FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Everything you might want to know about DNS speed, safety, privacy and switching resolvers.
DNS Benchmark Pro measures how fast the major public DNS resolvers respond from your connection, then recommends the fastest, most reliable option and shows you exactly how to switch. Below are the questions we get asked most.
What is the fastest free DNS server?
It depends on your location and network, which is exactly what this tool measures. In most regions Cloudflare (1.1.1.1), Google (8.8.8.8) and Quad9 (9.9.9.9) rank among the fastest, but the only way to know your fastest is to benchmark from your own connection.
Why does my DNS resolver speed matter?
Every time you open a website or app, your device first asks a DNS resolver to translate the domain name into an IP address. A slow or unreliable resolver adds delay before anything else can load, and modern pages trigger dozens of these lookups. Switching to a faster, well-run public DNS can make browsing feel noticeably snappier, improve reliability, and in many cases add privacy or filtering benefits. It won't increase your raw bandwidth, but it removes a hidden bottleneck that affects almost everything you do online.
How does the DNS speed test work?
When you click Detect Location & Benchmark DNS, the tool sends several timed DoH requests to each provider, discards a warm-up and the slowest outlier, then computes three numbers:
- Average latency — the typical round-trip response time in milliseconds. Lower is faster.
- Jitter — how much response times vary between requests. Lower means more consistent.
- Overall score (out of 100) — a weighted blend of speed (70%) and consistency (30%), normalized across every resolver that responded.
All testing runs entirely in your browser. Nothing is installed, and your results are not stored on our servers — see our Privacy Policy for details.
Is it safe to change my DNS server?
Yes. Changing DNS only affects how domain names are looked up; it does not expose your data and you can revert to automatic (DHCP) settings at any time. Note your current settings before changing them.
Does a faster DNS make my internet faster?
It will not increase your bandwidth, but a faster, more reliable resolver reduces the delay before pages and apps start loading, which makes browsing feel noticeably snappier, especially on sites that pull from many domains.
What is DNS-over-HTTPS (DoH)?
DNS-over-HTTPS encrypts DNS queries inside HTTPS so they cannot be read or tampered with on the network. DNS Benchmark Pro uses DoH endpoints to measure each resolver securely and accurately from your browser.
How accurate is a browser-based DNS benchmark?
It provides excellent guidance. Browser tests measure real DoH round-trip time from your device, though they are not identical to native system queries and can vary between runs and networks. Running it a couple of times gives you a reliable picture.
Which DNS is best for privacy?
Resolvers such as Mullvad, Quad9 and DNS0.eu have strong no-logging or privacy policies. DNS Benchmark Pro labels each resolver's filtering and privacy characteristics so you can balance speed against privacy.
Is DNS Benchmark Pro free to use?
Yes, it is completely free. There is no signup, no download and no account required. The tool runs entirely in your browser and is supported by advertising, which only loads after you grant consent through the cookie banner.
Do you store my IP address or benchmark results?
No. The benchmark runs in your browser and your results are not stored on our servers. Location detection is used only to tailor the recommendation during your session. See our Privacy Policy for full details.
How do I change my DNS server after running the test?
When the benchmark finishes, DNS Benchmark Pro shows the recommended primary and secondary addresses along with copy-paste setup steps for Windows (Settings or PowerShell) and macOS. In short: open your network adapter settings, switch DNS from automatic to manual, enter the two addresses, save, then flush your DNS cache.
Can I switch back to my previous DNS settings?
Absolutely. Set your DNS assignment back to Automatic (DHCP) and your device will use your internet provider's default resolver again. It is a good idea to note your original settings before you change anything.
Ready to find your fastest resolver? Run the benchmark →
Published by Genext Information Systems. DNS Benchmark Pro is an independent tool and is not affiliated with any DNS provider listed.