Best Free Public DNS Servers for 2024

The use of public and free DNS servers can significantly improve the speed and security of your online browsing by providing an alternative to the servers assigned by your Internet Service Provider (ISP).

The Domain Name System (DNS) acts as a translator that converts the domain names you enter in your browser into the IP addresses needed to access those websites. While browsing speed also depends on the web hosting service, the performance of your ISP's DNS plays a crucial role. If it is slow or goes down, your browsing experience can be negatively affected.

Fortunately, switching to a high-quality free DNS server can offer you faster browsing and often a range of security benefits, such as protection against phishing and blocking malicious websites. Not all DNS providers will necessarily be better than your ISP, so it's essential to choose carefully. Below are six of the most recommended DNS servers for 2024:

1. Cleanbrowsing: With IPs 185.228.168.9 and 185.228.169.9, this service allows you to filter content for free. It offers three types of filters: one for security, another for adults, and a third for families that also enables safe search on Google, Bing, and YouTube.

2. Cloudflare: Its IPs are 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1. Known for its high performance and privacy focus, Cloudflare claims not to store IP address logs and to delete any data within 24 hours.

3. Google Public DNS: It uses the addresses 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4. It is reliable and secure, though it has certain privacy concerns as it stores IP addresses for a short period.

4. Gcore: Famous among technology enthusiasts, this option supports multiple configurations and a wide range of features, though it can be more complicated in terms of costs.

5. Quad9: With IPs 9.9.9.9 and 149.112.112.112, this service offers free web security and is simple to configure, but it does not have manual filters.

6. OpenDNS: With addresses 208.67.222.222 and 208.67.220.220, this service allows manual filtering and blocking of malicious sites, and it focuses on ease of use.

Choosing a DNS server can not only influence your connection speed but also the security and reliability of your browsing. If you decide to explore beyond your current provider, these options can help enhance your online experience.