Fastest Public DNS Server

Fastest and most popular public DNS server in the world. List ordered by query speed.

IP ASN		Country City	Reliability Speed
1	8.20.247.20 AS23393 NuCDN LLC (Comodo Secure DNS)	United States Clifton	100 % - 13.72 ms
2	2620:0:ccc::2 AS36692 Cisco OpenDNS, LLC	United States New York	100 % - 18.75 ms

Public DNS Servers by country

Understanding Public DNS Servers

In the ever-evolving landscape of the internet, Domain Name System (DNS) servers play a pivotal role in translating human-friendly domain names into IP addresses that computers use to communicate with each other. While most users rely on their Internet Service Provider's (ISP) default DNS servers, there are numerous public DNS servers available that offer enhanced speed, security, and privacy. This article delves into the importance of public DNS servers and provides a comprehensive list of some of the best options available.

What is a DNS Server?

A DNS server is essentially the internet's phonebook. When you type a web address (like www.example.com) into your browser, the DNS server converts this address into a machine-readable IP address (like 192.0.2.1). This process is critical for web browsing, email, and other internet activities.

Why Use a Public DNS Server?

Speed: Some public DNS servers offer faster query resolution than those provided by ISPs, potentially speeding up your internet browsing experience.
Security: Enhanced security features such as protection against phishing sites, malware, and other online threats are often provided.
Privacy: Many public DNS servers promise not to log your queries, offering better privacy than ISP-provided options.
Reliability: Public DNS servers often have better uptime and reliability compared to ISP servers.

Top Public DNS Servers

Here’s a list of some of the most popular and reliable public DNS servers you can use:

1. Google Public DNS

Primary DNS: 8.8.8.8
Secondary DNS: 8.8.4.4

Google Public DNS is one of the most widely used DNS services in the world. It offers fast performance, security features, and high reliability. Google claims that it does not permanently store personally identifiable information.

2. Cloudflare DNS

Primary DNS: 1.1.1.1
Secondary DNS: 1.0.0.1

Cloudflare DNS is known for its focus on privacy and speed. It promises to never sell user data or use it for targeted advertising. Cloudflare DNS also supports DNS over HTTPS (DoH) and DNS over TLS (DoT) for enhanced security.

3. OpenDNS

Primary DNS: 208.67.222.222
Secondary DNS: 208.67.220.220

Owned by Cisco, OpenDNS offers robust security features including phishing protection and optional parental controls. It provides a reliable and fast service with a global network of servers.

4. Quad9

Primary DNS: 9.9.9.9
Secondary DNS: 149.112.112.112

Quad9 focuses on security by blocking access to malicious websites, ensuring safer browsing. It doesn’t store any personal data and supports DNS over HTTPS and DNS over TLS.

5. Comodo Secure DNS

Primary DNS: 8.26.56.26
Secondary DNS: 8.20.247.20

Comodo Secure DNS offers robust security features, blocking malicious websites, phishing attempts, and other threats. It’s also known for good performance and reliability.

6. CleanBrowsing

Primary DNS: 185.228.168.9
Secondary DNS: 185.228.169.9

CleanBrowsing is designed with family-friendly content filtering in mind. It offers different filtering levels to block adult content, malicious sites, and other unwanted material. It also supports DNS over HTTPS and DNS over TLS.

How to Change Your DNS Server

Changing your DNS server is a straightforward process and can be done on individual devices or at the router level:

Windows

Go to Control Panel > Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center > Change adapter settings.
Right-click your network connection and select Properties.
Select "Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)" and click Properties.
Enter the desired DNS server addresses.

MacOS

Go to System Preferences > Network.
Select your network connection and click Advanced.
Go to the DNS tab and click the + button to add new DNS servers.

Router

Access your router’s admin interface (usually by typing the router's IP address in your web browser).
Find the DNS settings (this varies by router model).
Enter the desired DNS server addresses.

Conclusion

Public DNS servers offer a range of benefits including improved speed, enhanced security, and better privacy. By choosing the right public DNS server, you can optimize your internet experience and protect yourself from various online threats. The options listed above are some of the best available, each with its unique features and advantages. Make an informed choice based on your specific needs and enjoy a safer, faster, and more reliable internet experience.