best For Simple Setup.

Amazon Route 53 is a reliable and cost-effective way to route end users to Internet applications.

It’s easy to set up, provides globally dispersed DNS servers, and allows you to customize your routing policies.

Setting up your DNS routing with Amazon Route 53 is incredibly simple.

With Amazon’s straightforward visual traffic flow tools, you can register domain names in minutes, allowing you to get your site up and running quickly.

Plus, Amazon makes it easy to manage multiple domains with a single account—a great option if you have multiple sites or are looking to launch a new one soon.

Additionally, Amazon’s automatic scaling ensures that traffic is routed efficiently, even during periods of peak demand.

Key Features:

• Route 53 Resolver helps securely connect your resources to the Internet.
• DNS Firewall helps you protect and manage access to your resources.
• The application recovery controller monitors and verifies application performance before routing traffic, reducing errors and downtime.
• Traffic Flow allows a realistic timescale and analyzes your traffic data, giving insight into how customers interact with your applications.
• Latency-based routing lets you route traffic to the closest available server, ensuring faster response times and improved application performance.

User Experience:

Seeing your whole architecture in one place makes managing and monitoring your domains easy.

Amazon Route 53’s simplified user interface makes it easier to set up, update, and analyze DNS routing policies.

Pricing:

Route 53 offers different pricing and plans based on one’s specific needs.

What I Like/Dislike About Amazon Route 53

Like:

• The various policies you can use to route traffic to your resources are easy to create.
• The system’s health check feature helps ensure your applications’ reliability.

Dislike:

• No website logging support means you can’t always track interactions.

Product Updates:

• Resolver Endpoints is announcing a 99.99% Service Level Agreement, making the service even more reliable.

5. Dynu.

Best For Support.

With more than 15 years of experience in the industry, Dynu has been offering its customers rich features and high-quality tools.

They also prioritize customer service, providing responsive technical support and efficient tools to resolve any issues quickly.

Dynu’s Priority Support staff consists of technicians who provide an immediate, hands-on approach to resolving unique problems.

Their technicians are available 24/7 and can help with everything from setup assistance to quickly and efficiently troubleshooting complex issues.

You can rest assured that your problems will be taken care of no matter what time of day.

Key Features:

• 100% free DNS means you don’t have to worry about monthly costs.
• The easy-to-use control panel gives you full access to your domains and helps you manage them quickly and easily.
• You can also control your domains with Dynu’s free dynamic DNS client.
• Dynu offers reliable DNS uptime through its global network of servers, ensuring that your online products are always available to your customers.
• Port 80 redirection lets you provide secure HTTPS access for your domains, so visitors will feel safe and confident when browsing your sites.

User Experience:

Easily manage web redirects, URL forwarding, and MX records with the Dynu control panel.

The intuitive user interface lets you quickly access your domains and configure them as needed.

Pricing:

Dynu is free to use.

What I Like/Dislike About Dynu

Like:

• Simple and easy-to-use GUI makes it easy to manage and configure domains
• Easy to set up a port and get started quickly

Dislike:

• Being a free product, it offers fewer features than others.

Product Updates:

Their clients now monitor for changes in IP address every 2 minutes, helping you better control your domains.

6. Quad 9.

Best For Threat Intelligence.

Quad9 is a free DNS service that blocks malicious hostnames and improves performance.

The Swiss-based Quad9 Foundation operates it to provide a safer Internet for everyone.

Quad9 routes query through a secure network of servers around the globe.

The platform utilizes threat intelligence from leading cybersecurity companies to keep users safe from malware and other threats.

All connections are encrypted, ensuring your data is kept safe and secure.

And since the platform doesn’t log any data containing your IP address, your privacy is continually respected.

Moreover, they designed the platform to be GDPR-compliant – meaning it meets all the requirements to ensure security and privacy while using the service.

Key Features:

• Threat blocking makes Quad9 unique from other DNS services. By using threat intelligence from leading cybersecurity companies, including IBM X-Force, Quad9 can block malicious hostnames before they can reach your system or network.
• With over 150 locations in 90 nations, Quad9 can provide lower latency than many competitors and keep data secure no matter where a user is.
• Quad9 also houses systems in regional data center locations to ensure the best possible service for users worldwide.

Pricing:

Quad9 is a free DNS service.

7. OpenNIC Project.

Best For Alternative DNS Root Zone.

OpenNIC is an open-source project that provides an alternative DNS root zone.

The project aims to provide users with secure, unrestricted access to new domains while enabling governments and businesses to have their regionalized online presence.

It’s important to note that OpenNIC does not host websites – instead, it allows users to access websites located on third-party servers.

The project also offers several other services, such as secure email and file-sharing.

OpenNIC provides an alternative DNS root that one can use to get unrestricted access to new domains.

OpenNIC allows emerging countries to have their namespaces accessible anywhere via OpenNIC servers.

This feature opens up a whole new world of possibilities for businesses and individuals who want their content accessible worldwide without any restrictions or censorship from local governments or ISPs.

Key Features:

• DNS Neutrality: OpenNIC provides a secure DNS root that is free from any form of censorship or control. Users can access new domains without worrying about local governments or ISPs blocking their connection.
• No Cost: Unlike other DNS services, OpenNIC does not require fees and is free to use.
• Stops DNS Hijacking: OpenNIC protects users from malicious actors who may attempt to hijack their DNS requests.

Pricing:

OpenNIC is a free DNS service.

Other DNS hosting platforms not mentioned in this article include Anycast DNS and Namecheap.

What Is DNS Hosting?

DNS hosting is a web service that stores the Domain Name System (DNS) records for a website or other internet domain name.

This hosting also helps internet users access websites and other online services by translating hostnames into IP addresses.

Hosting providers typically offer DNS hosting as part of their web hosting packages and other services, including web hosting, email hosting, and more.

Various Types of DNS

Here are the most common types of DNS services used by website owners.

1. Primary DNS

Primary DNS or Primary Name Server is the authoritative server that provides all directory services for a domain.

It is responsible for a domain’s zone records and is the primary source for resolving names.

2. Secondary DNS

A secondary DNS or Secondary Name Server is not an authoritative server.

Instead, it receives information from the primary name servers through a process called zone transfer and stores them locally.

3. Caching-Only DNS Servers

Caching-only DNS servers store copies of frequently requested data in their local cache, so the same query does not have to be sent over the network again.

4. Authoritative-Only DNS Servers

Authoritative-only DNS servers provide answers from the actual authoritative source.

If there is no cached information regarding a particular domain name, it will forward the request to the original authoritative source for an answer.

5. Recursive DNS Servers

Recursive DNS servers resolve queries by sending requests to other DNS servers until it finds an answer.

It then caches this data locally to resolve future requests faster.

6. Root Name Server

A root name server is the highest level in the DNS hierarchy and stores information about all top-level domains.

It responds to requests with a list of nameservers responsible for answering queries related to a particular field.

Why is a DNS important?

Knowing why DNS is important is critical for businesses, especially those that rely on the internet.

Here are the top reasons why having a DNS is vital online.

1. Hosting Multiple Websites

The most basic purpose of DNS is to host multiple websites under one service.

This feature makes it easier for customers to find the correct website without remembering an IP address or typing in long URLs.

2. Improving Website Performance

A DNS service provides name servers to improve the overall performance of websites.

With name servers, companies can reduce response time and bandwidth usage.

Moreover, paid plans provide additional features such as server load balancing, which helps spread traffic across multiple servers and reduces load times.

Premium DNS providers offer a wide range of services to help manage their customers’ domains and websites more efficiently.

The service provider manages domain names, IP addresses, and other related information about the customer’s website or online store.

In another instance, WordPress, a popular content management system that provides plugins for web development applications, can also utilize DNS to be fully functional.

3. Securing Online Transactions

The best DNS hosting providers also help secure online transactions.

Companies can get added features such as DNSSEC protocol to protect the DNS infrastructure from attack or misuse with a business plan.

A premium DNS hosting provider helps ensure that all traffic is routed securely over an encrypted connection and provides additional security measures such as two-factor authentication.

Ecommerce websites need to be especially vigilant regarding security due to the sensitive nature of the financial data they handle.

A hosting provider is responsible for providing SSL certificates to establish secure connections between clients and servers, which helps protect confidential information during transmission.

SSL certificates provide encryption to ensure that data remains safe and private while in transit across the internet.

4. Easy Domain Name System Management

Using a hosting company for DNS management allows companies to use multiple DNS providers and easily switch between providers when needed.

Redundancy is an important feature when it comes to ensuring websites are always available online, even in cases of DNS server failure or other unexpected outages.

5. Increased Reliability And Uptime

The best free DNS hosting providers guarantee high levels of reliability and uptime.

The fastest DNS providers offer robust server monitoring features to ensure that websites stay online during peak traffic.

A managed DNS host provide the highest level of service, enabling customers to focus on other aspects of their businesses while their sites remain highly reliable and secure.

Additionally, they help reduce outages and optimize website performance.

6. Providing Domain Name Resolution

Premium DNS hosting provides fast, accurate domain name resolution so visitors can access websites quickly without interruption.

The provider manages all domain names, including registration, renewal, and transfer processes, ensuring that the customer’s data remains safe and secure.

What to Look for in a Good DNS

Here are the key features to look out for when choosing a good DNS.

1. Reliable Uptime

Similar to a CDN, the reliability of a DNS service is paramount.

Cloud DNS hosting providers should offer reliable and consistent uptime with minimal downtime.

DNS hosts must be reliable and secure, ensuring that websites perform optimally.

Experienced registrars should provide domain registration and managed DNS services with experience in certain domain management practices.

2. Security features

The best DNS services should offer advanced security features such as DDoS protection, DDNS addressing, DNSSEC implementation, SSL/TLS support, and integration with other security services.

Dynamic DNS services should also provide secure connections to ensure that malicious actors don’t get access to website data.

Managed DNS Services must have security features such as IP restriction, DDNS protection, and password management systems in place.

3. Flexible Pricing

The pricing of a DNS network should be flexible depending on the customer’s requirements.

Fast DNS hosting providers should offer competitive prices for the services they provide.

The right platform must update DNS records quickly for domain changes and additions without additional charges or fees.

Your top choice of DNS should also support recursive queries at no extra cost to ensure optimal uptime and performance.

4. Variety of DNS Types

DNS registrars should offer various DNS types to match the customer’s needs.

These should include A, AAAA, CNAME, MX, SRV records, ALIAS, and URL forwarding services.

5. Easy To Use Interface And Features

A DNS lookup is necessary to ensure that websites are accessible from anywhere around the world.

Dynamic DNS support should be available for managing domain changes with ease.

Management tools should be easy to use and provide detailed information about the website’s current status.

The user interface must be simple and intuitive for non-technical users to navigate easily.

6. High-Performance Speeds

Fast DNS hosting providers should provide the highest performance speeds to meet customer needs.

The DNS network should be able to handle high-traffic loads, ensuring that websites are always accessible from any location.

7. Round-the-Clock Technical Support

DNS hosting services would also come with round-the-clock technical support for any issue related to their services.

This feature ensures that customers get help promptly when needed and prevents downtime or other issues from occurring.

The Difference Between Free Dns And Premium DNS

Here are some of the main differences between free and premium DNS services.

1. Services Offered

The difference between free and premium DNS is mainly in the services offered.

Free DNS hosting providers offer essential services such as domain name registration and lookup.

In contrast, premium DNS hosting provides more features, such as managed DNS hosts, round-the-clock technical support, and fast speeds.

The free service can be suitable for most businesses, but premium DNS hosting provides more reliable and secure services.

Overall, businesses should weigh the advantages of each service to determine which one best fits their needs.

2. Performance

Premium DNS hosting providers usually offer better performance than free ones due to improved server infrastructure and additional resources that help manage large requests simultaneously.

Premium DNS networks typically have better uptime and faster speeds than free services.

3. Security Features

Premium DNS hosting providers usually offer more comprehensive security features, such as DNSSEC, which provides additional protection against malicious attacks on the domain.

Free DNS services may not have these advanced security measures and could be more vulnerable to cyber-attacks.

4. Uptime Reliability

Uptime is an important factor when choosing a DNS provider, and premium DNS hosting companies typically guarantee higher uptime than those offering free services.

Premium DNS hosting providers also often offer robust backup systems to keep your website online, even if the primary server fails.

Best DNS Hosting – FAQ

What Is Cloud DNS?

Cloud DNS is a cloud-based DNS hosting service that offers high performance, secure services, and flexible pricing.

What Is DNSsec?

DNSsec is an internet security protocol that adds a layer of protection to domain names by verifying their authenticity and integrity.

How Does IPv6 Affect DNS?

IPv6 affects DNS by allowing more IP addresses to be used and increasing the efficiency of domain name resolution.

It also makes it easier to deploy new services, providing better scalability and reliability for businesses.

Wrap Up.

Businesses needing specialized DNS hosting should consider the above factors when deciding which DNS hosting service to use.

Free DNS options may be suitable for small or startup businesses, but companies that require a higher level of performance and security should opt for premium DNS hosting services.

Premium options usually provide better performance, more comprehensive security features, uptime reliability, and round-the-clock technical support to ensure the smooth functioning of one’s website.

With the right provider, businesses can enjoy faster speeds, improved security, and reliable uptime – all without paying a fortune.

Further reading on AdamEnfroy.com: Choosing a web hosting provider for your business starts by considering your needs and budget and each service’s features.

Here are the best web hosting providers to choose from.