Reference
Frequently asked questions
Updated October 2026
Short answers to the questions we hear most. Each links to the full guide where there is one.
On this page
How can I preview a website before changing DNS?
Create a DNSPeek link with your domain and the new server’s IP address. The link opens your site as served by the new server, in any browser, while public DNS still points at the old one.
Do I need to edit my hosts file or use a VPN?
No. DNSPeek connects to the new server for you, so the preview is an ordinary link. Nothing changes on your computer, and anyone you share the link with sees the same thing.
Is DNSPeek free?
Yes. The Free plan includes unlimited preview links, password protection, one-off DNS checks, one QA report and three live compare sessions a month; its links last 7 days from the last visit, up to 30 days. Paid plans start at $9 a month and add non-expiring links, DNS propagation alerts, visual compares and more QA reports.
How can I pay?
Payment options depend on your region and are shown at checkout in your dashboard. Monthly plans renew automatically.
Does it work with HTTPS and self-signed certificates?
Yes. Visitors always use HTTPS. For the connection to your server, choose Auto, Skip verification (for self-signed or not-yet-issued certificates) or Verify in the link settings.
Can my client open the preview without an account?
Yes. Anyone with the link can open it, on a computer or a phone. Add a password to limit who can see it. On the Agency and Provider plans clients can also leave comments and approve the launch without an account.
Why did my preview link expire?
Links on the Free plan expire 7 days after their last visit (each visit extends them), and at most 30 days after they are created. Any link expires at the date you set. On a paid plan you can keep links without an expiry date.
Does it work with WordPress?
Yes. Keep the WordPress and Site Address set to your real domain; DNSPeek sends requests for that domain to the new server, so you can browse the site and sign in to wp-admin on the preview.
How long does DNS propagation take?
Mostly as long as the old TTL of the record: resolvers keep the old answer until it expires. With a TTL lowered to 5 minutes a day in advance, most visitors see the new server within minutes. DNSPeek shows how many of 16 public resolvers already return the new IP.
Can DNSPeek change anything on my server?
DNSPeek only forwards the requests visitors make on the preview. Anything they do there, like signing in, submitting a form or placing an order, really happens on the new server, just as it would on the live site.
The preview shows an error or a challenge page. What now?
Check that the server IP and ports are right and that the site is configured on that server. Firewalls and anti-bot services on the new server can block DNSPeek; the Limitations page explains what to do.
Which languages does DNSPeek speak?
The website and the dashboard are in English, Ukrainian, Russian, German, Spanish, Polish, French and Brazilian Portuguese. Your language is picked from your browser on the first visit; change it with the switcher in the header or in Settings → Profile. Emails follow your account language. These docs and the admin console are English for now.