Overview
DNSimple is a DNS host and domain registrar aimed at developers. Everything in the dashboard is also available through a REST API with official libraries in many languages, a CLI (including an agent-friendly mode) and a Terraform provider. It supports ALIAS records for CNAME-like behaviour at the apex, DNSSEC, CAA records and acting as primary or secondary DNS alongside another provider.
The Solo plan has no base subscription: you pay $0.50 per hosted zone per month, with a query allowance per zone, and limits of one user and 100 records per zone. Teams costs $29 a month for the first seat, raises the record limit to 1,000, adds Okta or Google SSO, domain access control, wildcard Let's Encrypt certificates and a 99% SLA. Enterprise adds vanity name servers, Entra SSO, priority support and an optional 100% SLA.
One-click services connect a domain to common hosting and email providers, and DNSimple automates Let's Encrypt certificates. It is a DNS and domain service only; there is no CDN or WAF.
Pricing and plans
checked 28 Sept 2026| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Solo | $0 base + $0.50/zone/mo | 1 user, 100 records per zone, 50,000 queries/zone included then $0.80 per million, no SLA |
| Teams | $29/mo + $0.50/zone/mo | 1 seat included, 1,000 records per zone, SSO (Okta, Google), 99% SLA |
| Enterprise | Custom | Zone discounts, Entra SSO, vanity name servers, priority support, 100% SLA available |
What it does
- API, CLI and Terraform
- Full REST API with libraries for Ruby, Elixir, Node.js, .NET, Java, PHP and Python, plus a CLI and Terraform provider.
- ALIAS records
- Virtual record giving CNAME-like behaviour on apex domains.
- Secondary DNS
- Use DNSimple as secondary to another provider or replicate zones out for redundancy.
- DNSSEC
- DNSSEC available on all plans.
- Certificate automation
- Free Let's Encrypt certificates (root and www on Solo, wildcards on Teams).
- One-click services
- 44 templates that configure records for common hosting, email and e-commerce services.
Strengths and limitations
Strengths
- No base fee on Solo; small accounts pay only per zone.
- Strong automation: API, CLI, Terraform and many client libraries.
- Registrar and DNS in one account.
- Secondary DNS support for multi-provider setups.
Limitations
- Solo has no SLA, one user and 100 records per zone.
- Every zone costs $0.50 a month, so many small domains add up.
- No geo or latency routing (regional records need Teams).
- Domain registration requires a DNSimple subscription.
Who it suits
Good for
- Developers managing domains and DNS through code
- Agencies with many client domains
- Teams wanting secondary DNS alongside another provider
Look elsewhere if
- Projects wanting completely free DNS
- Apps needing advanced traffic steering
Alternatives to DNSimple
| Tool | From | Free option | Stages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon CloudFront CDN with bundled WAF and DNS plans | $15/mo | Free tier | |
| Cloudflare CDN, DNS, WAF and DDoS protection | $20/mo | Free tier | |
| Gcore CDN Pay-as-you-go CDN with DNS and WAF | Usage-based | Free tier | |
| Amazon Route 53 Managed DNS and traffic routing | $0.5/mo | ||
| easyDNS Managed anycast DNS and registrar | $20/yr | ||
| INWX Domain registrar | $15.72/yr |
Questions
How much does DNSimple cost?
Solo has no base fee and charges $0.50 per hosted zone per month; Teams is $29 a month plus $0.50 per zone.
Does DNSimple support ALIAS records at the apex?
Yes. ALIAS records give CNAME-like behaviour on apex domains.
Does DNSimple have a Terraform provider?
Yes, alongside a CLI and API libraries in several languages.
Does DNSimple offer an SLA?
Teams has a 99% SLA and Enterprise can add a 100% SLA; Solo has none.
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