DynDNS services transmit a changing IP address to a static domain name to enable remote access. We’ll show you which DynDNS providers exist and how free services compare to premium DynDNS alternatives.
Contents
- DynDNS alternatives in comparison
- Why do I need a DynDNS service?
- dynv6
- No-IP
- Securepoint DynDNS
- ClickIP
- Dynu
- ClouDNS
- FreeDNS Afraid.org
- Duck DNS
- YDNS
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DynDNS alternatives in comparison
Number of hosts, domains | Requirements | Features | Customer support | |
dynv6 (free) | Unlimited hosts, choice of unique host names | Quick registration | Multiple APIs | Community |
No-IP (free) | 3 hosts, restricted number of domains | Account requires confirmation every 30 days | - | Only email |
No-IP Enhanced Dynamic DNS (fee-based) | 25+ host names, 80+ domain options | Account, no expiry | No advertising, 100 % uptime guarantee | Email and phone support |
No-IP Plus-Managed DNS (fee-based) | 50+ host names, domain registration | Account, no expiry | Supports email upgrade, SSL upgrade | Email and phone support |
Securepoint DynDNS (free) | 5 hosts, 100 domains | Registration | Supports IPv6, Update token | Contact form, tutorials, forum |
ClickIP (free) | 1 sub domain | Free registration | - | FAQ, Tutorials |
ClickIP (fee-based) | 1 sub domain | Free registration | No advertising | FAQ, Tutorials |
Dynu (free) | 30 unique host names | Only free for 7 days | No advertising | Extended support |
Dynu (fee-based) | 500 domains | Free registration | Web forwarding, DNSSEC support, logging, Apple Airport support | FAQ, forum, tutorials, contact form |
ClouDNS (free) | 4 hosts | Free registration | Email forwarding | Blog, Wiki, FAQ |
ClouDNS (fee-based) | 8 hosts | Free registration | Email forwarding, DNS monitoring | Blog, Wiki, FAQ |
FreeDNS Afraid.org (free) | Up to 5 subdomains | Free registration | No advertising | FAQ, guide, contact form |
FreeDNS Afraid.org (fee-based) | Depending on subscription, 50-500 subdomains | Free registration | No advertising, Wildcard support and professional nameserver branding | FAQ, guide, contact form |
Duck DNS (free) | Unlimited hosts | Login possible with GitHub, Google, Twitter, reddit, or Persona | Available for various operating systems | Installation guide, FAQ |
YDNS (free) | Unlimited hosts | Free registration via email | DNSSEC support | Support |
Last updated: March 2022
Why do I need a DynDNS service?
Accessing your home computer when you’re on the road is no longer difficult thanks to remote desktop connection. However, the connection often fails due to your own Internet provider, who is responsible for regularly assigning new IP addresses to your Internet connection. DynDNS (Dynamic Domain Name System) can help you establish a stable connection to the server.
Tip
You can find out exactly how the Dynamic Domain Name System works in our basics article on DynDNS.
dynv6
Dynamic DNS provider dynv6 provides a free service for private users. A public hostname can be quickly registered via the service provider’s website – for IPv4 as well as IPv6. Users can select their preferred name and there is no restriction as to the number of domains.
In addition, one can make use of interfaces to update zones. For REST and SSH, public keys are in use. To use the DNS Update, dynv6 employs a so-called TSIG key which can be created via its website.
However, dynv6 is not designed for professional use. The service lacks expanded security features to safeguard against DDoS attacks and does not provide extensive customer support.
No-IP
No-IP appears to provide a highly professional service. The US-based DynDNS service offers three different packages:
| Free Dynamic DNS | Enhanced Dynamic DNS (fee-based £) | Plus-Managed DNS (fee-based ££) |
| 3 host names | 25+ host names | 50+ host names |
| Limited number of domains | 80+ domain options | Includes domain registration option at reduced cost (£) |
| Account confirmation required every 30 days | No expiry | No expiry, phone support |
Although the freeware version provides several good options, users have voiced their frustrations with the account expiry date. Those who register for a free account are required to confirm their account every 30 days. Otherwise, it is deleted immediately. To avoid expiry and ads, the premium packages are a better solution. They also come with extended telephone support.
Securepoint DynDNS
Securepoint DynDNS is a free German DynDNS service provider. Users get five hosts and 100 domains. One of its advantages is that it can be neatly integrated into the firewall and other Securepoint devices. However, the free DynDNS provider can be used outside of Securepoint devices.
Other features include IPv6 protocol support and the update token, which essentially acts like an additional password for enhanced security. Customer support and help is available via the contact form or you can search for answers to your queries in the dedicated user forum.
ClickIP
German DynDNS provider ClickIP is geared toward beginners. The service is available for free and installation is particularly easy. Administrators simply create a user account, select a DNS address, and enter their details on the company’s router. Although ClickIP is free, a premium version is available which does not include advertising.
Dynu
The DynDNS provider Dynu is easy to use and therefore already well suited for beginners. Besides a free version with four domain names, there is also a low-priced membership version, which costs $9.99 (around £8) per year, but allows up to 500 domain names. In addition to prioritised support and logging options, the membership offers numerous other features, such as Apple Airport support.
You have the option to use either a third-level domain name (a dynu com address) or an individual top-level domain name with the DynDNS alternative. Dynu supports all top-level domains, regardless of country or origin. Using the service-level client (available for Windows, macOS, and Linux), your PC continuously communicates with the Dynu DNS servers. Thanks to fully redundant infrastructure (routers, switches, bandwidth providers, power supply), you can count on 100% uptime.
ClouDNS
ClouDNS is a DynDNS provider from Bulgaria that has been operating on the market since 2010. In its free variant, ClouDNS offers users four unicast DNS servers. With monthly prices starting from $5.95 (around £5), users can also access Anti-DDoS DNS, which offers special protection against DDoS attacks. Extensive GeoDNS options can be added for a monthly payment of $9.95 (around £8) upwards.
Even in the free basic version, ClouDNS allows 50 DNS entries and 500,000 monthly DNS queries for a DNS zone. If this package is not sufficient, these values can be increased by purchasing the paid monthly subscriptions. For questions and problems, the DynDNS service provides a live chat that is available around the clock.
FreeDNS Afraid.org
With over three million members, afraid.org is a popular DynDNS provider. In its free version, afraid.org offers users up to five subdomains. Another plus point of the DynDNS service is that even in its free version there are no advertisem*nts.
There are various packages with increasing numbers of registerable subdomains:
Starter DynDNS | $60 (around £50)/year | $120 (around £100)/year | $300 (around £240)/year | $600 (around £480)/year |
Up to 5 subdomains | Up to 50 subdomains | Up to 100 subdomains | Up to 250 subdomains | Up to 500 subdomains |
Ad-free | Ad-free, Wildcard support, and no Captchas | Ad-free, Wildcard support, no Captchas, and professional nameserver branding | Ad-free, Wildcard support, no Captchas, and professional nameserver branding | Ad-free, Wildcard support, no Captchas, and professional nameserver branding |
Duck DNS
Duck DNS is a free DynDNS provider that works on various operating systems. The number of subdomains is not restricted. Helpful installation instructions can be found on the provider’s website, and login is possible with Google, GitHub, Reddit, Twitter, or Persona.
YDNS
Another provider for free DynDNS hosting is YDNS. With unlimited hosts per user and DNSSEC support built in by default, YDNS offers a promising range of services. The donation-funded DynDNS provider promises its users that it will remain free of charge. Registration is uncomplicated via email.
Tip
If you own a Fritz!Box, you do not need to register with an external DynDNS provider. You can simply use the in-house service of MyFRITZ. Setting this up is pretty simple: go to ‘Internet’ > ‘MyFRITZ!’ on the Fritz!Box web interface and create an account. You don’t have a huge selection of domains at your disposal, but you can use all the advantages of the Fritz!Box remotely. For example, you can easily listen to your answering machine.
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