We're making Bunny DNS free: because a faster internet won't build itself
Bunny.net announces its Bunny DNS service is now entirely free, eliminating query fees and offering free hosting for up to 500 domains (with a $1/month account minimum). This strategic shift aims to integrate DNS as the core entry point for their entire platform, unifying CDN and security services for developers. The Hacker News community largely applauds this move as a competitive differentiator and a boon for simplifying infrastructure.
The Lowdown
Bunny.net, a prominent CDN provider, has announced a significant shift in its strategy by making its Bunny DNS service completely free. This move eliminates all query fees and includes free DNS hosting for up to 500 domains per account, though a standard $1/month minimum spend for any Bunny.net account still applies. The company positions this as a core component of its mission to accelerate the internet and simplify infrastructure management for its users.
- Strategic Repositioning: Bunny DNS, originally an internal routing engine supporting their CDN, now powers over 300,000 domains and handles 200 billion queries monthly. By making it free, Bunny.net aims to make DNS the central entry point for its entire platform, seamlessly integrating with its CDN and security services.
- Cost Elimination: Users will no longer incur charges for DNS queries, nor will critical features like smart records and health monitoring be paywalled. This simplifies cost predictability, especially for high-traffic scenarios.
- Enhanced Integration: The free DNS service is designed for tight integration with other Bunny.net offerings, such as "1-Click Acceleration" for CDN setup and "1-Click Security" for activating Bunny Shield to protect against DDoS attacks.
- Technical Improvements: Alongside the pricing change, Bunny.net has enhanced the DNS service with full IPv6 support, implemented DNSSEC with NSEC Black Lies for improved privacy, and added support for modern record types like HTTPS, SVCB, TLSA, CDS, and CDNSKEY.
- User Benefits: The company emphasizes that this initiative will enable developers to build faster, more secure, and resilient applications by unifying essential services.
This strategic decision by Bunny.net to offer its advanced DNS service for free, coupled with continuous technical improvements, aims to attract a broader user base by providing a robust, integrated, and cost-predictable infrastructure solution. It highlights DNS not just as a lookup table, but as a dynamic routing engine central to modern web services.
The Gossip
Bunny's Bold Business Blueprint
Many users commend Bunny.net for its strategic move, viewing it as a positive step for the company and its users. There's discussion comparing Bunny.net's approach to competitors like Cloudflare, particularly regarding its EU base and focus on organic growth rather than VC-fueled expansion. Some note that while Cloudflare offers more "loss leaders," Bunny.net's model appears sustainable for a private company. The minimum $1/month account charge is acknowledged, with some contrasting it to Cloudflare's completely free tier, yet overall sentiment remains positive regarding Bunny.net's value proposition.
DNS Definition and Details Debated
A recurring point of discussion is clarifying what "Bunny DNS" actually is, as some find the marketing language ambiguous. Commenters explain it's an authoritative DNS service for hosting domains, distinct from recursive resolvers like 8.8.8.8. There's also clarification on the "free" aspect, confirming that query fees are eliminated, but the $1/month account minimum still applies to access any Bunny.net service. Some express mild annoyance at this minimum or the initial confusion about it. The discussion also touches on the technical nuances, such as its scriptable nature and global nameserver presence.
Hetzner's Hectic Price Hike
A significant tangent in the comments involves a comparison to Hetzner, specifically concerning its recent price increases. Users discuss whether Hetzner remains competitive against US cloud providers despite the hikes, with some arguing it's still cheaper than DigitalOcean, while others lament the "unsustainable" and trust-eroding nature of their sudden price adjustments. There's also speculation about Hetzner's cost drivers (RAM/SSD prices) versus Bunny.net's.