Beyond Google: Four Free DNS Servers That Excel in Specific Areas

Google DNS and Cloudflare DNS are well-known for their speed and reliability. However, they don't offer any additional features that might be useful to certain users. For instance, if you're looking to block ads or protect yourself from malware, there are other free DNS servers available.

One option is AdGuard DNS, which focuses on blocking ads and trackers. It works by maintaining a list of known ad-serving and tracking domains and refusing to load them when your device tries to resolve those domains. The free version can block ads within websites, but not ads that appear within apps. A paid version offers additional features such as custom filters for blocking specific content.

Another alternative is Quad9, which prioritizes security over speed. It cross-references DNS queries against a constantly updated threat intelligence feed to identify and block malware and phishing attempts. This makes it more secure than Google and Cloudflare DNS, which don't block anything by default.

CleanBrowsing is another option that's geared towards families. Its Family Filter blocks adult content and mixed-content sites across the board and enables SafeSearch on Google, YouTube, and other search engines. However, it can be blunt at times and might block legitimate sites by mistake.