Quad9
Zürich, Switzerland
What it is
Quad9 is a free recursive DNS service focused on security, performance, and privacy. It blocks requests for domains associated with malware, viruses, adware, phishing, and scams, using information from more than 20 threat intelligence partners to identify malicious domains. Its resolver services provide DNSSEC validation, and the service supports DNS over TLS, DNS over HTTPS, and DNSCrypt. Quad9 says it does not store end-user IP addresses and is governed by Swiss privacy law. It focuses on malicious-domain blocking rather than content filtering, and does not offer content filtering or custom domain policies. Documentation includes setup guides for Cloudflared, Pi-hole, and routers such as pfSense, OPNsense, OpenWrt, MikroTik RouterOS, and IPFire. Quad9 support assists with setup questions and issues. It reports 99.999% uptime for its global anycast service. The service is free for everyone, requires no contract or sign-up process, and is listed for Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, and Windows. Large organizations planning high-volume DNS traffic are asked to contact Quad9 first.
For and against
For
- Free, with no contract or sign-up process.
- Blocks domains associated with several online threats.
- Supports DNS over TLS, HTTPS, and DNSCrypt.
- Does not store end-user IP addresses.
- Setup guides cover multiple DNS tools and routers.
Against
- Does not provide content filtering.
- Does not provide custom domain policies.
- Large-scale DNS users are asked to contact Quad9 first.
The verdict
Quad9 offers free DNS protection against domains associated with malware, phishing, and scams, alongside several encrypted DNS options. Its focus is malicious domains, not content filtering or custom policies.
Who it suits
Quad9 is intended for users ranging from home households to large enterprises who want malicious-domain blocking at the DNS level. It does not suit people seeking content filtering or custom domain policies.
Plans and prices
Quad9 DNS service
free for everyone · no contract · no sign-up process
Read 1 Oct 2026 · quad9.net
On the record
- Audience
- Quad9 is intended for everyone from home users to large-scale enterprises.docs.quad9.net · read 1 Oct 2026
- DNSSEC
- Quad9 provides DNSSEC validation on its resolver services.quad9.net · read 1 Oct 2026
- Encryption
- Quad9 supports DNS over TLS, DNS over HTTPS, and DNSCrypt.docs.quad9.net · read 1 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- Quad9 documentation includes guides for Cloudflared, Pi-hole, and open-source routers including pfSense, OPNsense, OpenWrt, MikroTik RouterOS, and IPFire.docs.quad9.net · read 1 Oct 2026
- Large-scale use
- ISPs, service providers, and other large organizations are asked to contact Quad9 before sending large-scale DNS traffic.quad9.net · read 1 Oct 2026
- No content filtering
- Quad9 does not offer content filtering and focuses on blocking malicious domains.quad9.net · read 1 Oct 2026
- Privacy
- Quad9 does not store end-user IP addresses and is governed by Swiss privacy law.docs.quad9.net · read 1 Oct 2026
- Reliability
- Quad9 reports 99.999% uptime for its global anycast service.quad9.net · read 1 Oct 2026
- Service
- Quad9 is a free, recursive, anycast DNS platform providing security, performance, and privacy.quad9.net · read 1 Oct 2026
- Service history
- Quad9 says its DNS service was brought online in August 2016 and the organization was launched in 2017.quad9.net · read 1 Oct 2026
- Support
- Quad9 support assists with setup questions and issues through its support team.quad9.net · read 1 Oct 2026
- Threat blocking
- Quad9 blocks DNS requests for domains associated with malware, viruses, adware, phishing, and scams.docs.quad9.net · read 1 Oct 2026
- Threat-data partnerships
- Quad9 shares anonymized volumetric information and rough threat geography with threat intelligence partners.quad9.net · read 1 Oct 2026
- Threat intelligence
- Quad9 combines data from more than 20 threat intelligence partners to identify malicious domains.quad9.net · read 1 Oct 2026
