Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

OpenDNS VS DNSCrypt Protocol

Compare OpenDNS VS DNSCrypt Protocol and see what are their differences

OpenDNS logo OpenDNS

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

DNSCrypt Protocol logo DNSCrypt Protocol

A protocol to improve DNS security
  • OpenDNS Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-22
  • DNSCrypt Protocol Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-09-25

OpenDNS features and specs

  • Improved Security
    OpenDNS offers robust protection against phishing attacks, malware, and botnets by blocking access to known malicious domains.
  • Enhanced Control
    Users get granular control over website access, enabling custom filtering to block inappropriate or unsafe sites, which is especially useful for parents and schools.
  • Faster DNS Resolution
    OpenDNS aims to provide faster domain name resolution, potentially reducing the time it takes to load websites compared to using ISPs' DNS services.
  • DNS Uptime
    With globally distributed servers, OpenDNS ensures high availability and reliability, minimizing the risk of DNS outages.
  • Detailed Analytics
    OpenDNS provides insightful web usage statistics and reports that can help identify trends and potential security threats.
  • Device Compatibility
    It is compatible with multiple platforms and devices, making it easy to configure on routers, computers, and mobile devices.
  • Ease of Use
    The service is straightforward to set up, often requiring only a simple change in DNS settings on your device or router.

Possible disadvantages of OpenDNS

  • Privacy Concerns
    By using OpenDNS, users are subject to its terms of service and privacy policy, which may involve data logging and sharing with third parties.
  • Limited Free Features
    The free version of OpenDNS has limited features compared to the premium offerings, which may not be sufficient for all users.
  • Potential Circumvention
    Tech-savvy users or devices can potentially circumvent OpenDNS filtering by manually changing DNS settings to another provider.
  • Dependency on Third-Party Service
    Relying on an external DNS service introduces an additional point of dependency, which could be problematic if the service experiences outages or disruptions.
  • Geographic Performance Variations
    Performance improvements in DNS resolution speed may vary based on geographic location due to the proximity of OpenDNS servers.
  • Complex Configuration for Advanced Features
    Utilizing some of the advanced features, like custom filtering and detailed analytics, may require a more complex configuration that could be challenging for non-technical users.
  • Limited control on Pure DNS Services
    Since OpenDNS modifies DNS requests for security and filtering purposes, users needing pure DNS services without any changes may find it restrictive.

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.

OpenDNS videos

OpenDNS - #2 - OpenDNS Review

More videos:

  • Tutorial - How to secure home network using OpenDNS
  • Review - IN DEPTH: openDNS

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 OpenDNS and DNSCrypt Protocol)
Security & Privacy
74 74%
26% 26
DNS
76 76%
24% 24
DNS Tools
81 81%
19% 19
Ad Blockers
61 61%
39% 39

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare OpenDNS and DNSCrypt Protocol

OpenDNS Reviews

Best Free Firewalls for Windows, Mac & Android in 2024
Note that OpenDNS Home works best alongside Windows’ built-in firewall. Since it’s not a complete firewall software, you’ll need another firewall to properly monitor incoming and outgoing traffic to help block network intrusions. All things considered, though, OpenDNS Home is a great free solution to improve online safety.
Source: www.wizcase.com
Best DNS servers of 2022: Boost your internet speed with these free, public services
Google's support site offers only very basic guidance targeted at experienced users, warning that "only users who are proficient with configuring operating system settings [should] make these changes." If you're unsure what you're doing, check the tutorials from a provider such as OpenDNS, remembering to replace its nameservers with Google's: 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4.
Best DNS Servers to Use for Free in 2022
Again, for users concerned about their children’s Internet safety, OpenDNS offers a service called OpenDNS FamilyShield that blocks adult content (available at the servers 208.67.222.123 and 208.67.220.123).
Best free DNS servers: 14 options to check out
Owned by Cisco, OpenDNS has two free options: Family Shield and Home. Family Shield is good for parents who want to make sure their kids can’t access inappropriate content. Home focuses on internet safety and performance.

DNSCrypt Protocol Reviews

We have no reviews of DNSCrypt Protocol yet.
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Social recommendations and mentions

DNSCrypt Protocol might be a bit more popular than OpenDNS. We know about 12 links to it since March 2021 and only 11 links to OpenDNS. 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.

OpenDNS mentions (11)

  • Multiple DDNS configs?
    I've been using the DDNS option in the UI to sync with no-ip.com, so that I can remotely access my NAS via Wireguard, and this works great. However, my new router no longer supports DDNS without subscription. I need another DDNS client to sync with opendns.com, to get content filtering and parental controls, as my new router has no options for this. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Evaluating DNSfilter
    We have used opendns.com for this for years. Might take a look at them. Source: about 2 years ago
  • What does this error message mean? How/where do I change the URL?
    Can you visit opendns.com on your home network? The problem likely that site is getting blocked, and can't use the API to get the public IP of your box. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Firefox detected a potential security threat and did not continue to calyxos.org
    This might be an issue with my DNS provider. I use opendns.com to filter my DNS queries. They're giving the following reasons for blocking the site... Source: over 2 years ago
  • Wi-Fi web filtering
    If all users need the same level of filtering, opendns.com is free and works great. You need a way to forward DNS requests to the Open DNS server, such as a typical Windows DNS. Source: about 3 years ago
View more

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
View more

What are some alternatives?

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

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.

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

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?

Comodo Secure DNS - Comodo Secure DNS is the leading DNS provider. We offer Managed DNS, Enterprise DNS, Authoritative, Anycast and CDN DNS hosting.