Best DNS Servers of 2024

Use the comparison tool below to compare the top DNS Servers on the market. You can filter results by user reviews, pricing, features, platform, region, support options, integrations, and more.

Overview of DNS Servers

DNS (Domain Name System) servers are a critical part of the internet and every device that connects to it. A DNS server is a specialized computer server that translates domain names (such as www.google.com) into their corresponding IP addresses (e.g., 172.217.164.4). That way, when you type in the domain name, your internet service provider is able to rapidly find the correct IP address and send you to the right website, instead of having to remember complicated numbers all the time.

The DNS servers, also known as name servers, act like an address book or a phonebook for the internet by mapping domain names to their actual IP addresses or other information related to them, such as mail servers and websites hosted on them (A records).

A DNS server is typically managed by an Internet Service Provider (ISP), such as Comcast or Verizon Fios, or by a company’s IT department if they have an in-house network setup. When connected through an ISP’s network, clients make use of its automatically assigned DNS server to look up domain names unless configured otherwise manually from within their operating system settings.

When someone types a URL into their web browser, firstly it requests the hosting service's IP address from one of several public top-level Domain Name System root name servers which stores database directory entries for all domains on the Internet. Then those root name servers direct the request to authoritative name servers responsible for recording data about one particular level in the Domain Name System hierarchy.com.org.net.edu etcetera Every domain has at least two authoritative name serves that store records related to this specific domain usually with information such as its associated IP address(es). This allows computers across vast networks like The Internet easily access each other using just simple hostnames like google.com instead of having to be aware of underlying numerical IP addresses which can change over time due to networking changes between ISPs and hosting companies.

Finally, once these authoritative DNS Servers have been queried they respond back with whatever record was requested along with any additional details relating to subdomains (for example 'www' or downloads.) This allows users machines reach out and connect with any other computer on The Internet without needing memorize numeric IP addresses allowing us quickly access webpages and download content remotely from all across The World Wide Web.

Reasons To Use DNS Servers

1. DNS servers provide a user-friendly and easily recognizable name for an IP address instead of the numbers used in IP addresses. This makes it easier to find websites, because remembering a website's numerical IP address is difficult.
2. DNS servers speed up the process of finding websites; they are essentially like a phone book, where you can just look up the domain name and get back its corresponding IP address quickly.
3. They help maintain stability on the internet by keeping track of changes such as when websites move to different servers. If a website moves to a new server, the DNS server will update its records and still keep delivering visitors to the correct location.
4. DNS servers help filter out websites that are known to be malicious or contain malware, allowing administrators to protect network users from accessing these dangerous sites unintentionally.
5. They can also reduce the need for manual configuration of computers by reducing the amount of information needed on each computer, such as IP addresses, in order for it to access other computers or networks within an organization.

Why Are DNS Servers Important?

DNS servers play a critical role in today's internet infrastructure. They store essential information about domain names, IP addresses, and other web-related data that enables us to use the internet the way we do. Without them, it would be impossible for people to access websites and email accounts by simply typing in a name or address into their browser. It is also important to note that DNS servers provide an extra layer of security—they help protect networks from malicious attacks by filtering out unwanted traffic.

When someone types in a domain name like www.example.com into their browser, the DNS server works to match up the domain name with its associated IP address (like 192.30.252.153). This is known as “name resolution” and is one of the primary functions of DNS servers––they act as translators between user-friendly addresses like http://example.com and machine-readable addresses like 192.30.252.153. By making this connection, certain pieces of crucial information can be exchanged between two computers connected on a network (such as server configuration settings or software updates) without any need for manual input from either side which greatly increases efficiency when accessing particular sites or applications on the web.

Another major benefit of having DNS servers operating within your network infrastructure is enhanced levels of protection against cyber threats such as viruses, phishing scams, DDos attacks etc; quite often these dangerous requests are blocked at the point when they attempt to resolve a domain name through translation via a DNS Server thereby preventing them from gaining entry into your system altogether so maintaining healthy DNS Servers can go some way in ensuring complete web security coverage within your organisation's perimeter walls.

Finally and perhaps most importantly; reliable uptime availability is essential for businesses these days especially ones operating online and most host providers offer redundancy services including load balancing across different upstream providers which helps ensure quick failover times in case there are any technical difficulties ensued however; all these measures rely heavily on consistently functioning DNS Servers because if they fail then often you will see entire systems coming down leading to large amounts costs incurred due various forms downtime so selecting robust resilient hosting solutions for teams who maintain these is imperative.

To summarise, DNS servers are vital for modern day internet users and web-based organisations allowing us to securely browse the internet without any issues; facilitating crucial data exchanges between different networks and helping to protect against malicious threats. They have become an integral part of today's digital infrastructure—making our online experience as frictionless and secure as possible.

DNS Servers Features

1. Name Resolution: DNS servers provide the ability to translate a domain name, such as “example.com”, into an IP address (e.g., 10.10.10.10). This allows users to access websites and other network services without having to remember numerical IP addresses.
2. Load Balancing: Through a process called round-robin DNS, some DNS servers return different IP addresses for the same domain name based on the requestor's geographic location or time of day; this feature can be used to distribute requests across multiple web servers in order to more efficiently use server resources and provide a better user experience by quickening response times.
3. Caching: DNS servers cache records so that frequently requested data does not need to be retrieved from its original source each time it is needed; this helps increase performance by reducing the amount of calls needing to be made for content hosted on remote locations or networks that would otherwise require numerous queries over large distances, furthering latency between user’s computer and the server with their requested content/information which may lead ultimately may lead them away from your site if too slow in loading versus others who cached information closer by at faster speeds for example.
4. Security: The latest versions of DNS support authentication protocols like DomainKeys Identified Mail (DKIM) and Secure Sockets Layer (SSL), which help protect against email phishing schemes and other malicious activities on the internet; due to its distributed architecture, centralizing security features in one location is difficult with conventional methods so those relying on DNS have had success with implementation here as there is no new hardware required at all locations versus having separate setups based on multiple firewalls etc. All are managed centrally under one roof so quicker implementations/changes when needed easier than ever before.
5. Communication Protocols: DNS servers support a variety of communication protocols, such as Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP), Domain Name System Security Extensions (DNSSEC), and Internet Message Access Protocol (IMAP). These protocols allow communication between computers using different operating systems, allowing access to remote services like email or websites.

Who Can Benefit From DNS Servers?

• Individuals: DNS servers allow individuals to access internet content quickly and securely.
• Small Businesses: DNS servers provide small business owners with the ability to customize and control their online presence, provide security against malicious attacks, and improve website speed.
• Large Companies: DNS servers enable companies to improve their network performance by providing redundancy in the event of a crash or failure. Additionally, they can be used for load balancing between multiple data centers which increases reliability.
• ISPs & Telecommunication Providers: ISPs and telecommunication providers can use DNS servers to manage traffic on their networks, route requests efficiently and block malicious activity such as DDoS attacks.
• Enterprises & Government Agencies: DNS servers help organizations maintain secure resources for employees who are working remotely or require access from different geographic locations. They also help protect critical information from prying eyes by blocking certain types of requests from outside sources.
• Online Retailers & Gaming Sites: By using DNS servers, these organizations can provide faster page loads for customers and reduce latency when processing payments or playing games online. This helps create better user experiences while improving overall profitability of their business operations.

How Much Do DNS Servers Cost?

The cost of DNS servers can vary greatly depending on the number of features you need and the scale of your enterprise. For small businesses, a basic DNS server such as BIND might cost anywhere between $20 to $500 for initial setup and annual maintenance. Of course, if you are trying to set up an enterprise-level DNS infrastructure with hundreds or thousands of zones and records, then you can expect much higher costs—ranging from several thousand dollars for initial setup and configuration, to even tens or hundreds of thousands in some cases.

Additionally, if you plan on hosting a high volume website with heavy traffic loads then it is important to opt for more powerful hardware which will also add significant additional costs associated with hardware upgrades. Finally, there are many companies that offer managed DNS services where they handle all your domain name server related needs.

The downside is that these services usually come at a price premium compared to setting up everything yourself but they may be worth it if you don't have the technical expertise or time available to manage things yourself.

DNS Servers Risks

DNS is a critical piece of infrastructure for the Internet and requires heightened security against potential risks such as:

• Cache Poisoning Attack: DNS cache poisoning attack is a type of attack that alters the mapping from domain names to IP addresses. This could lead to users being directed to malicious websites.
• Unauthorized Access & Unauthorized Modification: A malicious actor can gain unauthorized access to a DNS server, allowing them to modify its settings or take it offline. This could interrupt all services using this DNS, potentially leaving large portions of the network inaccessible.
• Identity Theft & Data Breaches: If access is gained through an insecure server, an attacker can gain access to sensitive information, including usernames and passwords. They can also use this information in identity theft attacks by stealing user data.
• Denial Of Service (DoS) Attacks: An attacker can send excessive requests or messages to overwhelm a DNS server and make it unavailable for legitimate clients requests. This would prevent users from connecting with their desired webpages and thus denying them service.
• Distributed Denial Of Service (DDoS) Attacks: DDoS attacks involve sending huge volumes of simultaneous requests from multiple sources towards one or more targets with the intent of overloading servers with requests and rendering them unavailable or sluggish in performance.
• Malware: Malicious software, like viruses or ransomware can infect a DNS server and allow attackers to gain access to sensitive data or take the server offline indefinitely.
• Spoofed Origin Servers: An attacker can spoof their origin servers, which would cause users’ requests to be sent instead to malicious servers, potentially leading to data compromise or network interruption.

What Software Can Integrate with DNS Servers?

There are many types of software that can integrate with DNS servers. These include monitoring and security software, such as firewalls and anti-malware applications, which can monitor traffic to detect malicious activity or threats. Network management and diagnostic programs are also used to assess the performance of the server and troubleshoot any problems that arise. Web hosting solutions like cPanel often come with a built-in DNS server integration, making it easy to set up domain names for websites hosted with them. Content delivery networks (CDNs) are an important component in the digital architecture today and require their own specialized DNS capabilities that can be integrated with existing servers. Finally, mobile apps may use DNS servers for local interactive services within their application systems too.

Questions To Ask When Considering DNS Servers

1. What type of DNS server do you offer? Different types of DNS servers have different features and capabilities, so it is important to make sure that the server you are considering offers the type of service that best meets your needs.
2. What is the average uptime for your DNS server? Uptime is an important measure of the reliability of a DNS server. Look for servers that offer high uptime guarantees and can provide evidence to back up their claims.
3. Do you support domain name transfers? Domain name transfers can be a complex process and require specialized expertise on the part of the server provider in order to properly facilitate them.
4. What security measures do you have in place? A secure DNS server is essential if you want to keep your website safe from hackers, phishers, and other malicious actors. Make sure that the server provider has detailed information about any security measures they have in place such as encryption algorithms, malware detection, etc.
5. Can I access detailed analytics about my domain’s performance? Detailed analytics reports are a great way to measure how well your website is performing and identify potential areas for improvement. Find out if the server provides these reports as part of their service or if they must be purchased separately.
6. What customer support options do you offer? If something goes wrong with your DNS server, having reliable customer support is essential so make sure to find out what type of support is available before signing up with any provider.