Best Free and Public DNS Servers [Updated 2022]
If you’re looking for a better, faster, more reliable way to browse the internet, using a DNS server may be the solution for you. Public DNS servers are free and easy to use, and can offer significant benefits over your ISP’s default servers. This list of public DNS servers is updated regularly to ensure that you’re always using the best possible service. Check it out today to see if a public DNS server could be right for you!
What is DNS Server?
DNS servers are the internet’s equivalent of a phone book. They maintain a directory of domain names and translate them into IP addresses. This allows users to access websites using easy-to-remember domain names instead of difficult-to-remember IP addresses.
The domain of this website is Techiespad.com. You can easily read, write and enter Techiespad.com into the address bar of your browser to access it. But, computers have no idea what Techiespad.com is. They don’t understand domain names at all. They will instead contact a server and try to figure out the IP address associated with Techiespad.com. Once the server is reached, your computer will open the site and load all the contents.
This SERVER that mediated between is a DNS server.
A DNS Server is a system that maps domain names to the right IP addresses. DNS servers maintain a directory of domain names and translate them to the correct IP address when an ISP (internet service provider) prompts. That means, if you enter Techiespad.com in your browser, a DNS server will translate it to 104.31.65.229 (IP address) and allow the access.
Now that you’ve an idea about what a DNS server is, let’s get started with the list of best and the fastest DNS Servers in 2019.
8 Best DNS Servers in 2022
All ISPs uses different DNS servers. The section below enlists the best ones you need to access the internet. Keep reading!
Note: It’s very important that your DNS server is error-free and stable enough to connect you to the internet. If it’s not, you might face troubles while accessing the websites you need. Of course, you can use open DNS servers if there’s something crucial you’re hanging on to. But remember, these open servers are prone to security lapses and can glom your personal data.
1. Google Public DNS
Frankly, no rewards for guessing that. Google Public DNS is the most widespread public DNS server with a user base measuring half of the globe. To use it, configure your network settings to use 8.8.8.8 (prefered) and 8.8.4.4. (alternate) as your DNS servers. Or, you can simply read the configuration settings here. The most notable aspect is its support to IPv6 connections. You can configure your IP settings to the IPv6 protocol.
The Google Public DNS IPv6 addresses are as follows:
- 2001:4860:4860::8888
- 2001:4860:4860::8844
Google says – You can use either address as your primary or secondary DNS server. You can specify both addresses, but do not specify the same address as both primary and secondary.
Better speed and enhanced security are one of the many advantages with Google DNS servers. It is known that Google has sufficient defence mechanisms to resist cache poisoning attacks and DoS attacks.
2. OpenDNS
It’s one DNS server to try out if you’re looking at maximized security. OpenDNS promises security beyond the wall and helps you stave off the malicious attacks that prey on your personal data. The security is best in class, allowing you to predict attacks before they happen and remove your DNS blind spot.
For configuring your network to OpenDNS, you need following IP addresses:
- 208.67.222.222
- 208.67.222.220
OpenDNS has two IP variants, personal and business, which are further packed with lots of amazing optimization features. OpenDNS Home and OpenDNS Family Shield are two IP solutions to personal computers. Setting up Home DNS system on your router will get you complimentary benefits, like Phishing Protection and Optimized Speed for faster networking.
While, the Family Shield system bars adult content from your local network. You can configure OpenDNS Family Shield system by using following IP addresses:
- 208.67.222.123 (Prefered)
- 208.67.220.123 (Alternate)
3. Norton ConnectSafe
As the name itself suggests, Norton ConnectSafe is a free DNS server for home and personal use. It is all about having secure connections across the web. It establishes the first line of defence for basic browsing and malicious sites on the internet. With Norton ConnectSafe at your back, the safety of your browsing is improved and the intimidating content on the web is blocked. Norton has been a web security expert for years now with product like Norton Internet Security and Norton 360. If you’re already having any of these two on your router, don’t worry as ConnectSafe doesn’t replace these security algorithms with its own. Instead, it provides basic browsing protection and blocks unwanted content on your home networks.
Norton ConnectSafe has three levels of protection. While the First level of security protects your home network against phishing, malware and scam, the Second level automatically blocks undesirable content, like pornography. The Third level is a combination of all (Security + Pornography + all). There are different IP addresses for each of these, which are:
Level 1 – Security
- 199.85.126.10
- 199.85.127.10
Level 2 – Security + Pornography
- 199.85.126.20
- 199.85.127.20
Level 3 – Security + Pornography + Other
- 199.85.126.30
- 199.85.127.30
4. Level3 DNS
Level3 DNS might not be as impressive as Google, but is very competitive in terms of reliability and performance. Speed is the primary reason you must switch to Level3. It’s perfectly optimized to map connections better and deliver best browsing experience. Turns out, Level3 has invested heavily in its DNS server and it definitely shows. The kind of reliability and security features you get with Level3 is well-serving.
To configure your network settings to Level3 DNS, you need following IP addresses:
- 209.244.0.3
- 209.244.0.4
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5. Comodo Secure DNS
There’s a lot packed into Comodo Secure DNS that provides more reliable, faster and smarter internet browsing. On the face of it, there are certain promising features, which are great to have if you’re thinking about long term security. It truly delivers on the speed front as well, resulting in information that’s delivered quick. Having it comes easy, since it doesn’t need any software or hardware installation.
Comodo prioritizes security by filtering out the unsafe sites and offering its malware domain filtering feature. By notifying the harmful nature of the site in advance, it warns you against visiting them.
Use the following IP addresses to route your browser on Comodo Secure DNS.
- 8.26.56.26
- 8.20.247.20
Other DNS Servers And Their Respective IP Addresses
6. DNS Advantage
DNS Advantage is a highly capable server with promising speed and superior security. That being so, you can get the information much faster. To access DNS Advantage server, you need these IP addresses mentioned below.
- 156.154.70.1
- 156.154.71.1
7. OpenNIC DNS
Net Neutrality was a burning issue of contention a few months ago, if you remember. And, OpenNIC DNS is a way to achieving a web space that’s available for all and with no conditions whatsoever. It has placed its security algorithms strategically by allowing DNS Neutrality – rescuing censorship on web content and accessing internet as it is. OpenNIC DNS also helps you bypass the ISP DNS Hijacking and supports new TLDs. A favorite with OpenNIC DNS is the option to find the best DNS server available near to your location, and if you’re able to find one, this will ultimately result in better speed and connection quality.
Configure your network to OpenNIC DNS by accessing IP addresses below.
- 46.151.208.154
- 128.199.248.105
8. Safe DNS
Safe DNS is cloud-based, offering enhanced security and better browsing browsing experience. With Safe DNS on your router, you have the opportunity to access internet while keeping undesirable elements at bay. So, there is no malware, unwanted content and overhyped advertising to make matters worse for your web browsing. It also gives you enhanced parental controls, so that you can keep malicious sites away from your children’s access, limit time for surfing, and surveillance activities.
To use SafeDNS, you need following IP addresses mentioned below:
- 195.46.39.39
- 195.46.39.40
These are some of the best DNS servers you can try for better network configuration.
For computers, certain things are easy to understand, which humans find very confusing. Like IP addresses. Computers understand IP addresses and use them to gain an access to a network or the internet. But, it’s very difficult for us to remember these IP addresses. Since we’re really bad at remembering them, we use domain names, which are simple, speakable and understandable to us and get away with the perplexity.
Speed optimization, razor-sharp security and reliability are three absolute motives to start using a DNS server NOW. These servers are also helpful in finding a way out against web censorship and geography-based restrictions.
Reading this, we’re sure about you having a grasp of what DNS servers are. If you liked this post or have any feedback to share, keep us posted in the comment section below.
