Alternatives to DNS4EU
A free public DNS resolver hosted in the EU that blocks malware, phishing and ransomware domains. The listings below can replace it for an important use case. Each note says what changes if you switch.
The original
DNS4EU
A free public DNS resolver hosted in the EU that blocks malware, phishing and ransomware domains.
Replacements
Listings that take over the same core job as DNS4EU.
Quad9
Free public DNS resolver that blocks known malicious domains.
Quad9 is a free Swiss non-profit resolver that also blocks malicious domains, with a published no-client-IP-logging policy.
Cloudflare 1.1.1.1
Fast public DNS resolver with a filtered option for families.
Cloudflare 1.1.1.1 is free on Cloudflare's global network with a Families filtering option, rather than EU-hosted infrastructure.
CIRA Canadian Shield
A free protective DNS service from Canada's domain registry that blocks malware, phishing and scams.
CIRA Canadian Shield is a free not-for-profit resolver that keeps data in Canada, blocks malware and scams, and offers apps and browser extensions.
AdGuard DNS
Public filtering DNS resolver with encrypted transports.
AdGuard DNS adds ad and tracker blocking and custom rules on a freemium basis, with DNS-over-QUIC support.
OpenDNS Home
A public DNS service from Cisco with phishing protection and optional content filtering for home networks.
OpenDNS Home from Cisco is free with parental content filtering, but queries go to a US company's resolver instead of EU infrastructure.
CleanBrowsing
A DNS filtering service that blocks malware, phishing and adult content at the network level.
CleanBrowsing adds adult content blocking and enforced Safe Search on a freemium basis, aimed at families and schools.
NextDNS
Cloud DNS filtering with per-device profiles and detailed logs.
NextDNS offers custom blocklists and per-device profiles with analytics, but its free tier has a monthly query allowance.
Control D
Customisable DNS filtering service with per-device profiles.
Control D offers per-device profiles and granular per-service rules, with most useful features behind a paid plan.
Similar software
Related functionality, not a direct replacement.
Unbound
Validating, recursive, caching DNS resolver.
Stubby
Local DNS stub resolver that encrypts queries with DNS-over-TLS.
dnscrypt-proxy
Encrypts your DNS lookups so your internet provider cannot read or tamper with them, and blocks domains while it is there.
