Cloudflare DNS vs IO River: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Cloudflare DNS and IO River comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
By Toolradar Team · Last updated February 28, 2026 · Methodology
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Cloudflare DNS
Free DNS service
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (9.2/10 vs 0.0/10)
- • Cloudflare DNS is a fast, free DNS service with built-in security and DDoS protection
- • It provides the fastest DNS resolution globally with automatic DNSSEC and proxy protection
IO River
Unify and optimize your multi-CDN infrastructure for maximum performance, availability, and cost efficiency.
Best for you if:
- • Unifies and manages multiple CDNs and edge platforms from a single interface.
- • Optimizes content delivery for performance, availability, and cost efficiency.
| At a Glance |  Cloudflare DNS |  IO River |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Free + Paid |
Best For | Hosting & Deployment | Hosting & Deployment |
Rating | 92/100 | —/100 |
| Feature | Cloudflare DNS | IO River |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | 92 | — |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Hosting & Deployment | Hosting & DeploymentCDN |
How Cloudflare DNS and IO River Compare
Cloudflare DNS
Free DNS service
Free tier available · 92/100 score
IO River
Unify and optimize your multi-CDN infrastructure for maximum performance, availability, and cost efficiency.
Free tier available
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are freemium. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Cloudflare DNS
Want the highest-rated option?
Cloudflare DNS scores 92/100. IO River is unrated.
Go with: Cloudflare DNS
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Cloudflare DNS
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Both are freemium. Pricing won't help you decide here.
What's your use case?
Both are hosting & deployment tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Not all tools have been rated yet.
Key Takeaways
Cloudflare DNS
- Higher score: 92/100 vs unrated
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
IO River
The Bottom Line
Cloudflare DNS (92/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cloudflare DNS or IO River better?
Cloudflare DNS scores 92/100 in our evaluation. Both are freemium.
What are Cloudflare DNS and IO River used for?
Cloudflare DNS: Free DNS service. IO River: Unify and optimize your multi-CDN infrastructure for maximum performance, availability, and cost efficiency..
What does Cloudflare DNS cost vs IO River?
Cloudflare DNS is freemium (free tier + paid plans). IO River is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.