The Domain Name System (DNS) is a crucial element of the internet that translates domain names into machine-understandable IP addresses. This allows web browsers to communicate with the internet, enabling seamless web browsing for users.
Nevertheless, it’s worth noting that not all DNS servers are equivalent. Some may offer better security or enhanced features. Public DNS servers, in particular, offer several benefits over default ISP-provided DNS servers, such as improved speed, security, and privacy. In this article, we will list 19 of the best free and public DNS servers that have been tested for reliability and performance.
1: Google DNS
IP Addresses: 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4
Speed: Fast and reliable
Security: Blocks access to malicious websites and phishing attempts
Google Public DNS is a free and unlimited service that offers protection from DNS-related attacks with its rate monitoring and code validation features. There is no need to worry about data being tracked or collected, as Google DNS clears IP addresses within 48 hours and stores no records of users’ online activities. To enhance their online privacy and security, users have the option to utilize a VPN, such as NordVPN, which encrypts their internet traffic and safeguards their online activities.
Pros:
- Protection from DNS-related attacks
- No need for an account or fee
- Fast and reliable performance
- Easy to set up and configure
Cons:
- Limited control over DNS settings and configuration
2: Cloudflare DNS
IP Addresses: 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1
Speed: Fast and reliable
Security: Blocks access to malicious websites and phishing attempts
Cloudflare DNS is an excellent choice for anyone seeking lightning-fast speeds, with over 200 servers scattered around the world. Gamers, in particular, will appreciate the fast DNS servers that can improve their gaming experience.
Additionally, every server in the network is protected against DDoS attacks and cache poisoning. Users can also set up a free account to manually block or filter certain types of content. Although Cloudflare logs some data, including DNS queries, users’ IP addresses remain private, and all logs are deleted every 24 hours, ensuring their online activity remains secure and private.
Pros:
- Lightning-fast speeds
- Protection against DDoS attacks and cache poisoning
- Free account for content filtering
- Private IP addresses
Cons:
- No malware protection
3: OpenDNS
IP Addresses: 208.67.222.222 and 208.67.220.220
Speed: Fast and reliable
Security: Blocks access to malicious websites and phishing attempts
OpenDNS is a great option for those who want to protect young internet users from adult content online. By signing up for an account, you can set up filters to control the content allowed through the DNS queries in your browsers. Alternatively, you can use the “Family Shield” DNS IP addresses, which block all adult content by default. However, OpenDNS tracks some non-identifying data on user activities, which can be limited by deleting DNS data frequently.
Pros:
- Provides faster internet browsing
- Blocks access to known phishing and malware websites
- Offers easy-to-use settings and pre-configured options
Cons:
- Limited customer support options
4: Yandex DNS
IP Addresses: 77.88.8.88 and 77.88.8.2
Speed: Fast and reliable
Security: Blocks access to malicious websites and phishing attempts
Yandex.DNS is a fast and efficient DNS service that offers three service tiers: Basic, Safe, and Family, with increasing levels of protection against ads, malware, and adult content. However, Yandex’s data-sharing policy with its parent company and affiliates compromises users’ privacy, making it a less ideal choice for those who prioritize privacy.
Pros:
- Fast and efficient DNS service
- Three service tiers with increasing levels of protection
- Blocks ads, malware, and adult content (in the Family tier)
Cons:
- Data-sharing policy compromises users’ privacy
5: Safe DNS
IP Addresses: 195.46.39.39 and 195.46.39.40
Speed: Fast and reliable
Security: Blocks access to malicious websites and phishing attempts
Safe DNS offers good connection speeds and blocks malware, providing a relatively secure browsing experience for free. However, the service lacks some fundamental privacy features, as it logs personal data for analytical purposes. While the company states that they won’t sell this data, users who prioritize privacy may want to consider other DNS server options with more robust privacy features.
Pros:
- Good connection speeds
- Blocks malware
- Free to use
- Offers parental controls
Cons:
- Lacks fundamental privacy features
6: Quad9
IP Addresses: 9.9.9.9 and 149.112.112.112
Speed: Fast and reliable
Security: Blocks access to malicious websites and phishing attempts
Quad9 is a global DNS server network available in almost 150 countries, offering strong security measures and strict privacy protocols. The service logs no identifying data, ensuring users’ browsing activity remains entirely private, and protects traffic from malware and phishing attacks, providing a safer online experience. Any data collected is anonymized and used to monitor and enhance the network’s performance.
Pros:
- Global network
- Strong security
- Privacy protocols
- Protection against attacks
Cons:
- May not work with some ISP-provided DNS services
7: CyberGhost DNS
IP Addresses: 38.132.106.139 and 194.187.251.67
Speed: Fast and reliable
Security: DNSSEC, malware protection, and ad-blocking for protection against online threats and enhancing user privacy
CyberGhost offers free public DNS servers that are fast, secure, and do not require any accounts or fees. These servers are open to anyone and offer uncensored internet access, excellent speeds, and zero-logging policies to ensure privacy and security. CyberGhost DNS uses DNSSEC to prevent DNS spoofing attacks and other types of DNS-based attacks, making it a top-tier public DNS server.
Pros:
- Fast and reliable DNS resolution
- Blocks known malicious websites
- Zero-logging policy
- Compatible with CyberGhost VPN
Cons:
- Limited number of servers compared to other DNS providers
8: Comodo Secure DNS
IP Addresses: 8.26.56.26 and 8.20.247.20
Speed: Fast and reliable
Security: Blocks access to malicious websites and phishing attempts
Comodo Secure DNS is a fast and reliable DNS provider that gamers appreciate for its speed while also providing protection against spyware and malware. However, it should be noted that Comodo Secure DNS keeps logs for analytics and marketing purposes, including voluntarily provided information like names and IP addresses. This means that even if a VPN is used, the information could still compromise privacy.
Pros:
- Fast and reliable for gaming
- Provides protection against spyware and malware
- Offers advanced features for website blocking and allowing
- Highly customizable
Cons:
- Logs user data for analytics and marketing purposes
9: CleanBrowsing
IP Addresses: 185.228.168.9 and 185.228.169.9
Speed: Fast and reliable
Security: Offers malware and adult content filtering
CleanBrowsing is a top-tier free and public DNS server that offers secure internet browsing with its US and Europe-based servers. Its Security, Adult, and Family plans provide flexible options to block malware and adult content, as well as to apply safe search filters for browsers. Moreover, CleanBrowsing guarantees user privacy with its strict no-logging policy.
Pros:
- Offers reliable and secure internet browsing
- User-friendly setup on various devices
- Great email and social media support
- Strict no-logging policy for user privacy
Cons:
- Limited number of server locations
10: AdGuard DNS
IP Addresses: 94.140.14.14 and 94.140.15.15
Speed: Fast and reliable
Security: Blocks access to malicious websites and phishing attempts
AdGuard DNS is a fast, reliable, and entirely free DNS service that offers strong privacy and security features. It ensures thorough ad-blocking in apps, games, videos, and other media and provides parental control and tracking protection to keep your family safe from malicious online content. While AdGuard DNS collects some user data, they claim not to share or sell it to anyone, using it only for internal purposes.
Pros:
- Fast and reliable DNS service
- Thorough ad-blocking in apps, games, videos, and media
- Provides parental control and tracking protection
- Strong emphasis on privacy and security
Cons:
- Collects some user data for internal purposes
11: Level3 DNS
IP Addresses: 209.244.0.3 and 209.244.0.4
Speed: Fast and reliable
Security: Offers DDoS protection
Level3 Communications offers a free public DNS service that provides fast browsing and strong security features. Their servers are designed to route traffic automatically to the nearest server, and the company’s global network ensures reliability.
Although Level 3 may not be as large as other DNS providers, such as Google, their infrastructure and services are highly dependable, making them a great choice for anyone looking for a reliable and secure DNS service.
Pros:
- Fast browsing
- Strong security features
- Automatic routing to the nearest server
- Reliable global network
Cons:
- Not as large as some other DNS providers.
12: DNS.Watch
IP Addresses: 84.200.69.80 and 84.200.70.40
Speed: Fast and reliable
Security: Offers DNSSEC support
DNS.Watch is a top-rated free and public DNS server with only two servers based in Germany, offering incredibly fast connection speeds and 100% access without censorship. While this makes access to unwanted things easier, DNS.Watch stands out for its privacy-focused approach, keeping no logs of personal details and operating on donations, which means no incentive to sell users’ records.
Pros:
- Fast connection speeds for users close to the servers
- Zero censorship policy
- Strong emphasis on privacy
- Real-time status updates on its website
- Operates on donations, with no financial incentive to sell user records
Cons:
- Users far from the servers may experience slower connection speeds
13: Alternate DNS
IP Addresses: 76.76.19.19 and 76.223.122.150
Speed: Fast and reliable
Security: Blocks access to malicious websites and phishing attempts
Alternate DNS is a relatively new and reliable free public DNS server that offers excellent speed and uptime. It’s designed to block ads, trackers, harmful websites, and pornography, making it a secure option for those looking to improve their online privacy. However, it’s important to note that the privacy policy is not entirely straightforward, so it’s crucial to read and understand the terms and conditions before using the service.
Pros:
- Offers reliable and fast DNS resolution
- Provides additional security features, such as ad and tracker blocking
- No cost to use
Cons:
- Privacy policy may be unclear
14: Norton ConnectSafe DNS
IP Addresses: 199.85.126.10 and 199.85.127.10
Speed: Fast and reliable
Security: Blocks access to malicious websites and phishing attempts
Norton DNS is a free service that converts text-based web addresses into numerical IP addresses and swiftly checks them against Norton’s Safe Web database to verify the absence of any phishing or malware attacks. This extra layer of security combats dangerous websites frequently employed by hackers to target their victims.
Despite providing more features than regular DNS, Norton DNS operates faster owing to its 17 hosted data centers worldwide. It is not meant to replace antivirus, antispam, and other anti-intrusion-based malware solutions but rather complement them, helping users stay protected from online threats.
Pros:
- Extra security layer against hazardous websites
- Quick Safe Web database checks
- Fast due to hosted data centers
Cons:
- Limited security level customization
15: Verisign Public DNS
IP Addresses: 64.6.64.6 and 64.6.65.6
Speed: Fast and reliable
Security: Offers DNSSEC support
Verisign is a free public DNS provider with over 13 authoritative servers that offer reliable and fast DNS resolution services with high-security features such as DNSSEC. It manages 150+ million domain names and provides a private connection for secure browsing.
Additionally, Verisign allows users to submit a site for verification, which is updated across the internet, thanks to its direct access to the internet backbone.
Pros:
- Reliable and fast DNS resolution
- Private connection for secure browsing
- Direct access to the internet backbone
- Large network of servers
Cons:
- Limited customization options compared to some paid DNS providers
16: SmartViper
IP addresses: 208.76.50.50 and 208.76.51.51
Speed: Fast and reliable
Security: Blocks access to malicious websites and phishing attempts to protect user safety
SmartViper is a versatile and highly-rated free public DNS server that supports numerous platforms, including Linux. It is an excellent option for internet users seeking online privacy, bypassing content censorship, and fast browsing speeds, especially for gamers.
Equipped with advanced features like intelligent load balancing and query caching, SmartViper ensures high reliability and performance.
Pros:
- Fast browsing, great for gamers
- Advanced features: load balancing, query caching
- Top-rated service, reliable and high performance
Cons:
- Fewer customization options
17: Oracle Dyn
IP addresses: 216.146.35.35 and 216.146.36.36
Speed: Fast and reliable
Security: DNSSEC and DDoS protection for protection against online threats and ensuring service availability
Oracle Dyn is a managed and secondary DNS service with servers in four geographically diverse areas, offering support for nine DNS record types, record and zone control, and the capacity to handle 750,000 queries per month.
Acquired by Oracle in 2016, Dyn DNS is one of the fastest global networks, providing reliable and scalable DNS infrastructure for businesses. However, some users complain about the high cost and poor customer service.
Pros:
- Record and zone control
- Strong security features
- Managed and secondary DNS options
Cons:
- Poor customer service
18: SafeSurfer
IP Addresses: 104.197.28.121 and 104.155.237.225
Speed: Fast and reliable DNS resolution.
Security: Blocks access to malicious websites and phishing attempts to keep users safe online
SafeSurfer is a versatile public DNS server that caters to a range of internet monitoring needs, with specific features for protecting kids, screen-time monitoring, and social media monitoring. Its multiple pricing plans cater to individuals, schools, and businesses, and it offers dedicated subscription plans for content monitoring for organizations.
Pros:
- Provides a safe and secure browsing experience
- Blocks malicious content and inappropriate websites
- Includes features for screen time and social media monitoring
Fast and reliable performance
Cons:
- Free plan has limited features
19: Hurricane Electric DNS
IP Addresses: 74.82.42.42 and 2001:470:20::2
Speed: Fast and reliable
Security: Offers DNSSEC support
Hurricane Electric is an excellent choice for large-scale websites, reseller networks, and eCommerce businesses due to its stable and dedicated servers. The provider offers both IP4 and IP6 DNS services globally, ensuring reliable and fast service for users no matter their location.
Additionally, Hurricane Electric offers a range of other services, including network apps, internet transit, hosting services, and data center colocation. With servers in two locations in Fremont, California, businesses can rely on Hurricane Electric for high-performance DNS services and related support to enhance their online operations.
Pros:
- Stable dedicated servers for large-scale sites
- Advanced features such as DNSSEC and IPv6
- Range of other services available
Cons:
- Not ideal for smaller sites or personal use
Conclusion
Having a reliable and fast DNS server is essential for a smooth internet browsing experience. Whether you’re concerned about privacy, speed, or accessibility, there are plenty of free and public DNS servers available for you to choose from.
We have compiled a list of the 19 best free and public DNS servers that you can use to enhance your online experience. From Google DNS to DNS. Watch to Quad9; each server has its own unique features and benefits. Analyze and differentiate the available options to find the best fit for your needs.
