ISPs are forced to block DNS request to certain hosts, they also monitor your DNS requests, and sometimes aren’t updated that or are slow.
Which DNS servers do you use or would recommend to others?
Quad9 has been pretty solid imo
Yeah, it’s what I finally went with. Lookup time is way faster than openNIC. And at least it isn’t my ISP.
Mullvad
No particular reason. I’ve tried many, including local and public pi-hole, adguard, etc., just settled on this one.
+1 here. It’s been pretty much set up and forget it.
I used to use adguard home’s docker container for it’s DoH, but then a friend sold me on NextDNS. They all use pretty much the same blocklists, but NextDNS is much easier and very worth the $.
Bonus points to them because they also offer installers for Unifi gear so that your entire network can route all DNS through them, and its encrypted DNS! Unifi can even pass along the names of the devices.
- Quad9 if you just want a simple, private DNS.
- NextDNS if you want to use blocklists and stuff.
- Mullvad DNS if you already have Mullvad.
- I have also heard good things about and had good experiences with CONTROL-D, rethinkDNS, and AhaDNS.
I use ControlD, but have never heard of rethinkDNS or AhaDNS. Curious to hear from people who uses them.
I use RethinkDNS. I really like being able to pick and choose block lists. They have categories, Ads, Porn, Gambling, etc. And you can just use their presets, Ads is going to combine multiple lists for example. You can also add a ‘No Meta/Facebook’ list to that too.
If you are on Android they have an app that integrates the DNS with optional firewall with logging, and Wireguard or Orbot support. The app also gives you the option of having the block lists on device.
Everything is FOSS
Finally ended up going with Quad9, since I’d find it a little bit awkward to make myself traceable with personal details in order to make use of a privacy service, you know?
Thanks for the list.
