No-IP is a dynamic DNS (DDNS) service that allows a domain name to be mapped to a device with a constantly changing IP address. This enables users to remotely access their servers, surveillance cameras, home routers, or other devices even when their ISP provides a dynamic rather than a static IP.
The service was launched in 1999 and today is one of the most widely used DDNS solutions worldwide.
Applications
No-IP is used in various scenarios, such as:
- remote access to home computers and servers;
- connecting to surveillance and smart home systems;
- hosting game servers;
- managing network equipment;
- testing web applications and services.
Core Features
- Dynamic DNS (DDNS) – automatic DNS record updates when the IP address changes.
- DNS hosting – domain record management (A, CNAME, MX, etc.).
- SSL certificates – secure connection support.
- Uptime monitoring – service health checks and outage notifications.
- Port and URL forwarding – simplifies access to internal services.
Advantages
- Accessibility – works with dynamic IPs that ISPs reassign at every connection.
- Ease of use – setup takes just a few minutes.
- Cross-platform support – clients available for Windows, Linux, macOS, and many routers.
- Flexibility – users can choose between free No-IP subdomains and custom domain names.
- Reliability – trusted service with over 20 years of operation and millions of users worldwide.
Example
A home user runs a media server on their computer connected to the Internet through an ISP that provides a dynamic IP. With No-IP, they register the domain mymedia.ddns.net and install the client. Now the server can be accessed from anywhere in the world using the domain name, even if the ISP changes the IP.