Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

AdGuard DNS VS DNSCrypt Protocol

Compare AdGuard DNS VS DNSCrypt Protocol and see what are their differences

AdGuard DNS logo AdGuard DNS

Soon you'll be able to create your own private DNS server that will protect your personal data, block ads and trackers, and allow you to control access to specific Internet content.

DNSCrypt Protocol logo DNSCrypt Protocol

A protocol to improve DNS security
  • AdGuard DNS Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-02
  • DNSCrypt Protocol Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-09-25

AdGuard DNS features and specs

  • Privacy Protection
    AdGuard DNS provides enhanced privacy by blocking trackers and analytics systems, preventing them from collecting data about your online activities.
  • Ad Blocking
    It effectively blocks advertisements on websites, resulting in a cleaner, faster, and less cluttered browsing experience.
  • Malware Blocking
    AdGuard DNS blocks access to malicious and phishing domains, protecting users from potentially harmful websites.
  • Parental Control
    The service offers features that allow parents to restrict access to adult content, providing a safer browsing environment for children.
  • Ease of Use
    AdGuard DNS is easy to configure; users can simply change their DNS settings to start using the service without needing complex software installations.

Possible disadvantages of AdGuard DNS

  • Limited Customization
    While it provides effective ad blocking and security features, users have limited ability to customize which domains are blocked or allowed.
  • Potential False Positives
    Some legitimate websites may mistakenly be blocked, disrupting access to desired content.
  • Dependency on External Service
    Using a DNS service like AdGuard DNS means reliance on an external provider, which could be a point of concern if the service experiences outages or performance issues.
  • Limited Logging and Analytics
    While designed to enhance privacy, this limitation might not be suitable for users who desire detailed analytics or logging of DNS queries.
  • No Advanced Features
    AdGuard DNS lacks some advanced features available in other DNS services, such as DNS over HTTPS (DoH) or DNS over TLS (DoT) for more secure DNS traffic.

DNSCrypt Protocol features and specs

  • Enhanced Privacy
    DNSCrypt encrypts DNS requests, which prevents ISPs and other intermediaries from snooping on the queries made by users, protecting privacy.
  • Integrity Verification
    It provides integrity verification to ensure that the responses received from DNS servers haven't been tampered with, safeguarding users from data manipulation attacks.
  • Resistance to DNS Spoofing
    By encrypting DNS requests and responses, DNSCrypt helps prevent DNS spoofing attacks, where attackers redirect users to malicious sites.
  • Open Source
    As an open-source protocol, DNSCrypt allows for community-driven improvements and audits, ensuring transparency and trustworthiness.

Possible disadvantages of DNSCrypt Protocol

  • Limited Adoption
    Despite its benefits, DNSCrypt has limited adoption compared to other DNS security measures, which may affect its widespread utility and support.
  • Complex Configuration
    Setting up DNSCrypt can be complex, particularly for non-technical users, as it requires installation and configuration of additional software components.
  • Performance Overhead
    The encryption process can introduce additional latency to DNS queries, which might affect the speed of browsing experiences for some users.
  • Not a Comprehensive Solution
    DNSCrypt focuses only on encrypting DNS traffic. It does not provide encryption for actual web traffic, leaving other aspects of online activity unprotected.

AdGuard DNS videos

How-To Block Internet Ads and Adult Websites : AdGuard DNS Review

DNSCrypt Protocol videos

No DNSCrypt Protocol videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

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Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to AdGuard DNS and DNSCrypt Protocol)
Security & Privacy
70 70%
30% 30
DNS
74 74%
26% 26
DNS Tools
70 70%
30% 30
Ad Blockers
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, AdGuard DNS should be more popular than DNSCrypt Protocol. It has been mentiond 39 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

AdGuard DNS mentions (39)

  • Candy Crush, Tinder, MyFitnessPal: See the Apps Hijacked to Spy on Your Location
    Easier just to block the ad servers at the DNS level. I use NextDNS [1] as it lets me configure it, but AdGuard [2] DNS probably also works well. 1. https://nextdns.io/ 2. https://adguard-dns.io/en/welcome.html. - Source: Hacker News / 4 months ago
  • Trying Adguard DNS and I have a question.
    At the bottom of this link https://adguard-dns.io/en/welcome.html, is a world map with the AdGuard servers on it. Try the public AdGuard DNS servers https://adguard-dns.io/en/public-dns.html, you want the ones under plain DNS. If they show up with small delays then report the 94.140.14.59 as being misconfigured, My current understanding is the public server number is supposed to route you to the closest/fastest... Source: over 1 year ago
  • Adguard Home vs Adguard DNS
    So I've been looking for a DNS solution for my home. I looked at the options and settled on AdGuard Home. As I was going to install it I came across Adguard DNS, more particularly this one. Source: over 1 year ago
  • I switched to iPhone recently, I miss my android.
    #3. You can swipe in from the left edge of the screen to go back usually (also get AdGuard DNS to reduce ads in non-browser apps, since you're already using Brave). Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Malwarebyetes blocking qBittorent
    - If you are worried about what you might get while browsing the internet: Please use an adblocker (uBlock Origin) while browsing, and you can also use a DNS that will protect you. See https://adguard-dns.io/en/welcome.html . It is completely free. Source: almost 2 years ago
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DNSCrypt Protocol mentions (12)

  • Use Portmaster with DNSCrypt
    Up until recently, I've used it with quad9 DNS, which is fine, but as people found out, we can make it work with dnscrypt-proxy, which allows us to use DNSCrypt, which basically is a protocol that encrypts, authenticates and optionally anonymizes communications between a DNS client and a DNS resolver. It prevents DNS spoofing. It uses cryptographic signatures to verify that responses originate from the chosen DNS... Source: about 2 years ago
  • Dns filter on windows
    DNSCrypt (open source) can use a blacklist https://dnscrypt.info/. Source: about 2 years ago
  • DNS privacy is a bit complicated... but here's what I did
    If I wasn't doing all that, I would probably just stick with something like DNScrypt. Source: over 2 years ago
  • What is DNS?
    Https://dnscrypt.info/ - Totally free and fun but intense bunch of programs. If you are willing to learn, its ready and waiting, unrestricted and free. The guides are easy and after a good sitting you will have the confidence needed to surf. - Source: dev.to / over 2 years ago
  • Is there a perfect DNS solution?
    Running your own local recursive caching DNS resolver is always good. Something like a Pihole for home networks works well. You can also host your own DNS resolver on a VPS, and then connect to it using DNSCrypt. Source: over 2 years ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing AdGuard DNS and DNSCrypt Protocol, you can also consider the following products

NextDNS - Block ads, trackers and malicious websites on all your devices.

OpenDNS - OpenDNS provides faster and safer Internet access for your home or Business.

1.1.1.1 - The free app that makes your Internet safer.

Quad9 - Quad9 is a free, recursive, anycast DNS platform that provides end users robust security protections, high-performance, and privacy.

AdGuard - Surf the Web Ad-Free and Safely. Shield up!

OpenNIC - An organization of hobbyists who run an alternative DNS network, also provides access to domains not administered by ICANN. People also askWhat is OpenNIC?Which is the fastest DNS server?What is DNS by Comodo?