What is the difference between a static IP address and using Cloudflare Dynamic DNS?

A static IP address is a fixed IP address assigned to your internet connection by your ISP. If you have a static IP, you don't need dynamic DNS. However, most residential internet connections have dynamic IP addresses that change periodically. Cloudflare Dynamic DNS solves this problem by automatically updating a hostname to point to your current IP address, effectively providing a consistent way to access your home network even with a changing IP. Static IPs are typically paid for, whereas Cloudflare DDNS is free (in its basic form).