What makes a good DNS server?
1. Security
2. Privacy
Your ISP probably records your DNS requests, but many alternatives do as well. Try to find a service with anonymous logs (good, fairly common) or no logs (best but hard to find). If the provider doesn’t list their logging policy, just do a search for “[DNS Provider] logging policy.”
3. Accuracy/scope
Most public DNS servers keep more up-to-date records than ISPs, though this is hard to test. Even better, though, some provide access to domains that aren’t even listed on most servers, like “.ti,” which is not an official domain since Tibet is technically part of China.
4. Speed
When it comes to milliseconds, geography matters – the farther your server, the slower the speed. Using a Danish server while you’re in Chile will likely have a noticeable impact on your speed. Before you settle on a server, test its speeds using a tool like DNS Jumper, DNS Benchmark, or NameBench. If the service you’re testing isn’t listed, all of these tools have fields where you can enter custom DNS addresses. Plug them in, test them, and pick the best ones relative to the others.
Option 1: Big Data
1. Google Public DNS (8.8.8.8, 8.8.4.4): Fast, reliable, secure, but potentially not private Pros:
User-friendly Great security (DNSSEC and DNS-over-HTTPS) Worldwide reach means top-notch speeds Claims to delete logs within forty-eight hours
Cons
Even if they claim their DNS is private, the fact remains that Google’s business model is making money off your traffic.
- OpenDNS (208.67.222.222, 208.67.220.220): Fast, customizable, and very secure, but definitely not private Pros
Well-maintained servers and good speeds Top-notch security (DNSCrypt) and browsing protection Content-blocking and other settings available
Cons
OpenDNS claims not to sell your logs, but they explicitly state that they keep everything They may be censoring some legitimate websites They are owned by Cisco, an IT giant that, again, is getting all your information
- Others – Level3 Communications – big, reliable, not private, no notable security features
Option 2: Maximum Privacy
- OpenNIC: Wide variety of servers with good security/privacy Pros
Good reputation for privacy and reliability Many servers have no-logging policies and/or DNSCrypt Servers all over the world, so speeds are generally good
Cons
Standards can vary widely between servers Requires some trust in server-operators Requires some tech knowledge
- DNS.Watch (84.200.69.80, 84.200.70.40): High privacy, good security, varying speeds Pros
Great reputation for privacy, no logging Reliable Good security (DNSSEC)
Cons
Based in Germany, so speeds are best in Europe
- Others
FreeDNS: Great privacy, no extra security, varying speeds UncensoredDNS: Great privacy, uses DNSSEC, but gets slower as your distance from Denmark increases
Option 3: The Middle Ground
- Quad9 (9.9.9.9, 149.112.112.112): Great security, privacy guarantee, good speeds Pros
Rolled out in 2017 by IBM, so it’s fast and being continuously upgraded Great security (DNSSEC) and a continuously-updated list of blocked malicious websites They claim not to store any personally identifiable information and are non-profit
Cons
IBM is still a big corporation that might use your data Auto-blocking malicious websites is nice but may lead to some accidental censorship
- Verisign (64.6.64.6, 64.6.65.6): Unspecified security, vague privacy, good speeds Pros
Trusted company with plenty of servers Promises not to sell your data
Cons
Only promises not to sell your data; is probably still logging it A little light on security specifications
- Others
Comodo: well-known security company, good speeds, automatically blocks malicious sites, but no extra security and probably keeps logs Norton ConnectSafe: another security company, unspecified privacy, can be set to block malicious sites/adult content
Conclusion: Which Is the Best?
The DNS servers listed here represent a significant chunk of the market, though there are others that may also work for your needs. Your best options will vary, but in general, OpenNIC has something for everyone, with Quad9 being a more user-friendly backup option. Once you change your DNS, don’t forget to check and make sure it worked!
