- A DNS service is important to protect your privacy and against attacks.
- Some of the best DNS servers are Cloudflare DNS, CleanBrowsing, and Yandex DNS.
- OpenDNS, AdGuard, and Quad9 are also some notable names in the industry.
If you’re familiar with how the internet works, you may have heard about Domain Name Servers or DNS. DNS is one of the building blocks of the internet, without which the internet we use and know today wouldn’t exist. While our Internet Service Providers or ISPs provide us with a default DNS server, there might be situations where using a different DNS server could be better. Here are the best DNS servers, both free and public, that you should be using in 2026.
Our Top 3 Picks for the Best DNS Servers
Let’ss start with the best DNS servers that we recommend, and here are our top 3 picks that we have sorted from the list:
DNS Servers Why These are Our Top Picks Cloudflare DNS Cloudflare DNS earns our top spot for its consistently low latency, excellent global coverage, and strong privacy stance. It’s free, and performs reliably across regions Quad9 DNS We picked Quad9 because of its strong security, automatically blocking access to known malicious and phishing domains. It prioritizes user privacy and threat protection which made it our top recommendation Google Public DNS The reason Google Public DNS stands out, is because of its unmatched reliability, strong uptime record. It delivers reliable performance, making it one of the most trusted DNS services for in our testing
Overview of the Best DNS Servers in 2026
To help make the decision easier and quicker, we have provided a quick overview table, comprising of our picks for the best DNS servers in 2026, along with their pricing.
Best DNS Servers Best suited for Pricing Cloudflare DNS People who want the fastest everyday browsing experience with strong privacy, zero cost, and minimal setup Free, Pro plan available for $20/month Google Public DNS Users who prioritize reliability and consistency, especially power users, enterprises, and developers Free Quad9 DNS Those who want tough security without much hassle for families, small businesses, and privacy-conscious users Free CleanBrowsing Families, schools, and organizations that need easy and safe browsing experience without complex setup Free, Basic plan starts at $75/year AdGuard DNS Anyone looking to minimize the ad clutter on their machine Free, paid plan starts at $2.49/year OpenDNS Homes, schools, and businesses that want customizable filtering , and are already invested in Cisco’s security ecosystem Free, paid plan available from $19.95/year Verisign Users who want pure, interference-free DNS service, with a privacy-first stance and also ideal for professionals, developers Free Yandex DNS Those looking for a simple, mode-based DNS solution, especially families or casual users Free
How We Tested the Best DNS Servers for this List?
Finding the right DNS servers in 2026 is not an easy feat. There are a tons of options out there, and some of them are not as secure as they promise to be. So to ensure our recommendations reflect real world performance, we tested each DNS service based on its performance and speed. Whether it throttled the speed, and to what extent.
We also checked its reliability, as you don’t want to use a service, that often goes down. Besides that, the other factors were privacy and data integrity, extra features and of course, the pricing. We tested it all on an Android phone and a Windows 11 PC and here is what we found.
What is a DNS Server and Why Should You Change Yours?
DNS, AKA Domain Name Server, is designed to translate domain names into machine-friendly IP addresses to help browsers like Chrome load internet resources. Each device connected to the internet has a unique IP address, which enables it to communicate with other machines.
More importantly, DNS servers map IP addresses to names, so that when you want to visit us for Tech tidbits, you won’t need to remember or type the entire IP address, such as 172.67.157.143.
Here are the things you should consider when choosing a DNS:
- Reliability: Most DNS servers work smoothly, but not all can deliver the needed performance.
- Speed: Plays a vital role in accelerating internet activity.
- Protection: Never fail to check out is the safeguard against DNS-based attacks. Ensure that the service offers the required shield to your personal information.
The Best Public DNS Servers Compared
So with everything out of the way, let us finally take a closer look at the best DNS servers that we have tested out, and compared them in the list below.
Best for Privacy & Speed: Cloudflare DNS
IP Addresses for DNS: 1.1.1.1
Cloudflare released a new DNS service in 2018, which soon turned out to be one of the best free and public DNS servers people can use. Cloudflare’s DNS server “1.1.1.1” is one of the fastest and privacy-first DNS servers available on the web. The firm never logs your IP address. The company even hired KPMG, a cloud-based audit platform, to audit their systems annually to ensure they’re delivering on their privacy promises.
Secondly, their DNS servers bring faster internet speeds, with the company claiming over 28% speed increase compared to other providers. I have tested this on my Mac, and while I couldn’t feel any difference in speeds on my Home WiFi, it was noticeable when I was in the office. All these perks make it one of the best DNS servers out there.
Pros Cons Free to use Nothing I can nitpick about Doesn’t log your browsing data Faster than usual DNS servers
Best for Experienced Users: Google Public DNS
IP Addresses for DNS: 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4
Google Public DNS service launched in December 2009 and is a great option for seasoned users. It aims to make the internet more reliable and secure. But it is hard to set up for a user who’s new to the topic. Even the website mentions that “only users who are proficient in configuring the OS settings should make the changes”. Google Public DNS protects users against various phishing attacks, especially if you are using older hardware to access the internet.
One of the advantages of shifting to Google Public DNS is enhanced security and optimized speed. Google uses Anycast routing to find the closest server for data interaction. This ensures that you receive information in the shortest time possible.
To use Google Public DNS, users will need to configure their network settings to use the IP addresses 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 as their DNS servers. Google Public DNS also supports IPv6 addresses. However, that needs a little more configuration, which you can learn by clicking here. Overall, it is an excellent option for anyone looking to try out a third-party DNS server or learn the fundamentals of using a DNS.
Pros Cons Free to use Google might still log your data Enhances speed Protects against phishing and DDoS attacks
Best for Security & Threat Blocking: Quad9 DNS
IP Addresses for DNS: 9.9.9.9
Quad9 DNS is another free and public DNS server that you can use to route your traffic away from your ISP-provided DNS servers. Like other DNS servers on this list, once configured, Quad9 routes your DNS queries through a secure network of servers around the globe.
The system uses threat intelligence from more than a dozen industry-leading cybersecurity companies to give a real-time perspective on website threat analysis. Whenever its DNS servers find an infected or cloned website, they block your connection so that your device and data remain safe. Besides, the project has been sponsored by tech giant IBM, so you know it’s the real deal.
Another thing worth noting is that Quad9 DNS is easy to set up and doesn’t require any software installations. If none of the above-mentioned DNS servers meet your needs, you can check Quad9 out.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Free for personal use | Might be slower depending on where you live |
| Protects against all kinds of attacks | |
| Keeps a real-time watch on website threat analysis. |
Best for Families & Content Filtering: CleanBrowsing
IP Addresses for DNS: 185.228.168.9 (Security), 185.228.168.10 (Adult), 185.228.168.168 (Family)
CleanBrowsing is for those parents who want a safe experience on the web for their kids and families. As the name suggests, it allows you to block adult content on the web, in addition to protecting you from phishing websites and malicious domains.
While it’s primarily a paid service, there is a free tier, and I think it’s enough for most users who want a simple DNS server to filter the web content. Under the free tier, it offers 3 predefined filters: Security, Adult, and Family.
With the Security filter, you can restrict malicious activity on your home network. Similarly, if you use the Adult filter, you get all the features of Security, plus you can also block obscene content on the web. And finally, with Family, you get everything that is included in Security and Adult.
On top of that, CleanBrowsing blocks websites that have mixed content, like Reddit and Tumblr. Further, it sets YouTube to Safety mode. All in all, CleanBrowsing has all the essential content filtering lists, and that makes it one of the best free DNS servers in this list.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Free tier available | Not very customizable under the filters list, at least in the free plan |
| Customized filters for security, adult content auditing, and Family | |
| Supports IPv6 |
Best DNS to Block Ads: AdGuard DNS
AdGuard DNS is a popular and free DNS server that you can use on Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS devices. It’s widely known for blocking ads, but there is more than that. With the new AdGuard DNS, you can block trackers and analytics tools system-wide, which are always on the lookout to understand your browsing habits on the web.
Further, it can also stop adult content and malicious websites that try to redirect you to multiple shady websites. With the Family protection mode, you can enforce safe search in various web browsers. Basically, the search engine will stop returning websites completely that have adult content.
The best part is that you don’t need to install any app to get all these features. Simply set the AdGuard DNS manually, and you will be ready to go. Not to mention, AdGuard DNS, just like Cloudflare, does not log DNS queries or users’ actions. Long story short, if you want privacy safeguards on the web, then AdGuard DNS is among the best free DNS servers that you can opt for.
Pros Cons Free to use Nothing we could find Blocks trackers, analytics systems, ads, and adult content Enforces safe search in browsers Does not log DNS queries
IP Addresses for DNS: 176.103.130.130 (Default), 176.103.130.132 (Family protection)
OpenDNS
IP Addresses for DNS: 208.67.222.222 and 208.67.220.220
OpenDNS is a free and public service provided by Cisco, a giant in the networking space that needs no introduction. It gives you tools not only to access the internet securely but prevent attacks from shoddy and forged clone websites.
Furthermore, it also blocks phishing websites along with those that have been flagged for carrying malware. Like Google Public DNS, OpenDNS uses Anycast routing to route your connection to your nearest DNS servers to serve you faster page load times.
OpenDNS is also designed against any type of failure, as its self-healing technology can withstand tremendous disruption to its infrastructure without affecting customers. All things considered, if you want an old and reliable DNS service that will never let you down, try out OpenDNS.
Pros Cons Free for personal use Protects against phishing, malware, cloned websites, and DDoS attacks Enhances speed Protects against phishing, malware, cloned websites and DDoS attacks
Verisign
IP Addresses for DNS: 64.6.64.6, 64.6.65.6
The second last open and public DNS server that we recommend is the Verisign Public DNS server, which promises stability, security, and privacy. Stability is very important as it ensures that you are always connected and never encounter any downtime because of the DNS server that you are using.
Moreover, the company also promises robust protection from security flaws around the internet. It neither sells your DNS queries to third-party data harvesting companies nor redirects your queries to serve you any ads. In a nutshell, the Verisign Public DNS server is completely free to use and definitely worth checking out.
Pros Cons Free to use Not the fastest Doesn’t log your data Protects against security flaws
Yandex DNS
Yandex DNS is a complete DNS server for many reasons. If you are on the lookout for an alternate DNS that can deliver reliable performance in most aspects including speed and protection without costing an arm or a leg, this one can fit into your needs.
What sets this Russia-based DNS server apart is a whole host of features. And with a range of features comes the freedom to customize everything in line with your workflow. That aside, it’s also among the fastest servers which can play a vital role in enhancing your productivity.
One of my favorite features of Yandex DNS is content filtering allowing users to prohibit offensive or adult content. By keeping obscene/offensive content away, it ensures both enhanced smoothness and security.
Yandex DNS has a robust protection feature that blocks malware and bots. To fit into different needs, it comes in three modes. While basic offers quick and reliable DNS, Safe delivers protection from viruses. As for family mode, it’s designed to keep adult content at bay. Considering these features, Yandex DNS can easily claim to be among the best DNS servers in the world.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Fast servers | Setup has a learning curve |
| Blocks malware and bots | |
| Content filtering | |
| Does not log DNS queries |
IP Addresses for DNS: 77.88.8.8, 77.88.8.1,77.88.8.88,77.88.8.2
Why Should You Use an Alternate DNS?
There are multiple reasons why you may need to use a different or alternate DNS.
- Using a different DNS server can help you unlock region-blocked content.
- Depending on the location of the DNS server that you are using, you can get better speeds.
- Using an alternative DNS server will also ensure that your ISP is not able to log every minute of your internet browsing history and serve you ads or sell your data.
- Using certain third-party DNS servers will also protect you against security attacks such as ransomware, phishing, malware, and more.
Paid vs. Free DNS: Which DNS Server is Better and Why?
Though many free DNS servers are fully equipped to deliver reliable performance and even safeguard the data thanks to essential features like firewall policies, filtering, and rate-limiting and blocking to ward off DDoS attacks, most paid ones are better due largely to the much-improved website performance and more advanced nameserver setups.
More significantly, the premium DNS offers enhanced security with guaranteed uptime and better support. The paid DNS service providers offer Dynamic DNS (DDNS) developed to automatically map internet domain names to IP addresses. As a result, you can access your home computer much faster from anywhere in the world.
Notably, premium DNS also provides advanced reporting, two-way authentication, and solid administrator control. So, if you want your commercial website to deliver top-of-the-line performance, the paid DNS should be your preferred choice.
How to Change Your DNS Settings?
For enhanced performance and better security, it’s a good idea to optimize your device’s DNS. Those looking for top-notch internet performance will appreciate cutting down the lag. And now that you have a list of the best free and open DNS servers, you should use them on your device. If you don’t know how to do it, check out our linked guide to see how you can change DNS settings on Android. Also, here’s our guide on changing DNS settings in Windows 10 PCs.
Which was the Best DNS Server for You?
That ends our list of the best free and public DNS servers that you can use to enjoy fast, free, and secure internet on your devices. While most of us never switch from our ISP-provided DNS servers, it’s a good practice to do so, especially if you value your privacy.
Do go through the list and let us know which is your favorite DNS server amongst them all. If you are already using a different DNS server and are happy with it, do share it with us by writing in the comments section below.
Cloudflare DNS and Comodo Secure DNS are the fastest DNS servers in 2024.
Though several notable contenders like Google Public DNS and OpenDNS can claim to be the best, Cloudflare DNS is slightly better. Apart from being one of the fastest, it’s also up to the mark when it comes to privacy and security.
Comodo Secure DNS and OpenDNS are more equipped to be considered one of the best DNS servers for gaming.
Well, the straightforward answer to this question is “No”. As Google Public DNS is primarily a DNS resolution and caching server, it doesn’t offer any filtering or blocking features, which makes it insecure.
