Quick answer
ClouDNS - ClouDNS wins for most builders because its free tier has a clearer, more generous DNS-query allowance and simpler upgrade path, while Zoneedit’s credit system is more opaque unless you specifically want its DNS and forwarding features.
How the free tiers compare
These two free tiers solve slightly different DNS problems. ClouDNS is the more straightforward hosted-DNS option: one free zone, 50 records, 500K queries per month, and a clean set of paid steps up to higher zone, record, and query limits. It is easier to size for a small project because the quotas are explicit. Zoneedit gives you a more feature-rich free DNS bundle on paper, with dynamic DNS, URL forwarding, mail forwarding, and broader record-type support, but its paid path is built around credits rather than simple capacity tiers. That makes it better if you already understand Zoneedit’s credit model or need its forwarding and record-type coverage. For most builders comparing free tiers, ClouDNS is easier to evaluate and scale from.
ClouDNS vs Zoneedit free tier, side by side
| ClouDNSFTV 47 | ZoneeditFTV 40 | |
|---|---|---|
| Free DNS zonesClouDNS states 1 DNS zone. Zoneedit’s free tier is described as managed DNS with 1 credit per month, not a simple zone count. | 1 | Managed DNS with 1 credit per month; free zone details not explicitly quantified in the input |
| DNS recordsZoneedit emphasizes record types rather than a numeric record cap. | 50 | Full zone control for A, CNAME, MX, NS, SRV, TXT, NAPTR, and IPv6 (AAAA) records |
| DNS queries per monthClouDNS gives double the stated free query volume. | 500K | 250,000 |
| Mail forwardingClouDNS quantifies the cap. Zoneedit includes mail forwarding but no count was provided. | 1 mail forward | MailForward included |
| Dynamic DNSBoth include dynamic DNS on the free tier, but ClouDNS specifies a single hostname. | 1 Dynamic DNS hostname | Included |
| Nameservers / DNS serversZoneedit’s free tier also says primary DNS with 3 nameservers in its item list, but the longer description says 2 production nameservers; the input is inconsistent so this row uses the clearer detailed description. | 4 Unicast DNS servers | 2 production nameservers in separate datacenters |
After you outgrow the free tier
ClouDNS uses simple flat monthly tiers after free: $2.95, $4.95, and $14.95, then contact sales for Enterprise. Costs rise with bigger zone, record, query, and forwarding limits, so you can move up predictably. Zoneedit’s paid path is credit-based and starts at $1.40 for 1 credit, then scales through larger credit packs up to $285 for 600 credits. The billing model is less about public service tiers and more about buying enough credits to keep zones active, so cost depends on how many credits your setup consumes. For typical small-team usage, ClouDNS is easier to forecast; Zoneedit can be cheaper at the smallest step but is harder to compare directly.
Cost at real usage
| Usage | ClouDNS | Zoneedit |
|---|---|---|
| small single-zone projectZoneedit’s free offer already includes 1 credit per month, but the paid entry point is the 1 Credit Pack at $1.40. | $2.95/mo | $1.40/mo |
| multi-zone setup needing 5 zonesClouDNS Premium S includes 5 DNS zones. Zoneedit pricing is credit-based, and the input does not provide a direct zone-to-cost conversion. | $2.95/mo | contact sales / varies by usage |
| higher-traffic DNS at 5M queries/moClouDNS Premium S includes 5M DNS queries per month. Zoneedit’s input does not map query volume to a price. | $2.95/mo | contact sales / varies by usage |
| larger managed DNS footprintThese are not equivalent products, but they show the next visible step in each pricing model. | $4.95/mo for 50 zones and 150M queries | $5/mo for 5 Credit Pack |
Estimates, not quotes. Usage-based rates change - verify with the vendor's pricing page before committing.
When to pick each one
Pick ClouDNS when…
- You want a simple hosted DNS plan with clear zone, record, and query limits.
- You expect to hit query growth before you need many zones or forwarding rules.
- You want a low-friction paid upgrade path from free to a small flat monthly plan.
- You mainly need one production zone for a side project, app, or single domain.
- You want 24/7 live chat support on the cheaper paid plans.
Pick Zoneedit when…
- You need dynamic DNS on the free tier.
- You care about URL redirection or mail forwarding bundled into the free offer.
- You want broader record-type support for managed DNS, including SRV, NAPTR, and IPv6 AAAA.
- You are comfortable with a credit-based model and may want to buy credits in packs.
- You are comparing free-tier feature breadth more than raw query headroom.
Bottom line
For the most common builder use case, ClouDNS is the safer pick: the free tier is easier to understand, the limits are explicit, and the upgrade ladder is clean if your DNS usage grows. Zoneedit is attractive if you specifically want its free dynamic DNS, forwarding, and broader record-type support, but its credit-based pricing is less transparent for planning. If you just need a free DNS host that will not surprise you later, ClouDNS is the better default.
Read the full listings: ClouDNS and Zoneedit. Scores use the FTV methodology at /ftv. Browse more head-to-heads on /compare, or see the top-ranked free tiers on /top.