Zerodata Proxy
Route traffic to your apps through Simplifyd Cloud's reverse-billed MNO network, giving end users data-free access.
Zerodata Proxy is currently in Beta. Features and pricing may change.
Zerodata Proxy allows you to route traffic to websites and apps hosted on third-party cloud providers through the Simplifyd Cloud network. Simplifyd has established reverse-billed contracts with major Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) across the African continent, which means traffic passing through the Zerodata Proxy is billed to Simplifyd — not to the end user. Your users enjoy completely data-free access to your app.
Simplifyd's reverse-billed network currently covers:
| Country | Networks |
|---|---|
| Nigeria | MTN, Airtel, Glo, 9Mobile |
| Kenya | Safaricom |
The network is expanding with more MNO contracts being onboarded across Africa.
How it works
The Zerodata Proxy works similarly to how Cloudflare sits in front of your origin server. You point your domain's DNS at a Simplifyd-provided CNAME target, and all traffic flows through the Zerodata network before being forwarded on to your actual server.
When a user visits your domain:
- Their request enters the Simplifyd network via the MNO's reverse-billed peering point
- The Zerodata Proxy receives the request and forwards it to your origin server
- The response travels back through the same path
- The MNO bills the data cost to Simplifyd, not to the user's data balance
Your origin server does not need to change. It continues to run wherever it is — on AWS, GCP, Azure, a VPS, or anywhere else. Only the DNS entry for your domain changes.
Setup workflow
Step 1 — Create a Zerodata Proxy on Simplifyd Cloud
- Open your project on the Simplifyd Cloud Console.
- Navigate to Proxies in the left sidebar.
- Click New Zerodata Proxy.
- Enter your domain name (e.g.
example.com) and your origin server's IP address or hostname (e.g.1.1.1.1). - Click Create.
You will receive a CNAME record target — a Simplifyd-assigned hostname that looks like <your-proxy-id>.zerodata.simplifyd.cloud. Copy this value; you need it in the next step.
Screenshot: Console view after proxy creation, showing the CNAME target field. Add screenshot here.
Step 2 — Update your DNS records
Log in to your DNS provider or domain registrar and create a CNAME record pointing your domain to the Simplifyd target from Step 1:
| Type | Name | Value |
|---|---|---|
CNAME | example.com (or @) | <your-proxy-id>.zerodata.simplifyd.cloud |
For a subdomain (e.g. www.example.com):
| Type | Name | Value |
|---|---|---|
CNAME | www | <your-proxy-id>.zerodata.simplifyd.cloud |
DNS propagation typically takes a few minutes to a few hours depending on your provider's TTL settings. The proxy status on the Console will update automatically once your DNS record is detected.
Many DNS providers do not allow a CNAME record on the root/apex domain (e.g. example.com itself). If your provider doesn't support CNAME flattening or ALIAS records, use a www subdomain and redirect the apex to www using your registrar's redirect feature.
Screenshot: DNS provider settings panel with the CNAME record filled in. Add screenshot here.
Step 3 — Verify and go live
Return to the Proxies page on the Simplifyd Cloud Console. Once your DNS change propagates, the proxy status changes to Active. From that point on, traffic to your domain passes through the Simplifyd Zerodata network and your users access your app data-free.
Screenshot: Proxies list page showing a proxy in Active status. Add screenshot here.
Managing proxies
The Proxies page (left sidebar) lists all Zerodata Proxy instances across your project. Each entry shows:
- Proxy name and slug
- Domain and origin server
- CNAME target assigned by Simplifyd
- Current status (Pending, Active, or Error)
Screenshot: Proxies list page. Add screenshot here.
You can also view and manage a proxy by clicking its node on the project canvas.
Configuration reference
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Domain | The domain you own and want to make data-free (e.g. example.com) |
| Origin | The IP address or hostname of your actual server (e.g. 1.1.1.1 or origin.example.com) |
| CNAME target | Read-only. The Simplifyd hostname you point your DNS at |
| Status | Pending until DNS propagates; Active once live |
Usage and costs
Data volume passing through the Zerodata Proxy appears as a line item on your Usage page under the Zerodata category. Charges are based on egress volume through the proxy and are billed in your workspace's currency.
End users on supported MNO networks are never charged for data when accessing your domain through the proxy.
Deleting a proxy
- Go to Proxies in the left sidebar.
- Find the proxy, click the three-dot menu, and choose Delete.
- Confirm deletion.
After deletion, remember to remove or update the CNAME record at your DNS provider. If you leave the CNAME pointing at the deleted proxy, DNS resolution for your domain will fail.
