Quick answer
FreeDNS - FreeDNS wins for most builders who want unlimited DNS hosting without watching a meter, while Zoneedit wins only if you need the richer free-zone bundle with built-in forwarding and a defined monthly query allowance.
How the free tiers compare
These two free DNS offers solve similar problems but with very different constraints. FreeDNS is the simpler long-term pick: it is explicitly always free, unbounded, and aimed at people who want hosted DNS management without moving into a paid plan for core access. Its free tier is basically the product. Zoneedit’s free tier is more feature-stacked on paper, with dynamic DNS, WebForward, MailForward, and a production query allowance, but it is not unbounded and it runs on a credit system that can force you into paid packs as zones grow or as you need more active coverage. For a small builder with one domain and modest traffic, Zoneedit can be attractive. For anyone who wants to set and forget DNS with fewer limits, FreeDNS is the safer free tier.
FreeDNS vs Zoneedit free tier, side by side
| FreeDNSFTV 89 | ZoneeditFTV 40 | |
|---|---|---|
| Free tier shapeA is explicitly perpetual and unbounded; B is capped/credit-based. | Always free | Free tier |
| Free DNS queriesOnly Zoneedit publishes a monthly query cap in the provided data. | Not stated | 250,000 queries/month |
| Nameservers includedFrom Zoneedit's free zone description. | Not stated | 2 production nameservers in separate datacenters |
| Dynamic DNSBoth products support dynamic DNS in the free offering. | Included | Included |
| Email forwardingZoneedit includes MailForward in the free tier. | Not stated | Included |
| URL forwardingZoneedit is more explicit about forwarding features. | Web request forwarding included | WebForward included, plus cloaked and redirect URL forwarding |
| Credit-card requirementThe field is present as false for both, so a card is required. | Required | Required |
After you outgrow the free tier
FreeDNS has a flat paid add-on, FreeDNS+, and the paid step is mostly about priority expert support rather than unlocking core DNS. Zoneedit uses flat-priced credit packs, with cost rising as you buy more credits for active zones and other credit-based products. The first paid step is cheaper on Zoneedit in nominal dollars, but it is also tied to metered usage. For typical small-team use, FreeDNS stays simpler and cheaper if the free tier is enough. If you need more active zones or credits, Zoneedit’s bundle pricing scales from $1.40 up to $285, so the cost gap widens quickly as usage grows.
Cost at real usage
| Usage | FreeDNS | Zoneedit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 active zone / light personal DNS useZoneedit's free tier includes 1 managed DNS credit per month. | Free (within tier) | Free (within tier) |
| 1 extra credit beyond the free allowanceZoneedit's cheapest paid top-up is the 1 Credit Pack. | Free (no stated credit model) | $1.40/mo |
| 5 creditsUsing Zoneedit's listed 5 Credit Pack. | Free (no stated credit model) | $5/mo |
| 36 creditsZoneedit lists a 36 Credit Pack at $30, described as a 17% discount. | Free (no stated credit model) | $30/mo |
Estimates, not quotes. Usage-based rates change - verify with the vendor's pricing page before committing.
When to pick each one
Pick FreeDNS when…
- You want free hosted DNS with no stated usage cap or expiry.
- You mainly need standard record management, DNSSEC, dynamic DNS, or web request forwarding without paying for core access.
- You expect to keep a zone active indefinitely and do not want to track credits.
- You prefer a free tier that is less likely to turn into a metered admin task as your DNS setup grows.
Pick Zoneedit when…
- You want the free tier to include URL redirection and email forwarding alongside DNS.
- You need a published monthly query allowance for a zone and want a clear cap up front.
- You are okay with a credit-based system and may buy packs later to keep zones active.
- You want 2 production nameservers in separate datacenters as part of the free offering.
Bottom line
For the most common builder case, FreeDNS is the better free-tier bet because it is genuinely perpetual and does not introduce a visible usage meter for core DNS hosting. Zoneedit is the better pick if you want more bundled features in the free plan, especially forwarding and a published query allowance, and you are comfortable with credits if you outgrow it. If your goal is to park a domain and forget about billing, FreeDNS is the safer choice.
Read the full listings: FreeDNS 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.