DNS-Level vs Server-Side Redirects: When to Use Each
Michel Bardelmeijer is Tech Lead and Sales at redirect.pizza, where he helps DevOps and IT teams solve domain redirect challenges at scale. Michel has guided organizations like SD Worx, Zurich Airport and Harvard through complex redirect scenarios involving thousands of domains.
Have questions about bulk redirects, HTTPS migrations, or domain consolidations? Connect with Michel on LinkedIn or reach out to the redirect.pizza team.
Should you configure redirects in .htaccess, or use a DNS-based redirect service? The answer isn't "always DNS" or "always server-side". It depends on what you're redirecting, whether you control the server, and how much maintenance you want to handle.
This article compares both approaches, explains when each makes sense, and gives you a framework for deciding. For the foundational concepts behind redirects, see our Complete Guide to URL Redirects.
Key Takeaways
- Server-side redirects require hosting and server access; DNS-level redirects don't
- Use server-side for path-level redirects within the same domain (e.g., /old-page to /new-page)
- Use DNS-level for legacy domains, acquired domains, or any domain with no other purpose
- DNS-level services handle SSL certificates automatically - no manual certificate management
- You can use both approaches together: server-side for active sites, DNS-level for parked domains
How Each Approach Works
Before comparing, it helps to understand what actually happens when a request hits a redirect.
Server-side redirects
With server-side redirects (.htaccess on Apache, nginx.conf on Nginx, or application-level code), the request reaches your server first. Your server reads the redirect rules, determines the destination, and returns a 301 or 302 response with a Location header pointing to the new URL.
This requires an active web server running on the domain. You need hosting, server access, and the ability to modify configuration files. You also need to manage SSL certificates yourself if you want HTTPS redirects to work without browser warnings.
Common server-side methods include .htaccess RewriteRule directives for Apache, return or rewrite directives in nginx.conf, and redirect middleware in application frameworks like Express, Django, or Rails.
DNS-level redirects
With DNS-level redirects, the domain's DNS records point to a redirect service instead of your own server. When someone visits the domain, their request goes to the redirect service, which handles the response and returns the redirect.
This requires DNS access to update your domain's records, but no web server on your end. The redirect service handles HTTPS certificates, uptime, and the redirect logic. You configure the rules in the service's interface rather than in server config files.
DNS-level redirects eliminate the operational burden of maintaining a server just to send traffic somewhere else. No hosting costs, no certificate renewals, no server patches.
Comparison
| Aspect | Server-Side | DNS-Level |
|---|---|---|
| Server required | Yes | No |
| HTTPS certificates | You manage | Service manages |
| Path-level redirects | Full control | Depends on service |
| Regex and conditionals | Yes | Limited or no |
| Maintenance | You handle | Service handles |
| Dependencies | Your hosting | External service |
| Cost | Hosting costs | Often free tier available |
Neither approach is universally better. The right choice depends on your situation.
When Server-Side Makes Sense
Server-side redirects are the right choice when you already have infrastructure running and need flexibility that DNS-level services don't provide.
You already have active hosting
If the domain already runs on a server you control, adding redirect rules to your existing configuration is straightforward. There's no need to introduce an external dependency when your server can handle it directly.
You need path-level redirects on an active site
Redirecting /old-page to /new-page on the same domain is a server-side task. DNS operates at the domain level and can't distinguish between paths on the same host. If you're reorganizing URL structure on a live site, server-side rules are the only option.
You need complex logic
Server-side redirects support regex patterns, conditional logic based on headers or query parameters, and chained rules. If you need to redirect based on user agent, geographic headers, or complex URL patterns, server-side gives you that control.
You need to preserve POST requests
HTTP redirects typically convert POST requests to GET, which breaks form submissions. Server-side solutions can use 307 (Temporary Redirect) or 308 (Permanent Redirect) status codes that preserve the request method. DNS-level services typically only support 301 and 302.
For help choosing between redirect types, see 301 vs 302 Redirect: Which Should You Use?
Examples where server-side is better
Reorganizing URL structure on your main site. A/B testing with redirect-based routing. Redirects that depend on cookies or session state. Temporary promotional redirects on an otherwise active domain.
When DNS-Level Makes Sense
DNS-level redirects are the right choice when you don't have (or don't want) server infrastructure for the domain being redirected.
The domain has no other purpose
If you're redirecting a legacy domain, acquired domain, or typo domain that exists solely to redirect traffic elsewhere, there's no reason to maintain a server for it. Point DNS to a redirect service and let them handle it.
You don't want to manage SSL certificates
HTTPS redirects require a valid SSL certificate for the old domain. With server-side redirects, you're responsible for obtaining, installing, and renewing that certificate. DNS-level services handle certificate provisioning automatically, typically via Let's Encrypt.
If you've run into certificate issues with redirects before, see Why HTTPS Redirects Break (And How DNS-Level Fixes It).
The biggest headache with self-managed redirects isn't the redirect itself - it's the SSL certificate. Forget to renew it, and your users see security warnings instead of reaching their destination.
You're consolidating multiple domains
If you have 10, 50, or 200 domains that all redirect to the same destination, managing server-side rules and certificates for each becomes tedious. A DNS-level service lets you configure all of them in one place with automatic HTTPS.
You don't control (or want to maintain) the server
Maybe you're in marketing and don't have access to server configuration. Maybe the original server was decommissioned. Maybe you just don't want the operational burden. DNS-level redirects work without touching server infrastructure.
Examples where DNS-level is better
Legacy brand domains after a rebrand. Domains acquired through M&A. Typo-squatting protection domains. Marketing campaign domains that only exist to redirect to a landing page. Domains previously hosted on infrastructure you've shut down.
Decision Framework
If you're unsure which approach to use, work through these questions:
Do you have active hosting for this domain? If not, DNS-level is the only practical option unless you want to spin up a server just for redirects.
Are you redirecting paths within the same domain? If yes, you need server-side. Redirecting olddomain.com/old-page to olddomain.com/new-page requires server-side rules. DNS-level services can forward paths across domains (olddomain.com/page to newdomain.com/page), but can't route between paths on the same domain.
Do you need regex, conditionals, or method preservation? If yes, server-side gives you that control. Most DNS-level services don't support complex logic.
Do you want to avoid managing SSL certificates? If yes, DNS-level handles certificates automatically. Server-side means you manage them yourself.
How many domains are involved? For one or two domains with existing hosting, server-side is simple. For many domains, DNS-level scales better and centralizes management.
When in doubt: if the domain's only job is to redirect, DNS-level is almost always the simpler path. No server, no certificates, no maintenance.
For step-by-step setup instructions, see How to Set Up a Domain Redirect in 3 Minutes.
Using Both Together
You can use both approaches simultaneously. They operate at different layers and don't conflict.
A common pattern: use server-side redirects for path reorganization on your main site, and DNS-level redirects for legacy domains that point to that site. Your main domain's server handles internal redirects while a redirect service handles the parked domains.
DNS-level services using global edge networks often respond faster than basic shared hosting. Enterprise hosting with CDN is comparable. For most use cases, the difference is imperceptible to users, so performance shouldn't drive your decision.
Migration between approaches is straightforward. Document your current redirects, recreate them in the other system, test, then switch DNS. Keep your old configuration as a backup until you've verified everything works.
Most can forward the path from the old URL to the new destination (so olddomain.com/page goes to newdomain.com/page). Complex path rewriting or conditional logic is usually not supported. Check your service's documentation for specifics.
Properly implemented redirects preserve SEO value. The key is using the right type (301 for permanent moves) and avoiding redirect chains. For more detail, see Are Redirects Bad for SEO?.
Related Articles
- How to Set Up a Domain Redirect in 3 Minutes - Step-by-step DNS-level setup
- 301 vs 302 Redirect: Which Should You Use? - Decision framework for redirect types
- Why HTTPS Redirects Break (And How DNS-Level Fixes It) - SSL troubleshooting
- Complete Guide to URL Redirects - Complete redirect fundamentals
Ready to Redirect?
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