Find a Fast DNS Server with NameBench (2024)

Find a Fast DNS Server with NameBench (1)

There’s no shortage of DNS Server options out there, with Google DNS, OpenDNS, your own ISP’s, and the gazillion of others available to use. The question remains though, which of these DNS servers is going to be fastest for you? And how do you know which is fastest? That’s where NameBench comes in.

NameBench is a free application that will run a set of benchmarks based on your web browsing history and tcpdump, and will report back the fastest domain name server(s) for you to use. In some cases, switching to the suggested domain name server can be a considerably speed increase, with noticeably faster page loads, making this a very worthwhile tool to try. It’ll run in Mac OS X, Windows, and Linux, but of course we’re focusing on the Mac here.

Using NameBench to Find a Faster DNS Server

It’s free, super easy to use, and only takes a moment to run, check it out for yourself:

  • Get Namebench from the project home page
  • Launch NameBench, enter your existing name servers (which is often just your wi-fi routers IP or firewall), then click the “Start Benchmark” button and let it run

Find a Fast DNS Server with NameBench (2)

Results will come in fairly quickly and will look like this:

Find a Fast DNS Server with NameBench (3)

Don’t be surprised if Google’s 8.8.8.8 public DNS server is the fastest, it’s reliably speedy for almost everywhere in the USA. Everything is benchmarked against your current DNS settings, and you’ll get a “percent faster” report telling you how much quicker the found alternatives are.

If you find a faster DNS server available, and chances are good that you will, just pop them into your Network settings to see how they go… head over to  Apple menu > System Preference > Network > Advanced > DNS > and add your new servers.

That’s all there is to it, enjoy your faster internet and web browsing. Pretty great, it works!

Related

Find a Fast DNS Server with NameBench (2024)

FAQs

Find a Fast DNS Server with NameBench? ›

Just download DNS Benchmark, launch it (no installation required), select the "Nameservers" tab, and click "Run Benchmark". It'll benchmark the top 72 DNS servers. After it's done, it will even offer to benchmark nearly 5000 publicly available DNS servers in the world and find the best 50 for your connection.

Which is better, 1.1.1.1 or 8.8 8.8 for gaming? ›

8.8 offer fast and reliable DNS servers for gaming. While Google's 8.8. 8.8 DNS server is more popular, according to DNSPerf, Cloudflare's 1.1. 1.1 DNS server is faster.

Is 1.1.1.1 still the fastest DNS? ›

Cloudflare's 1.1.1.1 DNS service has been ranked as the fastest DNS resolver globally by the independent DNS monitor DNSPerf. Cloudflare's network extends to 310 cities worldwide, enabling quick DNS response times for users globally, hence recommended for excellent speed and stability.

How do I find my fast DNS server? ›

The simplest way to do this is to visit DNSLeakTest.com and tap the Standard Test button. Within a few seconds the website will usually display your DNS server IP addresses, host names, and sometimes (if appropriate) the name of your ISP. After that, life gets more complicated as there are several potential options.

What is Google namebench DNS? ›

Namebench is an open-source Domain Name System (DNS) benchmark utility by Google, Inc, which is licensed under the Apache License, version 2.0. Namebench runs on Windows, OS X, and Unix. It is available with a graphical user interface as well as a command-line interface.

Can I use 1.1 1.1 and 8.8 8.8 at the same time? ›

Use the plus (+) button under DNS Servers to enter the addresses of your liking. For example, you can use 1.1. 1.1 for the first server and 8.8. 8.8 for the second one.

Does 1.1.1.1 really work? ›

1.1.1.1 is a public DNS resolver operated by Cloudflare that offers a fast and private way to browse the Internet. Unlike most DNS resolvers, 1.1.1.1 does not sell user data to advertisers. In addition, 1.1.1.1 has been measured to be the fastest DNS resolver available.

Does 1.1.1.1 hide your IP? ›

In a significant update to Cloudflare's 1.1. 1.1 + WARP VPN service, the company added more precise geolocation to its free and premium account levels. The update now returns localized search engine and site results without exposing a user's public IP address.

Why is 1.1.1.1 blocked? ›

Additionally, 1.1. 1.1 is blocked on many networks and by multiple ISPs because the simplicity of the address means that it was previously often used inappropriately for testing purposes and not legitimate use. These previous uses have led to a huge influx of garbage data to Cloudflare's servers.

Who uses 1.1.1.1 DNS? ›

Network operators, including Internet Service Providers (ISPs), device manufacturers, public Wi-Fi networks, municipal broadband providers, and security scanning services can use 1.1. 1.1 and 1.1. 1.1 for Families in place of operating their own recursive DNS infrastructure.

How do I make DNS lookup faster? ›

There is no universal solution, but there are a few common ones that work for most people.
  1. Cache Files Locally. ...
  2. Minimize the Number of CNAME Records. ...
  3. Use a Fast DNS Provider. ...
  4. Defer JavaScript Files. ...
  5. Use DNS Prefetching. ...
  6. Monitor Your DNS Lookup Time.

How do I change my DNS to fast? ›

Best DNS servers you can try
  1. OpenDNS.
  2. Google.
  3. Cloudflare.
  4. Quad9.
  5. Open System Preferences, then select Network. Click on the Advanced button.
  6. Next, go to the DNS tab.
  7. Click the plus (+) sign on this tab, then type your preferred DNS server address.
  8. Press OK, and you're set!
Sep 22, 2021

What DNS server has the fastest download speed? ›

Don't worry — several DNS services for gamers provide speed, privacy, and online security.
  1. Cloudflare. Primary DNS (preferred DNS): 1.1.1.1. ...
  2. Google Public DNS. Primary DNS (preferred DNS): 8.8.8.8. ...
  3. Quad9. Primary DNS (preferred DNS): 208.67.222.222. ...
  4. NextDNS. Primary DNS (preferred DNS): 45.90.28.190. ...
  5. NordVPN.
Jan 15, 2024

Is namebench safe to use? ›

Namebench uses your cached browser info and there is an option to allow your anonymized results to be uploaded to Google, which you can turn off. The bug tracker has no bugs related to malicious activity. The Python source code is available for everyone to inspect.

How long does namebench take to run? ›

After the test is complete, it responds with a list of available servers. Namebench highlights the ones that are faster than your current DNS and recommends the one that you should use. The entire process takes about 10-15 minutes, so you may have to wait a bit before the results show up.

What is the best DNS server for me? ›

Best DNS Servers 2024
  • Verisign DNS (64.6. 64.6) ...
  • G-Core (95.85. 95.85) ...
  • Oracle DNS (216.146. 35.35) ...
  • NordVPN (103.86. 96.100) ...
  • Quad9 (9.9. 9.9) ...
  • Google Public DNS (8.8. 8.8) ...
  • Comodo Secure DNS (8.26. 56.26) ...
  • Cloudflare (1.1. 1.1) When Cloudflare built its DNS sercer 1.1.

Which DNS server is best for gaming? ›

The best DNS servers for gaming in 2024
  • Cloudflare.
  • Google Public DNS.
  • Quad9.
  • NextDNS.
  • NordVPN.
Jan 15, 2024

Is 8.8 8.8 the best DNS server? ›

Are Google domain name system servers faster? Though there's no guarantee Google DNS works faster, the answer is likely yes. One user did a speed test and changed their DNS settings. They found that the Google domain name system server set to 8.8.8.8—Google's first DNS server—was 10.3% faster than the default server.

Does Cloudflare make gaming faster? ›

Adjusting these settings appropriately can help reduce latency and improve the overall responsiveness of your gaming experience. Cloudflare's CDN can have a positive impact on latency and packet loss in online gaming.

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