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Best DNS Servers 2026: Fastest and Most Secure DNS Providers

January 30, 2026
•By DNS Expert
DNS ServersPerformanceSecurityPrivacy

Why Choose a Custom DNS Server?

While your ISP provides DNS servers by default, switching to a public DNS service can offer significant benefits:

  • Faster Resolution: Optimized infrastructure often beats ISP DNS
  • Better Privacy: Reduced tracking and logging
  • Enhanced Security: Malware and phishing protection
  • Improved Reliability: 99.99%+ uptime guarantees
  • No Censorship: Avoid ISP filtering or throttling
  • Better Support: Comprehensive documentation and tools

Best DNS Servers Comparison (2026)

1. Cloudflare DNS - Best Overall

Primary IPv4: 1.1.1.1 Secondary IPv4: 1.0.0.1 IPv6: 2606:4700:4700::1111 and 2606:4700:4700::1001

Pros

  • ✅ Fastest DNS resolver globally (consistent benchmarks)
  • ✅ Strong privacy commitment - doesn't sell data, minimal logging
  • ✅ Free - no cost for consumer or enterprise use
  • ✅ Global anycast network - 300+ cities worldwide
  • ✅ DNS-over-HTTPS and DNS-over-TLS support
  • ✅ DNSSEC validation for security
  • ✅ Mobile apps (1.1.1.1 app) with optional VPN

Cons

  • ❌ No content filtering in basic version
  • ❌ Relatively new (launched 2018)
  • ❌ No customization options for consumers

Performance

  • Average query time: 10-15ms
  • Uptime: 99.99%+
  • Geographic coverage: Excellent

Best For

Speed-conscious users who prioritize privacy and don't need content filtering.

2. Google Public DNS - Most Reliable

Primary IPv4: 8.8.8.8 Secondary IPv4: 8.8.4.4 IPv6: 2001:4860:4860::8888 and 2001:4860:4860::8844

Pros

  • ✅ Established and trusted - launched 2009
  • ✅ Extremely reliable with massive infrastructure
  • ✅ Easy to remember IP addresses
  • ✅ Excellent performance globally
  • ✅ DNSSEC validation
  • ✅ DNS-over-HTTPS and DNS-over-TLS
  • ✅ Comprehensive documentation

Cons

  • ❌ Privacy concerns - Google may use data for analytics
  • ❌ No malware/phishing blocking
  • ❌ No content filtering options
  • ❌ Data is stored (though not linked to user identity)

Performance

  • Average query time: 15-20ms
  • Uptime: 99.99%+
  • Geographic coverage: Excellent

Best For

Users prioritizing reliability and performance over privacy concerns.

3. Quad9 - Best for Security

Primary IPv4: 9.9.9.9 Secondary IPv4: 149.112.112.112 IPv6: 2620:fe::fe and 2620:fe::9 Unsecured (no blocking): 9.9.9.10 and 149.112.112.10

Pros

  • ✅ Blocks malicious domains automatically
  • ✅ Strong privacy focus - no logging of personal data
  • ✅ Non-profit organization (not profit-driven)
  • ✅ Free
  • ✅ DNSSEC validation
  • ✅ Threat intelligence from 20+ sources
  • ✅ DNS-over-HTTPS and DNS-over-TLS

Cons

  • ❌ Blocking may occasionally cause false positives
  • ❌ Slightly slower than Cloudflare
  • ❌ Limited customization for free users

Performance

  • Average query time: 20-25ms
  • Uptime: 99.9%+
  • Geographic coverage: Good

Best For

Security-conscious users and families wanting automatic protection from malicious sites.

4. OpenDNS - Best for Content Filtering

Primary IPv4: 208.67.222.222 Secondary IPv4: 208.67.220.220 IPv6: 2620:119:35::35 and 2620:119:53::53 FamilyShield: 208.67.222.123 and 208.67.220.123

Pros

  • ✅ Customizable content filtering
  • ✅ Phishing and malware protection
  • ✅ Parental controls (FamilyShield)
  • ✅ Free basic tier + paid options
  • ✅ Statistics and logging dashboard
  • ✅ DNSSEC support
  • ✅ Owned by Cisco (established 2006)

Cons

  • ❌ Redirects failed queries to ad pages (can disable)
  • ❌ Requires account for customization
  • ❌ Privacy concerns (more logging than alternatives)
  • ❌ Performance varies by location

Performance

  • Average query time: 25-35ms
  • Uptime: 99.9%+
  • Geographic coverage: Good

Best For

Families and organizations needing content filtering and parental controls.

5. NextDNS - Best Customization

Setup: Requires account at NextDNS.io Dynamic DNS addresses assigned per configuration

Pros

  • ✅ Highly customizable blocklists and rules
  • ✅ Privacy controls and analytics
  • ✅ Ad blocking built-in
  • ✅ Parental controls
  • ✅ Threat protection
  • ✅ DNS-over-HTTPS, DoT, DoQ support
  • ✅ Free tier (300k queries/month)

Cons

  • ❌ Requires setup and account
  • ❌ Free tier limited (paid after 300k queries)
  • ❌ More complex than simple DNS change
  • ❌ Smaller infrastructure than major providers

Performance

  • Average query time: 15-30ms (varies)
  • Uptime: 99.9%+

Best For

Power users wanting granular control over DNS filtering and blocking.

6. AdGuard DNS - Best for Ad Blocking

Default (ad blocking):

  • IPv4: 94.140.14.14 and 94.140.15.15
  • IPv6: 2a10:50c0::ad1:ff and 2a10:50c0::ad2:ff

Family Protection:

  • IPv4: 94.140.14.15 and 94.140.15.16

Non-filtering:

  • IPv4: 94.140.14.140 and 94.140.14.141

Pros

  • ✅ Blocks ads and trackers at DNS level
  • ✅ Free basic service
  • ✅ Family protection option
  • ✅ No logging of queries
  • ✅ DNSSEC validation
  • ✅ Multiple protocols (DoH, DoT, DoQ)

Cons

  • ❌ May break some websites/services
  • ❌ Based in Cyprus (GDPR jurisdiction but outside 14 Eyes)
  • ❌ Smaller infrastructure
  • ❌ Less established than major providers

Performance

  • Average query time: 20-40ms (varies by location)
  • Uptime: 99%+

Best For

Users wanting system-wide ad blocking without installing software.

7. Comodo Secure DNS

Primary IPv4: 8.26.56.26 Secondary IPv4: 8.20.247.20

Pros

  • ✅ Malware and phishing protection
  • ✅ Free
  • ✅ DNSSEC validation

Cons

  • ❌ Slower than top alternatives
  • ❌ Less transparency about operations
  • ❌ Limited geographic presence

Best For

Users looking for basic security features and Comodo ecosystem integration.

DNS Server Comparison Table

| Provider | Speed | Privacy | Security | Ad Block | Free | Best Feature | |----------|-------|---------|----------|----------|------|--------------| | Cloudflare | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ❌ | ✅ | Fastest | | Google | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ❌ | ✅ | Reliability | | Quad9 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ❌ | ✅ | Security | | OpenDNS | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ❌ | ✅/💰 | Filtering | | NextDNS | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ✅ | ✅/💰 | Customization | | AdGuard | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ✅ | ✅ | Ad Blocking |

How to Choose the Best DNS Server

For Speed: Cloudflare (1.1.1.1)

Consistently fastest in global benchmarks.

For Privacy: Cloudflare or Quad9

Both have strong no-logging policies and are privacy-focused.

For Security: Quad9 (9.9.9.9)

Automatic malware and phishing domain blocking.

For Families: OpenDNS FamilyShield

Blocks adult content and provides parental controls.

For Ad Blocking: AdGuard DNS or NextDNS

System-wide ad blocking at the DNS level.

For Reliability: Google DNS (8.8.8.8)

Longest track record and massive infrastructure.

For Customization: NextDNS

Granular control over filtering, blocking, and analytics.

How to Change Your DNS Server

Windows 10/11

  1. Open Settings > Network & Internet
  2. Click Ethernet or Wi-Fi (your connection)
  3. Click Edit next to DNS server assignment
  4. Choose Manual
  5. Enable IPv4
  6. Enter Preferred DNS (e.g., 1.1.1.1)
  7. Enter Alternate DNS (e.g., 1.0.0.1)
  8. Click Save

macOS

  1. Open System Settings > Network
  2. Select your connection > Details
  3. Click DNS tab
  4. Click + button
  5. Add DNS servers (e.g., 1.1.1.1, 1.0.0.1)
  6. Click OK

iOS

  1. Open Settings > Wi-Fi
  2. Tap ⓘ next to your network
  3. Scroll to DNS > Configure DNS
  4. Select Manual
  5. Remove existing servers
  6. Add new DNS servers
  7. Tap Save

Android

  1. Open Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi
  2. Long-press your network > Modify
  3. Expand Advanced options
  4. Change IP settings to Static
  5. Enter DNS 1 and DNS 2
  6. Tap Save

Router (Affects All Devices)

  1. Access router admin (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1)
  2. Login with admin credentials
  3. Find DNS settings (often under WAN/Internet)
  4. Enter primary and secondary DNS servers
  5. Save and restart router

Testing Your DNS Speed

Method 1: Use DNSPerf.com

Visit dnsperf.com to see real-time performance data for major DNS providers.

Method 2: Use namebench

Download and run namebench to test DNS providers from your location.

Method 3: Command Line Testing

Windows/Mac/Linux:

# Test Cloudflare
nslookup -debug google.com 1.1.1.1

# Test Google
nslookup -debug google.com 8.8.8.8

# Use dig for detailed timing (Mac/Linux)
dig @1.1.1.1 google.com | grep "Query time"
dig @8.8.8.8 google.com | grep "Query time"

Advanced DNS Features

DNS-over-HTTPS (DoH)

Encrypts DNS queries for privacy:

  • Supported by: Cloudflare, Google, Quad9, NextDNS
  • How to enable: Configure in browser or OS settings
  • Benefit: ISP can't see your DNS queries

DNS-over-TLS (DoT)

Similar to DoH but uses TLS protocol:

  • Port: 853
  • Supported by: Major providers
  • Benefit: Encrypted DNS with better protocol separation

DNSSEC

Validates DNS responses with cryptographic signatures:

  • Supported by: All major providers
  • Benefit: Prevents DNS spoofing/cache poisoning
  • Drawback: Slight performance overhead

Conclusion

Choosing the right DNS server depends on your priorities:

  • Speed champion: Cloudflare (1.1.1.1)
  • Privacy leader: Cloudflare or Quad9
  • Security focus: Quad9 (9.9.9.9)
  • Family protection: OpenDNS FamilyShield
  • Ad blocking: AdGuard DNS or NextDNS
  • Traditional reliability: Google DNS (8.8.8.8)

Most users will be best served by Cloudflare DNS (1.1.1.1) for its combination of speed, privacy, and reliability. However, families and security-conscious users should consider Quad9 or OpenDNS for their protection features.

Remember: you can always test different providers and switch if one doesn't meet your needs. The change is instant and easily reversible.

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