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Quad9

quad9.net

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Spec score 8.0 #14 of 60 in DNS Filtering Services

What it is

Quad9 is a free recursive DNS service that blocks requests to domains associated with malware, viruses, adware, phishing and scams. It draws on threat information from more than 20 partners to identify malicious domains. The service supports DNS over TLS, DNS over HTTPS and DNSCrypt, and provides DNSSEC validation on its resolver services. Quad9 says it does not store end-user IP addresses and operates under Swiss privacy law. Its focus is malicious-domain blocking, not content filtering; it also does not offer custom domain policies. Setup documentation covers Cloudflared, Pi-hole and open-source routers including pfSense, OPNsense, OpenWrt, MikroTik RouterOS and IPFire. Support assists with setup questions and issues. Quad9 reports 99.999% uptime for its global anycast service. The service costs nothing, with 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.

Spec sheet

Audience
Quad9 is intended for everyone from home users to large-scale enterprises.Read 1 Oct 2026 · docs.quad9.net
Platforms
Setup guides are provided for Mac, Windows, Linux, iOS, and Android, with an Android app available.Read 1 Oct 2026 · quad9.net
Integrations
Quad9 documentation includes guides for Cloudflared, Pi-hole, and open-source routers including pfSense, OPNsense, OpenWrt, MikroTik RouterOS, and IPFire.Read 1 Oct 2026 · docs.quad9.net
Privacy
Quad9 does not store end-user IP addresses and is governed by Swiss privacy law.Read 1 Oct 2026 · docs.quad9.net
Support
Quad9 support assists with setup questions and issues through its support team.Read 1 Oct 2026 · quad9.net
Headquarters
Zürich, SwitzerlandRead 28 Sep 2026 · quad9.net
Founded
2016Read 28 Sep 2026 · quad9.net
DNSSEC
Quad9 provides DNSSEC validation on its resolver services.Read 1 Oct 2026 · quad9.net
Encryption
Quad9 supports DNS over TLS, DNS over HTTPS, and DNSCrypt.Read 1 Oct 2026 · docs.quad9.net
Large-scale use
ISPs, service providers, and other large organizations are asked to contact Quad9 before sending large-scale DNS traffic.Read 1 Oct 2026 · quad9.net
No content filtering
Quad9 does not offer content filtering and focuses on blocking malicious domains.Read 1 Oct 2026 · quad9.net
Reliability
Quad9 reports 99.999% uptime for its global anycast service.Read 1 Oct 2026 · quad9.net
Service
Quad9 is a free, recursive, anycast DNS platform providing security, performance, and privacy.Read 1 Oct 2026 · quad9.net
Service history
Quad9 says its DNS service was brought online in August 2016 and the organization was launched in 2017.Read 1 Oct 2026 · quad9.net
Threat blocking
Quad9 blocks DNS requests for domains associated with malware, viruses, adware, phishing, and scams.Read 1 Oct 2026 · docs.quad9.net
Threat intelligence
Quad9 combines data from more than 20 threat intelligence partners to identify malicious domains.Read 1 Oct 2026 · quad9.net
Threat-data partnerships
Quad9 shares anonymized volumetric information and rough threat geography with threat intelligence partners.Read 1 Oct 2026 · quad9.net

Plans and prices

Quad9 DNS service Free free for everyone · no contract · no sign-up process Read 1 Oct 2026 · quad9.net

Every Quad9 plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Blocks domains linked to malware, phishing and scams
  • Supports DNS over TLS, HTTPS and DNSCrypt
  • Provides DNSSEC validation
  • Does not store end-user IP addresses

Limits

  • Does not provide content filtering
  • Custom domain policies are not available
  • Large-scale DNS users are asked to contact Quad9

Who it suits

Quad9 suits home users and enterprises seeking DNS-based blocking of malicious domains. Its setup guides and support may also help users configuring DNS on compatible routers or tools.

Verdict

Quad9 provides free DNS threat blocking with encrypted DNS options and DNSSEC validation. It is not a content-filtering service and does not support custom domain policies.

Where Specifiction places it

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