Best Alternative DNS Server: Top Picks Compared

If you want a faster, more private, or more reliable way to resolve website names, the best alternative DNS servers are Cloudflare (1.1.1.1), Google Public DNS (8.8.8.8), and Quad9 (9.9.9.9). These free services replace your ISP’s default resolver, often cutting lookup times and adding security features like malware blocking. Below we explain how they work, how to choose one, and how to switch on any device.

Formula

The calculator above works out your average pace and speed for a run or ride. Pace is the time it takes to cover one kilometer (or mile, if you use miles), and speed is the distance covered per hour. The formulas are:

• Pace (min/km) = Finish time (minutes) ÷ Distance (km)
• Speed (km/h) = Distance (km) ÷ (Finish time (minutes) ÷ 60)

Where t is the total time in minutes and d is the distance in kilometers. If you measure distance in miles, the pace becomes min/mile and speed is miles per hour—the math is the same.

Worked Example

Using the default values: you run 10 km in 50 minutes.

1. Pace = 50 ÷ 10 = 5.00 min/km
2. Speed = 10 ÷ (50 ÷ 60) = 10 ÷ 0.8333 = 12.00 km/h

The calculator shows an average pace of 5:00 per kilometer and a speed of 12.0 km/h. That matches the formula output with the defaults.

What Is a DNS Server and Why Change It?

The Domain Name System (DNS) is the phonebook of the internet. When you type a domain like example.com, your device asks a DNS server for the numeric IP address that hosts that site. Your Internet Service Provider (ISP) usually assigns a DNS server automatically, but those servers are not always the fastest, most private, or most reliable. They can be slow to respond, log your browsing history, or occasionally fail during outages. Switching to a public alternative can improve speed, add security filtering, and give you more control over your privacy.

Top Alternative DNS Servers Compared

Here are the most widely used public DNS resolvers, with their primary IPv4 addresses:

• Cloudflare (1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1) – Known for speed and privacy. It does not log your IP address and supports DNS-over-HTTPS and DNS-over-TLS. It also has a consumer app called 1.1.1.1 for extra features.
• Google Public DNS (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4) – Reliable and globally distributed. It offers good performance and supports secure protocols, but it retains some logs (though it says it does not use them to target ads).
• Quad9 (9.9.9.9 and 149.112.112.112) – Blocks domains known to host malware or phishing. It uses threat intelligence from multiple sources and does not store personal data.
• OpenDNS (208.67.222.222 and 208.67.220.220) – Owned by Cisco, offers content filtering options. The free version includes phishing protection, but it is less privacy-focused than Cloudflare or Quad9.
• Comodo Secure DNS (8.26.56.26 and 8.20.247.20) – Provides malware blocking and is aimed at home users, though its performance varies by region.

How to Choose the Best DNS for You

There is no single “best� DNS server for everyone. Your choice depends on what you value most:

• Speed – Use a tool like DNSPerf or the DNS Benchmark utility to test which server is fastest from your location. Cloudflare and Google usually top the charts, but your ISP’s server might be faster in some cases.
• Privacy – If you want minimal logging, Cloudflare and Quad9 are strong choices. They publish transparency reports and commit to not selling data.
• Security – Quad9 and OpenDNS block malicious domains, which can prevent visits to phishing sites or malware hosts.
• Parental controls – OpenDNS offers free content filtering (e.g., blocking adult sites) by using different IP addresses for different filter levels.
• Reliability – Google and Cloudflare have massive global infrastructure, so they are rarely down.

How to Change Your DNS Server

You can change the DNS on your router (affects all devices) or on individual devices. Here are the general steps for common platforms:

1. Windows 10/11: Go to Settings → Network & Internet → Change adapter options. Right-click your connection → Properties → select “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)� → Properties → choose “Use the following DNS server addresses� and enter the IPs. Do the same for IPv6 if needed.
2. macOS: System Settings → Network → choose your connection → Details → DNS → click “+� to add the server addresses.
3. Android: Settings → Wi-Fi → long-press your network → Modify network → Advanced → IP settings → change to “Staticâ€� and enter the DNS addresses. (On some versions, you can set a private DNS by entering a hostname like one.one.one.one for Cloudflare.)
4. iOS: Settings → Wi-Fi → tap the “i� next to your network → Configure DNS → Manual → add the addresses.
5. Router: Log into your router’s admin page (usually at 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1), find the WAN or Internet settings, and replace the DNS fields. This applies the change to every device on your network.

Common Problems and Misconceptions

One common myth is that changing DNS will always make your internet faster. In reality, DNS lookup is only a small part of the connection process—once the IP is found, your data travels the same path. The biggest speed gains come if your ISP’s DNS is slow or overloaded. Another misconception is that DNS changes are risky or irreversible. They are easily undone by switching back to “automatic� or entering the old addresses.

Another issue: some public DNS servers (like Google) may return different results for geo-located content (e.g., streaming services) because they use different root servers. If you have trouble accessing a regional service, you may need to switch back to your ISP’s DNS.

Security and Privacy Considerations

Using a public DNS server does not encrypt your DNS queries by default. To protect against snooping, enable DNS-over-HTTPS (DoH) or DNS-over-TLS (DoT) if your device or browser supports it. Cloudflare, Google, and Quad9 all support these protocols. Also, remember that DNS is only one layer of privacy—your IP address is still visible to websites, and your traffic is not encrypted by DNS alone. For full anonymity, use a VPN.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing DNS break my internet? No. You can always revert to automatic settings. If you enter a wrong address, you may lose connectivity, but simply correcting it or resetting to DHCP fixes the problem.

Which DNS is fastest in 2025? It varies by location and time. Cloudflare and Google are consistently near the top, but you should test with a tool like DNSPerf to see what’s best for your network.

Does a public DNS hide my browsing history? It hides it from your ISP if you use DoH/DoT, but the DNS provider sees your queries unless they have a strict no-log policy. Cloudflare and Quad9 have such policies, but Google retains some logs.

Can I use a DNS server to block ads? Some public DNS services (like AdGuard DNS) block ads and trackers, but the ones listed here (except Quad9 for malware) do not. You can set up a Pi-hole or use a dedicated ad-blocking DNS.

Do I need to change DNS on my router or on each device? Changing it on the router affects all devices, which is easier. But if you travel, you might want to set it on your laptop or phone individually.

What is the difference between IPv4 and IPv6 DNS? IPv4 uses 32-bit addresses (like 8.8.8.8), while IPv6 uses 128-bit addresses (like 2001:4860:4860::8888). Most public DNS providers offer both; you can enter either set.

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in t | Finish time | min | 50 | 0
in d | Distance | km | 10 | 0
out pace | Average pace | min/km | t / d | 2
out speed | Average speed | km/h | d / (t / 60) | 2