{
  "slug": "cloudflare-dns",
  "category": "dns-hosting",
  "name": "Cloudflare DNS",
  "description": "Authoritative DNS hosting on Cloudflare's anycast network with a free plan, DNSSEC, an API and security-key login.",
  "website": "https://www.cloudflare.com/products/dns/",
  "license": null,
  "platforms": [],
  "jurisdiction": {
    "code": "US",
    "name": "United States",
    "eyes": "Five Eyes",
    "eu": false,
    "gdpr": false,
    "cloud_act": "provider"
  },
  "pick": true,
  "pick_reason": "Free on every plan, one of the fastest DNS networks, a complete API, and hardware security key login. DNSSEC is automatic when the domain is also registered with Cloudflare Registrar.",
  "disclosure": null,
  "grade": "C",
  "score": 66,
  "coverage": 100,
  "summary": "Cloudflare DNS scores 66 out of 100 (grade C) on the DNS hosting criteria. It meets 7 of 11 criteria: no ads or data sales, transparency report, tells users about requests, TLS configuration, DNSSEC, API access and two-factor login. It partly meets independent audit and security headers. It does not meet open source and no trackers or telemetry. It is based in the United States: Five Eyes member; subject to the US CLOUD Act. Automated tests: SSL Labs grade A and Mozilla HTTP Observatory grade B+.",
  "url": "https://privacyratings.com/dns-hosting/cloudflare-dns/",
  "markdown": "https://privacyratings.com/dns-hosting/cloudflare-dns/index.md",
  "answers": {
    "open_source": {
      "title": "Open source",
      "weight": 3,
      "answer": "no",
      "evidence": null,
      "note": "The DNS service is closed source."
    },
    "no_trackers": {
      "title": "No trackers or telemetry",
      "weight": 3,
      "answer": "no",
      "evidence": null,
      "note": "The home page loads Google Tag Manager (automated test)."
    },
    "no_ads": {
      "title": "No ads or data sales",
      "weight": 2,
      "answer": "yes",
      "evidence": "https://www.cloudflare.com/plans/",
      "note": "Funded by paid plans. No ads."
    },
    "independent_audit": {
      "title": "Independent audit",
      "weight": 2,
      "answer": "partial",
      "evidence": "https://developers.cloudflare.com/fundamentals/reference/policies-compliances/compliance-docs/",
      "note": "SOC 2, ISO 27001 and PCI reports exist but are only available to account administrators in the dashboard."
    },
    "transparency_report": {
      "title": "Transparency report",
      "weight": 2,
      "answer": "yes",
      "evidence": "https://www.cloudflare.com/transparency/",
      "note": "Semi-annual reports with counts of legal requests and responses."
    },
    "user_notice": {
      "title": "Tells users about requests",
      "weight": 1,
      "answer": "yes",
      "evidence": "https://cf-assets.www.cloudflare.com/slt3lc6tev37/zItVXCvbb4LZpYG4Uh10R/7b27bba39755f0a4344acb946977704d/2H_2025_Cloudflare_s_Transparency_Report_Legal-v2.pdf",
      "note": "The transparency report states customers are notified of legal requests unless legally prohibited."
    },
    "tls": {
      "title": "TLS configuration",
      "weight": 2,
      "answer": "yes",
      "evidence": "https://www.ssllabs.com/ssltest/analyze.html?d=dash.cloudflare.com&hideResults=on",
      "note": "Grade A"
    },
    "security_headers": {
      "title": "Security headers",
      "weight": 1,
      "answer": "partial",
      "evidence": "https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/observatory/analyze?host=dash.cloudflare.com",
      "note": "Grade B+ (80/100+)"
    },
    "web_standards": {
      "title": "Modern web standards",
      "weight": 1,
      "answer": "pending",
      "evidence": null,
      "note": "Not tested yet."
    },
    "dnssec": {
      "title": "DNSSEC",
      "weight": 3,
      "answer": "yes",
      "evidence": "https://developers.cloudflare.com/dns/dnssec/",
      "note": "Enabled with one click. The DS record is added automatically for Cloudflare Registrar domains and manually at other registrars."
    },
    "api_access": {
      "title": "API access",
      "weight": 1,
      "answer": "yes",
      "evidence": "https://developers.cloudflare.com/api/",
      "note": "The DNS API is available on every plan, including the free plan."
    },
    "two_factor": {
      "title": "Two-factor login",
      "weight": 2,
      "answer": "yes",
      "evidence": "https://developers.cloudflare.com/fundamentals/user-profiles/2fa/",
      "note": "Security keys and authenticator apps."
    }
  },
  "tests": {
    "ssllabs": "A",
    "observatory": "B+",
    "internetnl_web": null,
    "internetnl_mail": null,
    "trackers": [
      {
        "name": "Cloudflare Web Analytics",
        "host": "static.cloudflareinsights.com",
        "effect": "partial"
      },
      {
        "name": "Google Tag Manager",
        "host": "inline code",
        "effect": "no"
      }
    ],
    "tested_at": "2026-10-01T07:03:55.152Z"
  },
  "last_modified": "2026-10-01T07:44:20Z"
}