DNS servers translate the friendly domain name you enter into a browser (like lifewire.com) into the public IP address that's needed for your device to actually communicate with that site.
Your ISP automatically assigns DNS servers when your smartphone or router connects to the internet but you don't have to use those. There are lots of reasons you might want to try alternative ones (we get in to many of them in Why Use Different DNS Servers? a bit further down the page) but privacy and speed are two big wins you could see from switching.
The best free public DNS servers include Google, Quad9, OpenDNS, Cloudflare, CleanBrowsing, Verisign, Alternate DNS, and AdGuard DNS.
Here's a quick reference if you know what you're doing but we get into these services a lot more in the next section:
A list of additional free DNS servers can be found in the table near the bottom of the page.
Primary DNS servers are sometimes called preferred DNS servers and secondary DNS servers sometimes alternate DNS servers. Primary and secondary DNS servers can be 'mixed and matched' from different providers to protect you if the primary provider has problems.
Best Free & Public DNS Servers (Valid July 2019)
Below are more details on the best free DNS servers you can use instead of the ones assigned.
If you're not sure, use the IPv4 DNS servers listed for a provider. These are the IP addresses that include periods. IPv6 IP addresses use colons.
Google Public DNS promises three core benefits: a faster browsing experience, improved security, and accurate results without redirects.
- Primary DNS: 8.8.8.8
- Secondary DNS: 8.8.4.4
Google also offers IPv6 versions:
- Primary DNS: 2001:4860:4860::8888
- Secondary DNS: 2001:4860:4860::8844
Google can achieve fast speeds with their public DNS servers because they're hosted in data centers all around the world, meaning that when you attempt to access a web page using the IP addresses above, you're directed to a server that's nearest to you.
Quad9: 9.9.9.9 & 149.112.112.112
Quad9 has free public DNS servers that protect your computer and other devices from cyber threats by immediately and automatically blocking access to unsafe websites, without storing your personal data.
- Primary DNS: 9.9.9.9
- Secondary DNS: 149.112.112.112
There are also Quad 9 IPv6 DNS servers:
- Primary DNS: 2620:fe::fe
- Secondary DNS: 2620:fe::9
Quad9 does not filter content — only domains that are phishing or contain malware will be blocked. Quad9 also has an insecure IPv4 public DNS at 9.9.9.10 (2620:fe::10 for IPv6).
OpenDNS: 208.67.222.222 & 208.67.220.220
OpenDNS claims 100% reliability and up-time and is used by 90 million users around the world. The offer two sets of free public DNS servers, one of which is just for parental controls with dozens of filtering options.
- Primary DNS: 208.67.222.222
- Secondary DNS: 208.67.220.220
IPv6 addresses are also available:
- Primary DNS: 2620:119:35::35
- Secondary DNS: 2620:119:53::53
The servers above are for OpenDNS Home, which you can make a user account for to set up custom settings. The company also offers DNS servers that block adult content, called OpenDNS FamilyShield: 208.67.222.123 and 208.67.220.123 (shown here). A premium DNS offering is available, too, called OpenDNS Home VIP.
Cloudflare: 1.1.1.1 & 1.0.0.1
Cloudflare built 1.1.1.1 to be the 'fastest DNS service in the world' and will never log your IP address, never sell your data, and never use your data to target ads.
- Primary DNS: 1.1.1.1
- Secondary DNS: 1.0.0.1
They also have IPv6 public DNS servers:
- Primary DNS: 2606:4700:4700::1111
- Secondary DNS: 2606:4700:4700::1001
There's a 1.1.1.1 app for Android and iOS for quick setup on mobile devices.
CleanBrowsing: 185.228.168.9 & 185.228.169.9
CleanBrowsing has three free public DNS server options: a security filter, adult filter, and family filter. These are the DNS servers for the security filter, the most basic of the three that updates hourly to block malware and phishing sites:
- Primary DNS: 185.228.168.9
- Secondary DNS: 185.228.169.9
IPv6 is also supported:
- Primary DNS: 2a0d:2a00:1::2
- Secondary DNS: 2a0d:2a00:2::2
The CleanBrowsing adult filter (185.228.168.10) prevents access to adult domains, and the family filter (185.228.168.168) blocks proxies, VPNs, and mixed adult content. More features can be had at a price: CleanBrowsing Plans.
Verisign: 64.6.64.6 & 64.6.65.6
Verisign's public DNS services are centered around stability and security with 100% up-time, as well as privacy, citing that they 'will not sell your public DNS data to third parties nor redirect your queries to serve you any ads.'
- Primary DNS: 64.6.64.6
- Secondary DNS: 64.6.65.6
Verisign offers IPv6 public DNS servers as well:
- Primary DNS: 2620:74:1b::1:1
- Secondary DNS: 2620:74:1c::2:2.
There's a Check DNS Cache page on Verisign's website that you can use to check the current status of the public DNS, as well as an option to flush the public DNS cache.
Alternate DNS: 198.101.242.72 & 23.253.163.53
Alternate DNS is a free public DNS service that blocks ads before they reach your network.
- Primary DNS: 198.101.242.72
- Secondary DNS: 23.253.163.53
You can sign up for free from their signup page. There's also a Family Premium DNS option for $2 /month that blocks adult content.
AdGuard DNS: 176.103.130.130 & 176.103.130.131
AdGuard DNS has two sets of DNS servers, both of which block ads in games, videos, apps, and web pages. The basic set of DNS servers are called the 'Default' servers, and block not only ads but also malware and phishing websites:
- Primary DNS: 176.103.130.130
- Secondary DNS: 176.103.130.131
IPv6 is supported, too:
- Primary DNS: 2a00:5a60::ad1:0ff
- Secondary DNS: 2a00:5a60::ad2:0ff
There are also 'Family protection' servers (176.103.130.132 & 176.103.130.134) that block adult content plus everything included in the 'Default' servers.
Why Use Different DNS Servers?
One reason you might want to change the DNS servers assigned by your ISP is if you suspect there's a problem with the ones you're using now. An easy way to test for a DNS server issue is by typing a website's IP address into the browser. If you can reach the website with the IP address, but not the name, then the DNS server is likely having issues.
Another reason to change DNS servers is if you're looking for a better performing service. Many people complain that their ISP-maintained DNS servers are sluggish and contribute to a slower overall browsing experience.
Yet another common reason to use DNS servers from a third party is to prevent logging of your web activity and to circumvent the blocking of certain websites.
Know, however, that not all DNS servers avoid traffic logging. If that's what you're interested in, make sure you read through the FAQs on the DNS provider's site to make sure it's going to do (or not do) what you're after.
If, on the other hand, you want to use the DNS servers that your specific ISP, like Verizon, AT&T, Comcast/XFINITY, etc., has determined is best, then don't manually set DNS server addresses at all — just let them auto assign.
Finally, in case there was any confusion, free DNS servers do not give you free internet access! You still need an ISP to connect to for access — DNS servers just translate between IP addresses and domain names so that you can access websites with a human-readable name instead of a difficult-to-remember IP address.
Additional DNS Servers
Here are several more public DNS servers. Let us know if we're missing any major providers:
DNS servers are referred to as all sorts of names, like DNS server addresses, internet DNS servers, internet servers, DNS IP addresses, etc. New pc mission game download.
Verizon DNS Servers & Other ISP Specific DNS Servers
Verizon DNS servers are often listed elsewhere as 4.2.2.1, 4.2.2.2, 4.2.2.3, 4.2.2.4, and/or 4.2.2.5, but those are actually alternatives to the CenturyLink/Level 3 DNS server addresses shown in the table above.
Verizon, like most ISPs, prefers to balance their DNS server traffic via local, automatic assignments. For example, the primary Verizon DNS server in Atlanta, GA, is 68.238.120.12 and in Chicago, is 68.238.0.12.
If you know anything about the workings of the internet, you must have heard about Domain Name Servers or DNS. DNS is one of the building blocks of the internet without which the internet as we use and know today wouldn’t exist. While our Internet Service Providers or ISPs provide us with a default DNS server, you will find it profitable to use a different DNS server in some occasions. Here are some of the reasons why should consider using an alternate DNS server:
- Using a different DNS server can help you in unlocking 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 each and 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 phishing, malware, and ransomware.
Initially, you had to pay if you wanted to use any other DNS server other than the ones that came with your ISP. Thankfully, today, many companies are providing free and public DNS servers which we can use without costing us a penny. So, if you want to enjoy the benefits of alternative DNS servers, here are the 7 best DNS servers you can use:
Best DNS Servers You Can Use
1. Cloudflare DNS
Cloudflare is one of the world’s topmost company working in the web performance and security domain. Recently, the company released its brand new DNS service which is one of the best free and public DNS servers that you can use today. Their new DNS server, the “1.1.1.1” is one of the fastest and privacy-first DNS servers available on the web. Firstly, the company never logs your IP address, which is what your ISP uses to track your internet habits. The company has even hired KPMG to audit their systems annually to ensure that they’re delivering on their privacy promises.
Secondly, their DNS servers bring boosted speeds with the company claiming more than 28% speed increase when compared to other DNS 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 office. Cloudflare also makes it very easy to set up your DNS preferences as it takes only a few minutes to get it all set-up. This one is definitely one of the best third-party DNS servers that you can use.
Pros:
- Free to use
- Never logs your browsing data
- Faster than usual DNS servers
Cons:
- Nothing I could find
IP Addresses for DNS: 1.1.1.1, 1.0.0.1
Visit:Website
2. Google Public DNS
Google Public DNS service is probably one of the most popular free and public DNS servers on the planet. Launched in December 2009, the Google Public DNS aims to make the internet more reliable and secure. According to their website, Google Public DNS protects users against various kinds of phishing attacks, especially if you are using older hardware to access the internet. One of the notable advantages you get by shifting to Google Public DNS is enhanced security and optimized speed. Google uses Anycast routing for finding the closest server for data interaction thereby ensuring 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 Google Public DNS is a very good option for anyone looking to try out a third-party DNS server.
Pros:
- Free to use
- Brings speed enhancements
- Protects against phishing and DDoS attacks
Cons:
- Google might be logging your browsing history
IP Addresses for DNS: 8.8.8.8, 8.8.4.4
Visit:Website
3. OpenDNS
OpenDNS is a free and public service provided by Cisco which is a giant in the networking space. OpenDNS gives you tools not only to access the internet in a fast and secure way but also prevents attacks from shoddy and forged clone websites. It also blocks phishing websites along with the ones which have been flagged for carrying malware. Just 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 also comes with self-healing technologies with its servers spread over three continents. Designed against the failure of nearly every aspect of the system, OpenDNS’s self-healing technology can withstand tremendous disruption to their infrastructure without causing disruption for customers. If you want an old and reliable DNS service which will never let you down, do try out OpenDNS.
Pros:
- Free for personal use
- Brings speed enhancements
- Protects against phishing attacks, malware attacks, and cloned websites
Cons:
- Logs the DNS traffic that it receives
IP Addresses for DNS: 208.67.222.222, 208.67.220.220
Visit:Website
4. Comodo Secure DNS
Comodo Secure DNS is a domain name resolution service that resolves your DNS requests through the company’s worldwide network of redundant DNS servers. This can provide a much faster and more reliable Internet browsing experience than using the DNS servers provided by your ISP. It also does not require any hardware or software installation. Comodo Secure DNS’s server infrastructure currently spans 15 locations (nodes) and five continents around the world. This means that most of will have a DNS server nearby resulting in faster internet speeds.
Comodo Secure DNS also keeps the users secure with its malware domain filtering feature. SecureDNS references a real-time block list of harmful websites (phishing sites, malware sites, spyware sites, and parked domains among others) and warns visitors whenever they attempt to access a site containing potentially threatening content. As malware attacks are increasing day by day, having this security ensures that we can surf the web without facing its lurking dangers. Overall, I quite like Comodo Secure DNS and find it one of the best DNS providers out there.
Pros:
- Free for personal use
- Covers 5 continents
- Protects against phishing attacks, malware sites, spyware sites, and more
Cons:
- Not as reliable as the first three
IP Addresses for DNS: 8.26.56.26, 8.20.247.20
Hereby im proud to announce that the expansion pack for the popular mod Star Trek Armada 3 is releasing on December 15th 2014, The expansion entitled A Call to Arms will include the Cardassian and the Dominion Alliance. Star trek armada 3 release date.
Visit:Website
5. Quad9 DNS
Quad9 DNS is yet another free and public DNS server that you can use to route your traffic away from your ISP provided DNS servers. Just 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 of the industry-leading cyber security 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 remains safe. Quad9 DNS is also very easy to set up and doesn’t require any software installations. If none of the above-mentioned DNS servers meet your needs, you can definitely check this out.
Pros:
- Free for personal use
- Protects against privacy attacks
- Keeps a real-time perspective on website threat analysis
Cons:
- Might be slower depending on where you live
IP Addresses for DNS: 9.9.9.9
Visit:Website
6. DNS.Watch
DNS.Watch is a great third-party DNS server for people who want to surf the internet without the pain of any restricted content. The DNS server is totally free to use and doesn’t require any installations. While the other DNS server providers also help in opening the geo-restricted content, DNS.Watch solely dedicates itself to the purpose and hence you will have the best-unrestricted internet experience here. The company also believes in user privacy thus it doesn’t log any DNS queries sent by your devices.
Since there is no logging of data, your data is safely hidden away from the hands of ad agencies which follow you like sharks across the internet. That said, since DNS.Watch is a smaller company it doesn’t have the resources to bring threat analysis like some of the other DNS server providers on this list. So, you will have to safeguard yourself against phishing, malware, and any such attacks. You will have to choose whether you want a more open internet or a more secure one.
Pros:
- Free to use
- DNS Neutrality
- Doesn’t log your queries
- Doesn’t share or sell your data
Cons:
- Doesn’t protect against shady websites and attacks
IP Addresses for DNS: 84.200.69.80, 84.200.70.40
Visit:Website
7. Verisign
The last open and public DNS server that we recommend is the Verisign Public DNS server which promises stability, security, and privacy. The stability part 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. 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. The service is completely free to use and definitely worth checking out.
Pros:
- Free to use
- Doesn’t log your queries
- Doesn’t share or sell your data
- Protection against security flaws
Cons:
- Not the fastest on the list
IP Addresses for DNS: 64.6.64.6, 64.6.65.6
Visit:Website
SEE ALSO: What is 5 GHz Network?
Best DNS Servers to Enjoy Fast, Free, and Secure Internet
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, its 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.
How to Use the Cloudflare 1.1.1.1 DNS to Visit Blocked Websites
With the government's oversight over its citizens' internet browsing becoming more and more 'strict', so to speak, we are hearing more and more about..
How to Switch to Cloudflare’s 1.1.1.1 DNS on Your Smartphone or Computer (Guide)
Internet privacy is a crucial thing in today's world, and Cloudflare is a company that is determined to provide its users with the best..
Cloudflare Launches ‘Internet’s Fastest’ Privacy-Focused Consumer DNS 1.1.1.1
Cloudflare, one of the premier content delivery networks (CDNs) in the world, also provides the whole gamut of cloud-based solutions for website owners and..
How to Clear DNS Cache on Android Devices
You must have come across a situation when a webpage that you regularly visit, just fails to load up on your Android device's browser,..
How to Flush or Clear DNS Cache in Windows 10
On a Windows PC or laptop, you must have noticed a webpage, that you visit often, is just not loading up, even though it..
Canon Pixma G3010 Review: An Affordable, Feature Rich Ink Tank Printer
Dns Server Ps4
Blaupunkt BTW-01 True Wireless Earbuds Review: Good, but Difficult to Recommend
Netgen Morgen Review: A Good Looking, Great Sounding Bluetooth Speaker
Best DNS server
Read on for our detailed analysis of each service
DNS (Domain Name System) is a system which translates the domain names you enter in a browser to the IP addresses required to access those sites.
Your ISP will assign you DNS servers whenever you connect to the internet, but these may not always be the best choice. Slow DNS servers can cause a lag before websites start to load, and if your server sometimes goes down, you may not be able to access any sites at all.
Switching to a free public DNS server can make a real difference, with more responsive browsing and lengthy 100% uptime records meaning there's much less chance of technical problems.
Some services can also block access to phishing or infected sites, and a few offer content filtering to keep your kids away from the worst of the web.
You need to choose your service with care - not all providers will necessarily be better than your ISP - but to help point you in the right direction, this article will highlight six of the best free DNS servers around.
- We’ve rounded up the best website hosting services
1. OpenDNS
Primary, secondary DNS servers: 208.67.222.222 and 208.67.220.220
OpenDNS Home VIP
OpenDNS Home
Veteran operator
Optional web filtering
Founded in 2005 and now owned by Cisco, OpenDNS is one of the biggest names in public DNS.
The free service offers plenty of benefits: high speeds, 100% uptime, phishing sites blocked by default, optional parental controls-type web filtering to block websites by content type, along with free email support if anything goes wrong.
Commercial plans enable viewing a history of your internet activity for up to the last year, and can optionally lock down your system by allowing access to specific websites only. These aren't going to be must-have features for the average user, but if you're interested, they can be yours for around $20 (£14.30) a year.
If you're an old hand at swapping DNS, you can get started immediately by reconfiguring your device to use the OpenDNS nameservers.
If you're a newbie, that's okay too, as OpenDNS has setup instructions for PCs, Macs, mobile devices, routers and much, much more.
2. Cloudflare
Primary, secondary DNS servers: 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1
Cloudflare 1.1.1.1
Impressive performance
Community forum for support
Best known for its top-rated content delivery network, Cloudflare has extended its range to include a new public DNS service, the catchily-named 1.1.1.1.
The product doesn't have any of the extras you'll often see elsewhere. There's no anti-phishing, no ad-blocking, no content filtering or other attempts to monitor or control what you can access, and what you can't.
Instead, Cloudflare has focused much more on the fundamentals. These start with performance, and independent testing from sites like DNSPerf shows Cloudflare is the fastest public DNS service around.
Privacy is another major highlight. Cloudflare doesn't just promise that it won't use your browsing data to serve ads; it commits that it will never write the querying IP address (yours) to disk. Any logs that do exist will be deleted within 24 hours. And these claims aren't just reassuring words on a website. Cloudflare has retained KPMG to audit its practices annually and produce a public report to confirm the company is delivering on its promises.
The 1.1.1.1 website has some setup guidance, with simple tutorials covering Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux and routers. These are very generic - you get one set of instructions for all versions of Windows, for instance - but there are some pluses (IPv6 as well as IPv4 details) and you should be able to figure it out.
If you have any problems, Cloudflare offers a community forum where you can ask questions or see what others are doing, a nice extra touch which we'd like to see followed by other providers.
3. Google Public DNS
Primary, secondary DNS servers: 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4
Google Public DNS
Solid on the privacy front
Meant for experienced users
Google has its fingers in most web-related pies, and DNS is no exception: it's free Public DNS is a simple and effective replacement for your own ISP's nameservers.
Privacy can't quite match the 'we don't keep anything' promises of Cloudflare, but it's not bad. The service logs the full IP address information of the querying device for around 24 to 48 hours for troubleshooting and diagnostic purposes. 'Permanent' logs drop any personally identifiable information and reduce location details to the city level, and all but a small random sample of these are deleted after two weeks.
There's a further benefit for experienced users in Google's detailed description of the service. If you'd like to be able to assess the significance of Google's privacy policy, for instance, you can read up on absolutely everything the service logs contain to find out for yourself.
Google's support site offers only very basic guidance targeted at experienced users, warning that 'only users who are proficient with configuring operating system settings [should] make these changes.' If you're unsure what you're doing, check the tutorials from a provider such as OpenDNS, remembering to replace its nameservers with Google's: 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4.
4. Norton ConnectSafe
Primary, secondary DNS servers: 199.85.126.10 and 199.85.127.10
Norton ConnectSafe
Uses Norton Safe Web
Skimpy setup instructions
UPDATE: Norton ConnectSafe retired and the service isn't available anymore.
Norton ConnectSafe is a free DNS service which can automatically block access to fraudulent, phishing and malware-infested websites, as well as optionally filtering sites by content.
This is a familiar idea - OpenDNS and Comodo, amongst others, do much the same thing - but ConnectSafe has one important advantage. It takes its data from Norton Safe Web, a comprehensive database on more than 50 million websites in 23 languages. The service delivers probably the best web filtering performance around, and the ability to get it for free, without having to install any software, is a major safety plus.
Setting up the service requires choosing from three levels of protection.
The Security policy blocks malicious and fraudulent websites only, and uses the nameservers 199.85.126.10 and 199.85.127.10.
The Security and Pornography policy adds support for filtering sexually explicit material, and uses the nameservers 199.85.126.20 and 199.85.127.20.
The very strict Security and Pornography and Other scheme extends the filtering to block 'sites that feature mature content, abortion, alcohol, crime, cults, drugs, gambling, hate, sexual orientation, suicide, tobacco or violence' by using the nameservers 199.85.126.30 and 199.85.127.30.
Ps4 A Dns Server Cannot Be Used 2018
That's likely to lock you out of a lot of content, but it might appeal as a way to protect young children, and you don't have to use this policy everywhere. You could lock down your kids' tablet with this policy, for instance, but stick with the plain Security policy for your own laptop.
There are only very basic setup instructions on the ConnectSafe site, but if you run into trouble, the tutorials on competitors such as OpenDNS may point you in the right direction. Just be sure to use Norton's nameserver IP addresses when you change your device settings.
5. Comodo Secure DNS
Primary, secondary DNS servers: 8.26.56.26 and 8.20.247.20
Comodo Secure DNS
Focus on security
Performance might not be so hot
Comodo Group is the power behind a host of excellent security products, so it's no surprise that the company also offers its own public DNS service.
Just as you'd expect, Comodo Secure DNS has a strong focus on safety. It doesn't just block phishing sites, but also warns if you try to visit sites with malware, spyware, even parked domains which might overload you with advertising (pop-ups, pop-unders and more). Furthermore, you can try out the Comodo Dome Shield service, which adds additional features to Comodo Secure DNS.
Comodo claims its service is smarter than average, too, detecting attempts to visit parked or 'not in use' domains and automatically forwarding you to where you really want to go.
Performance is key, of course, and the company suggests its worldwide network of servers and smart routing technology give it an advantage. DNSPerf's Comodo stats are less impressive, unfortunately. As we write, DNSPerf reports its average query time as around 72ms.
That said, Comodo may still be interesting if you're looking for an extra layer of web filtering, and the support website has some short but useful instructions on setting the service up on Windows PCs, Macs, routers and Chromebooks.
6. Quad9
Primary, secondary DNS servers: 9.9.9.9 and 149.112.112.112
Quad9 DNS
Speedy performance levels
Limited help in terms of setup
Quad9 is a young DNS outfit which has been providing a fast and free DNS service since August 2016.
The company sells itself on its ability to block malicious domains by collecting intelligence from 'a variety of public and private sources.' It's not clear what these sources are, but the website says Quad9 used 18+ 'threat intelligence providers' as of December 2018.
That's a little too vague for us, and we're not convinced that using a large number of threat intelligence providers will necessarily help – the quality of the intelligence is generally more important than the quantity.
There's no arguing about Quad9's performance, though. DNSPerf currently rates it seven out of ten for average worldwide query times, lagging behind Cloudflare and OpenDNS, but effortlessly outpacing contenders like Comodo.
Drilling down into the detail reveals some variations in speed - Quad9 is on the sixth place for North American queries - but overall the service still delivers better performance than most.
Setup guidance is a little limited, with tutorials for the latest versions of Windows and macOS only. They're well presented, though, and it's not difficult to figure out what you need to do.
7. Verisign DNS
Primary, secondary DNS servers: 64.6.64.6 and 64.6.65.6
Good security
Verisign was founded in 1995 and through the years offered various services, including several security services, like managed DNS.
Verisign DNS service is free to use and the company highlights the three features they deem the most important and those are stability, security, and privacy. The service definitely delivers on that account, especially for the security and stability. As for the privacy, while you can never be 100% sure when it comes to the company claims, there weren't any issues and the company assures you that your public DNS data will not be sold to third parties.
Performance, however, wasn't that great when compared to some other providers. Still, it's decent and depending on your needs, you might not be bothered by this. At the moment, DNSPerf.com ranks the service at tenth place, worldwide.
On their website, you can find tutorials on how to set up their public DNS. Tutorials are available for Windows 7 and 10, Mac, Linux, and mobile devices. There is also a tutorial on how to configure DNS server settings on your router.
All in all, Verisign offers a good alternative to some other DNS providers, plus it's free so it's worth checking out.
Got further questions about DNS? Here are some common queries along with our answers.
What is DNS?
The Domain Name System (DNS) is a phonebook for the internet, a framework which translates domain names, like facebook.com or twitter.com, into the IP addresses necessary for devices to load those internet resources.
The mechanics of DNS can be quite complicated, as information isn't held in a single database, but rather distributed in a worldwide directory including a vast number of DNS servers.
Fortunately, the average internet user doesn't normally have to get involved in any of the low-level technical details. Your ISP automatically provides you with access to a DNS server whenever you go online, and whenever you enter a URL into your browser, this will find the relevant IP address for you.
Why might DNS matter to me?
DNS servers can vary hugely in speed, particularly in areas which don't always have the best internet coverage (Africa, South America, Oceania.) To take an example of a single day when we tested, DNSPerf.com reported Cloudflare achieved an average 4.43ms query time for Oceania, while Yandex was left trailing at 350.24ms. That's potentially more than a third of a second in extra waiting time before your browser is able to access any new website.
This is an extreme example, to be fair. European or US lookups may see less than 30ms variation between most DNS services, and as your device or router will probably cache the address for reuse later, even this delay will only occur very occasionally. Still, a sluggish DNS server can noticeably slow down your browsing in some situations, and trying an alternative – especially as the best options are all free – is generally a good idea.
There's a second possible benefit in terms of uptime. If your ISP DNS server fails, you might not be able to access some or all of your favorite sites. Big-name providers such as OpenDNS claim they've had 100% uptime going back years.
How can I find the fastest DNS service?
DNS speed depends on many factors, including your location, the distance to your nearest server, and that server having enough power and bandwidth to handle all the queries it receives.
DNS Jumper is a portable freeware tool which tests multiple public DNS services to find out which delivers the best performance for you.
The program has a lot of options, but isn't difficult to use. Launch it, click Fastest DNS > Start DNS Test, and within a few seconds you'll be looking at a list of DNS services sorted by speed.
DNS Jumper can be useful, in particular because it's checking how servers perform from your location, but it doesn't run enough tests over a long enough period to give you a definitive answer.
DNSPerf tests multiple DNS services every minute from 200+ locations around the world and makes the results freely available on its own website. This gives a very good general idea of performance, and also enables seeing how services compare on different continents, as well as assessing their uptime.
How can I switch DNS servers?
The steps involved in changing your DNS service vary according to your hardware and possibly your operating system version.
Generally, you must start by finding the primary and secondary nameservers for the DNS service you'd like to use. These IP addresses are normally displayed very clearly on the service website, so, for example, Cloudflare DNS uses 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1.
The simplest approach for home users is to update their router to use the new addresses. Most other devices will then pick up the new DNS settings automatically, with no further work required.
To make this happen you must log in to your router (the default password may be printed on its base) and look for the current DNS primary and secondary nameservers. Make a note of the current values in case of problems, then replace them with the nameservers you'd like to use.
If you run into problems, check out your DNS service website for any setup guidance. Keep in mind that you can also use the tutorials of other DNS providers, as long as you remember to replace their nameserver IPs with your preferred options. OpenDNS, for instance, has specific guidance for many different router types on its support site.
If router tweaks aren't right for your situation, you may have to change the DNS configuration of each individual device. Cloudflare has short and simple guidance here, while the OpenDNS website goes into more depth.
How can I find my current DNS servers?
If you're troubleshooting your internet connection, or maybe thinking of switching DNS servers, it might be useful to check which DNS servers you're using at the moment.
The simplest way to do this is to visit DNSLeakTest.com and tap the Standard Test button. Within a few seconds the website will usually display your DNS server IP addresses, host names, and sometimes (if appropriate) the name of your ISP.
Dns Server Error Ps4
After that, life gets more complicated as there are several potential options. Your device could be set up to use specific DNS servers; it might ask your router to give it the best DNS servers every time it boots; or it might not know anything about DNS servers, and leave your router to handle everything.
On Windows, you could get started by entering IPCONFIG /ALL in a command line window. Look for your network adapter and you should see its DNS servers specified in the list.
If there's a single DNS IP address which points at your router – 192.168.x.x – that suggests the router is handling all DNS queries. Enter that IP address into your browser, log in to the router if necessary and your DNS servers should be listed amongst the settings.
How can I test a DNS service?
If your browser is telling you a website's 'server IP address could not be found', even though you're sure it's up and available, then this could be due to a problem with your DNS. But you might not want to go to the trouble of changing your DNS service to find out.
Windows users can use the command line tool nslookup.exe to look at the results of any DNS server without touching their system settings.
Run cmd.exe to open a command line window, then type:
nslookup website.com
Then press Enter (replace website.com with the address of whatever website you're trying to reach).
Nslookup uses your default DNS server to look for the IP address of website.com. If it tells you it 'can't find website.com', this means your DNS server doesn't have a record for that domain.
Next, tell the tool to use another DNS service by entering a command like:
nslookup website.com 8.8.8.8
The 8.8.8.8 address uses Google DNS – replace that with any DNS service you like, such as 1.1.1.1 for Cloudflare.
If nslookup returns errors using multiple servers, this doesn't look like a DNS issue. If one server returns an IP address and another doesn't, you might want to try setting up your system to use the working DNS and see if it makes any difference.
You might also want to look over our many web hosting guides:
- Check out the best website hosting services
Is your PS4 internet slower than what your ISP provides? Do you have a noticeable lag in your PS4 or are you facing problems even connecting to PS4 servers? Then the problem might lie in your DNS configuration and you need fastest DNS servers for PS4.
Your DNS is mostly provided by your Internet Service Provider (ISP), but you can and you should change them to custom DNS. A bad DNS can greatly affect your internet speed in a negative way. To remove PS4 gaming lag and slow internet problems, you need to configure best DNS servers for PS4 and you can do it very easily.
Before jumping in, you should have basic knowledge about DNS servers and what happens when you use custom and fastest DNS server for PS4.
What is DNS?
The Domain Name System (DNS) is like the phonebook of the internet. We access websites by their domain names like geekdashboard.com, whereas web browsers access them through IP (Internet protocol) addresses. DNS translates domain names to IP addresses. It converts a hostname like a www.geekdashboard.com to an IP address like 45.76.166.196
Also Read:How to fix PS4 Controller Not Charging Problem
What is Public DNS?
DNS servers provided by companies whose services you use are mostly private. If you use Airtel, then they’ll provide you with their own private DNS servers, and you cannot use any other DNS server. DNS servers that are available to everyone are called Public DNS servers. These servers can be faster and much safer than private DNS servers. Google’s public DNS server is a good example.
Also Read: Fix “Ethernet doesn’t have a valid IP configuration error.”
What is Router DNS?
Many routers set themselves as your DNS server. When you make a request for a new website URL or domain then your router’s DNS server asks your ISP’s DNS for the respective IP address and then completes your request. The next time you make the same request, your router remembers the IP address and results in a faster response.
Also Read7 best PS4 soundbars you can buy now
What is Custom DNS and why should we use it?
Custom DNS servers are set up by private companies. Some are free and some are paid. These servers are generally faster and safer than your default DNS servers. Custom DNS servers also help you avoid censorship over the internet. With Custom DNS you can also regulate other people usage of the internet and regulate parental guidelines. You might’ve noticed that sometimes you cannot access a particular video or website because it’s not available in your location. A custom DNS server can help you bypass that.
List of 15 Fastest DNS Servers for PS4
Provider | Primary DNS | Secondary DNS |
---|---|---|
8.8.8.8 | 8.8.4.4 | |
Cloudflare DNS | 1.1.1.1 | 1.0.0.1 |
SafeDNS | 195.46.39.39 | 195.46.39.40 |
DNS Advantage | 156.154.70.1 | 156.154.71.1 |
OpenNIC | 23.94.60.240 | 128.52.130.209 |
OpenDNS Home | 208.67.220.220 | 208.67.222.222 |
Dyn | 216.146.35.35 | 216.146.36.36 |
FreeDNS | 37.235.1.174 | 37.235.1.177 |
Yandex.DNS | 77.88.8.8 | 77.88.8.1 |
DNS.WATCH | 82.200.69.80 | 84.200.70.40 |
Alternate DNS | 198.101.242.72 | 23.253.163.53 |
SmartViper | 208.76.50.50 | 208.76.51.51 |
Verisign | 64.6.64.6 | 64.6.65.6 |
Comodo Secure DNS | 8.26.56.26 | 8.20.247.20 |
UncensoredDNS | 91.239.100.100 | 89.233.43.71 |
How to Set up Custom DNS Server in PS4
Time needed: 5 minutes.
To change DNS settings in your PS4:
- Open PS4 Settings and go to NetworkTurn on your PS4 and go to Settings menu and select Network option.
- Select “Set Up Internet Connection” Under Network menu, you will be many options and you need to open Set Up Internet Connection screen.
- Choose either LAN or WiFi and click on “CustomYou need to select either LAN or WiFi depending on how you connect your PS4 to the internet
- Set IP Address as “Automatic” and DHCP as ‘Do not specifyChange the IP Address to Automatic and set DHCP as Do not specify
- Select Manual in DNS Settings Now change the DNS Settings to Manual to set custom fastest DNS on PS4.
- Enter Primary and Secondary DNSChoose any custom DNS of our choice and type the Primary DNS and Secondary DNS. Click Done to update the DNS.
- Update MTU and Proxy SettingsSe6 MTU as Automatic and Proxy Server as Do Not Use. Try out different DNS from the above table until you find the fastest one that works for you the best.
Frequently Asked Questions about Custom PS4 Fast DNS Setup
How do I find my DNS server?
You can contact your ISP, or you can enter your router IP address in the URL bar and go to your router settings panel to see your DNS server.
What is the best DNS server for PS4?
There is no specific best DNS server. Each one has their own shortcomings and some may work better for some people and work slowly for others. The key is to try out as many as possible to find the right one for you.
Is there any harm in changing my PS4 DNS server?
There is no harm in changing your DNS server and the process is completely safe. You can easily revert back to your default DNS server if nothing else works.
The DNS server I tried has made my connection slower
This happens when the particular DNS server is very far from your current location and is experiencing heavy traffic at the moment. Just try a different one from the list and you’ll stumble upon the fastest DNS server for PS4.
Conclusion for Custom PS4 DNS Servers
Best npc overhaul skyrim. At the very end, I would like to say that, don’t lose up if one DNS server isn’t working for you. Try another. Keep trying. There might be a number of reasons why a particular DNS server isn’t working for you and is not the fastest DNS server for PS4. Keep trying all the above-mentioned DNS servers and you’ll find the best one. Comment below for any issues you might be facing and tell us which DNS worked for you.
LIMITED OFFERNew PS4 GamePrice incl. tax, excl. shipping
New PS4 GamePrice incl. tax, excl. shipping
New PS4 GamePrice incl. tax, excl. shipping