YADIFA
YADIFA: A free, self-hosted authoritative DNS server for multi-master deployments. Ranked #22 of 25 in DNS Management Software by our editors (6.6/10); pricing: Free plan; best for free authoritative DNS with multi-master support.
At a glance
- Editor score6.6 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forFree authoritative DNS with multi-master support
- Free planYes
- Paid fromFree
- DNSSEC managementYes
- Facts checked20 Sep 2026

Where it wins
- Supports DNSSEC signing, key rollover, and multiple Internet zones
- Provides dynamic updates, DNS NOTIFY, AXFR, and IXFR transfers
- Offers multi-master operation and command-line server control
Where it doesn't
- Requires self-hosting rather than a hosted DNS management service
- Distributed as source code, requiring server-side deployment
- Platform and management features are narrower than broader DNS platforms
Our verdict on YADIFA
YADIFA is an open-source authoritative DNS name server developed by EURid, the organization behind the .eu top-level domain. It is designed for managing Internet-scale zones and suits teams that want direct control over authoritative DNS infrastructure. The software runs on Linux, BSD systems, macOS, and Solaris, and is distributed under the BSD 3-clause license. Its free, self-hosted model makes it a fit for organizations that prefer deployable source code over a hosted DNS management service.
Its strongest area is authoritative DNS depth. YADIFA supports dynamic DNS UPDATE, DNS NOTIFY, AXFR and IXFR zone transfers, DNSSEC signing and key rollover, and multi-master operation. A command-line client provides control over the server, while support for multiple Internet zones helps accommodate environments managing more than one zone. These capabilities make YADIFA particularly relevant where DNS operations include transfers, automated updates, DNSSEC administration, and multi-master coordination rather than only basic record management.
The main trade-off is operational ownership. YADIFA must be self-hosted and is available as source code, so deployment and ongoing server administration remain part of the product choice. It is better suited to technical teams comfortable managing authoritative DNS software and command-line control than to buyers seeking a hosted interface with broader platform and management coverage. Choose YADIFA for free, open-source authoritative DNS with DNSSEC and multi-master support; choose a hosted DNS management platform instead when managed service delivery is the priority.
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YADIFA pricing
YADIFA fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Free |
| Authoritative zones | Not verified |
| Records per zone | Not verified |
| DNSSEC management | Yes |
| DNS management API | Not verified |
| Role-based access | Not verified |
| Audit logs | Not verified |
| Traffic steering | Not verified |
| Deployment | Self-hosted |
| Platforms | Linux, macOS |
| Support | Email, Phone, Docs |
| Built for | Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate) |
| Pricing | Free plan |
| Website | yadifa.eu |
| Facts checked | 20 Sep 2026 |
Alternatives to YADIFA
- BlueCat MicetroA governance-focused choice for hybrid and multicloud DNS operations.9.4
- PowerDNS-AdminA free, open-source PowerDNS console with access controls, DNSSEC, logs, and SSO.8.9
- PoweradminA governance-focused open-source interface for teams running their own PowerDNS infrastructure.8.8
Also Ranked In
YADIFA is ranked in 2 of our directories.
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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