Best DNS servers for gaming in 2023

Whether you are a casual gamer or an advanced veteran, we presume you have already heard about DNS servers. The DNS server or the Domain Name System server is essentially a mediator that translates domain names into IP addresses to enable the DNS host to reach the origin server. Well, if that sounded a bit complex, continue reading this article to know more about DNS servers. Additionally, we have listed some of the best DNS servers for gaming that you can try in 2023.

What is a DNS server?

A DNS server, simply put, is a dedicated domain name resolution service that converts a URL into an IP address. For instance, if you type in www.techfirstnow.com in the URL bar of your web browser, it would be the task of your DNS server to convert it into an IP address such as 39.247.122.181, 21.91.234.73, or something along those lines.

This essentially negates the need to memorize and use hard-to-remember IP addresses like 69.63.176.13, which is one of Facebook's IP addresses by the way, to browse the web. To reach Facebook, you just need to type in www.facebook.com in the URL bar, which serves as a domain name. 

So, when you type in the domain name in the URL bar, your DNS server, the primary hardware component for DNS resolution, translates it into an IP address. When it comes to the translation process, it is a topic for a different article. Now, let's focus on why DNS servers are important for gaming.

Why are DNS servers important for gaming?

Although a DNS server has no direct effect on gaming, especially if you are playing offline, single-player titles, it could prove to be an effective tool when it comes to online games. An effective DNS server has the potential to ramp up the load times for online games, improve the security of the gaming device, filter certain content, block ads, and provide access to inaccessible games or mods.

Additionally, an effective DNS server can even decrease pings in online games and limit DNS outages, provided the user's internet connection and other networking components operate properly. However, when you switch DNS servers on your gaming device, keep the following points in mind:

• Switching DNS servers does not guarantee improved performance in games. You might see slight improvements in pre- or post-game performance, load times, and ping reduction.
• Ensure that the DNS server you want to use is geographically close to your current location.
• Find the DNS server that suits your needs the best. You see, as switching DNS servers is fairly easy, you can easily test your ping and internet speeds for different DNS servers until you find the one that delivers the best results.

Having said that, take a look at some of the best and well-reputed DNS servers that you can use for gaming in the following section.

Best DNS servers for gaming in 2023

Below, we have listed some of the top contenders for the best DNS servers to use for gaming. All of these are free-to-use DNS servers, and you can easily configure your current internet network to use them. Simply add the provided Primary DNS Server and Alternate DNS Server addresses to your IPv4 properties, restart your web browser, and you are ready to go.

Now, check out the best DNS servers to consider for gaming in 2023 listed right below:

1. Cloudflare DNS Resolver

One of the most popular public DNS servers for gaming is the Cloudflare DNS resolver, offering a fast and secure DNS query resolution service. The USP of Cloudflare's public DNS resolver is that apart from improving online game pings, it does not mine user data for targeted advertisements. Moreover, the Cloudflare DNS resolver is deemed as the fastest DNS service in the world.

• Primary DNS Server: 1.1.1.1
• Alternate DNS Server: 1.0.0.1

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2. Google Public DNS

If you are looking for a reliable DNS server that can not only improve your online gaming experience but also secure your web browsing, you should try the Google Public DNS server. It not only ensures an interruption-free online gaming experience but also protects from common online-gaming-targeted cyberattacks. And as this is Google we are talking about, you can rest assured in terms of quality control and reliability.

• Primary DNS Server: 8.8.8.8
• Alternate DNS Server: 8.8.4.4

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3. Quad9

If your main focus is security while playing online games, you should consider using the Quad9 DNS server. It is a Switzerland-based free DNS resolution service that offers outstanding protection from most kinds of online threats, thanks to its "up-to-the-minute list of threats", including malware, phishing attacks, spyware, and botnets.

• Primary DNS Server: 9.9.9.9
• Alternate DNS Server: 149.112.112.112

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4. OpenDNS

In case you are a parent, looking to prevent your child from getting exposed to adult and unfiltered content while playing online games or browsing the web, you should definitely try OpenDNS. A part of the popular networking and cybersecurity platform Cisco, OpenDNS is one of the best DNS servers that you can connect to if you want to provide your kid with a safe online gaming experience. You can use the OpenDNS Family Shield or the OpenDNS Home plans. 

Although both the mentioned plans are free and offer similar features, the OpenDNS Family Shield is pre-configured to block adult content, while the Home plan allows users to customize content filtering. However, it is worth mentioning that you need to create an account for the OpenDNS Home plan. You can check out the PDS and ADS for OpenDNS Family Shield right below:

• Primary DNS Server: 208.67.222.123
• Alternate DNS Server: 208.67.220.123

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5. CleanBrowsing DNS Filtering

Another DNS server, focusing on reliable content filtering is the CleanBrowsing DNS server. Although there are paid, premium plans focused on families, schools, and large enterprises, you can take advantage of CleanBrowsing's free DNS servers to filter content or protect your device from common malware and phishing attacks.

There are different PDS and ADS addresses for CleanBrowsing's free filters - Family, Adult, and Security. The Family filter blocks all kinds of pornographic content and sets Google, Bing, and YouTube to Safe Mode, while the Adult filter only blocks explicit content. The Security filter, on the other hand, only protects from cyberattacks and does not block adult content. You can find the PDS and ADS addresses for each of CleanBrowsing's filters below.

Family filter:

• Primary DNS Server: 185.228.168.168
• Alternate DNS Server: 185.228.169.168

Adult filter:

• Primary DNS Server: 185.228.168.10
• Alternate DNS Server: 185.228.169.11

Security filter:

• Primary DNS Server: 185.228.168.9
• Alternate DNS Server: 185.228.169.9

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6. Comodo Secure DNS

One of the security-focused DNS servers out there is Comodo Secure DNS. It offers users robust protection from malware, phishing, and various other online threats while playing online games or browsing the web. 

Comodo offers its Secure Internet Gateway service for free, though there are premium options for schools and enterprises. However, if you are looking to use Comodo for home use exclusively, the free plan, which offers up to 300,000 DNS requests per month, should be enough. Check out the PDS and ADS addresses for the Comodo Secure Internet Gateway Gold plan right below.

• Primary DNS Server: 8.26.56.10
• Alternate DNS Server: 8.20.247.10

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7. OpenNIC

If you remain worried about your ISP using its DNS server to monitor or restrict your internet or gaming experience, you can try switching to OpenNIC's DNS server. It is a user-powered project that believes in net neutrality and guarantees to provide unlimited internet access to users. So, if you want to get access to inaccessible or restricted content in games, you can try using OpenNIC's DNS. 

However, it is worth noting that OpenNIC lacks security, and hence, you should set up a good security solution on your gaming device before switching to OpenNIC's DNS server.

• Primary DNS Server: 91.217.137.37
• Alternate DNS Server: 192.71.245.208

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So, that wraps up our list of the best DNS servers for gaming in 2023. Again, you should first try out the above-mentioned DNS servers before settling for the best.

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