Cloudflare DNS vs Registrar DNS: Which Is Better for Your Domain?

So you own a domain at another registrar and you’re managing its DNS there. Recently, you came across HostGuru’s free CloudFlare DNS service.

Is it worth switching your DNS management to HostGuru, or should you simply leave everything where it is?

The short answer: it depends on what you need.

This guide gives you a straightforward comparison so you can decide which option makes more sense for your website.

First, a Quick Note About “Switching”

You don’t actually have to transfer your domain to HostGuru.

Your domain can remain registered with your current registrar. The only thing that changes is where your DNS records are managed, and that is controlled by your domain’s nameservers.

So when we say “use HostGuru’s CloudFlare DNS”, we mean:

1. Your domain stays registered where it is.
2. You change the domain’s nameservers to the Cloudflare nameservers assigned to it.
3. You then manage your DNS records from the HostGuru dashboard.

That’s it. No domain transfer is required.

HostGuru CloudFlare DNS vs Your Registrar’s DNS

The biggest difference is that Cloudflare can sit between your visitors and your website.

When your web records are proxied through Cloudflare, you can benefit from Cloudflare’s global network, caching, security features and HTTPS support instead of using DNS alone.

When Your Registrar’s DNS May Be Enough

Let’s be fair: moving your DNS isn’t necessary for every website.

Keeping your DNS at your current registrar may make sense if:

• You want the simplest possible setup.
  If you have a small website with only a few DNS records, your registrar’s existing DNS may already do everything you need.
• Your hosting provider already handles your website performance and SSL.
  If your hosting package already includes HTTPS, caching and security features, you may not feel an immediate need to add another layer.
• You are comfortable with your current DNS panel.
  If everything is working and you don’t want to change your setup, leaving your DNS where it is can be perfectly reasonable.
• The domain is temporary or rarely used.
  A simple landing page, testing domain or low-priority project may not need additional performance features.

There is nothing wrong with keeping things simple.

But for an active website, there are several reasons why using Cloudflare may be worthwhile.

Why You May Prefer HostGuru CloudFlare DNS

Here are the practical advantages.

1. HTTPS Support Through Cloudflare

Cloudflare can provide HTTPS support for websites that are proxied through its network.

This helps visitors connect to your website securely and avoids browser warnings associated with sites that are served only over HTTP.

2. A Faster Website for Visitors in Different Locations

When Cloudflare proxying is enabled, static website content can be delivered through Cloudflare’s global network.

That can reduce the distance between your visitors and the content they are requesting, particularly when your audience is spread across different countries.

3. Additional Protection Against Malicious Traffic

Cloudflare provides network-level protection against many forms of malicious and unusually large traffic.

That gives a proxied website an additional layer between the public internet and your hosting server.

4. Manage Your DNS Through HostGuru

Instead of logging in to your registrar every time you need to change a DNS record, you can manage supported DNS settings through your HostGuru client area.

This is particularly convenient if your hosting and other services are already with HostGuru.

5. The DNS Service Is Free

HostGuru’s CloudFlare DNS – Free service gives you a convenient way to manage your Cloudflare DNS zone without transferring your domain registration.

What Does It Cost You to Switch?

There is no domain transfer involved, but there are a few things you need to do.

• Change your nameservers once.
  You will need to log in to your current registrar and replace its nameservers with the Cloudflare nameservers assigned to your domain.
• Check your DNS records carefully.
  Before changing nameservers, make sure important records such as A, CNAME, MX, SPF, DKIM and DMARC are present where required.
• Allow time for the nameserver change to propagate.
  The change may begin working within minutes, although DNS changes can sometimes take up to 24-48 hours to propagate fully.

If you prepare your DNS records before changing your nameservers, the switch can normally be made without interrupting your website or email.

For help changing nameservers, follow our guide:

How to Point Your Domain’s Nameservers to Cloudflare

Which Option Should You Choose?

Use HostGuru CloudFlare DNS If:

• You want to manage your DNS from your HostGuru client area.
• You want to take advantage of Cloudflare’s global network.
• You want CDN and caching options for your website.
• You want an additional layer of protection against malicious traffic.
• You want HTTPS support through Cloudflare for proxied web traffic.
• Your website serves visitors from different locations.
• You are comfortable changing your nameservers once.

Keep Your DNS at Your Current Registrar If:

• Your current DNS configuration already does everything you need.
• Your website is temporary, very small or rarely visited.
• Your hosting provider already provides the performance and security features you require.
• You simply prefer not to change your current DNS setup.

For many active websites, Cloudflare’s additional performance and security features make it a useful upgrade over basic DNS alone.

How to Switch to HostGuru CloudFlare DNS

The process is straightforward:

1. Order CloudFlare DNS – Free from HostGuru.
2. Enter or select the domain you want to manage.
3. Open the CloudFlare DNS service from your HostGuru client area.
4. Check that your required DNS records are present.
5. Copy the Cloudflare nameservers assigned to your domain.
6. Log in to your current registrar and replace its nameservers with the Cloudflare nameservers.
7. Wait for the nameserver change to propagate.

Once the new nameservers become authoritative, DNS requests for your domain will use the records configured through your Cloudflare zone rather than the records stored at your old registrar.

Quick Recap

• Changing DNS providers does not mean transferring your domain.
• Your domain can remain permanently registered with your current registrar.
• Your nameservers determine which DNS provider answers for your domain.
• Basic registrar DNS may be perfectly adequate for a simple website.
• Cloudflare can add CDN, caching, HTTPS and security capabilities to proxied website traffic.
• HostGuru lets you manage your CloudFlare DNS service from your HostGuru client area.
• The HostGuru CloudFlare DNS service is free.

Want Help Deciding or Switching?

If you’re not sure whether changing your DNS is right for your website, we’re happy to help.

• Open a support ticket through your
  HostGuru Client Area.
• Contact us through the
  HostGuru contact page.

Tell us where your domain is currently registered and what you’re trying to achieve. We can help you identify the records you need and make sure important services such as your website and email continue working during the change.

Related Guides

• How to Point Your Domain’s Nameservers to Cloudflare
  
• How to Add Cloudflare DNS to a Domain You Already Registered
  
• A, CNAME, MX and TXT Records Explained for Beginners
  

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