Managed DNS vs your registrar’s free DNS
Registrar DNS is free because it is a checkbox feature. A managed DNS service is a product in its own right. For a lot of people the registrar is genuinely fine — the question is whether your situation is one where it is not.
At a glance
HostingSwift vs your registrar's bundled DNS.
| HostingSwift | your registrar's bundled DNS | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | A line on your account | Free with the domain |
| Zone editor | Full record types, API and templates | Basic records, web form |
| Propagation | Low TTLs, anycast-style resolution | Varies; sometimes slow |
| Automation | API and integration with your services | Manual edits |
| DNSSEC | Supported | Often missing or awkward |
| Support | People who understand DNS | Ticket queue for the whole registrar |
Where your registrar's bundled DNS genuinely wins
If these describe you, choose the alternative. We would rather you were happy than mis-sold.
- Your domain is simple: an A record or two and MX.
- You change DNS once in a blue moon.
- You genuinely have no need for API access or DNSSEC.
Where HostingSwift wins
The cases where our approach is the better fit.
- You manage many records, subdomains or customers.
- You want to update DNS from a script, panel or API.
- You want DNSSEC and a low TTL so migrations are quick.
The verdict
If your DNS is a couple of records you set once, your registrar is fine and free. If DNS is part of how you run things — many records, automation, or customer hostnames — a managed service pays for itself in saved afternoons.
Frequently asked questions
Can I switch without downtime?
Yes. Lower your TTL a day ahead, add the records at the new provider, then change the nameservers at the registrar and verify with our DNS tools.
Do I have to transfer my domain?
No. Managed DNS and registration are separate — you can keep your domain registered anywhere and still use our nameservers.
Related services
Still weighing it up?
Tell us what you are running and we will give you a straight answer — including when the answer is the other option.
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