NextDNS takes DNS customization to the next level. While technically a paid DNS service, it offers a free option limited to 300,000 DNS queries a month — once you hit the limit, NextDNS will still process your DNS requests, but you will lose access to all of its extra features.
And it has a lot of extra features to lose. NextDNS uses real-time analysis to cut off access to malicious websites, blocks ads and web trackers, and lets you implement a custom blocklist to protect kids that use your devices. Just keep in mind that all of these security options come at a price — in this case, quite literally.
NordVPN operates its own secure DNS servers. The primary and secondary servers above are NordVPN’s public DNS servers, which can be freely used by anyone. NordVPN’s private DNS servers are used by NordVPN apps and can only be accessed by users with an active NordVPN subscription.
Just like the top DNS service providers on this list, NordVPN’s DNS servers are fast and protected against DNS-specific threats (like DNS poisoning). By default, NordVPN’s DNS servers do not filter your DNS queries, but you can implement DNS filtering against malicious domains with NordVPN’s Threat Protection feature if you wish.
NordVPN apps also offer smart DNS as part of NordVPN’s SmartPlay feature. What is smart DNS, you ask? It’s a technology that redirects your DNS queries to other DNS servers if the page you requested is not available in your region. SmartPlay helps you access your favorite content from home safely while traveling abroad.
The list above contains some of the best DNS servers for gaming available on the market today. However, the best DNS server for you specifically depends on a number of factors, such as your physical location, security considerations, and budget. Don’t be afraid to experiment to find what works best for you — the DNS servers listed here are free to use.
If you just want a quick and easy recommendation, go with Cloudflare for its excellent speed and stability. While it doesn’t come with nearly as many security features as the competition, it’s still a clear upgrade to your ISP’s public DNS servers.
Changing your DNS server is as simple as entering the new server’s address in your device’s DNS settings. The tricky bit is finding where those DNS settings are because each operating system likes to hide them in a different place.
Using the best DNS server for gaming improves the gaming experience by reducing latency, faster downloads for game updates and patches, enhancing security, and ensuring uninterrupted connection.
The best DNS for gaming are the ones that offer the fastest, most stable connection to the game because speed and minimum lag and ping are paramount for smooth gameplay.
Regardless of which DNS Server will be your choice, buy VPS must be your priority to start using your considered gaming DNS server.
The Cloudflare DNS service offers one of the quickest public DNS options, which, by improving speed, optimizes the gaming experience.It is available for personal and commercial use.
The popularity of this DNS server is that customers receive an extra layer of privacy that does not let IP addresses be recorded.
If you’re concerned about malware or phishing websites, you must be aware that Cloudflare provides no protections against them and no way to disable ads.
Google Public DNS is one of the best, fastest, and most reliable Google products announced in 2009 and is known as the largest public domain name system provider worldwide.
Since it supports the latest IPv6, it is the most suitable for gaming and accessing all modern sites. If you have read the IPv4 & IPv6 comparison article, you will understand the importance of DNS server support for IPv6 connections due to the modern sites’ need for IPv6 support.
Other brilliant features of Google Public DNS are fast resolution time, excellent security against phishing attacks, fast page loading time, free-to-use, the possibility of selecting DNS server location, and optimizing latency, which make it the best DNS for gaming.
OpenDNS (also known as Cisco Umbrella) is a free and well-known DNS server that was launched in 2005 for a smooth gaming experience. OpenDNS offers you two free solutions: OpenDNS Family Shield and OpenDNS Home.
As a first DNSCrypt developer, OpenDNS works with IPv4 and IPv6 addresses. It supports the DNSCrypt protocol and supports DOH to provide fast and safe internet service.
Ragnarok Android Private ServerQuad9 DNS Server is a free and secure DNS service for gaming that prevents access to harmful websites by generating an updated list of threats and malicious domains.
In addition to getting rid of ads and malware, it also plays an important role in protecting your privacy by blocking analytics tools and trackers on the web, potentially improving security and ping.
OpenNIC, a reliable and free DNS service, is a good choice for unrestricted internet access with no information filtering; so you are free to search for anything on the internet using OpenNIC DNS.
Comodo Secure DNS service is a top-tier, reliable, fast DNS server that allows you to experience lag-free, smooth, and fast gaming because it responds quickly to requests.
Comodo Secure DNS is an excellent option for personal and business use, which helps to secure your family and yourself against risky and fraudulent websites for nothing.
Additionally, it offers offline and online content protection policy enforcement. Comodo Secure DNS is recommended for gaming because, along with providing speed, it can protect your device from malware attacks.
Clean Browsing by supporting DNSCrypt, DNSOverTor, and DNSOverTor and other security features safeguards users against dangerous websites infecting their devices or browsers with viruses or malware.
Free filters, fast connection, powerful encryption, and custom content filtering are the benefits of using This Clean Browsing DNS. However, to customize content filtering, you need to purchase premium plans.
Alternate DNS prevents viruses from infecting the user’s machine, removes ads, and enables a lightning-fast, secure internet connection. This service lets you surf the internet without interruption by ads. It also provides an extensive blacklist of dubious or fraudulent websites.
SafeDNS is a reliable option for users who want to protect their laptop/PC from attacks. It can filter and secure the web for homes, schools, and businesses.
While you are using the free DNS plan, malware cannot infiltrate your system, but if you need to have ad and tracking blocking, you must upgrade to a paid subscription.
Level3 is one of the best DNS servers for gaming that provides a fast internet connection with no lags. It is the best DNS server after Google, Cloudflare, and OpenDNS.
Using UncensoredDNS allows you to send and store your data quickly and safely. Your data will be safe since DNS providers do not track or keep any information.
DNS.WATCH is a free DNS server that provides an uncensored, fast, and stable web browsing experience. However, it also offers a number of security features, such as malware protection and ad filtering.
Users on their computers and players on their consoles can benefit from its features like malware scanning, online backup, and other security measures.
Norton ConnectSafe is also an ideal DNS for gaming. Using this DNS server reduces lag and latency to provide high speed and responsiveness. You can enjoy playing the game along with being safe since it also protects your device against malware, phishing scams, and other threats.