DNS Made Easy (DigiCert) Review: Features, Pricing, and Performance

DNS Made Easy has been around since 2002, which makes it one of the longest-running managed DNS providers on the market. We recently migrated a client’s WordPress site to their platform after a string of DNS-related outages with another provider, and the difference was noticeable within hours. Queries resolved faster, propagation felt snappier, and the control panel didn’t make us want to throw a laptop out the window.

Quick answer: DNS Made Easy, now owned by DigiCert, is a premium managed DNS service built for speed and uptime. It’s not the cheapest option out there, but if your business depends on consistent site availability and fast DNS resolution, it earns its price tag. Let’s break it down.

What Is DNS Made Easy and Who Is It For?

DNS Made Easy is a managed DNS hosting provider that handles the behind-the-scenes work of translating your domain name into the IP address your server actually lives at. Think of it as the phone book between your visitor’s browser and your website. When that phone book is slow or unreliable, your site loads slowly or doesn’t load at all.

DigiCert, the well-known SSL certificate authority, acquired DNS Made Easy’s parent company Tiggee in 2020. That acquisition brought enterprise-grade security infrastructure into the mix, which matters if you care about things like DNSSEC and DDoS protection (and you should).

So who is DNS Made Easy actually built for? It sits in a sweet spot between budget DNS services and full enterprise solutions. Small businesses running WordPress or WooCommerce sites, agencies managing multiple client domains, SaaS companies, and eCommerce stores that can’t afford downtime all fit the profile. If you’re comparing options, we put together a comparison of DNS Made Easy against several alternatives that might help you see where it lands relative to the competition.

It’s not really designed for someone who just bought their first domain and wants free DNS parking. Registrars like Namecheap or Porkbun include basic DNS with domain purchases. If you need help setting up DNS through Porkbun for a WordPress site, that’s a different path entirely. DNS Made Easy is for when you’ve outgrown “good enough” and need something with real performance guarantees.

Key Features and Performance

Here is what actually stands out when you use DNS Made Easy day to day.

Global Anycast Network

DNS Made Easy operates a global Anycast network with points of presence on multiple continents. Anycast means your DNS query gets routed to the nearest server automatically, which cuts resolution time. We’ve consistently seen query response times under 30 milliseconds in our tests from North America and Europe. That speed directly affects how quickly browsers start loading your site.

100% Uptime SLA

They advertise a 100% uptime guarantee backed by an SLA. That’s a bold claim, and DNS Made Easy has historically delivered on it. Their status page shows an uptime track record that’s hard to argue with. For context, even a few minutes of DNS downtime can mean lost revenue for an eCommerce store or a missed lead for a service business.

DNS Failover and System Monitoring

This is one of the features that separates DNS Made Easy from basic providers. DNS failover automatically redirects traffic to a backup IP address if your primary server goes down. The system monitors your endpoints and switches over without you lifting a finger. If you’re running a WordPress site where uptime is non-negotiable, this feature alone might justify the cost.

Secondary DNS and Zone Transfers

You can set up secondary DNS zones that sync with a primary DNS provider. This adds a layer of redundancy. If your primary DNS goes offline, the secondary picks up. It’s belt-and-suspenders, but we’ve seen it save clients during outages.

DNSSEC Support

DNSSEC adds cryptographic signatures to your DNS records, which prevents certain types of attacks like cache poisoning. DNS Made Easy supports DNSSEC across all plans. With DigiCert’s security pedigree behind it, the implementation feels solid.

If you want a walkthrough of the actual interface and record management, our guide on getting started with DNS Made Easy covers the setup process step by step.

Pricing and Plans Overview

DNS Made Easy uses a tiered pricing model based on the number of domains and query volume. Plans start at around $29.95 per year for the Small Business tier, which covers up to 25 domains and 10 million queries per month. That’s reasonable for most small to mid-size WordPress sites.

Higher tiers scale up to hundreds of domains and billions of queries, with pricing that climbs accordingly. Enterprise plans are available with custom pricing for organizations managing large portfolios.

Here is the honest take: DNS Made Easy is not the cheapest managed DNS option. Providers like ClouDNS offer lower entry-level pricing, and DNSimple bundles DNS with domain registration in a way that can feel like better value if you need both. But DNS Made Easy’s pricing reflects its performance tier. You’re paying for that Anycast network, the failover system, and the uptime SLA.

One thing we appreciate: there are no surprise overage charges that blow up your bill. If you exceed your query allocation, DNS Made Easy contacts you about upgrading rather than silently charging premium rates. That kind of transparency matters when you’re managing costs for a client or a growing business.

All plans include DNS failover, DNSSEC, and access to the full management console. You don’t need to pay extra for features that should be standard.

Pros and Cons Worth Knowing

We like to be straight about what works and what doesn’t. Here is our honest breakdown after using DNS Made Easy across multiple client projects.

What works well:

• Query speed is consistently fast. Sub-30ms responses are the norm, not the exception.
• The 100% uptime SLA is backed by a real track record, not just marketing copy.
• DNS failover and monitoring come included on all plans, which keeps your WordPress site online even during server hiccups.
• DNSSEC support adds genuine security value, especially post-DigiCert acquisition.
• The management interface is functional and straightforward. It’s not the prettiest dashboard, but everything is where you’d expect it to be.

What could be better:

• The UI feels dated compared to newer providers. It gets the job done, but it won’t win design awards.
• No domain registration. You’ll still need a separate registrar. If you want a registrar that also handles DNS basics well, our guide to using Namecheap for domains and DNS covers that workflow.
• Pricing is higher than budget alternatives. If you’re running a personal blog with 500 visitors a month, this is probably overkill.
• Documentation exists but could use a refresh. Some articles reference older interface versions.

For a different angle on managed DNS providers, our review of Vercara covers another enterprise-grade option worth considering if you’re shopping around.

Conclusion

DNS Made Easy earns its reputation as a reliable, performance-focused managed DNS provider. The DigiCert backing adds real security credibility, the Anycast network delivers fast resolution times, and the failover features provide peace of mind for business-critical sites.

Is it right for everyone? No. If you’re just starting out and your traffic is modest, a free or budget DNS service will serve you fine for now. But if your WordPress site, eCommerce store, or client portfolio depends on speed and uptime, DNS Made Easy is a provider that takes those things seriously.

We’ve been happy with the results we’ve seen on client sites, and that’s the metric that matters most.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is DNS Made Easy and why is it now owned by DigiCert?

DNS Made Easy is a premium managed DNS hosting provider that has operated since 2002. DigiCert, a leading SSL certificate authority, acquired its parent company Tiggee in 2020. This brought enterprise-grade security infrastructure, including stronger DNSSEC implementation and DDoS protection, making it a trusted choice for business-critical websites.

How much does DNS Made Easy cost per year?

DNS Made Easy pricing starts at around $29.95 per year for the Small Business tier, covering up to 25 domains and 10 million monthly queries. Higher tiers scale for larger portfolios with custom enterprise pricing available. All plans include DNS failover, DNSSEC, and full console access with no hidden overage charges.

Is DNS Made Easy worth it for WordPress sites?

Yes, if uptime and speed matter to your WordPress site. DNS Made Easy delivers sub-30ms query response times and includes DNS failover on every plan, automatically redirecting traffic if your server goes down. For eCommerce or client sites where downtime means lost revenue, these features justify the premium over budget alternatives like ClouDNS.

How does DNS Made Easy compare to other managed DNS providers?

DNS Made Easy stands out with its 100% uptime SLA, global Anycast network, and included failover monitoring. Compared to providers like DNSimple or Vercara, it balances enterprise-grade reliability with accessible pricing. You can see a detailed comparison of DNS Made Easy against several alternatives to decide which fits your needs.

Can I register a domain directly through DNS Made Easy?

No, DNS Made Easy does not offer domain registration. You’ll need a separate registrar such as Namecheap or Porkbun. If you need help with that process, guides on setting up domains through Namecheap or configuring DNS with Porkbun walk you through connecting your domain to WordPress.

How do I set up DNS records in DNS Made Easy?

DNS Made Easy provides a straightforward management console where you can add A, CNAME, MX, TXT, and other record types. While the interface looks a bit dated, everything is logically organized. For a complete walkthrough of the setup process and record management, our guide to getting started with DNS Made Easy covers each step.