Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Quad9 VS TailScale

Compare Quad9 VS TailScale and see what are their differences

Quad9 logo Quad9

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

TailScale logo TailScale

Private networks made easy Connect all your devices using WireGuard, without the hassle. Tailscale makes it as easy as installing an app and signing in.
  • Quad9 Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-09-24
  • TailScale Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-08-17

Quad9

Website
quad9.net
Pricing URL
-
$ Details
-
Release Date
-

TailScale

$ Details
Release Date
2019 January
Startup details
Country
Canada
State
Ontario
City
Toronto
Founder(s)
Avery Pennarun
Employees
10 - 19

Quad9 features and specs

  • Privacy-Focused
    Quad9 does not store any personal data about users and maintains a stringent privacy policy, ensuring that your DNS queries are not tracked or sold to third parties.
  • Security
    Quad9 provides robust security features by blocking access to known malicious domains, which helps protect users from phishing, malware, and other online threats.
  • Performance
    With a global network of servers, Quad9 offers fast DNS resolution, which can contribute to quicker website load times and improved overall internet browsing experience.
  • Easy to Set Up
    Changing your DNS to Quad9 is straightforward and can be easily configured on most devices without requiring technical expertise.
  • Free Service
    Quad9 offers its DNS services free of charge, making it an accessible option for anyone looking to improve their online privacy and security without additional costs.

Possible disadvantages of Quad9

  • Limited Customization
    Quad9 does not offer as many customization options as some competing services, which may be a drawback for advanced users looking for more control over their DNS settings.
  • Possible Geolocation Issues
    Using a global DNS resolver like Quad9 can sometimes lead to geolocation issues, where content or services are delivered based on server location rather than user location.
  • Not as Established
    Quad9 is a relatively new entrant in the DNS space compared to longstanding providers like Google Public DNS and OpenDNS, which might make some users hesitant.
  • Dependency on Upstream Filters
    Quad9's security filtering relies on upstream threat intelligence providers. Therefore, the comprehensiveness of the protection is dependent on the accuracy and timeliness of these third-party sources.

TailScale features and specs

  • Ease of Use
    TailScale is easy to set up and configure. It provides a user-friendly interface and automates many complex networking tasks, making it accessible even for those with limited networking knowledge.
  • Security
    TailScale uses WireGuard for its underlying encryption, providing strong security for data transmitted across the network. End-to-end encryption ensures that your data remains safe from interception.
  • Cross-Platform Support
    TailScale supports a wide range of operating systems including Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android, allowing for seamless integration across various devices and platforms.
  • Scalability
    TailScale can easily scale from small to large networks, making it suitable for both individual use and enterprise-level deployments.
  • NAT Traversal
    TailScale provides automatic NAT traversal, which simplifies the process of connecting devices behind different routers and firewalls without requiring complex port forwarding rules.

Possible disadvantages of TailScale

  • Dependency on TailScale's Infrastructure
    Using TailScale requires reliance on their central coordination servers for initial connection setup and identity management. This could be a concern if the service experiences downtime or other issues.
  • Privacy Concerns
    Since TailScale routes initial connection metadata through their servers, some users may have privacy concerns, especially in highly sensitive environments.
  • Cost
    While TailScale offers a free tier, advanced features and larger-scale deployment options can be costly, potentially making it less suitable for budget-conscious users.
  • Limited Advanced Configuration
    TailScale's simplicity can be a downside for advanced users who require granular control and configuration options that go beyond what TailScale's interface offers.
  • Proprietary Software
    TailScale is a commercial product with proprietary elements, which might not appeal to open-source enthusiasts or organizations that prefer fully open-source solutions.

Analysis of Quad9

Overall verdict

  • Yes, Quad9 is generally considered a good DNS service.

Why this product is good

  • Quad9 offers a DNS service that prioritizes security, privacy, and performance. It blocks known malicious domains using threat intelligence from multiple sources, enhancing cybersecurity for its users. Additionally, Quad9 respects user privacy by not logging or selling personal data.

Recommended for

  • Individuals and organizations seeking enhanced security against phishing and malware.
  • Users concerned about privacy and looking for a DNS provider that respects these values.
  • Anyone needing a reliable and fast DNS resolver for their internet activities.
  • IT administrators interested in a robust, secure DNS solution for networks.

Analysis of TailScale

Overall verdict

  • Tailscale is highly regarded among users looking for a secure, reliable, and simple way to connect devices over the internet. Its straightforward approach to VPN management makes it a good choice for both personal and professional use cases. The integration with identity providers also streamlines user management, enhancing its appeal for business environments.

Why this product is good

  • Tailscale is often praised for its simplicity, security, and ease of use when managing VPNs. It allows users to connect devices in different locations and networks quickly without much configuration hassle. Tailscale leverages the WireGuard protocol, known for its speed and robust encryption, making the connections both fast and secure. Additionally, Tailscale's use of identity-based access control and multi-factor authentication enhances its security features. Its ability to traverse NAT and firewalls seamlessly is another advantage, reducing the setup complexity found in traditional VPN solutions.

Recommended for

  • Individuals needing secure remote access to personal devices.
  • Small teams and startups seeking a user-friendly VPN solution without complex infrastructure.
  • Businesses looking for scalable VPN solutions with support for user identity integration.
  • Developers and IT professionals needing secure remote access to internal tools and services.

Quad9 videos

Quad9 9.9.9.9 VS Google 8.8.8.8 Benchmark Testing & Keeping Your Computer safer with Quad9 DNS

More videos:

  • Review - Quad9 on PS4!! DNS Settings 9.9.9.9 (My Review)
  • Review - Keep your data and computer safe with Quad9
  • Review - Here's Why DNS Matters w/ John Todd from Quad9

TailScale videos

The Byte - Tailscale Private networks made easy

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Quad9 and TailScale)
DNS
100 100%
0% 0
VPN
0 0%
100% 100
Security & Privacy
17 17%
83% 83
DNS Tools
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Quad9 and TailScale

Quad9 Reviews

Best DNS servers of 2022: Boost your internet speed with these free, public services
The company sells itself on its ability to block malicious domains by collecting intelligence from 'a variety of public and private sources.' It's not clear what these sources are, but the website says Quad9 used 18+ 'threat intelligence providers' as of December 2018.
Best DNS Servers to Use for Free in 2022
As the name Quad9 suggests, their primary DNS is 9.9.9.9. Quad9โ€™s DNS is fairly easy to remember as the name indicates. Quad9 focuses on security, performance, privacy, and speed. Though it may not be the fastest DNS, it surely is one of the best DNS servers. Quad9 was built on the factor of security, focusing mainly on protecting its users
Best free DNS servers: 14 options to check out
Quad9 emphasizes security, privacy and performance โ€” the company was founded on the goal to make the internet safer for everyone. It blocks malicious domains, phishing and malware while maintaining your anonymity. Quad9 is constantly expanding to new regions. Right now, it comes in at No. 8 on the DNS Performance Analytics and Comparison ratings.

TailScale Reviews

  1. Raoul Steadman

    They make the already great wireguard even better! Installation and configuration is a breeze, can easily connect to machines behind firewall(s) without altering anything.

    Definitely made life easier.


7 Ngrok Alternatives & Competitors for App Tunneling, Free & Paid
Tailscale allows you to create a secure virtual private network between your servers, computers, and cloud instances using the WireGuard protocol from a binary executable.
Source: onboardbase.com

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, TailScale seems to be a lot more popular than Quad9. While we know about 543 links to TailScale, we've tracked only 49 mentions of Quad9. 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.

Quad9 mentions (49)

  • The Great DNS Trail
    So assuming the answer to a query of what something like dev.to is mainly starts at the locally designated DNS servers. This will most likely be your ISP but it's not uncommon to utilize public DNS servers such as Quad9, Google, and Cloud Flare. Public DNS servers were popularized after "certain ISPs" decided that showing ad littered pages for unknown domains was a good idea. - Source: dev.to / 3 months ago
  • AT&T Paid a Hacker $370k to Delete Stolen Phone Records
    Maybe consider using https://quad9.net for DNS? It's nice having archive.today work. Otherwise you can always copy/paste the link to TFA into https://archive.org. - Source: Hacker News / about 2 years ago
  • Information Security Best Practices
    Automate everything. Use a password manager, enable automatic updates, use DNS malware filtering at router level (Free with https://quad9.net ). Source: over 2 years ago
  • Firefox has surpassed Chrome on Speedometer
    Depends on your region and what sites you're using. I live in the middle of nowhere far from civilization, and 1.1.1.1 returns terrible IPs for many sites including google.com (which pings at 350-400 ms if you resolve it through 1.1.1.1, but at 90-100 ms if you're using any other resolver). They do it because they block EDNS0 in order to protect your privacy or something like that. So I use 8.8.8.8 and 9.9.9.9 in... - Source: Hacker News / about 3 years ago
  • 96 ms to a DNS server OK?
    9.9.9.9 is run by Quad9. Theyโ€™re more privacy oriented, afaik. Source: about 3 years ago
View more

TailScale mentions (543)

View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Quad9 and TailScale, you can also consider the following products

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

ZeroTier - Extremely simple P2P Encrypted VPN

1.1.1.1 - The free app that makes your Internet safer.

ngrok - ngrok enables secure introspectable tunnels to localhost webhook development tool and debugging tool.

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

Netmaker - Netmaker automates mesh VPN's and software-defined networks using WireGuard.