I need something similar to hosting, but not exactly hosting. I have looked into current offers, but they are not quite what I need. Specifically, I do not need MySQL or other databases, or disk space. However, I do require NX servers for DNS, the ability to register at least 3-5 domain names (or one with subdomains), NS configuration, MX, and redirects.
While I currently have a domain name and the site is physically stored, DNS alone is not sufficient.

To address this issue, I purchased a cheap shared server about six months ago for roughly $1 for three months and set it up to meet my needs (without using the database or the disk space). However, this server occasionally experiences downtime for an hour or two. Additionally, I have recently encountered issues with payment, as my provider cannot seem to locate my money.

They have promised to resolve the issue, but it has been two months and the problem persists. For this reason, I am looking to transfer my DNS somewhere else, but do not want to use another inexpensive shared server.

There are two options available to you. The first is to choose the cheapest VPS option and set up bind there. This option offers greater stability since you will be setting everything up yourself.

I recommend selecting the cheapest tariff, although be sure to install Ubuntu as it uses less memory. However, keep in mind that to properly set up a comprehensive DNS server, you will require 2 IPs from two different subnets that are geographically distant.

Alternatively, you could go to an office that provides paid DNS services as your second option.

Hosting companies are facing challenges in providing DNS hosting services due to the limited availability of IPv4 range, which has caused the price for customers to jump to $2 per IP address.
As a result, a couple of IPs are typically needed to provide this service, equating to a price of $4. However, not everyone is willing to pay this price.

There is a VDS available at "1vds" (replace 1 with a numerical value). The office provides DNS servers that can be managed for free. For a fee of $1 per month (possibly less), you can create your own DNS servers. This includes one server on your own machine and a second server that acts as a slave, which you also have control over. These servers operate with different subnets. Many offices offer a test drive so you can attach a domain and try it out.

If you have only a few domains (1-5), you may consider using "editdns". While they offer a free service, it is limited in terms of templates and synchronization, and only allows up to 5 domains per account. However, they do offer the option for SRV records, although entering these manually for Jabber from Google Apps can be challenging.

For $3 a month with FastVPS, you can use a secondary DNS server that is linked to your primary server. With an additional IP or a monthly fee of $6, you can set up DNS on a weak VDS. Setting up DNS is not as difficult as it may seem.

The best fit for your needs might be a DNS hosting service. There are numerous DNS hosting providers that offer advanced DNS capabilities including NX, MX, NS configurations, redirects, and domain name registrations. Most of these providers also offer 100% uptime guarantees, high-speed performance, and robust customer support. Here are some recommendations:

Amazon Route 53: Amazon's DNS web service allows you to register new domain names or transfer existing ones, configure DNS settings, and set up routing to your application, website, or resources in your Amazon Web Services (AWS) account. They provide high availability and scalability with the pricing based on usage.

Google Cloud DNS: Google Cloud DNS is a high-performance, resilient, global Domain Name System (DNS) service that publishes your domain names to the internet with Google's infrastructure for serving DNS traffic. It offers the same functionalities - NX, MX, NS configurations, redirects and domain name registration as you requested.

Cloudflare: Cloudflare provides a global DNS service with DDOS protection, DNSSEC, and a user-friendly interface. They offer a free tier for small projects. Cloudflare is well regarded for its speed and reliability. Also, they can make sure your DNS records are propagated globally much faster with their large network of servers.

DNS Made Easy: This service offers a wide range of features with some manual configuration options. They focus on delivering fast and reliable DNS hosting, and they have a good reputation in the industry for their service quality.

Dyn (Oracle): Dyn provides advanced DNS services such as GEO DNS, Traffic Director, Zone management, and domain registration. They also provide high availability and performance with extensive customer support.

Remember, when you switch DNS providers, be sure to keep your current DNS up until propagation has completed to avoid any downtime.

Also, keep in mind that some of these services might require you to manage your DNS settings manually, so make sure you're comfortable with that or can get the necessary technical assistance. If you decide to use a service like this, I'd recommend copying all of your existing DNS settings over to the new service, and then updating your domain's nameservers to point at the new service, which should help to minimize any possible downtime.


More DNS hosting providers that may match your specifications:

Namecheap EasyDNS: While Namecheap is often identified as a domain name registrar, they also offer DNS hosting services. Using their EasyDNS product, you can manage DNS records, domain redirects, and email accounts associated with your domain.

ns1.com: NS1 offers intelligent DNS and traffic management services with features such as DNSSEC, anycast network, instant DNS updates, and multi-user access control. While NS1 may be more enterprise-oriented, they do provide sophisticated services for those who desire control and flexibility over their DNS configurations.

Rackspace Cloud DNS: Rackspace provides a free to use DNS service for their customers. Rackspace's Cloud DNS service furnishes users with the capability to manage and create DNS records and domains. It supports typical DNS records like A, CNAME, MX, and TXT records.

DigitalOcean: DigitalOcean's networking services allow DNS management for your Droplets (their term for virtual private servers) and domain names. They permit unlimited domain record creation and make it easy to point records to your Droplets.

Microsoft Azure DNS: Azure DNS is a hosting service for DNS domains, providing name resolution using Microsoft Azure infrastructure. By hosting your domains in Azure, you can manage your DNS records by using the same credentials, APIs, tools, and billing as your other Azure services.

Hover: Recognized primarily for domain registration, Hover also offers DNS hosting. This setup makes it simple to manage domain and DNS settings under one umbrella. They offer straightforward management options and can execute commonly needed DNS configurations.

Gandi.net: Gandi is an ICANN accredited domain name registrar that also offers DNS hosting. Gandi provides an interface to manage your DNS records and also the ability to use their API to automate updates.

No-IP: While often utilized for Dynamic DNS, No-IP also offers managed DNS services. They can support domain registration, record management, and other DNS features. Their solution is suited for small businesses and personal uses too.

Epik.com: Epik is a full-service, all-in-one domain name registrar that provides DNS hosting with an easy-to-use management dashboard. It can support all the standard records like A, AAAA, CNAME, MX, NS, SRV, TXT.

Zonomi: Zonomi is a DNS hosting company that offers a powerful API that can be used to automate DNS changes. They're a smaller player but are particularly useful if your needs involve DNS automation.

Remember that when moving to a new DNS provider, you typically need to change the NS records at your domain registrar to point to your new DNS provider. This update process is referred to as "domain delegation". Delays in DNS changes propagating over the entire internet are due to time-to-live (TTL) settings on your DNS records and caching by other DNS servers around the globe. These processes can take a while, often up to 24 to 48 hours. It's a process that can't be hurried, so factor this in when planning to move.

Lastly, before migrating to another service, it would be prudent to have a backup of your current DNS settings. Many DNS providers offer the option to export DNS records in the Zone File format that can be imported directly to a new provider.