Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

OpenDNS VS Simple DNSCrypt

Compare OpenDNS VS Simple DNSCrypt and see what are their differences

OpenDNS logo OpenDNS

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

Simple DNSCrypt logo Simple DNSCrypt

A simple management tool for dnscrypt-proxy.
  • OpenDNS Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-22
  • Simple DNSCrypt Landing page
    Landing page //
    2019-07-22

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.

Simple DNSCrypt features and specs

  • Improved Privacy
    Simple DNSCrypt encrypts DNS traffic, preventing ISPs and other intermediaries from snooping on your DNS queries, which enhances user privacy.
  • Security Enhancement
    By encrypting DNS requests, Simple DNSCrypt protects users from DNS spoofing and man-in-the-middle attacks that could redirect users to malicious sites.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    The software provides a straightforward, easy-to-use interface, making it accessible even to users without technical expertise.
  • Open Source
    As an open-source project, Simple DNSCrypt allows for transparency and community contributions, ensuring continuous improvement and trust.

Possible disadvantages of Simple DNSCrypt

  • Potential Compatibility Issues
    Some applications and services might struggle with encrypted DNS queries or DNS over HTTPS, potentially causing disruptions in connectivity.
  • System Performance Impact
    Encrypting DNS queries might introduce slight latency or consume more system resources, which could affect overall system performance, especially on older machines.
  • Limited Platform Support
    Simple DNSCrypt is primarily built for Windows, limiting its availability for users on other operating systems like macOS or Linux without alternative solutions.
  • Dependence on Third-Party DNS Providers
    While encrypted, DNS queries still rely on third-party DNS providers, and users must trust these entities not to log or misuse their data.

OpenDNS videos

OpenDNS - #2 - OpenDNS Review

More videos:

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

Simple DNSCrypt videos

ucupologi - Cara Mengaktifkan Simple DNSCrypt

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to OpenDNS and Simple DNSCrypt)
Security & Privacy
80 80%
20% 20
DNS
78 78%
22% 22
DNS Tools
100 100%
0% 0
Ad Blockers
60 60%
40% 40

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 Simple DNSCrypt

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.

Simple DNSCrypt Reviews

We have no reviews of Simple DNSCrypt yet.
Be the first one to post

Social recommendations and mentions

Simple DNSCrypt might be a bit more popular than OpenDNS. We know about 15 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

Simple DNSCrypt mentions (15)

  • Looking for a FOSS antivirus for windows
    You could also use dnscrypt-proxy (or Simple DNSCrypt for a GUI) with custom blocklists to prevent known malicious sites from loading. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Steam just got banned in Indonesia this could possibly affect future streams for id.
    That or just install Simple-DNSCrypts or just enabling DNS-Over-HTTPS. Source: almost 3 years ago
  • Going insane because of Laptop/WiFi problem
    You can try encrypting your DNS request through Simple DNSCrypt (https://simplednscrypt.org/) and see if that fixes the issue. Source: about 3 years ago
  • How do you increase DHT nodes >400?? I have never seen DHT node counts over 400 ever (FYI: I use NordVPN NordLynx + Gbps service (avg ~650Mbps speed tests)
    So I've opted for dnscrypt which encrypts the DNS traffic. Source: about 3 years ago
  • DNS Over HTTPS - Multiple Custom Servers?
    For Windows users can use SimpleDNSCrypt for easier setup. Source: over 3 years ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing OpenDNS and Simple DNSCrypt, 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.

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

DNSCrypt Protocol - A protocol to improve DNS security

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