Don’t take our word for it. The independent DNS monitor DNSPerf ranks 1.1.1.1 the fastest DNS service in the world. Since nearly everything you do on the Internet starts with a DNS request, choosing the fastest DNS directory across all your devices will accelerate almost everything you do online. March, 2020. Oct 24, 2016 DNS Jumper is perhaps the best free software to find the fastest DNS in this entire list. In just two mouse clicks, it will show the list of DNS Servers and their addresses to find the fastest DNS. The fastest DNS is visible on the top of the results. Also, the software compares more than 40 DNS servers to generate the results. The fastest DNS server will depend on your geographical location and internet service provider, so we really can’t recommend one fastest DNS provider for everyone. Many DNS providers are focused on speed, and that’s their big selling point. But only running a benchmark will tell you which is fastest for you.
By Adela D. Louie, Last updated: December 18, 2019
Ever wonder what DNS servers on your Mac are? Would you want to know on when or how are this DNS servers work? Well, in this article, we are going to know more about the DNS server on your Mac and on how you can find them. So if you are one of those people who are actually curious about it, then this is for you.
Part 1: What is A DNS Server?
If a certain device such as your Mac does not have a DNS server, then you will not be able to access the internet on your device. This is because a DNS server is one of the most crucial parts of the DNS infrastructure. DNS stands for Domain Name System.
This is where you will be able to find the IP addresses and as well as the hostnames and the data that is used for you to fix any problems that the user might encounter on a certain website, a device or some other network system that is using an IP address. Truly, DNS is very handy.
Part 2: When Do We Use DNS Servers?
Once that a user types in a certain host or website or a URL on the address bar on one of their browsers, the DNS resolver will then immediately contact the DNS server for it to be able to find the IP address that is somewhat connected to the website that you are trying to access. And, once that the DNS server is not able to locate any information that it needs, then it will move along to the DNS server in the DNS hierarchy until such time that it was able to locate the data that it needs.
Part 3: How to Find DNS Server on Mac
Now, for you to be able to check on the DNS server that you have on your Mac, here are the steps that you should follow.
- Go ahead and launch System Preferences. You can see this from the Dock of your Mac or you can also go to the Apple menu and then choose “System Preferences”.
- And then, once that the System Preferences appears on your screen, go ahead and choose the “Network” icon. Then the network configuration will be shown on your screen. This will show you the status of the active ports.
- Then, in the left-hand area, go ahead and select the network that you would want to see.
- After that, go ahead and click on the “Advanced” button and as well as the DNS tab.
NOTE: If you were able to enter the setting manually, then the MIT DNS servers will be listed on your screen in black font. If you have this, you can go ahead and click on the minus (-) sign for you to remove it. However, once that the DNS server appears grey on your screen, then that means that they were assigned automatically. And once that you have left the MIT campus, then the DNS settings will be updated on your local network provider.
That is how easy to find the DNS server on your Mac if you are wondering about where you can check on it.
Part 4: How to Flush DNS Cache on Mac – FoneDog PowerMyMac
In this part, we are going to show you the easiest and quickest way for you to be able to clear out the DNS cache on your Mac. All you need to have is the FoneDog PowerMyMac and rest assured that you will be able to do this task as quick and easy as possible.
The Flash DNS feature of the FoneDog PowerMyMac will be able to help you in solving any network problems that you are having on your Mac. There are actually three possible situations that you might encounter and that you will be needing to flash your DNS cache from your Mac.
- First one is that if you are actually having the inability to connect to some of the websites on your Mac.
- Another thing is that if you are experiencing that your network is slowing down randomly
- And if it used in any of the related issues.
The good thing about the FoneDog PowerMyMac is that, aside from the fact that you will be able to fix the problem with regards to your DNS server, you will also be able to make your Mac as good as new. Meaning, if you are going to have the FoneDog PowerMyMac, you will be able to do a lot of things with it. It will all depend on what you need. Here are some of the best features of the FoneDog PowerMyMac program.
- It can become a Mac Cleaner that will allow you to free up more of your storage space and make the performance of your Mac better.
- It can become a Duplicate Finder, which means that it can help you locate and remove all those duplicate files that you have on your Mac.
- It can become an App uninstaller as it can do the job better.
- You can also use the PowerMyMac for you to be able to secure the privacy of the files that you have on your Mac because you can set up a password so that no one will be able to access it.
- It can become a performance monitory wherein you will be able to use it for you to check up on the system status of your Mac.
- It can be a file unarchive, and a lot more.
With all the said features, there are still a lot more than the FoneDog PowerMyMac can do and you can find it all out once that you have the program installed on your Mac. Because of this, the FoneDog PowerMyMac is considered to be as an all-in-one Mac application and so far the best one ever.
Fastest Dns Service Software Mac Pro
Now, if you would want to start flushing your DNS cache from your Mac, all you have to do is to follow the steps below.
Step 1: Download and Install
First is that you will be needing to download the PowerMyMac from our official website. And once that you are done, you can go ahead and install it on your Mac.
Step 2: Open the PowerMyMac
Once that you are done with the installation process of the program, go ahead and simply launch it on your Mac.
Step 3: Check on Your Mac Status
If you would want to check up on the status of your Mac, all you have to do is to click on the “Status” option at the top of your screen. And then the PowerMyMac will show you the status of your Mac such as CPU, Memory, and your Disk.
Step 4: Choose Toolkit
After checking up on the status of your Mac, go ahead and click on the “Toolkit” option from the top of your screen.
Step 5: Choose Maintenance
From the list under Toolkit, go ahead and click on the “Maintenance” option.
If necessary, please press the little 'Scan' button on the right side of 'View' to rescan your Mac.
If necessary, please press the little 'Scan' button on the right side of 'View' to rescan your Mac.
Step 6: Choose Flush DNS and Clean
Then, under the Maintenance option, go ahead and choose “Flush DNS”. From here, you will be able to clean up the DNS cache on your Mac. All you have to do is to click on the “Clean” button and the process will then start.
So that is how easy and quick to flush your DNS cache from your Mac using the most powerful tool today – the FoneDog PowerMyMac.
Part 5: Cleaning DNS Cache Manually on Mac
Before we go ahead and proceed with the cleaning of your DNS cache on your Mac, we have to warn you that doing this will interrupt any active web. That is why it is better for you to close any browsers first before doing this.
The methods that we are going to show you will depend on what type of Mac you are using. So, just go through the methods and look for the one that has the type of the Mac you are using.
Method #1: Flushing DNS Cache on macOS High Sierra
- Go ahead and launch Finder on your Mac.
- And then, choose Applications, then click on Utilities and then Terminal.
- After that, go ahead and enter these commands: sudo killall -HUP mDNSRespoder; sleep 2; echo macOS DNS Cache Reset | say
- After entering the command, go ahead and press on the Return button and then enter your password. And once again, press the Return button.
- Then, you will be able to see a message on your screen that says “macOS DNS cache reset”.
- Then once you are done, go ahead and exit Terminal.
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Method #2: Flushing DNS Cache on macOS Sierra
This method is actually a little similar on flushing DNS on a High Sierra Mac. However, only the syntax for this one is different. Here is what you need to do.
- Go ahead and launch the Finder on your Mac.
- And then, go ahead and choose Applications and then choose Utilities and then choose Terminal.
- After that, go ahead and this command: sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder;say DNS cache has been flushed
- After entering the command, go ahead and press the Return button and then key in your password. Once done with the password, press the Enter command again.
- And then lastly, listen to the audio alert. Once that you hear that alert, then that means that the DNS cache was successfully removed from your Mac.
NOTE: If the command that we have provided above does not work for you, then you can go ahead and use this alternative syntax.
sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder;sudo killall mDNSResponderHelper;sudo dscacheutil -flushedcache;say Mac DNS cache has been cleared
Method #3: Flushing DNS Cache on Mac OS El Capitan and Yosemite
This method can be both applied on the El Capitan and Yosemite version of Mac. So here is how to do this.
- Go ahead and launch Finder on your Mac.
- After that, go ahead and click on the Applications and then choose Utilities and then click Terminal.
- Once that you are in Terminal, go ahead and enter the following command:
- sudo dscacheutil -flushcache;sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder;say cache flushed
- And then, go ahead and press on the Return button and then key in your password. Once done, press on the Return button again.
- After that, wait for the alert tone which means that the process is successful.
- Then once that you are done, go ahead and exit Terminal.
TIP: If you are using the OS X Yosemite version 10.10, 10.1, 10.10.2 and the 10.10.3, then the process of these are a bit different. For you to be able to completely flush your DNS cache, you have to clear out the Multicast DNS and as well as the Unicast DNS.
- For you to clear the MDNS cache, all you have to do is to enter these command in the Terminal:
sudo discoveryutil mdnsflushcache
- And then, for you to be able to clear the UDNS cache, just do the same process above but enter this syntax on Terminal:
sudo discoveryutil ednsfushcaches
- And then, for you to be able to clear both the MDNS and UDNS cache at once, go ahead and do the same steps but enter these command line:
sudo discoveryutil mdnsflushcache;sudo discoveryutiludnsflushcaches;say flushed
Part 6: Conclusion
Now, you already know how you can find the DNS server on your Mac both manually and the easiest way. Now, if you are actually facing some problems about the websites that you are trying to visit, then it is a great idea that you clear out your DNS cache on your Mac. This way, your problem will be resolved quickly.
And in doing this, we highly recommend that you use the most powerful program for your Mac. And that is the FoneDog PowerMyMac. Every task will be as quick as possible.
>Tricks >A Quick Guide on How to Find DNS Server on Mac
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To access the internet you need a proper and speedy DNS server that can quickly translate domain names (like google.com) into IP addresses (like 209.85.135.103). Depending on how quick the DNS server is, your internet browsing experience can be snappy or dreadful.
To find your current DNS server, type ‘ipconfig /all’ at the command prompt and look for the “DNS Server” entry. But, in general, we use the DNS server provided by our ISP, which is usually not that reliable, secure, or fast. In fact, the DNS server provided by your ISP may not even protect you from phishing or malware attacks. Sometimes, the ISP may also use their DNS server to censor a website that the ISP or the government don’t want you accessing.
In those situations, you can simply change the DNS settings within your OS or router to be more secure and access the internet faster and without any restrictions.
Here are some of the free and public DNS servers that are safer and faster than your regular ISP’s DNS server.
Read: Best DNS Benchmarking Tools To Find the Fastest DNS Server
Best DNS Servers To Try in 2019
1. Google Public DNS
Though Google provides a ton of services, it is first and foremost a search engine. Part of the job of being a search engine is crawling all over the web while resolving and caching all the available and reachable DNS information. As such, it makes a lot of sense for Google to provide users with a speedy DNS service. Thanks to its sheer data center capabilities, a number of data center locations all around the world, and technology, Google Public DNS is one of the fastest and reliable DNS servers out there.
Though Google Public DNS doesn’t offer any dashboard or configurable settings, it does provide basic security to protect users from malicious websites, security threats, DDoS attacks, cache poisoning attacks, etc.
Since DNS queries are sent in clear text without encryption, the intruder can not only see what websites you visit but also can perform spoofing attacks. To prevent this, Google DNS now supports DNS-over-TLS security protocol, meaning the DNS queries are now safe with Google DNS.
Best for: Speed, accuracy, and basic security.
DNS Addresses: 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4.
Parental control options: Google Public DNS has no parental controls.
Level of security offered by the DNS: Google protects you from DDoS attacks, phishing attacks, cache poisoning attacks, etc. You can know more about the security features of Google Public DNS from here.
Price: Free.
2. OpenDNS
OpenDNS is one of the most popular DNS servers that are not only fast but provides some of the best security to all your connected devices and parental controls to enforce rules on your network.
Moreover, OpenDNS has built-in protection from identity theft and customizable filtering. By default, OpenDNS is configured to block adult content. If need be, you can entirely remove or configure how strict the filter should be and what type of websites to block (ex. adult, gambling, pornography, etc.) directly from the OpenDNS dashboard.
Of course, just like Google Public DNS, OpenDNS also protects you from phishing attacks, malicious websites, cache poisoning attacks, etc.
Best for: Speed, security, and parental control.
DNS Addresses: 208.67.222.222 and 208.67.220.220.
Parental control options: OpenDNS has extensive filtering options to enforce parental control rules. If needed, you can block individual websites or websites related to certain categories.
Level of security offered by the DNS: Offers basic security from cache poisoning, DDoS attacks, malicious websites, phishing attacks, etc.
Price: Free. Some features like domain whitelisting and lock down environment are only available for pro accounts. To get a pro account, you have to pay $19.95 per year.
3. CleanBrowsing
If for some reason, OpenDNS doesn’t work for you or you need a simple way to implement DNS blocking, then use CleanBrowsing. It works on the same principle i.e. using the DNS server to block Adult websites on the Internet. However, they have an easy to use Android app. We tried it on Oneplus 6t, and it works flawlessly.
Best for – block porn your Network or kid’s iPad
DNS Addresses: 185.228.168.168
Level of security offered by the DNS: The only caveat though is the privacy. Since CleanBrowsing is a relatively new app and all the web traffic is passing through it, it’s not easy to trust. Nonetheless, if you want to set it up on your kid’s device, privacy shouldn’t be an issue.
Price: CleanBrowsing follows a freemium model. In the free version, you get 3 free filters available. In the paid version ($ 5 / month) this limit extends to 12 filters and support up to 100 devices
4. Smart DNS Proxy
Generally, to access a website or service that is lock behind geo-restrictions, we use VPNs. As most of you know, VPNs are quite a bit slow when compared to your regular internet connection. This because of the reasons like bandwidth limitations, VPN server location, number of users on a VPN server, etc. However, you won’t face those issues when using Smart DNS Proxy. Unlike other DNS services, the main goal of Smart DNS Proxy is to unlock geo-restricted websites like Netflix, Hulu, Pandora, Spotify, etc.
Related: How to Bypass Chromecast DNS and Circumvent Geo-Blocking
Do mind that Smart DNS Proxy is not a VPN. i.e, it will not change your IP address and/or encrypt your internet connection. It just unlocks the geo-restricted websites by redirecting all the traffic from their servers. That being said, Smart DNS Proxy has several data centers for speedy and proper DNS resolution. So, Smart DNS Proxy is also quite a bit faster than your typical ISP’s DNS server.
If you are looking for a good service that unlocks geo-restricted websites without sacrificing your internet speed then Smart DNS Proxy is for you.
Best for: Unblocking geo-restricted websites.
DNS Addresses: DNS Addresses will be available in the Smart DNS Proxy dashboard. Depending on the location you chose, the DNS addresses will be different. See this support article for additional details.
Parental control options: No parental control options.
Level of security offered by the DNS: Very basic security, nothing fancy.
Price: Smart DNS Proxy is a completely paid service that costs $4.99 per month. There is a free 14-day trial that requires no credit card.
5. UncensoredDNS
At first glance, UncensoredDNS looks and sounds very similar to Smart DNS Proxy. In some cases, it is similar to Smart DNS Proxy. But the main goal of UncensoredDNS is not to access the geo-restricted websites. Rather, it is designed to access censored websites.
Take me for example, where I live, my main ISP (Airtel) blocks several file sharing and video streaming websites. For instance, I cannot access Openload video streaming service and I cannot play videos on websites that mainly use Openload as their video storage and streaming service.
Dns Software Free
In those situations where your ISP is actively blocking some websites or services as part of the state-sponsored censorship, you can use UncensoredDNS to decensor and access those websites. I’ve personally used UncensoredDNS previously and it worked like a charm. The thing you should know before using UncensoredDNS is that the servers are hosted in Denmark and are owned privately by an individual.
Best for: Decensoring websites censored by your ISP or the government.
DNS Addresses: 91.239.100.100 and 89.233.43.71.
Parental control options: No parental controls.
Level of security offered by the DNS: No security. UncensoredDNS just redirects your DNS requests via their servers, that’s it.
Price: Free.
6. AdGuard DNS
If you are looking for a DNS server to block tracking and ads on the Internet, give AdGuradDNS a try. Like most DNS service you can either setup AdGuard DNS on your router or use the one tap Android and iOS app.
That being said, Comodo Secure DNS is not an alternative to a firewall or anti-virus software.
Best for: Blocking ads, malware, and phishing sites
DNS Addresses: 176.103.130.130 and 176.103.130.131
Parental control options: Yes, it has a “family protection” servers (176.103.130.132 & 176.103.130.134) that block adult content on the network.
Level of security offered by the DNS: AdGuard provides decent security.
![Free Free](/uploads/1/2/6/3/126320052/794527233.jpg)
Price: AdGuard DNS is a paid service with the various pricing model. The basic version starts at couple dollars a month for PC or Android, or if you are not a fan of subscription model like I’m then you can also get the lifetime version of AdGuard for around $20.
7. SafeDNS
SafeDNS is very similar to OpenDNS in that it has very extensive parental controls and allows you to whitelist or blacklist websites or a category of websites as and when needed. The filter categories include but not limited to adult websites, gambling, pornography, excessive or intrusive ads, etc.
If you don’t like advertising, SafeDNS can also block most of the ads at the DNS level so that you don’t have to see any advertisements and make the web pages load faster. Moreover, SafeDNS is a member of IWF (Internet Watch Foundation) and automatically blocks any adult and child sexual abuse images.
Of course, as the name suggests, SafeDNS does protect you from malware sites, phishing attacks, DDoS attacks, cache poisoning, botnets, etc.
If your main goal is security and extensive parental control then you should try SafeDNS.
Best for: Security and parental control.
DNS Addresses: 195.46.39.39 and 195.46.39.40.
Parental control options: SafeDNS has extensive options to pick and choose which website or what types of websites your child or family members can access.
Level of security offered by the DNS: SafeDNS can protect you from intrusive or malware infected ads, malware websites, phishing attacks, botnets, DDoS attacks, etc.
Price: SafeDNS is a completely paid service that starts at $19.99 per year for 3 devices.
8. CloudFareDNS
While Google DNS is known for its speed, today (April 1, 2018) CloudFare has announced a brand-new DNS service, which is currently faster at resolving queries than Google DNS.
As of writing this article, CloudFare is faster than Google DNS or any other DNS.
What separates CloudFare DNS from the rest is the standalone apps for iOS and Android. It not only provides you with an easy way to prevent your carrier from tracking your browsing activity but also help to remove certain websites banned by your government.
Best for: If you need a fastest resolving DNS but don’t want to give your data to Google, CloudFare DNS is the best option.
DNS Addresses: 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1
Parental control options: No parental control options
Level of security offered by the DNS: While CloudFare makes no claims to protect you from intrusive or malware infected ads etc. They do have strict data privacy claims like no logging of IP address and retain KPMG to audit our systems annually to ensure that we’re doing what we say.
Fastest Dns For Xbox
Price: CloudFareDNS is a completely free
Fastest Free Dns
Wrapping Up: Best DNS Servers
All in all, each DNS service shared here has its own advantages and geared to a specific use case. If you need basic security and speed, choose CloudFare DNS. For parental control, speed, and basic security choose OpenDNS or SafeDNS (Paid). If you just want to access websites censored by your ISP or government then try UncensordDNS. To access the geo-restricted websites, Smart DNS Proxy (paid) will be a good choice.
Even when you configure clients to use a properly configured DNS server they will retain previously resolved DNS addresses. So make sure you flush your previous DNS servers for the changes to take effect.
That’s it for now. Comment below sharing your thoughts and experiences about using the above DNS servers.