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Dynu offers a generous free tier with unlimited hostnames and solid DynDNS compatibility. However, its interface is dated, its authentication model relies on shared account credentials, and its IPv6 support requires manual configuration.
Dynu's unlimited free hostname count is its standout feature. If you manage dozens of devices and cost is the primary concern, Dynu's free tier is hard to beat on that dimension alone. NovaDNS's free plan caps at 3 hosts, with paid plans starting at 25.
Dynu uses a single API key or account password for all updates. This creates a security risk: if a device is compromised, an attacker can update any of your hostnames. NovaDNS's per-host token model means each device has a completely isolated credential — one compromised device cannot affect any other.
Dynu's dashboard is functional and has a lot of configuration options, but the interface design has not changed substantially in years. For users who find older UIs confusing, NovaDNS's dashboard was designed from the ground up for clarity.
NovaDNS supports webhooks — outbound HTTP callbacks triggered when a host's IP changes. This is useful for automation: updating firewall rules, triggering deployments, or alerting monitoring systems. Dynu has no equivalent feature.
Verdict
Dynu is one of the more capable free DDNS options. The unlimited hostname count is genuinely useful. Where NovaDNS pulls ahead is in security (per-host tokens), ease of use, webhook support, and a significantly more modern interface.
3 hosts, no credit card, no expiry.