I want to try out some things with a secondary domain. I’d prefer ethical and non-shady providers. I have a fixed IP and a VPS to go with it, so it’s really only about the domain. A subdomain of my current domain is not enough. A subdomain of the provider would be OK but not ideal.
Even paying very little is not an option right now - maybe later.
Doing some preliminary research, the keyword seems to be Dynamic DNS even if I have a static IP. There are providers but those that pop up easily do not instil much confidence.
I want to hear the Fediverse’s opinions! I haven’t found any recent posts about this.
TIA
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nobody said desec.io yet, it’s a non profit from berlin and they give free subdomains under dedyn.io, with a proper API, so you can do the DNS challenge for let’s encrypt (there’s a caddy plugin for it too). I haven’t run a domain there myself so can’t say how it is long term, but for a “try some things” domain it looks like the least shady of the free ones I guess.
What are you looking to do? If it’s to do with a name server, you can delegate a subdomain and it’s children to be managed by another server using a ns record. This is actually how DNS works in general.
Afraid.org, used to use that
Ya, it does what it says on the tin. My domain there is nearly 17 years old now.
That’s good to hear 👍
Most of those free dns settups use subdomains already. Unless you cant, for a temporary domain name, I recommend just creating an account at a mainstream/reputable dns provider and buying whatever is on sale for a dollar or two per year. Dont plan on renewing because those ones shoot up.
Hopefully the .self tld becomes a thing because it is supposed to be free: https://hccf.onmy.cloud/2026/06/21/reclaiming-our-digital-selves-hccfs-vision-for-a-human-centered-top-level-domain/
a dollar or two per year
That exists? I only seen such price for first year only, then it’s normal 15$ or higher
Thanks. Based in NL is certainly a plus.
Not sure the use-case but if its temporary: (Otherwise you have to respond monthly saying you are still using it)
Maybe someone can tell me why they are unethical or you shouldn’t use them but I believe you can get a free domain usually from noip
Should be noip.com I believe
but I believe you can get a free domain usually from noip
Up to three, including stuff like mx entries. For the free tier you get a mail every 30 days with a link to confirm that you are still using that name and that’s it.
i use them and i am satisfied
https://nic.ua/en/domains/prices
ukrainian registrar, gives pp.ua for free for one year, renewable. will ask for cc details. legit
Thanks, this looks good.
will ask for cc details.
So far I never had any problems making stuff up there.
