DNS.Business
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2015
- HeadquartersMidrand, South Africa
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
DNS.Business firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- DNS.Business
- Legal name
- DNS Africa Ltd
- Website
- https://dns.africa
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2015
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
DNS.Business industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Domain Registry Infrastructure Software
- NAICS
- Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (518), Custom Computer Programming Services (541511)
- SIC
- Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Resilient DNS, Traffic Management & Global Load Balancing (HDABAIAI)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Cloud Networking Core Services (VPC/VNet, Load Balancing, DNS, NAT) (HDABAAAJ), DNS Security & Protective DNS (HDADABAF)
Keywords
Where DNS.Business is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Midrand
- HQ country
- South Africa
- HQ region
- Africa
Offices2 records
Markets served
DNS.Business business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Registry Backend and Managed Services: Provides back-end registry systems and technical support to ccTLD and gTLD operators. Revenue is generated through licensing fees, managed service contracts, and per-transaction charges based on domain volumes under management. The company serves as an RSP (Registry Service Provider) with ISO 27001:2022 certified operations.
- Gateway SRS Registrar Platform Fees: Registrar-facing platform charges including per-transaction passthrough fees ($0.25 per transaction for remote registry operations). Registrars pay separate registry fees to each registry independently, while Gateway bills for its platform facilitation.
- Domain Registration Fees (Premium): Premium .africa domain names priced at $64 for initial registration (compared to $5.80 standard), with renewal at standard rate of $9.00 per year. Premium status is permanent and does not lapse upon renewal.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Transaction based/ take rate | Annual | Standard .africa domain registration |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Annual | Premium .africa domain registration |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Gateway Passthrough Transaction Fee |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
DNS.Business product offering
Product offeringCore offering
DNS.Business provides backend registry infrastructure software and managed services for country-code top-level domain (ccTLD) and generic top-level domain (gTLD) registry operators. Its core products are the proprietary rEngin Shared Registry System (SRS) for TLD operators and the Gateway SRS multi-tenant platform for registrars, complemented by migration, ICANN compliance, DNSSEC, RDAP, data escrow, and registrar passthrough services.
Product overview
DNS.Business provides specialized registry products and services to ccTLD and gTLD Registry Operators, delivering robust back-end systems and technical support. The product portfolio centers on rEngin (a proprietary Shared Registry System/SRS platform) and Gateway SRS (for registrar domain management), complemented by Passthrough on Gateway for multi-registry portfolio management. Additional service offerings include New gTLD Solutions, Registry Migration Services, SaaS/License Models, Reseller Solutions, Technology Solutions, and Domain Solutions. The company manages over 1.5 million domain names across 8 registry operators, 16 zones, and supports 1200+ registrars and resellers.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- REngin: Shared Registry System platform for domain registry operations
- Gateway SRS
Products and services
- rEngin Shared Registry System Proprietary Shared Registry System (SRS) platform for ccTLD, gTLD, and brand registry operators. Provides EPP command handling, domain lifecycle automation (create/renew/transfer/update/delete/restore), DNSSEC management, RDAP/WHOIS services, registrar account management, DNS provisioning, premium name logic, reserved names, and policy-driven controls. Built for dotBrands, moderated, and unmoderated domain operations.
- Gateway SRS (Shared Registry System) Multi-tenant registrar portal and backend system providing registrars with domain registration, renewal, transfer, and DNS provisioning tools across multiple TLDs. Supports EPP XML, JSON API, Web-RAR, and WHMCS module connectivity.
- Passthrough on Gateway Service enabling accredited registrars to manage domains from external registries (ZACR, Verisign, Donuts, Registry Africa) through a single Gateway interface with real-time domain synchronization. Charged at $0.25 per passthrough transaction.
- New gTLD Solutions ICANN-accredited Registry Service Provider (RSP) offering supporting new generic top-level domain applications, delegation, and ongoing registry operations for prospective gTLD applicants preparing for the 2026 ICANN application round.
- Registry Migration Services End-to-end migration services for registry operators transitioning from legacy platforms, including data mapping, schema validation, test migrations, rollback planning, and post-cutover verification to ensure continuity.
- SaaS / License Models Deployment Flexible deployment options providing rEngin-style registry software as a managed SaaS service or as a licensed on-premise software model, accommodating different operational and scale requirements of registry operators.
- Domain Solutions Comprehensive domain management solution set for registries managing dotBrands, moderated, and unmoderated namespaces, with tailored features for seamless operations and sustainable growth.
- Reseller Solutions Solutions for domain registrars and resellers that streamline operations, enhance performance, and support growth in the competitive domain market, leveraging the Gateway SRS platform.
Quantifiable outcome
- Successfully served as EBERO for .co registry, importing and activating 3.3 million domains under emergency transition conditions
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use DNS.Business
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
DNS.Business technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration5 records
Feature6 records
DNS.Business partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.
- RyCE GmbH (Registry Central Europe)coreRyCE GmbH (Austria) is a joint venture between DNS Africa Ltd and Domain Group GmbH. Through Reciprocal Technology License and Service Agreements, RyCE shares advanced registry technology, resources, and operational expertise with DNS Africa. DNS.Business and RyCE jointly completed ICANN's RSP Technical Evaluation accreditation, streamlining new gTLD delegations for the 2026 application round. RyCE also serves as the partner through which DNS.Business was appointed as EBERO for the .co registry.
- ZARC (Zone Access Registry Council)coreDNS.Business provides the core back-end registry systems and technical support for .ZA Second-Level Domains managed by ZARC, including co.za, org.za, net.za, web.za, and other SLDs. The partnership involved migration of four ZA SLDs to a single SRS in 2023.
- ZADNA (South African Domain Name Authority)coreDNS.Business provides back-end registry systems and technical support for the .ZA ccTLD operated by ZADNA, South Africa's national domain name authority.
- Registry AfricamajorDNS.Business provides registry backend infrastructure for the .africa gTLD operated by Registry Africa.
- ZA CitiesmajorDNS.Business provides registry systems for the .africa subsidiary city namespace operated by ZA Cities.
- MerckmajorDNS.Business provides back-end registry services for the nic.merck brand TLD operated by pharmaceutical company Merck.
- ZACR (.za Central Registry)majorGateway SRS supports passthrough connectivity to ZACR registries. Some ZACR-accredited registrars use the Passthrough service on Gateway for managing their domain portfolios through a single portal.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
DNS.Business competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- GoDaddy Registry: Operates multiple new gTLDs as a registry service provider. Directly comparable in providing backend infrastructure, DNSSEC, and registrar services to TLD operators, though with deeper integration into the GoDaddy registrar ecosystem.
- Identity Digital: Formed by the merger of Donuts and Afilias, operates 250+ TLDs including many new gTLDs. Directly comparable as a registry backend provider offering shared registry systems, registrar connectivity, and DNSSEC services to new gTLD applicants and operators.
- Verisign: Operates the .com and .net registries and provides registry backend services to two of the world's largest TLDs. Directly comparable as a registry service provider with proprietary infrastructure, though vastly larger in scale and focused on the global gTLD backbone.
- CentralNic Group (Team Internet): Operates a portfolio of registry businesses across multiple TLDs and provides backend registry services. Comparable as a multi-TLD registry operator with registrar platform capabilities and global footprint.
- Public Interest Registry (PIR): Operates the .org registry and provides backend registry services. Comparable as an established registry operator with proprietary infrastructure serving large domain volumes and ICANN compliance requirements.
Broad incumbents
- Tucows: Operates a registrar platform (Enom, OpenSRS) serving 40,000+ resellers, plus a Ting fiber business. Comparable through OpenSRS in providing registrar infrastructure and platform services to resellers managing multiple TLDs, though the registry-side business is smaller.
- Nominet: Operates the .uk ccTLD and has expanded into registry services for other TLDs. Comparable as an established registry operator with proprietary infrastructure, security expertise, and a broader national focus.
- CIRA (Canadian Internet Registration Authority): Operates the .ca ccTLD registry with proprietary backend technology and has commercialized its registry platform (CIRA Registry Services) for other TLD operators. Comparable as a registry operator transitioning to a multi-customer backend provider.
Regional players
- SWITCH (SWITCHregistry): Operates the .ch and .li ccTLD registries with proprietary backend technology and provides registry services to other European TLD operators. Comparable as a European-focused registry operator with proprietary platform and DNSSEC capabilities.
Others
- ICANN: Not a commercial competitor but the regulatory body that accredits RSPs and sets the technical standards (EPP, DNSSEC, RDAP) DNS.Business's platform is built to satisfy. Included as an ecosystem reference point that defines the addressable opportunity and compliance burden.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
DNS.Business social profiles
Digital presenceDNS.Business compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
DNS.Business financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
DNS.Business leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
DNS.Business subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries2 records
DNS.Business funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
DNS.Business M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about DNS.Business
What does DNS.Business do?
DNS.Business provides backend registry infrastructure software and managed services for country-code top-level domain (ccTLD) and generic top-level domain (gTLD) registry operators. Its core products are the proprietary rEngin Shared Registry System (SRS) for TLD operators and the Gateway SRS multi-tenant platform for registrars, complemented by migration, ICANN compliance, DNSSEC, RDAP, data escrow, and registrar passthrough services.
Is DNS.Business a public or private company?
DNS.Business is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was DNS.Business founded?
DNS.Business was founded in 2015. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is DNS.Business based?
DNS.Business is headquartered in Midrand, South Africa, in the Africa region.
How does DNS.Business make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Registry Backend and Managed Services are the primary driver. The others are gateway SRS Registrar Platform Fees and domain Registration Fees (Premium).
Who are DNS.Business's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are GoDaddy Registry, Identity Digital, Verisign, CentralNic Group (Team Internet) and Public Interest Registry (PIR). Broad incumbents are Tucows, Nominet and CIRA (Canadian Internet Registration Authority). SWITCH (SWITCHregistry) is listed as a regional player. ICANN is listed as an others.
Does DNS.Business have an API?
Yes. Gateway SRS provides JSON API and EPP XML interfaces for registrar connectivity. Registrars can manage domains via Web-RAR in the Gateway Portal, WHMCS module, JSON API, or EPP XML using their Gateway account. The platform supports real-time domain synchronization between remote registries and Gateway for the Passthrough service.
What industry is DNS.Business in?
DNS.Business's product category is Domain Registry Infrastructure Software. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDABAIAI, Resilient DNS, Traffic Management & Global Load Balancing, with a secondary code of HDABAAAJ, Cloud Networking Core Services (VPC/VNet, Load Balancing, DNS, NAT). Its NAICS code is 518 and its SIC code is 7370.