DNS Server List — Fastest & Most Reliable Public DNS Providers (2025)

DNS servers control how quickly and securely you connect to websites. By changing your DNS provider, you can increase speed, improve privacy, and bypass local network restrictions.

Below is the ultimate DNS server list for 2025, including public and free DNS providers for both IPv4 and IPv6 networks.

What Is a Public DNS Server?

A public DNS server is a resolver that anyone can use instead of the one assigned by their Internet Service Provider (ISP).

Public DNS servers often provide:

  • Faster lookup speeds
  • Better uptime
  • Enhanced privacy (no ISP tracking)
  • Malware and phishing protection

Example: Google's 8.8.8.8 or Cloudflare's 1.1.1.1.

Why Change Your DNS Server?

Changing your DNS can improve:

Speed:

Some DNS servers resolve domains faster based on Anycast routing.

🔒
Privacy:

Many public servers don't log user queries.

🛡️
Security:

Services like Quad9 block malicious domains.

Reliability:

Avoid outages from your ISP's default DNS.

🌐
Access:

Sometimes helps bypass regional blocks or incorrect routing.

Internal Link: Use our DNS Lookup Tool to test any DNS provider's response time.

Best Public DNS Servers (2025 List)

Provider Primary IPv4 Secondary IPv4 Primary IPv6 Secondary IPv6 Features Website
Google Public DNS 8.8.8.8 8.8.4.4 2001:4860:4860::8888 2001:4860:4860::8844 Fast, global, reliable dns.google
Cloudflare DNS 1.1.1.1 1.0.0.1 2606:4700:4700::1111 2606:4700:4700::1001 Privacy-first, DoH/DoT support 1.1.1.1
Quad9 DNS 9.9.9.9 149.112.112.112 2620:fe::fe 2620:fe::9 Blocks malware, secure quad9.net
OpenDNS (Cisco) 208.67.222.222 208.67.220.220 2620:0:ccc::2 2620:0:ccd::2 Parental control, malware blocking opendns.com
CleanBrowsing DNS 185.228.168.9 185.228.169.9 2a0d:2a00:1::2 2a0d:2a00:2::2 Family filter, adult content blocking cleanbrowsing.org
Comodo Secure DNS 8.26.56.26 8.20.247.20 Malware protection comodo.com
AdGuard DNS 94.140.14.14 94.140.15.15 2a10:50c0::ad1:ff 2a10:50c0::ad2:ff Blocks ads and trackers adguard-dns.io
Yandex DNS 77.88.8.8 77.88.8.1 2a02:6b8::feed:0ff 2a02:6b8::feed:bad DNS filtering options dns.yandex.com
Alternate DNS 76.76.19.19 76.223.122.150 Ad blocking alternatedns.com
Neustar UltraDNS 156.154.70.1 156.154.71.1 2610:a1:1018::1 2610:a1:1019::1 Security + Family filters neustarsecurityservices.com
Level3 DNS 209.244.0.3 209.244.0.4 Legacy ISP-grade

Tip: Test each provider using your location — the fastest DNS may vary based on your region and latency.

DNS Servers for Privacy and Security

Provider Focus Logs Data? DNSSEC DoH/DoT Support
Cloudflare Privacy No logs (purged daily) Yes Yes
Quad9 Security Minimal logs Yes Yes
AdGuard Privacy + Ad blocking Minimal logs Yes Yes
Google Speed Anonymized logs (24–48h) Yes Yes
OpenDNS Security + Filtering Keeps logs (for dashboard) Yes No

Why Use Multiple DNS Servers?

Using primary and secondary DNS servers ensures redundancy:

  • If one fails, your system automatically queries the next.
  • You can mix providers (e.g., Google + Cloudflare) to balance performance and privacy.
  • For enterprises, having multiple resolvers prevents regional outages.

Pro tip: Some advanced routers support DNS fallback lists and load-balancing between resolvers.

How to Change Your DNS Server

Windows

  1. Open Network & Internet SettingsChange adapter options.
  2. Right-click your connection → Properties.
  3. Select "Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)".
  4. Click "Use the following DNS server addresses" and enter preferred addresses (e.g., 1.1.1.1 / 8.8.8.8).
  5. Click OK and flush cache:

ipconfig /flushdns

macOS

System PreferencesNetworkAdvancedDNS tab

Linux

Edit /etc/resolv.conf or set via NetworkManager GUI.

Android / iOS

Use Private DNS → set 1dot1dot1dot1.cloudflare-dns.com for DoT.
Or configure Wi-Fi DNS manually under network settings.

How Changing DNS Improves Internet Quality

Reduces latency:

Queries reach nearest Anycast node.

Improves page load time:

DNS resolution happens faster.

Avoids throttling:

Some ISPs delay or intercept DNS queries.

Bypasses errors:

Public servers may resolve blocked or misconfigured domains correctly.

Better reliability:

Multi-region redundancy ensures uptime.

Internal link: Benchmark improvements using Ping and Latency Test Tool.

DNS Benchmarks and Testing Tools

You can measure DNS performance using these free tools:

Tool Function URL
dnslookup.pro Real-time DNS record testing dnslookup.pro
Namebench DNS speed benchmarking (Google open-source) github.com/google/namebench
GRC DNS Benchmark Windows DNS resolver speed test grc.com/dns/benchmark.htm
DNSPerf Global DNS latency comparison dnsperf.com

Recommended DNS Configurations

Use Case Recommended Servers
Speed Cloudflare (1.1.1.1) + Google (8.8.8.8)
Privacy Quad9 + AdGuard
Family Safe CleanBrowsing + OpenDNS FamilyShield
Developers / Testing Google + Cloudflare + your own resolver
ISPs / Enterprises PowerDNS Recursor + Unbound combo

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Which is the fastest DNS server?

Cloudflare (1.1.1.1) and Google (8.8.8.8) are typically the fastest worldwide, depending on region.

2. Can I use more than two DNS servers?

Yes. Modern OSes and routers can handle multiple DNS entries for redundancy and performance.

3. Does changing DNS affect my IP or internet plan?

No. It only affects how quickly your system resolves domains.

4. Are public DNS servers safe?

Yes, but choose reputable providers that support DNSSEC and don't log data unnecessarily.

5. Will DNS changes unblock websites?

Sometimes—if restrictions are based on DNS filtering, but not if blocked at IP/firewall level.

Test DNS Servers Now

Want to verify which DNS server works best for you? Use our free DNS Lookup Tool to test response times and DNS records.

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