This is another question of changing DNS host providers. (from DynDNS that has gotten too expensive and how limited their service offering is, even their Pro account)
One consideration for choosing a new DNS provider is how stable the underlying Business is (how long have they been in business, how stable of a provider are they).
I’ve narrowed it down to Namecheap, Porkbun and a Swedish company; Hostpoint)
All seem to be priced well and provide full services.
Any current advice on how they have performed for you, or a better choice?
(I have read as many posts and recommendations here, I was just hoping for very current advice)
Just to be clear, you’re looking for dns provider to host your domain dns, not a domain registrar? For dns host, i liked desec.io. Its api is very robust for dyndns, for cert acme etc. For domain registrar, i like porkbun and spaceship.com. Porkbun is using cloudflare dns under the hood though in case you want to avoid cf. Porkbun + desec is a good combination.
I had to look up DNS Provider vs Domain Registrar… Shows you where I am starting from.
I’ve used DynDNS.org for years. The use case was to for my phone app to access my home security software (BlueIris). Also, used this service for the DDNS updater via my home router.
Recently I tried to configure my home security software (BlueIris) to send alerts to my email service (Proton), only to learn that DynDNS does not provide this ability and they referred me to add a 2nd provider.
This alerted me to the fact that the price I have been paying has increased since 2011 from $15 a year to $55 a year. (emabarrased to say…)
Now I’m on the hunt for the smarter Service Provider to provide those three functions. A DNS host name, Dynamic DNS to update as my ISP changes my home IP address and the ability to configure it to safely connect me to Proton email.
Proton recommended the following services. I do not know which ones offer the best Privacy also. So that brought me to Privacyguides to ask for a current recommendation. (“I know so much less than I pretend to know”)
Most of these just do not seem correct in respect to Privacy…
Godaddy is a pariah among registrar. A long time ago they used to practice “domain tasting”. If you searched for domain on their panel, add to cart but never end up paying to buy it they’ll grab the domain themselves and extort you hundreds and thousands if you change you mind and want it. Its not illegal because icann and registry allow that behaviour but its unethical, a shitty thing to extort your customer. Nowadays they don’t do that anymore but they still aren’t great. Those flashy superbowl ads with tripple A celebs aren’t cheap so godaddy recoupe that cost from their domains. Instead of just paying $10-15 you got to pay $35 because Bar Rafaeli tongue-kissed a nerd in their superbowl ads.
Cloudflare is popular, got superb documentation everywhere but i avoided it because they forced their nameserver and they don’t have proper whois privacy, just whois redaction so some details would still leak from domain whois records.
Had a bad experience with ovh few years ago, their panel is so laggy and buggy that trying to delete or add dnssec records would lead to broken dnssec for a few hours. Few hours of mail downtime aren’t good if I’m waiting for important mail.
Google domains is no more, they sold it to squarespace. Classic google always killing their product.
Namecheap panel is so horribly confusing that i need to consult their guide just to add records. Things that should’ve been easy, should’ve been natural for someone that know what they’re doing became so hair pulling frustrating. I avoided them ever since.
Haven’t got any experience with the rest on that list. I haven’t really try that many registrar but among some that I’ve tried, porkbun and spaceship are the one that i liked and would highly recommend. Theres really no privacy in domain registration because you always need to give registrar, registry and icann your proper details your full name, address, phone number, passport number and whatnot. Its by design and by requirements.
Wow, thank you for so much information. Greatly appreciate that.
I heard back from porkbun. They say they have been in business for 10 years now, so that is a good sign.