Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

OpenDNS VS No-IP

Compare OpenDNS VS No-IP and see what are their differences

OpenDNS logo OpenDNS

OpenDNS provides faster and safer Internet access for your home or Business.

No-IP logo No-IP

Dynamic DNS and Managed DNS Provider
  • OpenDNS Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-22
  • No-IP Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-03-25

OpenDNS features and specs

  • Improved Security
    OpenDNS offers robust protection against phishing attacks, malware, and botnets by blocking access to known malicious domains.
  • Enhanced Control
    Users get granular control over website access, enabling custom filtering to block inappropriate or unsafe sites, which is especially useful for parents and schools.
  • Faster DNS Resolution
    OpenDNS aims to provide faster domain name resolution, potentially reducing the time it takes to load websites compared to using ISPs' DNS services.
  • DNS Uptime
    With globally distributed servers, OpenDNS ensures high availability and reliability, minimizing the risk of DNS outages.
  • Detailed Analytics
    OpenDNS provides insightful web usage statistics and reports that can help identify trends and potential security threats.
  • Device Compatibility
    It is compatible with multiple platforms and devices, making it easy to configure on routers, computers, and mobile devices.
  • Ease of Use
    The service is straightforward to set up, often requiring only a simple change in DNS settings on your device or router.

Possible disadvantages of OpenDNS

  • Privacy Concerns
    By using OpenDNS, users are subject to its terms of service and privacy policy, which may involve data logging and sharing with third parties.
  • Limited Free Features
    The free version of OpenDNS has limited features compared to the premium offerings, which may not be sufficient for all users.
  • Potential Circumvention
    Tech-savvy users or devices can potentially circumvent OpenDNS filtering by manually changing DNS settings to another provider.
  • Dependency on Third-Party Service
    Relying on an external DNS service introduces an additional point of dependency, which could be problematic if the service experiences outages or disruptions.
  • Geographic Performance Variations
    Performance improvements in DNS resolution speed may vary based on geographic location due to the proximity of OpenDNS servers.
  • Complex Configuration for Advanced Features
    Utilizing some of the advanced features, like custom filtering and detailed analytics, may require a more complex configuration that could be challenging for non-technical users.
  • Limited control on Pure DNS Services
    Since OpenDNS modifies DNS requests for security and filtering purposes, users needing pure DNS services without any changes may find it restrictive.

No-IP features and specs

  • Free Service Tier
    No-IP offers a free tier with basic Dynamic DNS (DDNS) services, making it accessible to casual users and small projects without any financial commitment.
  • Multiple DNS Hosts
    Even on the free tier, users can manage multiple DNS hosts, allowing them to provide DNS resolution for more than one domain or subdomain.
  • Reliable Uptime
    No-IP is known for its robust infrastructure, ensuring high uptime and reliable domain resolution for both free and paid users.
  • Easy-to-Use Interface
    The service provides a user-friendly web interface, making it easy for users of all skill levels to manage their DNS settings and configuration.
  • Wide Device Compatibility
    No-IP supports a wide range of devices and routers, facilitating seamless integration and easy setup for users.
  • Email Support
    Users have access to customer support via email, assisting them with any issues or questions they may encounter.
  • API Access
    For advanced users and developers, No-IP provides API access, allowing for more complex and automated DNS management.

Possible disadvantages of No-IP

  • Free Accounts Require Periodic Renewal
    Free accounts need to be manually renewed every 30 days, which can be cumbersome if you forget or do not have access to your account.
  • Limited Features on Free Tier
    The free tier offers limited features compared to the paid plans, restricting advanced functionality and options for users.
  • Advertisements and Upselling
    Free users may experience advertisements and frequent prompts to upgrade to a paid plan, which can be intrusive.
  • Variable Update Frequency
    The response time for DNS updates can vary on free accounts, potentially leading to delays in domain name resolution.
  • Cost of Premium Plans
    While the paid plans offer more features, they can be relatively expensive for personal or small scale use compared to some competitors.
  • No Phone Support for Free Users
    Customer support by phone is not available for free tier users, which can be a disadvantage for those who may prefer direct communication.

Analysis of OpenDNS

Overall verdict

  • OpenDNS is generally regarded as a good choice for users looking for enhanced internet security and customizable filtering, making it a strong option for both personal and enterprise use.

Why this product is good

  • OpenDNS is renowned for its robust security features, including phishing protection, parental controls, and DNS-level blocking of malicious websites. It provides fast and reliable DNS resolution, which can enhance internet speed and browsing experience. The platform also offers customizable filtering policies and is easy to set up for both individuals and businesses.

Recommended for

    Families seeking to implement parental controls, businesses needing to safeguard against cyber threats with minimal infrastructure changes, and individuals looking for improved online safety and reliability.

Analysis of No-IP

Overall verdict

  • No-IP is generally considered a good option for those in need of dynamic DNS services. It is praised for its ease of use, affordability, and effective customer support. However, the free version has limitations, such as the necessity to renew every 30 days, which might not be ideal for all users.

Why this product is good

  • No-IP is a popular dynamic DNS service that allows users to easily manage and access their network-connected devices remotely. It offers a free tier as well as premium plans, providing a flexible solution for both casual users and businesses. The service is known for its reliability, user-friendly interface, and wide range of features including DNS hosting, email services, and managed DNS solutions.

Recommended for

    No-IP is recommended for individuals and small businesses needing reliable remote access to their devices, as well as anyone looking for a cost-effective DNS solution with scalable options. It is especially useful for tech-savvy users who want a straightforward way to manage their network resources from anywhere.

OpenDNS videos

OpenDNS - #2 - OpenDNS Review

More videos:

  • Tutorial - How to secure home network using OpenDNS
  • Review - IN DEPTH: openDNS

No-IP videos

Configuring DDNS Settings with Your No-IP Account

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to OpenDNS and No-IP)
Security & Privacy
100 100%
0% 0
Domain Names
0 0%
100% 100
DNS
100 100%
0% 0
DNS Tools
39 39%
61% 61

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare OpenDNS and No-IP

OpenDNS Reviews

Best Free Firewalls for Windows, Mac & Android in 2024
Note that OpenDNS Home works best alongside Windows’ built-in firewall. Since it’s not a complete firewall software, you’ll need another firewall to properly monitor incoming and outgoing traffic to help block network intrusions. All things considered, though, OpenDNS Home is a great free solution to improve online safety.
Source: www.wizcase.com
Best DNS servers of 2022: Boost your internet speed with these free, public services
Google's support site offers only very basic guidance targeted at experienced users, warning that "only users who are proficient with configuring operating system settings [should] make these changes." If you're unsure what you're doing, check the tutorials from a provider such as OpenDNS, remembering to replace its nameservers with Google's: 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4.
Best DNS Servers to Use for Free in 2022
Again, for users concerned about their children’s Internet safety, OpenDNS offers a service called OpenDNS FamilyShield that blocks adult content (available at the servers 208.67.222.123 and 208.67.220.123).
Best free DNS servers: 14 options to check out
Owned by Cisco, OpenDNS has two free options: Family Shield and Home. Family Shield is good for parents who want to make sure their kids can’t access inappropriate content. Home focuses on internet safety and performance.

No-IP Reviews

The Best Free Dynamic DNS Providers for Home Users
No-IP provides additional features such as port forwarding and URL redirection, which can be advantageous depending on your specific needs. To assist users with Dynamic DNS configuration, No-IP offers a device configuration assistant. Furthermore, they provide a Dynamic Update Client that ensures your hostname is always updated with the latest IP address changes.
The Best Dynamic DNS Providers
No-IP is a free DDNS that comes with port and URL forwarding. No-IP enables you to create hostnames so you can connect to your network or device easily. The software comes with a free dynamic update client that monitors IP changes on your network to ensure your information stays up-to-date.
Best Free Dynamic DNS Providers
No-IP is another popular dynamic DNS provider that offers free as well as paid plans. The free plan allows you to create up to three hostnames, which can be used to access your device remotely. No-IP also offers a Dynamic DNS Update Client, which automates the process of updating your IP address when it changes. The client works on Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, No-IP should be more popular than OpenDNS. It has been mentiond 108 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

OpenDNS mentions (11)

  • Multiple DDNS configs?
    I've been using the DDNS option in the UI to sync with no-ip.com, so that I can remotely access my NAS via Wireguard, and this works great. However, my new router no longer supports DDNS without subscription. I need another DDNS client to sync with opendns.com, to get content filtering and parental controls, as my new router has no options for this. Source: about 2 years ago
  • Evaluating DNSfilter
    We have used opendns.com for this for years. Might take a look at them. Source: about 2 years ago
  • What does this error message mean? How/where do I change the URL?
    Can you visit opendns.com on your home network? The problem likely that site is getting blocked, and can't use the API to get the public IP of your box. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Firefox detected a potential security threat and did not continue to calyxos.org
    This might be an issue with my DNS provider. I use opendns.com to filter my DNS queries. They're giving the following reasons for blocking the site... Source: over 2 years ago
  • Wi-Fi web filtering
    If all users need the same level of filtering, opendns.com is free and works great. You need a way to forward DNS requests to the Open DNS server, such as a typical Windows DNS. Source: about 3 years ago
View more

No-IP mentions (108)

  • Asus router script to export new OpenVPN config file on reboot
    I had to manually change the external IP in OpenDNS file to DDNS name, but I'm using Omada. Either way, as others said, use DDNS. I use noip.com for free. Source: over 1 year ago
  • Where are the Dynamic DNS setup settings?
    Before switching to Quantum I was using noip.com and my previous router had setup options so it would auto-update this service when my WAN IP changed. I'd prefer to use noip.com but I guess I don't really mind a switch to dyndns. I would just like to have something working - anyone know how to configure this modem for dynamic DNS? Is the help text just wrong? Source: almost 2 years ago
  • How can I start setting up a home network
    First: static public IP is not necessary for selfhosting small services. The reason you want static ip is because when you have dynamic dns, it takes time for the DNS records to update when your IP changes. It makes sense to have static ip if you're a business hosting a website so you have zero downtime. In fact, before I bought my own domain name, I simply used a free address from noip.com! It provides a dynamic... Source: almost 2 years ago
  • i need to redirect port 80 to 443
    Certbot has another confirmation method called DNS challange, but I use noip.com , not sure if there is a free dynamic domain name alternative. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Run a server in the same computer I'll play on [java]
    Your internet looks good, though download speeds aren't everything. I'd probably use 6gb ram. Make sure you trust whoever's joining your server, since they connect by your IP. You can use a service like no-ip if you want a prettier ip to connect to, though then you're trusting them with your IP (not a huge deal but something to consider). Lastly, you could try a dedicated host such as aternos which offers free... Source: almost 2 years ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing OpenDNS and No-IP, you can also consider the following products

1.1.1.1 - The free app that makes your Internet safer.

FreeDNS by Afraid.org - Free DNS hosting, lets you fully manage your own domain. Dynamic DNS and Static DNS services available. You may also create hosts off other domains that we host upon the domain owners consent, we have several domains to choose from!

Quad9 - Quad9 is a free, recursive, anycast DNS platform that provides end users robust security protections, high-performance, and privacy.

Duck DNS - Free dynamic DNS hosted on Amazon VPC

NextDNS - Block ads, trackers and malicious websites on all your devices.

Dyn - Managed DNS, Outsourced DNS & Anycast DNS