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OpenDNS VS DNSCrypt Proxy Client

Compare OpenDNS VS DNSCrypt Proxy Client and see what are their differences

OpenDNS logo OpenDNS

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

DNSCrypt Proxy Client logo DNSCrypt Proxy Client

Windows client for managing the DNSCrypt proxy.
  • OpenDNS Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-22
  • DNSCrypt Proxy Client Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-01

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 Proxy Client features and specs

  • Enhanced Security
    DNSCrypt Proxy Client encrypts DNS traffic, mitigating DNS spoofing attacks and other vulnerabilities by ensuring that DNS data is secured between the client and the resolver.
  • Privacy Protection
    By encrypting DNS queries, DNSCrypt helps prevent third parties from snooping on internet activity and collecting personal data, enhancing user privacy.
  • Open Source
    Being open-source software, DNSCrypt Proxy Client allows users to audit the code for security vulnerabilities and contribute to its development.
  • Flexibility
    The client supports multiple DNSCrypt protocol versions and also allows users to choose from various DNS resolvers, giving users control over their DNS configurations.
  • Cross-Platform
    DNSCrypt Proxy Client can be used on various operating systems, including Windows, which allows users to have a consistent DNS security solution across devices.

Possible disadvantages of DNSCrypt Proxy Client

  • Complex Setup
    The setup process can be complex for non-technical users, as it requires manual configuration, which can be challenging and time-consuming.
  • Limited Support
    There may be limited support or documentation available for this specific client, potentially making troubleshooting difficult for users encountering issues.
  • Performance Overhead
    Encrypting DNS traffic can introduce additional latency, which may affect browsing performance slightly due to the increased computation required for encryption and decryption.
  • Dependency on Resolvers
    While DNSCrypt encrypts traffic, the actual privacy and security benefits heavily depend on the chosen DNS resolver's policies and reliability.
  • Potential Compatibility Issues
    Some applications or networks may not be fully compatible with DNSCrypt, leading to potential connectivity or functionality issues, especially in tightly controlled network environments.

Analysis of OpenDNS

Overall verdict

  • OpenDNS is generally regarded as a good choice for users looking for enhanced internet security and customizable filtering, making it a strong option for both personal and enterprise use.

Why this product is good

  • OpenDNS is renowned for its robust security features, including phishing protection, parental controls, and DNS-level blocking of malicious websites. It provides fast and reliable DNS resolution, which can enhance internet speed and browsing experience. The platform also offers customizable filtering policies and is easy to set up for both individuals and businesses.

Recommended for

    Families seeking to implement parental controls, businesses needing to safeguard against cyber threats with minimal infrastructure changes, and individuals looking for improved online safety and reliability.

OpenDNS videos

OpenDNS - #2 - OpenDNS Review

More videos:

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

DNSCrypt Proxy Client videos

No DNSCrypt Proxy Client 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 Proxy Client)
Security & Privacy
86 86%
14% 14
DNS
90 90%
10% 10
Ad Blockers
63 63%
37% 37
DNS Tools
95 95%
5% 5

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 Proxy Client

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 Proxy Client Reviews

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

Based on our record, OpenDNS seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 11 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.

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: about 2 years ago
  • Evaluating DNSfilter
    We have used opendns.com for this for years. Might take a look at them. Source: over 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: over 3 years ago
View more

DNSCrypt Proxy Client mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of DNSCrypt Proxy Client yet. Tracking of DNSCrypt Proxy Client recommendations started around Mar 2021.

What are some alternatives?

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

1.1.1.1 - The free app that makes your Internet safer.

YogaDNS - YogaDNS automatically intercepts DNS requests at the system level and allows you to process them...

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!

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

Simple DNSCrypt - A simple management tool for dnscrypt-proxy.