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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
IP Addresses: 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4<\/p>\n
Speed: Fast and reliable<\/p>\n
Security: Blocks access to malicious websites and phishing attempts<\/p>\n
Google Public DNS<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n IP Addresses: 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1<\/p>\n Speed: Fast and reliable<\/p>\n Security: Blocks access to malicious websites and phishing attempts<\/p>\n Cloudflare DNS<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n IP Addresses: 208.67.222.222 and 208.67.220.220<\/p>\n Speed: Fast and reliable<\/p>\n Security: Blocks access to malicious websites and phishing attempts<\/p>\n OpenDNS<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n Pros:<\/p>\n Cons:<\/p>\n IP Addresses: 77.88.8.88 and 77.88.8.2<\/p>\n Speed: Fast and reliable<\/p>\n Security: Blocks access to malicious websites and phishing attempts<\/p>\n Yandex.DNS<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n IP Addresses: 195.46.39.39 and 195.46.39.40<\/p>\n Speed: Fast and reliable<\/p>\n Security: Blocks access to malicious websites and phishing attempts<\/p>\n Safe DNS<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n IP Addresses: 9.9.9.9 and 149.112.112.112<\/p>\n Speed: Fast and reliable<\/p>\n Security: Blocks access to malicious websites and phishing attempts<\/p>\n Quad9<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n Pros:<\/p>\n Cons:<\/p>\n IP Addresses: 38.132.106.139 and 194.187.251.67<\/p>\n Speed: Fast and reliable<\/p>\n Security: DNSSEC, malware protection, and ad-blocking for protection against online threats and enhancing user privacy<\/p>\n CyberGhost<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n IP Addresses: 8.26.56.26 and 8.20.247.20<\/p>\n Speed: Fast and reliable<\/p>\n Security: Blocks access to malicious websites and phishing attempts<\/p>\n Comodo Secure DNS<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n IP Addresses: 185.228.168.9 and 185.228.169.9<\/p>\n Speed: Fast and reliable<\/p>\n Security: Offers malware and adult content filtering<\/p>\n CleanBrowsing<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n IP Addresses: 94.140.14.14 and 94.140.15.15<\/p>\n Speed: Fast and reliable<\/p>\n Security: Blocks access to malicious websites and phishing attempts<\/p>\n AdGuard DNS<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n IP Addresses: 209.244.0.3 and 209.244.0.4<\/p>\n Speed: Fast and reliable<\/p>\n Security: Offers DDoS protection<\/p>\n Level3<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Pros:<\/p>\n Cons:<\/p>\n IP Addresses: 84.200.69.80 and 84.200.70.40<\/p>\n Speed: Fast and reliable<\/p>\n Security: Offers DNSSEC support<\/p>\n DNS.Watch<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n IP Addresses: 76.76.19.19 and 76.223.122.150<\/p>\n Speed: Fast and reliable<\/p>\n Security: Blocks access to malicious websites and phishing attempts<\/p>\n Alternate DNS<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n IP Addresses: 199.85.126.10 and 199.85.127.10<\/p>\n Speed: Fast and reliable<\/p>\n Security: Blocks access to malicious websites and phishing attempts<\/p>\n Norton DNS<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n IP Addresses: 64.6.64.6 and 64.6.65.6<\/p>\n Speed: Fast and reliable<\/p>\n Security: Offers DNSSEC support<\/p>\n Verisign<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n IP addresses: 208.76.50.50 and 208.76.51.51<\/p>\n Speed: Fast and reliable<\/p>\n Security: Blocks access to malicious websites and phishing attempts to protect user safety<\/p>\n SmartViper<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n Equipped with advanced features like intelligent load balancing and query caching, SmartViper ensures high reliability and performance.<\/p>\n IP addresses: 216.146.35.35 and 216.146.36.36<\/p>\n Speed: Fast and reliable<\/p>\n Security: DNSSEC and DDoS protection for protection against online threats and ensuring service availability<\/p>\nPros:<\/h3>\n
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2: Cloudflare DNS<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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3: OpenDNS<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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4: Yandex DNS<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Pros:<\/h3>\n
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5: Safe DNS<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Pros:<\/h3>\n
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6: Quad9<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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7: CyberGhost DNS<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Pros:<\/h3>\n
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8: Comodo Secure DNS<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Pros:<\/h3>\n
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Cons:<\/h3>\n
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9: CleanBrowsing<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Pros:<\/h3>\n
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10: AdGuard DNS<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Pros:<\/h3>\n
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11: Level3 DNS<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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12: DNS.Watch<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Pros:<\/h3>\n
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13: Alternate DNS<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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14: Norton ConnectSafe DNS<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Pros:<\/h3>\n
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15: Verisign Public DNS<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Pros:<\/h3>\n
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16: SmartViper<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Pros:<\/h3>\n
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17: Oracle Dyn<\/strong><\/h2>\n