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Cloudflare DNS
Free DNS hosting with DDoS protection, CDN, SSL, and global anycast network.
10/10
Verdict
Best for anyone who needs fast, secure DNS with built-in DDoS protection for free.
Features9/10Ease of Use8/10Pricing10/10Documentation9/10
Use Cases
Secure a personal domain with free DDoS protection and fast global DNS resolution
Manage DNS for multiple client domains from a single Cloudflare dashboard
Free Tier
Unlimited domains, DDoS protection, CDN, SSL, Firewall rules
How to Maximize the Free Tier
Cloudflare DNS is the best free DNS because it bundles DDoS protection and CDN at no cost. Add all your domains here (unlimited) and use the orange cloud proxy to hide your origin server IP. The analytics dashboard gives you basic traffic insights for free. The 1.1.1.1 resolver is the fastest globally — use it as your primary DNS for faster browsing.
Getting Started
Sign up → Add Site → enter your domain → Cloudflare scans existing DNS records → change nameservers at your registrar to Cloudflare's → done. DNS propagates within minutes.
Pros
- DNS speed: 1.1.1.1 is the fastest public DNS resolver globally — sub-millisecond query times
- DDoS protection: Enterprise-grade DDoS mitigation included at no cost — absorbs massive attacks automatically
- Unlimited domains: Manage unlimited domains on the free plan — no per-domain fees or hidden costs
Cons
- Nameserver lock-in: Must use Cloudflare's nameservers — you can't use Cloudflare DNS as a standalone service
- Advanced features: WAF rules, analytics, and advanced security features require a paid plan ($20+/mo)
- TLD restrictions: Some top-level domains can't be registered or transferred through Cloudflare's registrar
Alternatives
Route53Google Cloud DNS