Overview
LuaDNS is a managed DNS service built for developers. Its anycast name servers run in 22 PoPs across the USA, Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia. Besides a web control panel and REST API, you can connect a Git repository: pushing commits deploys your zones, and Lua scripts can generate records, so DNS changes get code review and history.
Every plan, including Free, has anycast, DNSSEC, unlimited queries, API access, web redirects, email forwarding, AXFR transfers, reverse zones and real-time statistics. The free plan is limited to 3 domains and 30 records with a 5-minute minimum TTL. Basic ($29 a year) covers 10 domains and adds vanity name servers and a health check; Pro ($39) covers 30 domains; Bulk sells 50-domain bundles at $50 a year each.
Supported records include ALIAS, CAA, HTTPS, TLSA, SSHFP, OPENPGPKEY and FAILOVER records tied to health checks. It is a small provider with no stated SLA or traffic-steering features beyond failover.
Pricing and plans
Free tier
Free plan: 3 domains, 30 records, unlimited queries, anycast, DNSSEC, API and Git integration; 5-minute minimum TTL.
At the limit Not stated The vendor does not say what happens at the limit, or we have not found it yet.
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | 3 domains, 30 records, 5 min minimum TTL |
| Basic | $29/yr | 10 domains, 500 records, 60 s TTL, vanity name servers, 1 health check |
| Pro | $39/yr | 30 domains, 1,000 records, 3 health checks |
| Bulk | $50/yr per 50 domains | 10,000 records, 5 health checks; contact for 1,000+ domains |
What it does
- Git integration
- Deploy zones by pushing to a Git repository; Lua scripts can generate records.
- Anycast DNS
- Four anycast name servers served from 22 PoPs.
- DNSSEC
- Available on every plan, including Free.
- Health checks and failover
- FAILOVER records with 1 to 5 health checks on paid plans.
- Templates
- Group records into reusable zone templates.
- Redirects and forwarding
- Web redirects and email forwarding included.
Strengths and limitations
Strengths
- DNS-as-code through Git and Lua scripting.
- Unlimited queries on every plan.
- Very low yearly prices.
- DNSSEC and API included in the free plan.
Limitations
- Free plan: 3 domains, 30 records and a 5-minute minimum TTL.
- Health checks are limited to 1 to 5 per account.
- No SLA stated on the pages read.
- No geo or latency routing.
Who it suits
Good for
- Developers managing DNS in Git
- Small portfolios of personal or client domains
- Teams wanting cheap anycast DNS with DNSSEC
Look elsewhere if
- Businesses needing an SLA or enterprise support
- Apps needing geo-based traffic steering
Alternatives to LuaDNS
| Tool | From | Free option | Stages |
|---|---|---|---|
| ClouDNS Managed DNS with free and low-cost plans | $2.95/mo | Free tier | |
| easyDNS Managed anycast DNS and registrar | $20/yr | ||
| Namecheap Domain registrar | $10.98/yr | ||
| Porkbun Domain registrar | $11.08/yr | ||
| DNSimple DNS hosting and domain management | $0.5/mo | ||
| Sucuri Website Firewall Cloud WAF with CDN | $9.99/mo |
Questions
Is LuaDNS free?
There is a free plan for 3 domains and 30 records; paid plans start at $29 a year.
How does LuaDNS Git integration work?
You push zone files or Lua scripts to a Git repository and LuaDNS deploys the resulting records.
Does LuaDNS support DNSSEC?
Yes, on every plan including Free.
Does LuaDNS limit queries?
No. All plans include unlimited queries per month.
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