Sustainable Substitutes for Google DNS

A public DNS offering encrypted domain queries while exposing them to Google.

Reasons to avoid Google DNS

Google Public DNS is deeply entangled with the broader issues of Big Tech: centralisation of power, privacy risks, lack of transparency, monopoly over data and systemic reliance on a single corporate entity. These concerns are compounded by Google’s history of data-driven business models and its dominant position in the tech industry.

Choose a more ethical and transparent DNS alternative, which prioritise user privacy and independence from Big Tech.

Ethical and Sustainable Google DNS Alternatives

Copied!
  • Feasibility: How easily can the average user switch to this substitute? Higher feasibility results in a higher ranking.
  • Editor's Rating: How sustainable is the substitute? The more sustainability attributes it fulfils, the higher it is ranked.

Quad9

A DNS service for better privacy and security operated by a Swiss non-profit.

Quad9 is completely free to use, with no paid tiers or query limits.
Users can use Quad9 without any registration or account creation.
Quad9 has a strict no-logging policy and is bound by Swiss privacy laws, ensuring user data is not stored or misused.
Quad9 has multiple open-source repositories, including its Android app, threat data and several tools.
The services do not show ads to its users.
Quad9 is operated by the Quad9 Foundation, a Swiss non-profit organisation. Before moving to Zurich Quad9 was located in the USA.
Website

DNSForge

An independent public DNS resolver with ad, tracking and malware filters.

DNSForge operates with a strict no-logging policy, ensuring user privacy and security.
The service is completely free to use, funded by donations.
Users can use DNSForge without any registration or account creation.
DNSForge actively blocks ads, tracking, and malware by default.
DNSForge does not show ads on its services.
Website

DNS.SB

A zero-logging DNS resolver operated and hosted by xTom.

DNSForge is a public DNS resolver hosted in Germany.
DNS.SB is completely free to use
Users can use DNS.SB without any registration or account creation.
DNS.SB emphasizes a strict no-logging policy, ensuring user privacy by not storing or tracking DNS queries
DNS.SB does not block ads, but it is a free service and does not rely on advertising for revenue.
Website

The 5 main issues with Google DNS

Big Tech - Big Tech companies do not nourish people and planet. This is especially true in times of political tension.

Google Public DNS is a product of Google, one of the largest and most influential Big Tech companies. Its dominance in providing internet infrastructure services, including DNS, raises concerns about the centralisation of power and control over critical internet functions. This centralisation can lead to a lack of competition and increased dependence on a single entity for essential services. Sources: Ars Technica: Google Public DNS service not ideal for everyone (2009)

Privacy Concerns - User data is likely to be stored and used against users' best interest.

While Google Public DNS offers encryption (DNS-over-TLS/HTTPS) to protect queries from eavesdropping, Google itself can still see and log the domain names users access. This raises privacy concerns, as Google is a major data-driven advertising company, and users may not want their browsing habits tracked, even if Google claims it does not correlate this data with other user information for ad targeting. Source: ZDNet: Google Public DNS gets DNS-over-TLS treatment (2019)

Lack of Transparency - Opacity in operations, data handling, or supply chains, making it difficult for users to understand practices.

Google’s control over DNS queries and its opaque data collection practices have led to criticism about a lack of transparency. Users and regulators often have limited insight into how Google handles DNS data, despite its privacy policy claims. Source: ZDNet: DNS over HTTPS: Google hits back at 'misinformation and confusion' over its plans (2019)

Tax Avoidance - Aggressive strategies are being deployed to avoid paying taxes.

Google is known for aggressively avoiding paying taxes, so much that taxing it got its own term: "Google tax". Source: Wikipedia: Google Tax

Support of Authoritarian Regimes - Companies actively supporting, financing and legitimising regimes and unethical policies.

Google has kissed Trump's ring by donating $1 million to his inauguration. Google has updated its products and policies to align with Trump’s political views.Time: How Google Appears to Be Adapting Its Products to the Trump Presidency (2025)

Suggestions and Feedback

If you have suggestions for more alternatives or general feedback, please contact me via email or create an issue over on Codeberg. Suggest Substitute on Codeberg Write an Email