Best DNS for Speed and Privacy (A Guide)

When it comes to faster browsing and stronger privacy, or minimising latency, switching to a better DNS (Domain Name System) provider can make a noticeable difference. Whether you’re a gamer, a privacy advocate, or just looking for a more reliable internet experience, a good DNS can be a game-changer.

Here’s a rundown of the most popular DNS services in 2025, ordered by popularity and effectiveness, with IPs, features, and facts for each.

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1. Cloudflare DNS (1.1.1.1)

Best for: Speed and privacy-first users
Primary IPs:

• Standard: 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1
• With Malware Blocking: 1.1.1.2 and 1.0.0.2
• With Malware + Adult Content Blocking: 1.1.1.3 and 1.0.0.3

Key Features:

• No logging: Cloudflare promises not to track your activity.
• One of the fastest DNS resolvers globally (confirmed by DNSPerf).
• Built-in security with optional content filtering.

Cloudflare DNS Website

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2. Google Public DNS

Best for: Stability and performance
Primary IPs:

• IPv4: 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4
• IPv6: 2001:4860:4860::8888 and 2001:4860:4860::8844

Key Features:

• Huge global infrastructure ensures reliability.
• Logs some metadata (anonymized), so not the most privacy-focused.
• Excellent fallback DNS for general users.

Google DNS Website

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3. OpenDNS (by Cisco)

Best for: Families, schools, and enterprise filtering
Primary IPs:

• Standard: 208.67.222.222 and 208.67.220.220
• FamilyShield (Pre-configured for adult content filtering):
  208.67.222.123 and 208.67.220.123

Key Features:

• Customizable content filtering.
• Phishing and botnet protection.
• Requires account for full customization and analytics.

OpenDNS Website

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4. Quad9 DNS

Best for: Privacy and security
Primary IPs:

• Standard (with malware filtering): 9.9.9.9 and 149.112.112.112
• Unfiltered (no malware blocking): 9.9.9.10
• ECS-enabled (for CDN performance): 9.9.9.11

Key Features:

• Operated by a nonprofit.
• Focus on blocking malicious domains.
• No user-identifiable data stored.

Quad9 Website

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5. Control D (Ctl-D)

Best for: Power users who want customizable DNS filtering
Primary IPs:

• Unfiltered: 76.76.2.0 and 76.76.10.0
• Malware Block: 76.76.2.1 and 76.76.10.1
• Malware + Ads Block: 76.76.2.2 and 76.76.10.2
• Family Filter: 76.76.2.3 and 76.76.10.3
• Social Media Block: 76.76.2.4 and 76.76.10.4
• (Many more custom configs available)

Key Features:

• Highly configurable filtering rules.
• Useful for schools, workplaces, and parents.
• Option to set up your own exit region (premium).

Control D Website

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Summary Table

Provider	Primary IPs	Filtering Options	Best For
Cloudflare	1.1.1.1, 1.0.0.1	Malware/Adult filters	Speed, Privacy
Google DNS	8.8.8.8, 8.8.4.4	None	General use
OpenDNS	208.67.222.222, 208.67.220.220	FamilyShield	Custom Filtering
Quad9	9.9.9.9, 149.112.112.112	Malware filtering	Security
Control D	76.76.2.0, 76.76.10.0	Custom	Power Users

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Final Thoughts

Choosing the right DNS depends on your needs. Want the fastest? Go for Cloudflare. Prefer advanced filtering? Try Control D or OpenDNS. Concerned about privacy and malware? Quad9 is your go-to.

Experiment and find what works best for your setup. The good news? Switching DNS is free, easy, and safe to test.

Let us know in the comments which DNS you’re using and why!