Best Private DNS Servers
A private DNS server is one that does not log your queries and supports encrypted protocols like DoH and DoT. The best options are Mullvad DNS, Quad9, and Cloudflare 1.1.1.1, each with audited no-log policies.
Updated March 2026 · All providers independently verified
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Run DNS Privacy CheckWhich DNS providers do not log queries?
| Provider | Primary | Secondary | Logging | Encrypted DNS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mullvad DNS | 194.242.2.2 | 194.242.2.3 | No logs, no accounts | DoH, DoT |
| Quad9 | 9.9.9.9 | 149.112.112.112 | No personal data logged | DoH, DoT, DNSCrypt |
| Cloudflare 1.1.1.1 | 1.1.1.1 | 1.0.0.1 | Purged within 24h, audited | DoH, DoT, WARP |
| AdGuard DNS | 94.140.14.14 | 94.140.15.15 | Aggregated only, no PII | DoH, DoT, DoQ, DNSCrypt |
| NextDNS | 45.90.28.0 | 45.90.30.0 | Optional logs, user-controlled | DoH, DoT |
| Control D | 76.76.2.0 | 76.76.10.0 | No logs on free tier | DoH, DoT |
Want to verify a specific server's privacy properties? Run our DNS privacy check and enter any IP.
What makes a DNS server private?
- Logging policy — look for a clear statement of what is logged and for how long. "No logs" means different things to different providers. Mullvad and Quad9 are the strictest.
- Encrypted DNS support — DNS-over-HTTPS (DoH) and DNS-over-TLS (DoT) encrypt your queries. Without encryption, your ISP sees every domain you resolve. See our DoH vs DoT comparison.
- DNSSEC validation — ensures DNS responses have not been tampered with. All providers in the table above validate DNSSEC.
- Jurisdiction — where the company is incorporated affects data protection laws. Mullvad (Sweden), Quad9 (Switzerland), and AdGuard (Cyprus) are outside Five Eyes.
- Third-party audits — Cloudflare publishes regular audits by KPMG. Quad9 publishes transparency reports.
How to enable encrypted DNS
- Pick a provider from the table above
- Enable DoH in your browser: Firefox (Settings → Privacy → DNS over HTTPS), Chrome (chrome://settings/security → Use secure DNS)
- Or set DoT at the OS level for system-wide protection
- Run our privacy check to verify your DNS is encrypted
Provider security audits
We independently audit each provider's DNSSEC, encryption, NXDOMAIN hijacking, and logging.
Encrypted DNS setup guides
More privacy DNS guides
- DNS Privacy & Security Check — audit your DNS for leaks, encryption, and DNSSEC
- DNS Privacy by Country — DNSSEC adoption and server security per country
- DoH vs DoT explained
- Set up Unbound as a private recursive resolver
- What is NXDOMAIN hijacking
- Set up Pi-hole · Change Pi-hole upstream DNS
- Browse DNS servers by country
Frequently asked questions
Do DNS providers see my browsing history?
Your DNS provider can see which domains you visit. This is why choosing a provider with a clear no-logging policy matters for privacy.
What is encrypted DNS (DoH/DoT)?
DNS over HTTPS (DoH) and DNS over TLS (DoT) encrypt your DNS queries so ISPs and network operators cannot see or tamper with them. Most privacy-focused DNS providers support both.
Is Cloudflare 1.1.1.1 truly private?
Cloudflare commits to not logging query data to disk and purging all logs within 24 hours. They publish regular third-party audits of their privacy practices.
Can my ISP still track me if I change DNS?
Without encrypted DNS, your ISP can still see your DNS queries via packet inspection. Use DoH or DoT to fully encrypt DNS traffic from your ISP.