StatusCake is a well-known uptime monitoring platform, but how does it compare to ZoneWatcher for DNS, domain, and SSL monitoring? This comparison focuses specifically on these monitoring capabilities.
StatusCake is primarily an uptime and performance monitoring platform that includes DNS, domain, and SSL monitoring as part of its broader offering. ZoneWatcher, on the other hand, is purpose-built for DNS infrastructure monitoring with deep provider integrations and comprehensive change tracking. If DNS and domain monitoring is your primary concern, here's how they compare.
Direct provider API integrations with Cloudflare, AWS Route 53, Azure DNS, DigitalOcean, and 20+ other DNS providers. ZoneWatcher connects directly to your DNS provider to monitor the authoritative source of truth, detecting changes within minutes of them being made.
DNS monitoring via external DNS queries. StatusCake checks your DNS records by querying public DNS servers at intervals, which can miss changes that occur between checks and doesn't provide the same level of detail as direct provider integration.
Zero-configuration setup. Connect your DNS provider once and ZoneWatcher automatically discovers all your domains and DNS records. New domains are picked up automatically—no manual entry required. Perfect for teams managing hundreds of domains.
Manual setup required. Each domain and DNS record you want to monitor must be individually configured. This becomes time-consuming for larger portfolios and risks missing domains that weren't manually added.
Comprehensive WHOIS monitoring tracks domain expiration dates, registrar information, nameserver changes, and domain status flags. Configurable advance notifications ensure you never lose a domain to expiration. All your domains are monitored automatically.
StatusCake offers domain expiration monitoring with alerts before domains expire. However, each domain must be manually added and configured separately.
Automatic SSL monitoring for all domains with A/AAAA records. Tracks certificate expiration, issuer changes, certificate chain validation, and security issues. No manual configuration needed—certificates are discovered and monitored automatically.
SSL monitoring is available with expiration alerts and certificate validation checks. Each certificate must be manually added as a separate monitor.
Complete DNS change history with unlimited retention. See exactly what changed, when it changed, and compare any two points in time. Export your DNS records to Bind Zone files or CSV. Essential for troubleshooting, compliance, and audit trails.
StatusCake focuses on current state monitoring and alerting. Historical DNS record tracking and change comparison features are limited compared to a dedicated DNS monitoring solution.
Dedicated nameserver hijacking protection. Get immediate alerts if your domain's nameservers are changed—a critical security feature that helps you detect domain hijacking attempts before damage is done.
DNS monitoring checks record values but doesn't have the same focus on nameserver-level security monitoring and hijacking detection.
Simple per-domain pricing that includes all monitoring features: DNS records, SSL certificates, domain expiration, and nameserver monitoring. No need to purchase separate monitors for each feature.
Pricing is based on the number of monitors/tests. DNS, SSL, and domain monitors each count separately against your quota, which can add up quickly when monitoring multiple domains across multiple features.
Built for agencies and MSPs. Create separate teams for each client with their own domains, members, and billing. Switch between teams seamlessly with a single account. Perfect for managing multiple clients' DNS infrastructure.
StatusCake offers team features and sub-accounts on higher-tier plans, suitable for team collaboration on monitoring tasks.
StatusCake is a great choice if you need a broad uptime monitoring platform that includes HTTP monitoring, page speed testing, and server monitoring alongside basic DNS and SSL checks.
ZoneWatcher is the better choice if DNS infrastructure is your primary concern. With direct provider integrations, automatic domain discovery, comprehensive change history, and purpose-built DNS security features, ZoneWatcher provides deeper visibility into your DNS infrastructure without the manual setup overhead.
Comparing DNS, domain, and SSL monitoring capabilities only.
| Feature | ZoneWatcher | StatusCake |
|---|---|---|
| Direct DNS Provider Integrations | 20+ | ✕ |
| Automatic Domain Discovery | ✓ | ✕ |
| DNS Record Monitoring | ✓ | ✓ |
| Domain Expiration Monitoring | ✓ | ✓ |
| SSL Certificate Monitoring | ✓ | ✓ |
| Automatic SSL Discovery | ✓ | ✕ |
| Nameserver Hijacking Detection | ✓ | Limited |
| Unlimited DNS Change History | ✓ | ✕ |
| DNS Record Export (Bind/CSV) | ✓ | ✕ |
| Per-Domain Pricing (All Features) | ✓ | Per Monitor |
| Multi-Team Support | ✓ | ✓ |
| Slack/Teams/Discord Alerts | ✓ | ✓ |
