Adguard best DNS servers

Overview

DNS (Domain Name System) servers are essential infrastructure components that translate human-readable domain names into IP addresses. Choosing the right DNS servers can significantly improve your network's security, privacy, and performance.

Encrypted DNS Protocols (DoH, DoT, DoQ)

Modern DNS protocols provide encryption to prevent eavesdropping and manipulation of DNS queries. Here are the recommended encrypted DNS endpoints for AdGuard Home:

bash

1https://1.1.1.1/dns-query
2https://dns.google/dns-query
3tls://unfiltered.adguard-dns.com
4h3://unfiltered.adguard-dns.com/dns-query

Protocol Explanations

DoH (DNS over HTTPS): Encrypts DNS queries using HTTPS protocol (port 443). The https:// URLs use this protocol, making DNS traffic indistinguishable from regular web traffic, which helps bypass censorship.
DoT (DNS over TLS): Uses TLS encryption on port 853. The tls:// prefix indicates this protocol, which provides dedicated encrypted DNS communication.
DoQ (DNS over QUIC): The newest protocol using HTTP/3 and QUIC transport. The h3:// prefix indicates HTTP/3. It offers improved performance with reduced latency and better connection migration capabilities.

Provider Details

Cloudflare (1.1.1.1): Known for fast response times and strong privacy commitments. Doesn't log personally identifiable information.
Google DNS (dns.google): Reliable with global infrastructure, but Google may collect some data for security and performance improvements.
AdGuard Unfiltered: AdGuard's own DNS service without ad-blocking (unfiltered version), suitable for custom filtering rules in AdGuard Home.

Standard DNS Servers (Port 53)

Traditional DNS servers using UDP/TCP on port 53. These are faster but unencrypted, making them suitable for internal networks where encryption isn't necessary:

bash

194.140.14.14
294.140.15.15
38.8.8.8
48.8.4.4
51.1.1.1
61.0.0.1
79.9.9.9
8149.112.112.112

Server Breakdown

AdGuard DNS (94.140.14.14, 94.140.15.15)

Primary and secondary servers for AdGuard DNS
Family-friendly protection with malware and adult content blocking
Located in various regions for redundancy

Google Public DNS (8.8.8.8, 8.8.4.4)

One of the world's most popular public DNS services
Extensive global infrastructure ensuring low latency
Implements DNSSEC for security validation

Cloudflare (1.1.1.1, 1.0.0.1)

Focuses on speed and privacy
Consistently performs well in benchmarks
Supports DNSSEC and has a strong privacy policy

Quad9 (9.9.9.9, 149.112.112.112)

Security-focused DNS with automatic blocking of malicious domains
Non-profit organization based in Switzerland
Free service with threat intelligence integration
Doesn't log personally identifiable information

Configuration Recommendations

For Maximum Privacy

Use encrypted protocols (DoH, DoT, or DoQ) with Cloudflare or AdGuard DNS to prevent ISP tracking of your DNS queries.

For Maximum Performance

Test multiple servers using DNS benchmark tools and select the fastest for your geographic location. Consider using Cloudflare or Google DNS.

For Family Protection

Use AdGuard DNS (94.140.14.14/15.15) or configure custom filtering rules in AdGuard Home with unfiltered upstream DNS.

Redundancy Strategy

Configure multiple upstream DNS servers in AdGuard Home. The service will automatically failover if the primary server becomes unavailable.

Technical Considerations

DNSSEC: All listed providers support DNSSEC (DNS Security Extensions), which validates DNS responses to prevent cache poisoning attacks.
IPv6 Support: Most providers also offer IPv6 addresses for future-proof networking.
Latency: Geographic proximity to DNS servers affects response times. Consider testing local alternatives.
Logging Policies: Review each provider's privacy policy to understand what data may be collected.