Computers don’t speak the same language as we do, so domain names need to be translated into something readable and computer-friendly. That’s where the DNS server comes in.What is a DNS server? A DNS, or Domain Name System, is what helps translate human-friendly URLs into computer-friendly IP addresses.Instead of remembering a site’s long DNS IP address like Google’s 8.8.8.8, for example, we can just type in “Google” to find it.
How does a DNS server work? Every device that is connected to the internet has its own IP address.DNS servers use name servers, which essentially act as a ‘phonebook’ of IP addresses and domain names.A single master name server would be massive and unwieldy, so there are tons of different name servers that store this information.
Plus, domain names can each map to several IP addresses. Think about it this way: Many people access Allconnect at any given moment, and each of these individuals uses their own device and IP address.So when a human enters a web address, a DNS will match it with the IP address which computers can interpret.This routes your connection to the appropriate destination (the website you’re trying to get to).Why would you change your DNS? The main reason people switch away from their internet provider’s default DNS is to add a layer of privacy and improve connection speeds. Similar to how you might change your IP address with a VPN to gain access to content that’s restricted from your geographical location, changing your DNS masks your location.
The difference is, a VPN actually reroutes your connection through a different region, while a DNS simply tells the server that you’re in a different location.A VPN also offers more privacy through encryption, which may also slow your connection.When using your ISP’s DNS, your provider can: Track your browsing history Collect personal data Block access to certain websites This is why some users opt to switch to a third-party DNS.
There are both free and paid options, but they generally allow you to have more control over your privacy and network traffic. Reasons to change your DNS Access content on the web that is restricted in your physical location (like Netflix) Speed up your internet connection (sometimes third-party DNS servers are faster than the default) Maintain a safe web browsing experience for children Protect your devices and data through third-party DNS servers with added security features (mainly focused on anti-phishing) Your internet connection isn’t working, and you suspect it’s a problem with the DNS Best free DNS servers of 2026 Below, we’ve listed eight free public DNS servers that can speed up your browsing experience and improve your security. The main differences between the DNS servers listed below are the query times and security features Query time is the speed at which the DNS server receives and processes the request from your IP address — a server with the lowest query time will give you the fastest browsing experience DNS ServerPrimary addressQuery time*Key featuresBest for Google Public DNS 8.8.8.8 19 msFast, reliable performanceGamers and streamers OpenDNS208.67.222.22218 msBuilt-in content filteringFamilies and parents Quad99.9.9.9 22 msStrong privacy and threat blockingPrivacy-focused users Cloudflare1.1.1.111 msFast speeds with DDoS protectionEveryday users NextDNS45.90.28.014 msAdvanced malware protectionMalware protection Comodo Secure8.26.56.2613 msWeb filtering and threat protectionHome users OpenNIC192.95.54.3Varies Censorship-resistant DNS Tech enthusiasts CleanBrowsing185.228.168.16810 msFamily-friendly content filteringSchools and families *Measured in milliseconds, query times are from testing by DNS Performance Analytics and are the time it takes a DNS to get a request for a domain name’s IP address, process it and return that address to the user’s browser.The lower the time, the better — and faster — it is for the user.Free vs.
premium DNS servers The main difference between free DNS servers and premium (paid) DNS servers is the level of security, performance, customization and resources you receive.Premium DNS servers essentially offer a more extensive scope of resources, more robust security, faster performance and are well-equipped to handle larger commercial websites. Most DNS servers, like the ones we’ve listed above, have a free version with options to upgrade to a premium DNS with more features.Free DNS servers Free Includes basic DNS requirements Less security features Slower performance Not equipped to handle commercial sites Premium DNS servers Better performance Premium security features Larger pool of resources Not free How to set up DSN servers Windows Navigate to “Settings” Navigate to “Network and internet” Select your active connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet) Scroll down to your DNS server assignment, and click “Edit” Switch from “Automatic” to “Manual” Toggle the IPv4 switch to “On” Enter your Preferred and Alternate DNS address (e.g.
1.1.1.1) Click “Save” Mac Navigate to the Apple logo in top left corner of your screen Select “System settings…” Click “Network” on left hand side Select your active connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet) Click “Details” next to your connection Click “DNS” on left hand side Click the “+” button under “DNS servers” area Type in the DNS address you want to add (e.g.1.1.1.1) Select “OK” to save changes Restart your Mac and reconnect your Wi-Fi What should you do if your DNS server is down? There are different indicators that your DNS server might be down, and it’ll require a bit of work on your end if you want to DIY the fix.Some HTTP status codes, such as 502 errors, 503 errors and 504 errors, could all indicate a problem with your DNS.
If you suspect your DNS server is down, there are a few basic ways to confirm or even fix the situation: Connect with a different device – If you’re only experiencing issues on one device while all others can connect without a problem, it’s probably device-specific.Try a new browser or window – All devices having an issue? Open a new web browser or try a different web browsing program/app.Reset your modem and router – This can restart the entire connection which is often all you need.
Connect with a hardwire – Plug into your Ethernet cable to see if it’s just the Wi-Fi that’s giving you a hard time.If you still have a problem after taking the above steps (or you received a “DNS server unavailable” message), it could be your DNS.Clear the DNS cache On Mac: Navigate to Applications.
Click Utilities.Double-click Terminal.Run the following command: sudo dscacheutil -flushcache If the command succeeds, the system does not return any output.
On Windows: Open the Windows Command prompt.In the open prompt, type ipconfig /flushdns You should receive a message of your success as confirmation when the cache is cleared.Change your DNS On Mac: Navigate to System Preferences.
Click on Network.Click on Advanced.Go to the DNS tab.
Click the + sign at the lower left to add a new DNS server.Type in the numbers of a public DNS server (you can get this from a third-party DNS server).Click OK.
Select Apply.On Windows: Navigate to Network and Internet settings.Click on Change Adapter Settings.
Right-click on your active network connection and select Properties.Left-click on Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and select Properties.(If you use IPv6, change that as well.) Click Use the following DNS server addresses: and type in a new DNS server address (you can get this from a third-party DNS).
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