Cloudflare WARP
Focus: vpn and security. Shares privacy and dns with Quad9. Adds iOS, Android and macOS. Rated 4.5 (Quad9: 4.6).
Mobile AppFreeCross-Platform, iOS
4.5Visit
Other
Quad9
A free public DNS service that blocks known malicious sites.
Rating
4.6 / 5
Pricing
Free
Difficulty
Intermediate
Works on
Cross-Platform
Built with love by Shushant Lakhyani. Building bestproductivityresources.com
What is Quad9?
Quad9 is a free public DNS resolver run by the Swiss-based, not-for-profit Quad9 Foundation. You switch your device or router to its DNS addresses, 9.9.9.9 and 149.112.112.112, instead of your internet provider's, and Quad9 then blocks lookups of hostnames on a constantly updated threat list to help guard against malware, phishing, spyware and botnets. There is no sign-up, account or contract, normal use does not log data containing your IP address, and connections can be encrypted where your system supports it.
Pros: what Quad9 does well
- Free with no account or contract
- Blocks known malicious domains for every app
- Set it once on your router to cover the whole home network
Cons: where it falls short
- Changing DNS settings feels technical at first
- Does not block ads or trackers
Who Quad9 is for
Households and small offices that want simple protection from malicious sites.
Who can skip it
People whose network already uses a filtering DNS service.
Quad9 alternatives
Not sold on Quad9? These do a similar job, and each card says what it has in common.
AdGuard Home
Focus: ad blocker, tracker blocking and open source. Shares dns and privacy with Quad9. Adds Linux and macOS. Rated 4.7 (Quad9: 4.6).
OtherFreeLinux, macOS
4.7Visit
JustDeleteMe
Focus: delete account, digital declutter and directory. Shares privacy with Quad9. Adds Web, Chrome and Firefox. Same 4.6 rating.
WebsiteFreeWeb, Chrome
4.6Visit
Privacy Badger
Focus: tracker blocking, eff and browser extension. Shares privacy with Quad9. Adds Chrome and Firefox. Same 4.6 rating.
Browser ExtensionFreeChrome, Firefox
4.6Visit
Mullvad Browser
Focus: private browser, anti-tracking and fingerprinting. Shares privacy with Quad9. Adds Windows, macOS and Linux. Rated 4.5 (Quad9: 4.6).
Desktop AppFreeWindows, macOS
4.5Visit
Floorp
Focus: browser, firefox and customisation. Shares privacy with Quad9. Adds macOS, Windows and Linux. Rated 4.4 (Quad9: 4.6).
Desktop AppFreemacOS, Windows
4.4Visit
Free alternatives to Quad9
Want to spend nothing? These free picks cover similar ground.
optimizerDuck
Focus: windows, optimization and performance. Shares privacy with Quad9. Adds Windows. Rated 4.4 (Quad9: 4.6).
Windows AppFreeWindows
4.4Visit
Tiny Little Office
Focus: office suite, documents and spreadsheets. Shares privacy with Quad9. Adds Web. Rated 4.3 (Quad9: 4.6).
Web AppFreeWeb
4.3Visit
Pi-hole
Focus: ad blocker, network and open source. Shares dns and privacy with Quad9. Adds Linux and Web. Rated 4.7 (Quad9: 4.6).
Web AppFreeLinux, Web
4.7Visit
Navidrome
Focus: music, streaming and self-hosted. Also in Personal Productivity and Digital Minimalism, like Quad9. Adds Web, macOS and Windows. Rated 4.7 (Quad9: 4.6).
Web AppFreeWeb, macOS
4.7Visit
Cal Newport's Study Hacks Blog
Focus: essays, focus and attention. Also in Digital Minimalism and Personal Productivity, like Quad9. Adds Web. Same 4.6 rating.
BlogFreeWeb
4.6Visit
How to Rewire Your Brain to Enjoy Discipline
Focus: discipline, habits and dopamine. Also in Digital Minimalism and Personal Productivity, like Quad9. Adds Web. Same 4.6 rating.
YouTube VideoFreeWeb, Cross-Platform
4.6Visit
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