DNS features and pricing models

Introduction

Below are listed the various features and properties of common DNS plans. They can be used to perform a point-to-point comparison of any plans. 

Note that advanced DNS solutions include additional non-DNS features that are not covered in this guide.

This guide will cover the following features:

1. Technology

2. Eligible domains

3. Nameservers
   

4. Zones

5. Records

6. Record types

7. Usage

8. Bulk configuration

9. Additional features

10. Pricing models

1. Technology

 There are two types of nameservers:

• Unicast (default type)

• Anycast (advanced type)

Anycast nameservers are faster as the server nearest to the visitor's location is used, reducing network latency. Reducing the time required to load a website is likely to offer a better experience to the visitors.

The DDoS protection offers the best security. It allows your site to remain available even when it is subject to a DDoS attack.

2. Eligible domains

There are two cases:

• Registered in-house only :
  In order to use the DNS services, some providers, which are also providing registrar services, require the domain to be registered with us.
  
  

• Registered with any registrars:
  Any domains are eligible to use the DNS services

3. Nameservers

This property indicates the number of nameservers on which the configuration of a domain is replicated.

Note that more than 2 nameservers is not necessarily required.
Only 2 nameservers are sufficient to guarantee a 100% uptime as long as they are correctly setup and managed by the DNS provider.

4. Zones

This property indicates how many zones are included in the DNS plan.

Default plans offer the service for 1 zone/domain .
Other plans offer the service for multiple zones/domains.

5. Records

It is the maximum number of records which can be created across all zones of a DNS Plan.

6. Record types

This property indicates the supported record types.

7. Usage

This property indicates the maximum number of queries included in a plan.

Default number of queries are usually sufficient unless your domain is very popular.

8. Bulk configuration

It is the ability to to setup DNS services for multiple domains at once.

Basic offers usually only allow to configure DNS services for one domain at a time.

Advanced offers allow configuring DNS services for multiple domains at once.

Some offers also make the use of templates, allowing to modify the setup of all domains using a particular template by just modifying the template.   
This is for instance the case for services provided by DNS Made Easy 

9. Additional features

Here are listed some additional features:

• Web redirect (or URL forwarding)

• Email redirect (or Email forwarding)

• Dynamic DNS

• DNSSEC zone signing

• DNS failover checks

• SLA uptime guarantee

10. Pricing models

It exists two pricing models:

• Fixed-price

• Pay-per-usage (or variable-price)

Although the fixed price model is the most common model, it is worth mentioning the pay-per-usage model.

Note that the fixed-price is often valid for a set of standard boundaries: number of zones, number of records, number of queries, etc.

These boundaries are defined by each provider and are often convenient for most situations.
When the standard boundaries are reached, add-ons are usually available to extend them to a higher level.

Finally , note that DNS services is a subscription. As for any subscriptions, there are some billing rules which is best to be aware of:

• Billing frequency: every month, every year, etc.

• Minimal subscription period: 1 month, 6 months, 1 year, etc.

• Subscription anniversary day: ordering day or first day of next month (remaining days of current month are billed prorated)