Thanks to the rise of web-first apps, most of my work these days happens inside a browser. Writing articles, researching topics, managing projects, and even communicating with colleagues, there’s a good chance I’m doing it through a web app rather than a traditional desktop app. And because of that, I’m always looking for ways to improve my browsing experience.

One of the changes I made recently was switching away from my ISP’s DNS. And it turned out to be the most important tweak because it made browsing faster, private, secure, and a lot more enjoyable.

My ISP’s DNS was holding back an otherwise fast connection

Speed tests looked fine, browsing didn’t

Credit: Pankil Shah / MakeUseOf

DNS usually isn’t the first thing that comes to mind whenever there’s a problem with the internet. Most of us instinctively blame either the browser or the ISP itself. But the truth is, DNS matters just as much, if not more. Every time you type a website address into your browser, it’s the DNS server that actually translates it into an IP address that your PC can understand. So if this part is slow, it can make the entire browsing experience sluggish.

By default, most browsers and even your devices stick to the DNS provided by your ISP. But the problem is, those servers are rarely the fastest, simply because performance isn’t a top priority for most ISPs. As long as it’s working, there’s little incentive for them to invest heavily in making them as fast as possible.

In my case, I use an internet connection from a local provider since they offer the most reliable network in my area. And for the longest time, I never realized DNS was the issue because speed tests always looked fine and even pages loaded quickly. Still, there was always a slight pause before my browser would start loading. And that went away once I moved away from my ISP’s DNS.

I ran a DNS speed test and switched to NextDNS because it came out as the fastest option for me. But just because it topped my tests doesn’t mean it will be fastest for you too. DNS speeds are usually tied to location, how your ISP routes the traffic, and current network conditions. So yes, if you’re planning to switch, it’s usually best to run a DNS speed test yourself.

Speed is just one reason to switch DNS providers

Privacy, security, ad-blocking, and more

Although my main reason for ditching my ISP’s DNS was faster loading times, it’s not the only benefit these third-party providers offer. A major benefit is privacy. Since DNS requests contain information about which websites you browse, your ISP can easily log all your internet activity when you stick to the default DNS server. In fact, there’s nothing stopping them from selling this data to advertising companies.

The biggest advantage for me, though, is the control some of these DNS providers offer. For instance, I chose NextDNS because it does much more than simply resolving website addresses. It also blocks ads and trackers, and offers blocklists that I can use to avoid phishing domains, gambling sites, and other unwanted content while browsing. AdGuard is another popular DNS that offers many of the same features.

And these are just a couple of examples. There are plenty of DNS providers, like OpenDNS, Google DNS, Quad9, Cloudflare, and Control D. Each has its own strengths. Some prioritize speeds, others focus on privacy, and a few try to lure you in with features like a dashboard or on-device telemetry blocking.

There’s a reason DNS settings are built into most browsers

It makes changing the DNS quick and painless

Changing your DNS might feel like a niche tweak, but it’s really not. There’s a reason why browsers like Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and others let you change the DNS right inside their menus. In fact, most of them even support secure DNS technologies like DNS over HTTPS (DoH).

To change the DNS, all you have to do is open the browser settings and enter the details of the DNS provider you want to use. Most browsers already list the popular options, so if you’re going with the likes of Google DNS or Cloudflare, you can simply use the drop-down menu to apply the changes.

Note that changing the DNS inside a browser only affects that specific browser. That means every other app on your PC, including other browsers will continue using your ISP’s default DNS server. If you want all your internet traffic to use the same DNS, I’d suggest changing the DNS settings on your phone or PC instead. Better yet, change the DNS settings at the router level. That way, every device that connects to the network will benefit from that DNS provider.

Brand

TP-Link

Range

2,900 sq. ft

Wi-Fi Bands

2.4GHz, 5GHz, 6GHz

MU-MIMO

Yes