Suggestions appear as you type. Use the up and down arrows to choose one and Enter to open it.

This page's audience real numbers from our own analytics — open to see them
–Visitors
–Page views
–Clicks to vendors
–Time on page
–Reading now
Clicks to vendors, by tool
  • –
Top countries
  • –
Devices
  • –

– · counted by iTechGuides's own first-party analytics, bots removed, every figure rounded down · how we count

deSEC

Free#45 of 58 in Managed DNS ServicesDynamic DNS Services

deSEC: A free, open-source-friendly DNS host for users who want automation without paid tiers. Ranked #45 of 58 in Managed DNS Services by our editors (4.7/10); pricing: Free plan; best for open-source-friendly free DNS hosting.

4.7/10Editor score
Visit deSEC
deSEC4.7 Visit deSEC

At a glance

  • Editor score
    4.7 / 10
  • Pricing
    Free plan
  • Best for
    Open-source-friendly free DNS hosting
  • Free plan
    Yes
  • Paid from
    None
  • Facts checked
    19 Sep 2026
deSEC screenshot

  • Where it wins

    • Automatic DNSSEC signing and Anycast nameservers
    • REST API, bulk record operations, and dynDNS updates
    • ACME integrations plus broad record and IPv6 support

  • Where it doesn't

    • No AXFR-based secondary DNS support
    • Native health checks are not verified
    • Traffic-steering capabilities are not verified

Our verdict on deSEC

deSEC is a free managed authoritative DNS service for people who own domains and want to manage DNS through a web interface or REST API. Operated by the Berlin-based nonprofit deSEC e.V., it also offers free dynDNS domains under dedyn.io. Its combination of automatic DNSSEC, Anycast nameservers, record management, and automation makes it a fit for technically comfortable individuals and teams looking for open-source-friendly DNS hosting without a paid plan.

Automation is a notable strength. The REST API supports domain and record management, while bulk operations can help with changes across records. The service supports a broad range of DNS record types, IPv6 administration and AAAA records, and a dynDNS IP update service. Integrations include Terraform and ACME tools and services such as Let’s Encrypt, certbot, acme.sh, and lego. That makes deSEC particularly relevant for users automating DNS changes or certificate workflows; people who prefer a purely manual, minimal setup may not need this breadth.

The service is presented as free, with no paid tier structure to compare. Automatic DNSSEC signing and Anycast nameservers cover important DNS hosting needs, but deSEC is a narrower choice for operators who require particular managed-DNS controls: AXFR-based secondary DNS was not supported in the official community discussion when last addressed, and native health checks and traffic steering are not verified in the official documentation. Choose deSEC for free authoritative hosting with API and automation options; consider another provider if secondary DNS, health monitoring, or traffic steering is central to your requirements.

deSEC pricing

Plans Free planFree Free to use — no paid tier required for the core job.
See plans on desec.io

deSEC fact sheet

Free planYes
Paid fromNone
Included zonesNot verified
DNSSEC supportYes
DNS health checksNot verified
Traffic steeringNot verified
API accessYes
Secondary DNSNo
DeploymentCloud
PlatformsWeb
Integrations5 integrations: Terraform, Let’s Encrypt, certbot, acme.sh, lego
PricingFree plan
Websitedesec.io
Facts checked19 Sep 2026

deSEC integrations

deSEC lists 5 integrations on its own site.

  • Terraform
  • Let’s Encrypt
  • certbot
  • acme.sh
  • lego

Alternatives to deSEC

See all deSEC alternatives →

Also listed in

Used deSEC? Be the first to review it

The editor score above is our own research. What this page doesn't have yet is a reader's view — what you used deSEC for, what worked and what didn't. No stars are seeded and no review is paid for; an editor reads every one before it appears.

Write a reviewTwo minutes · verified accounts only · read by an editor before it appears

Reviews come only from verified accounts. Sign in or create an account first — your e-mail is never shown.

Your rating

0 characters · at least 80, up to 3,000

Posted from your verified account. Reviews appear after an editor reads them, usually within two working days.

Featured on iTechGuides

Featured on iTechGuides — deSEC 4.7/10

deSEC is listed in our Managed DNS Services directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.

<a href="https://www.itechguides.com/products/desec/"><img src="https://www.itechguides.com/best/badge/desec.svg" alt="Featured on iTechGuides" width="230" height="46"></a>

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. We may earn a commission when you click some links. How we rank.

Last updated · How we research and update