# What does REF 2029 use?

REF 2029 (ref.ac.uk) shows public evidence of 11 tools, according to runsonwhat (last checked 2026-11-08).

- Based in: United Kingdom
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-research-excellence-framework-ref

## Edge & Hosting

| Tool | Category | Evidence | Since |
|---|---|---|---|
| [Amazon Route 53](https://www.runsonwhat.com/reverse/route53) | DNS | DNS records |  |
| [Microsoft Azure](https://www.runsonwhat.com/reverse/azure) | Hosting & Cloud | Custom domain |  |

## Data & Observability

| Tool | Category | Evidence | Since |
|---|---|---|---|
| [Google Analytics](https://www.runsonwhat.com/reverse/ga) | Analytics | Website code |  |
| [Google Tag Manager](https://www.runsonwhat.com/reverse/gtm) | Analytics | Website code |  |

## Go-to-market

| Tool | Category | Evidence | Since |
|---|---|---|---|
| [WordPress](https://www.runsonwhat.com/reverse/wordpress) | Website & CMS | Website code |  |
| [Google Ads](https://www.runsonwhat.com/reverse/google-ads) | Ads & Pixels | Website code |  |
| [Freshdesk](https://www.runsonwhat.com/reverse/freshdesk) | Support & Docs | Custom domain |  |

## Company Ops

| Tool | Category | Evidence | Since |
|---|---|---|---|
| [Microsoft 365](https://www.runsonwhat.com/reverse/microsoft-365) | Workspace | DNS verification records, Email records |  |
| [SendGrid](https://www.runsonwhat.com/reverse/sendgrid) | Email Delivery | Email records |  |
| [QuoVadis](https://www.runsonwhat.com/reverse/quovadis) | Security & Compliance | DNS verification records |  |
| [Cookie Control](https://www.runsonwhat.com/reverse/civic-cookie-control) | Security & Compliance | Website code |  |

## FAQ

### What tools does REF 2029 use?

As of November 2026, runsonwhat has found 11 tools at REF 2029 (ref.ac.uk) in public records. Edge & Hosting: Amazon Route 53 and Microsoft Azure. Data & Observability: Google Analytics and Google Tag Manager. Go-to-market: WordPress, Google Ads and Freshdesk. Company Ops: Microsoft 365, SendGrid and QuoVadis. Last checked November 8, 2026.

### What cloud does REF 2029 run on?

REF 2029 uses Microsoft Azure for hosting and cloud infrastructure, according to runsonwhat (November 2026). runsonwhat found Microsoft Azure through a subdomain that points at Microsoft Azure. Microsoft Azure is used by 50,372 companies runsonwhat tracks.

### What email provider does REF 2029 use?

REF 2029 uses Microsoft 365 for email and office software, according to runsonwhat (November 2026). runsonwhat found Microsoft 365 through a DNS verification record for Microsoft 365 and email records. Microsoft 365 is used by 733,109 companies runsonwhat tracks.

### What does REF 2029 use for customer support?

REF 2029 uses Freshdesk for customer support and documentation, according to runsonwhat (November 2026). runsonwhat found Freshdesk through a subdomain that points at Freshdesk. Freshdesk is used by 12,953 companies runsonwhat tracks.

### What analytics tools does REF 2029 use?

REF 2029 uses Google Analytics for analytics, alongside Google Tag Manager, according to runsonwhat (November 2026). runsonwhat found Google Analytics through Google Analytics code on ref.ac.uk. Google Analytics is used by 903,853 companies runsonwhat tracks.

### What is REF 2029's website built with?

REF 2029 uses WordPress for its website, according to runsonwhat (November 2026). runsonwhat found WordPress through WordPress code on ref.ac.uk. WordPress is used by 606,742 companies runsonwhat tracks.

### Does REF 2029 use Google Ads?

Yes. runsonwhat found Google Ads at REF 2029 through Google Ads code on ref.ac.uk. Google Ads is a Ads & Pixels tool used by 540,579 companies runsonwhat tracks.

### Which companies have a tech stack similar to REF 2029's?

The companies with the stacks most like REF 2029's are CPS Group, Drain Doctor, Nhs Inform and Savanta, according to runsonwhat (November 2026). Each shares 4 to 8 tools with REF 2029, and rare tools count for more than common ones like Google Workspace, so the match reflects real stack choices.

### How does runsonwhat know what REF 2029 uses?

runsonwhat reads public records only. Of the 11 tools at REF 2029, 5 were found through code on ref.ac.uk, 3 through DNS records, 2 through subdomains that point at the vendor and 1 through email records. A tool is listed only when a direct record backs it up; DNS is rechecked weekly and ref.ac.uk about monthly.


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Source: runsonwhat, https://www.runsonwhat.com/company/ref.ac.uk (updated November 2026). Counts are companies with direct public evidence of the tool (DNS records, certificates, website code, a real-browser crawl, subprocessor lists), so they are lower bounds. Methodology: https://www.runsonwhat.com/methodology.