NS1 Managed DNS
NS1 Managed DNS: Mature DNS steering and query-log tools, starting at $99 per month. Ranked #14 of 64 in GeoDNS Services by our editors (7.9/10); pricing: 30-day trial; best for teams needing DNS steering and query logs.
At a glance
- Editor score7.9 / 10
- Pricing30-day trial
- Best forTeams needing DNS steering and query logs
- Free planNo
- Paid from$99/mo
- Facts checked23 Oct 2026
Where it wins
- Steers traffic by performance, availability, and geography
- Health monitoring can trigger automatic traffic rerouting
- Exports DNS query logs to a customer-defined S3 location
Where it doesn't
- Essentials starts at $99 per month, with no free plan
- Standard costs $349 per month for added spike protection
- Premium pricing is by quote
Our verdict on NS1 Managed DNS
IBM NS1 Connect, formerly NS1 Managed DNS, is a managed authoritative DNS service for organizations directing traffic across endpoints, clouds, or content delivery networks. It suits teams that need geographic, performance, and availability-based steering, along with health monitoring and DNS query logs. The service is available through a web interface and API, with a global Anycast DNS network supporting its traffic direction capabilities.
Pricing starts with a 30-day Trial at $0 per month for DNS management and traffic steering; it is time-limited rather than a free plan. Essentials is $99 per month and includes authoritative DNS, health check monitors, and a traffic filter chain. Standard is $349 per month, adding spike protection and traffic filter chains. Premium pricing is available by quote, with scalable authoritative DNS, primary and secondary DNS support, and optional DNS Insights, Pulsar, and Dedicated DNS. Published prices may vary by country and exclude applicable taxes and duties.
The service combines automatic rerouting when endpoints fail with DNSSEC online signing and query-log export to a customer-defined S3 location. DNS Insights dashboards support traffic analysis, while Terraform, Ansible, and Amazon Route 53 are among its integrations. API-driven configuration is relevant for teams automating DNS changes. NS1 Connect is a fit for organizations that value mature steering and visibility and can justify the monthly entry price; teams seeking a free ongoing plan or a lower-cost starting point should consider alternatives. Support channels include documentation, and listed security options include SSO SAML and two-factor authentication.
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NS1 Managed DNS pricing
All 4 NS1 Managed DNS plans and prices →
NS1 Managed DNS fact sheet
| Free plan | No |
|---|---|
| Paid from | $99/mo |
| Routing methods | Not verified |
| Health checks | Yes |
| Failover routing | Yes |
| Health-check regions | Not verified |
| Steering rules | 1 |
| DNSSEC support | Yes |
| Query logging | Yes |
| Free trial | 30 days |
| Deployment | Cloud |
| Platforms | Web |
| Compliance & security | SSO/SAML, 2FA |
| Support | Docs |
| Built for | Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate) |
| Integrations | 20+ integrations: Terraform, Ansible, Amazon Route 53 See all → |
| Pricing | 30-day trial (source) |
| Website | ibm.com |
| Facts checked | 23 Oct 2026 |
NS1 Managed DNS integrations
NS1 Managed DNS lists 20+ integrations on its own site — the 3 named here are the ones its pages call out.
- Terraform
- Ansible
- Amazon Route 53
See all NS1 Managed DNS integrations →
Alternatives to NS1 Managed DNS
- Akamai Global Traffic ManagementAdvanced DNS traffic steering for applications spanning regions, data centers, and clouds.9.3
- IBM NS1 ConnectManaged authoritative DNS with advanced traffic steering, health checks, and API-driven operations.9.2
- Google Cloud DNSLow-cost GeoDNS for Google Cloud environments, with routing policies and health checks.9.1
See all NS1 Managed DNS alternatives →
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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