Your DNS requests are just as important – and can be just as revealing – as your browsing history. In fact, they’re pretty much tied together. So it’s critical for a VPN provider to also ensure your DNS traffic is protected. Some VPNs even provide you with privacy features via DNS, such as ad and malware blocking.
This post looks at the best VPNs with private DNS to help you choose the one best suited for your needs. If you’re in a rush and don’t have time to read the whole thing, here’s a summary of our top picks:
- NordVPN: The best private DNS VPN. With support for OpenVPN, WireGuard, and IKEv2, it’s hard to go wrong with NordVPN. No logs, fast speeds, excellent security, private in-tunnel DNS servers with ad and malware blocking. Includes a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.
- Surfshark: Excellent support, great speeds, a vast VPN network, private DNS (with ad and malware blocking), and low prices are just some of the features that grant Surfshark a top spot.
- ExpressVPN: ExpressVPN provides access to over 3,000 servers in more than 94 countries. High-speed connections to secured VPN servers with private in-tunnel DNS and strong encryption.
- CyberGhost: CyberGhost provides fantastic speeds, has a strict no-logs policy, and its in-tunnel DNS servers include an ads and tracker blocker, available in all its apps.
- AtlasVPN: A newer service with an excellent reputation that provides simple and intuitive apps. It offers fast speeds, private DNS that supports ad and malware blocking, and unlimited simultaneous connections.
- IPVanish: iVPN is a fantastic choice for security-minded users with its excellent privacy policy, robust encryption, private in-tunnel DNS servers which support ad and malware blocking, and unlimited simultaneous connections.
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Below you’ll find the criteria we used to choose the best VPNs with private DNS:
- The VPN should not log any identifying information about its users and their use of the service
- Should provide their no-logging DNS servers in-tunnel by default.
- DNS leak protection
- Robust and up-to-date encryption standards
- Easy-to-use and well-designed apps
- Fast, reliable connection speeds
- Decent-sized server network
- Torrenting support
- Streaming support (Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, etc.)
The best VPNs with private DNS
Here is our list of the best VPNs with private DNS:
1. NordVPN
Apps Available:
NordVPN takes the top spot here. This Panama-based provider keeps no traffic logs, and its jurisdiction has no mandatory data retention laws. It supports three secure VPN protocols (OpenVPN, NordLynx, and IKEv2). And all three protocols are available over its 5600 servers in 60 countries.
NordVPN’s privacy and security practices are some of the best in the industry (arguably the best). It adheres to a robust no-logging policy and doesn’t collect any information on your online activities or how you interact with its service.
By default, when connected to one of its VPN servers, its no-logging, in-tunnel DNS servers are used. And you can enable ad and malware blocking (recommended). NordVPN uses modern and robust encryption and wasn’t vulnerable to either IP, DNS, or WebRTC leaks in our testing. And a kill switch is included in all of its apps, which blocks all traffic from your device if the VPN unexpectedly disconnects.
NordVPN also bundles a smart DNS service in its subscriptions. Smart DNS is distinct from the VPN service and does not tunnel or encrypt your traffic. It is simply a DNS service that enables you to bypass geo-restrictions for supported streaming services by proxying the connection before accessing the service. You can find more information about the service in NordVPN’s support pages.
Regarding speed, NordVPN is one of the fastest VPN providers we tested. That bandwidth will come in handy for torrenting and streaming (4K/8K), which NordVPN supports extremely well.
NordVPN provides native clients for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and Amazon FireTV. It also supports NAS devices and routers.
Pros:
- Excellent speeds
- Extensive streaming support
- Strong privacy and security practices
- Private in-tunnel DNS servers
- Ads and malware blocker
- Jurisdiction has no mandatory data retention laws
- Only supports secure VPN protocols
Cons:
- Desktop apps can sometimes be unresponsive
Our score:
BEST PRIVATE DNS VPN:NordVPN is our top choice. It only supports secure VPN protocols and doesn’t collect user logs. Its speeds are excellent. It provides no-logging, in-tunnel DNS servers on all connections by default, and its DNS servers support ads and tracker blocking. NordVPN provides a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it risk-free.
Read our full NordVPN review.
2. Surfshark
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
Website: www.Surfshark.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
Surfshark is another great VPN provider with excellent “DNS hygiene.” Surfshark may not be a household name like NordVPN or ExpressVPN, but this VPN provider, based in the Netherlands, is nonetheless impressive.
The Netherlands may not have mandatory data retention laws, but it’s still part of the Nine Eyes – which can be off-putting for some. But you can’t share what you don’t have, right? Surfshark’s strict no-logging policy and excellent privacy policy make it clear that it would have nothing to supply if law enforcement came knocking.
Surfshark supports OpenVPN, WireGuard, and IPsec – all very secure protocols. It uses 256-bit AES encryption with a SHA512 authentication hash and a 2048-bit DHE-RSA key exchange that supports perfect forward secrecy (PFS). It provides private, in-tunnel DNS servers on all connections by default. And users can enable its DNS-based ad and malware blocker. Surfshark wasn’t vulnerable to IP, DNS, or WebRTC leaks in our tests. And all of its apps include a kill switch.
Surfshark also provides a smart DNS service with its subscriptions. As with NordVPN, this is a service to circumvent georestrictions and does not provide the same level of privacy or security as a VPN. It simply proxies your requests to streaming sites.
Other perks are Surfshark’s excellent streaming support and the fact that it works from China. The service also allows for unlimited simultaneous connections, and its prices are great. Surfshark provides Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, and Amazon FireTV apps.
Pros:
- Excellent privacy and security policies
- Only supports secure VPN protocols
- Provides secure, in-tunnel DNS servers
- Ads and malware blocker
- Allows for unlimited simultaneous connections
- Works in China
- Great prices
Cons:
- Jurisdiction may be off-putting despite its no-logging policy
Our score:
BEST VALUE VPN:Surfshark's secure VPN provides a massive network of 3,000+ servers at low prices. Surfshark gives you fast speeds, secure DNS servers that support ad and malware blocking, and works from China. It also supports unlimited simultaneous connections. All its subscriptions come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full Surfshark review.
3. ExpressVPN
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
Website: www.ExpressVPN.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
ExpressVPN is another fantastic VPN provider that often sits in our top spots. While the service is based in the British Virgin Islands, it is not part of the UK, despite what many believe.
ExpressVPN supports three VPN protocols, which are all very secure: OpenVPN, Lightway, and IKEv2. Lightway is ExpressVPN’s custom VPN protocol, which is open source (and can be audited). All three protocols are supported across its network of over 3000 VPN servers. And its client apps are very intuitive and easy to use.
ExpressVPN has very high security standards. It uses AES-256 encryption, 4096-bit RSA keys, and SHA256 authentication while supporting perfect forward secrecy (PFS). All of ExpressVPN’s servers run from volatile memory (RAM), guaranteeing that no remnant data (logs) can exist on the system’s hard drives.
Regarding its DNS practices, as you’d guess, it provides its secured, no-logging DNS servers on all connections by default. Unfortunately, at this time, ExpressVPN does not offer DNS-based ad and malware blocking. Hopefully, this will come in a future update. A kill switch is provided in all of its apps, so sudden VPN disconnects won’t affect your privacy. In our testing, ExpressVPN was invulnerable to IP, DNS, or WebRTC leaks.
ExpressVPN also has its smart DNS service (called MediaStreamer) bundled with its subscriptions. And while it works very well, as with the above providers, smart DNS neither tunnels or encrypts your traffic.
ExpressVPN also provides excellent speed, and its streaming support is one of the best in the commercial VPN space. It provides native apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, and some routers.
Pros:
- Great speeds
- Excellent streaming support
- Very high standards of security
- Large server network
- First-rate privacy and security practices
- Provides private DNS servers on all connections by default
Cons:
- Doesn’t support ad and malware blocking
Our score:
EASY-TO-USE:ExpressVPN's vast network provides you with over 3,000 servers in more than 94 countries. You get high-speed connections to highly secure VPN servers using secured in-tunnel DNS servers and robust and modern encryption. ExpressVPN provides you with easy-to-use apps and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our complete ExpressVPN review.
4. CyberGhost
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
Website: www.Cyberghost.com
Money-back guarantee: 45 DAYS
CyberGhost is another one of our top VPNs with private DNS, providing users with fantastic speeds across its vast server network. CyberGhost is one of the fastest we tested. It boasts excellent torrenting and streaming support as well.
While CyberGhost was recently purchased by an Israeli company based in the UK, it will nonetheless remain an independent company based in Romania. Remaining Romania-based, along with CyberGhost’s strong privacy policy and robust no-logging policy, should put your mind at ease that your data is safe from British law enforcement.
CyberGhost only supports the three most secure VPN protocols: OpenVPN, WireGuard, and IKEv2. The provider uses AES-256-bit encryption and 2048-bit keys with SHA256 authentication while supporting perfect forward secrecy (PFS) for OpenVPN and IKEv2. WireGuard uses ChaCha20-Poly1305 encryption, which is also deemed highly secure.
Where DNS is concerned, CyberGhost supplies the obligatory secured, in-tunnel DNS server by default. And it also supports DNS-based ad and malware blocking in all of its apps (which also all include a kill switch). CyberGhosts did not suffer from IP, DNS, or WebRTC leaks in our testing. It also bundles a smart DNS service with its subscriptions and works as described above.
CyberGhost provides apps for Windows, macOS, Linux (CLI), iOS, and Android. Manual connections can also be configured on supported routers.
Pros:
- Great speeds
- Secured, in-tunnel DNS server by default
- Strict no-logs policy
- Ads and tracker blocker
Cons:
- UK ownership may be problematic for some
- Apps are quite basic, with few settings exposed to users
Our score:
SPEEDY VPN:CyberGhost is another great VPN provider with private DNS. It provides excellent speeds, has a strict no-logging policy, and includes a DNS-based ads and tracker blocker. Torrenting and streaming are well supported, and a 45-day money-back guarantee backs all subscriptions.
Read our full CyberGhost review.
5. AtlasVPN
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
- FireTV
Website: www.atlasvpn.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
AtlasVPN, having only launched in 2020, is a somewhat lesser-known provider than the others on our list. But seeing as how Nord Security (NordVPN’s parent company) recently purchased AtlasVPN, it’s safe to say the service has built an impressive reputation for itself.
AtlasVPN boasts a moderate VPN network, with servers being well-distributed geographically, giving it a foothold in key jurisdictions. It only supports two VPN protocols, which are both very secure: IKEv2 and WireGuard. It provides fantastic speeds and excellent streaming support. Its apps are intuitive and straightforward, though somewhat basic, with few settings exposed to users.
Its security practices are excellent too. AtlasVPN uses AES-256-bit encryption for IKEv2 and ChaCha20-Poly1305 for WireGuard. All its apps include a kill switch, and its VPN connections use its private, in-tunnel DNS servers, which optionally support ad and malware blocking. And in our tests, AtlasVPN did not suffer from IP, DNS, or IPv6 leaks.
Its privacy policy aligns, in broad strokes, with the top end of the industry, but Atlas, at this time, collects more user data than other providers on our list. But the good news is that it’s set to change once NordVPN brings it up to its own standards. We also don’t get smart DNS with an AtlasVPN subscription but that may change once its services align with NordVPN.
AtlasVPN also supports additional features like MultiHop servers and unlimited simultaneous connections. It provides apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Amazon FireTV, and Android TV.
Pros:
- Outstanding speeds
- Uses secured, in-tunnel DNS servers by default
- Supports extra features like MultiHop and an ad and tracker blocker
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
Cons:
- Looking forward to its improved privacy policy
Our score:
UNLIMITED CONNECTIONS:AtlasVPN is another fine choice for a VPN with private DNS. Its speeds are excellent, and its streaming support is excellent. It also comes with “extra” features and lets you connect as many devices as you like. All its subscriptions include a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full Atlas VPN review.
6. IPVanish
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
Website: www.IPVanish.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
IPVanish‘s privacy policy is excellent, explicitly listing what it commits to not collecting and clearly disclosing what it does collect. That is aggregated and anonymous performance data for troubleshooting and optimization purposes—as little user data as possible. And the privacy policy is clear and easy to understand.
IPVanish supports several secure VPN protocols: OpenVPN, WireGuard, L2TP/IPsec, IKEv2, or SSTP (Windows-only).
And it secures those connections with AES-256-bit encryption, SHA512 authentication, and DHE-RSA 2048 key exchange that supports perfect forward secrecy (PFS) for OpenVPN, IKEv2, L2TP/IPsec, and SSTP. And it uses the more modern ChaCha20-Poly1305 ciphers for WireGuard.
It provides its secured in-tunnel DNS servers by default which also support ad and malware blocking (but no smart DNS service). When we tested the service, IPVanish provided excellent speeds and wasn’t vulnerable to DNS, IPv6, or WebRTC leaks.
IPVanish allows for unlimited simultaneous connections and provides native apps for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, ChromeOS, and Amazon Fire TV. Linux is supported too, but only with a manual configuration.
Pros:
- Great speeds
- Excellent privacy policy and security practices
- Private, in-tunnel DNS server by default
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
Cons:
- Its streaming support could be better
Our score:
GREAT SECURITY:IPVanish adheres to an excellent privacy policy, secures its connections with solid encryption, and still manages to get above-average speeds. With its support for unlimited simultaneous connections, you can connect as many devices as you want. The service also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee on all subscriptions.
Read our full IPVanish review.
How to connect to a VPN with private DNS?
Using a VPN with private DNS doesn’t require any special instructions, as your DNS queries are routed to the provider’s secure, in-tunnel DNS servers by default. So your typical connection instructions will apply here as well:
- If you haven’t already done so, sign up for one of the VPN providers above. NordVPN is our top recommended choice.
- Download the provider’s app for your device.
- Refer to your provider’s setup instructions. It should be as simple as choosing a server and tapping a “Connect” button. Your VPN provider can help you with any issues you might encounter.
- That’s it. The VPN app remains connected in the background.
Methodology used for VPN testing
Below you’ll find the criteria used to assess the VPNs we review. It’s essential to be consistent across the board so that our reviews are reasonably objective and that we’re not comparing apples to oranges. For that reason, we disclose our criteria.
- Private DNS – The providers listed must supply their in-house, no-logging, in-tunnel DNS servers by default to make sure that your DNS queries are rerouted through the tunnel and that you aren’t leaking your DNS requests (or anything at all, for that matter).
- Speed – Speed is one of the most crucial factors for any VPN. Aside from being annoying, slow speeds can prevent you from streaming or browsing the web. Our recommended VPNs scored very high in our most recent speed tests to ensure we address this issue.
- Servers worldwide – Access to various geographical regions is essential to VPN users. It helps when you want to bypass geo-restrictions. And it makes it easier to find a server close to your actual location to maximize your speed.
- Multiple protocols – You want a provider that supports multiple secure VPN protocols because, in certain situations, one may be more beneficial than another. OpenVPN, for example, can use TCP, which can help to bypass restrictive firewalls in some cases. So having a good choice of protocols is essential. The majority of our recommended VPNs support IKEv2, OpenVPN, and WireGuard.
- Ease-of-use – The VPN needs to be easy to use and accessible to all, whether they’re tech-savvy or not. We ensure our recommended providers provide simple and straightforward apps so you can be up and running in minutes.
- Streaming services – Accessing streaming sites over a VPN is more challenging than ever. Many VPN providers claim to work on streaming sites, but their success rates can vary. Before recommending a VPN provider for streaming, we test VPNs against various popular streaming services, including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, HBO Max, Disney+, Hulu, etc.
- Torrenting – Many VPN users are avid file-sharers, but not all VPN providers allow torrenting over their network. Others provide dedicated P2P servers. We look at each VPN’s policy around torrenting – ensuring it’s supported – and run tests on those to see how well they handle file-sharing.
- Security & privacy – That’s why VPNs exist in the first place. We ask essential questions like: What is the provider’s privacy policy like? What is its logging policy? What encryption protocols does the VPN support? Does it use strong ciphers? Does it support Perfect Forward Secrecy (PFS)? Is it vulnerable to IP address or DNS leaks? These are all crucial questions, and we answer them all when assessing VPNs’ privacy and security practices.
The above represents a high-level view of our methodology. For more details, look at our full VPN testing methodology. This data-driven approach helps us better understand the services to recommend the right VPN to different users.
Private DNS VPNs FAQ
How can I make sure I'm using my provider's private DNS?
Of course, you should always make sure you're using your VPN provider's DNS servers when connected. If you're not, you're leaking DNS. That means your DNS requests aren't going through the VPN tunnel and are likely being sent to your ISP's DNS servers. And because your DNS queries are tied to your location and the websites you visit, your ISP gets some visibility into your online activities - essentially negating the VPN's privacy benefits.
Performing a DNS leak test is very simple and will allow you to confirm that your DNS requests are secured. To do that, follow the instructions below:
- Go to Comparitech's DNS leak test page.
- Make sure you're NOT connected to your VPN.
- Click Test. You should see your ISP's DNS servers listed.
- Connect your VPN.
- Click DNS Test with VPN. You should now see your VPN provider's DNS servers. If you see any other DNS servers than your VPN provider, you're leaking DNS.
Are there free VPNs with private DNS?
You're likely to find a few if you look hard enough. But I wouldn't recommend using them for a few reasons.
- The server networks free VPNs offer are very likely to be extremely small. Large numbers of users end up using the same servers. When online services see large amounts of traffic that appear to come from the same IP address, they usually tie that to VPN use and block the connection.
Free VPNs tend to provide very slow speeds and have poor security practices, so we usually don't recommend them. This 2020 study found that close to 40 percent of the free VPNs tested suffered from personal information leaks, including DNS leaks.
Will a VPN slow my connection down?
Yes. There's no way around it. Any VPN will slow your connection down. A good VPN provider will take steps to limit the slowdown as much as possible. But none will eliminate it.
When you use a VPN, all your traffic must detour through the VPN server before going to its actual destination. That extra hop to the VPN server will inevitably slow you down. Beyond that, your traffic must also be encrypted and decrypted as you go about your online activities. That will slow you down further.
But, as stated above, a good-quality, well-established VPN provider will provision its servers with more bandwidth and perform network optimizations to ensure its service provides the fastest speeds possible.
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