It’s Not Always Google!
The Domain Name System (DNS) plays a crucial role in converting user-friendly text addresses into numerical IP addresses and vice versa. It acts as a helpful intermediary, allowing us to access websites by using easy-to-understand names instead of complex IP addresses.
Rather than delving into intricate technical details about DNS, let’s focus on providing a general overview and highlighting the best DNS options for PS4 worldwide.
Many Benefits of Using Secondary DNS for PS4
- Faster pages loads are possible thanks to the low query times
- Improved security with the use of firewalls and phishing protection based on the DNS
- There is the provision of parental control in the PS4 DNS settings
- Your internet connection will be improved by the servers that are close to your geographical location
- A reliable connection
- Reduce Jitter, Ping, and Packet loss
Using a DNS for your online gaming experience can bring significant benefits. Therefore, we highly recommend considering a switch from the default DNS provided by your ISP. By using a specialized DNS for PS4, you can enhance your connection speed, establish better connections to game hosts, and enjoy faster download speeds. These improvements collectively contribute to a better gaming experience.
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Consider This When Changing Your DNS
When considering a DNS server for your PS4 keep in mind security, performance, and what options are available.
Security is an important aspect to consider. Look for a DNS server that offers robust protection against malware, phishing sites, and other online threats. This ensures a safer browsing experience for you and helps keep your personal information secure.
Performance is also crucial for a smooth online experience. Opt for a DNS server with low latency, which reduces delays in data transmission and leads to faster response times when accessing websites and online services. A reliable DNS server should handle DNS queries efficiently, minimizing any disruptions in your internet connectivity.
Lastly, explore the available options and choose a DNS server that aligns with your specific requirements. While paid services may offer additional features and support, free DNS servers can still deliver worthwhile results for many users.
Default DNS vs. Third-Party DNS
When you browse the internet, your ISP typically uses its default network DNS to establish connections. However, your ISP has the ability to collect data on your internet activity. The same is true for third-party DNS providers, but it’s harder for them to directly associate the connection with specific individuals or households.
Free DNS vs. Paid DNS
Apart from the difference in pricing, free DNS settings usually come with fewer features compared to their paid counterparts. Paid DNS services for PS4 offer more advanced security measures and improved performance functionality. They also provide better customer support and offer more customizable system settings. However, for general purposes, a free DNS service should suffice for most users.
Public DNS Server vs. Private DNS
Most individuals use public DNS, which is usually provided by their Internet Service Provider or a dedicated DNS provider. Private DNS is typically used by companies that aim to facilitate internal access to restricted websites or IP addresses for their employees. When you connect to the internet from home, you are usually using a public DNS.
Find the Best DNS for Your PS4
There are three different approaches you can take when choosing the best DNS for PS4.
Approach 1: Picking From Our Provided List of Best DNS Servers
DNS servers such as Smart DNS Proxy and Google DNS for PS4 have built a great reputation for speed and reliability and will often beat the DNS servers from UK Broadband providers for performance (Smart DNS Proxy and Google are likely the fastest ones available).
| Provider | DNS servers |
| Smart DNS Proxy | Available on FAQ page |
| 8.8.4.4 8.8.8.8 | |
| Cloudflare | 1.1.1.1 1.0.0.1 |
| OpenDNS | 208.67.222.222 208.67.220.222 |
| Quad9 | 9.9.9.9 149.112.112.112 |
| Level3 | 4.2.2.1 4.2.2.2 4.2.2.3 4.2.2.4 4.2.2.5 4.2.2.6 |
| Sprintlink | 204.117.214.10 199.2.252.10 |
| NTT | 129.250.35.250 129.250.35.251 |
| Comodo Secure | 8.26.56.26 8.20.247.20 |
| Verisign | 64.6.64.6 64.6.65.6 |
Approach 2: Measuring Ping From Selected DNS Servers
To find the most suitable DNS for your PS4, you can measure the ping (also known as latency) to various Public DNS servers and select the one with the lowest ping. The ping measurement reflects the responsiveness and proximity of the DNS server to your location.
Opting for a DNS server that is closer to you geographically offers several advantages. It reduces the time it takes for the DNS server to receive your requests, as well as the time it takes for the server to send a response back to you.
Testing can be done on either a computer or a mobile device. By assessing the ping values of different DNS servers, you can make an informed decision and choose a DNS server that offers optimal performance for your PS4.
You can find our ping results below.
| Ping (Best to worst) | |||
| The IP of DNS server | Average ping (ms) | Minimum ping (ms) | Maximum ping (ms) |
| SmartDNS | 6.7 | 6.6 | 6.8 |
| 4.2.2.2 (level3) | 6.8 | 7.2 | 7.5 |
| 129.250.35.250 (NTT) | 7.0 | 6.6 | 7.6 |
| 4.2.2.1 (level3) | 7.2 | 6.8 | 8.2 |
| 4.2.2.5 (level3) | 7.2 | 6.8 | 7.8 |
| 4.2.2.6 (level3) | 7.2 | 6.8 | 7.4 |
| 9.9.9.9 (Quad9) | 7.2 | 6.9 | 7.8 |
| 4.2.2.3 (level3) | 7.2 | 7.0 | 7.5 |
| 4.2.2.4 (level3) | 7.2 | 7.0 | 8.4 |
| 204.117.214.10 (Sprintlink) | 7.4 | 7.0 | 7.8 |
| 129.250.35.251 (NTT) | 7.8 | 7.4 | 8.4 |
| 199.2.252.10 (Sprintlink) | 8.0 | 7.6 | 9.0 |
| 8.26.56.26 (Comodo) | 8.6 | 8.2 | 9.5 |
| 149.112.112.112 (Quad9) | 11.1 | 10.8 | 11.4 |
| 8.8.4.4 (Google) | 11.6 | 11.4 | 12.0 |
| 8.8.8.8 (Google) | 11.6 | 11.4 | 12.4 |
| 208.67.222.222 (OpenDNS) | 11.7 | 11.4 | 12.0 |
| 208.67.220.222 (OpenDNS) | 11.7 | 11.4 | 12.7 |
| 8.20.247.20 (Comodo) | 12.4 | 12.1 | 12.8 |
| 64.6.65.6 (Verisign) | 12.9 | 11.9 | 17.6 |
| 1.1.1.1 (Cloudflare) | 14.9 | 14.5 | 15.4 |
| 1.0.0.1 (Cloudflare) | 15.4 | 15.0 | 16.2 |
| 64.6.64.6 (Verisign) | 17.3 | 15.8 | 22.2 |
While measuring ping helps reduce transmission delays, it doesn’t provide information about processing delays that occur on the DNS server during a DNS lookup.
This is where the DNS Benchmark program can be very handy.
Approach 3: Installing and Using the DNS Benchmark Program (for Windows Users)
You can use DNS Benchmark software to effectively measure and analyze the wide spectrum of public DNS for PS4 and identify which is the best for your location.
The DNS benchmarking tool “Namebench” provided by Google is available for free and offers specific benchmarks for PS4 and Xbox One.
The Gibson Research Corporation website also provides a comprehensive Benchmark program that evaluates and compares the performance and reliability of over 200 DNS servers. This program utilizes look-ups to analyze total delays specific to your location.
The Best DNS for PS4
Having discussed the importance of a DNS for PS4 in obtaining the best IP address, here are our personal recommendations for the best DNS options for PS4 and Xbox. These services all deliver outstanding performance, but what sets them apart are their distinct qualities and features.
Smart DNS Proxy
Smart DNS Proxy is a reputable provider of proxy DNS services. The company, founded in the ’90s with its jurisdiction in the Seychelles (not a member of any data sharing alliances), offers two primary services: SmartDNS and a VPN. SmartDNS, their versatile DNS service, enables you to bypass website restrictions and access popular streaming platforms like Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Pandora, and many more. By adjusting your Domain Name System (DNS) settings, SmartDNS gives the impression that you’re browsing from a location where the content is accessible.
Unlike traditional VPNs, Smart DNS Proxy selectively routes a specific portion of your traffic, specifically your DNS queries, through its servers. This approach makes Smart DNS ideal for scenarios where you want to unblock geo-restricted content without impacting your entire device’s traffic or altering your actual IP address. With servers available in 42 countries, Smart DNS Proxy provides access to over 200 channels across 29 countries, so you have a wide range of content choices.
Google Public DNS
The main advantages of using Google for gaming lie in its focus on privacy and transparency.
Google provides primary and secondary DNS servers with the IP addresses 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4, respectively.
They also have two IPv6 addresses: 2001:4860:4860::8888 and 2001:4860:4860::8844.
When it comes to online gaming, Google DNS offers a user-friendly and efficient alternative to your default DNS. By using Google DNS for PS4, you can benefit from optimal IP address allocation, resulting in a stable and seamless gaming experience. Many consider the Google Public server to be the top choice for gaming.
Google logs the IP data of the device making queries for a period of approximately 24 to 48 hours. This data is primarily used for troubleshooting and diagnostic purposes. Personally identifiable information and location details are either dropped or anonymized through “permanent” logs. After a two-week period, all but a random sample of the data is deleted.
Cloudflare
Cloudflare DNS provides exceptional performance, robust privacy measures, and a dedicated community forum for technical support.
The primary and secondary DNS servers for Cloudflare are 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1, respectively.
Cloudflare is widely recognized for its highly regarded content delivery network in the cybersecurity field. Expanding their offerings, they now provide a new public server – 1.1.1.1. This server goes beyond the basics, prioritizing performance, and has been recognized by DNSPerf, an independent testing site, as the fastest public DNS service available for PS4.
Cloudflare’s server does not log the IP address of the queries made, and any logs that are generated are deleted within 24 hours. To ensure their commitment to customer privacy, Cloudflare has engaged KPMG for auditing purposes.
Cloudflare does not provide ad-blocking features, and they do not engage in monitoring or restricting access to content. However, they have introduced additional services with the IP addresses 1.1.1.2/1.0.0.2 and 1.1.1.3/1.0.0.3, which enable content filtering for malware and blocking adult content.
Furthermore, Cloudflare offers a community forum where you can connect with other users, gain insights into their experiences, and seek assistance by asking your own questions.
OpenDNS
OpenDNS is an established player in the market, having been founded in 2005 and currently owned by CISCO. Using OpenDNS for PS4 offers you the option of web filtering, where phishing sites are automatically blocked.
The primary and secondary DNS servers for OpenDNS are 208.67.222.222 and 208.67.220.220, respectively.
OpenDNS provides two service packages: OpenDNS Home and OpenDNS Home VIP. The OpenDNS Home VIP service is available for a yearly fee of US$19.95.
Their free DNS service for PS4 comes with impressive features, including the blocking of phishing sites, high operational speeds, 100% uptime, optional parental controls, and free email technical support. With OpenDNS, you can also make sure you have the best IP address for your PS4.
For users opting for the paid OpenDNS plan, additional features are available, such as the ability to view your internet activity history and the option to restrict access to specific websites. However, these features are not essential for the average user.
Comodo Secure DNS
Comodo DNS for PS4 prioritizes security, and effectively handles parked domains, although its performance may not be exceptional.
The primary and secondary DNS servers for Comodo are 8.26.56.26 and 8.20.247.20, respectively.
With Comodo DNS, you can benefit from the blocking of phishing sites and receive warnings if the websites you visit contain malware, spyware, or parked domains. Comodo also offers the Comodo Dome Shield service, which provides additional features beyond Comodo Secure DNS, making it worth considering.
While the query time for Comodo DNS is 72ms, which may not be highly impressive, it compensates with smart routing technology. If you are seeking an extra layer of web filtering, Comodo DNS is a solid choice.
Visit Comodo DNS here
Quad9
Quad9 DNS for PS4 offers fast and reliable performance, and an easy setup process. It also provides the added benefit of blocking malicious domains.
The primary and secondary DNS servers for Quad9 are 9.9.9.9 and 149.112.112.112, respectively.
Although Quad9 is a relatively young player in the industry, operating since August 2016, it utilizes a combination of public and private sources to gather intelligence and effectively block malicious domains.
Quad9’s DNS service ranks seventh globally In terms of query times, so it’s got an excellent response speed.
While there may be limited information available on setup instructions, tutorials are provided specifically for the latest versions of Windows and macOS.
Oracle Dyn (Dynamic DNS)
Oracle Dyn offers a Managed DNS service for enterprises, delivering intelligent responses to DNS queries based on policies, geo-location, and network latency. It provides a standards-based Authoritative DNS service, enabling customers to manage DNS updates and domain names while offering low-latency global DNS resolution for websites. As part of Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) DNS, Oracle Dyn also offers a migration path for users transitioning from Dyn DNS to OCI DNS.
DNS.WATCH
DNS.WATCH is a free and privacy-focused DNS resolver that does not log user data. It supports both IPv4 and IPv6 and provides two IP addresses for its servers: 84.200.69.80 and 84.200.70.40. DNS.WATCH prioritizes security and privacy by offering DNS over TLS (DoT) and DNS over HTTPS (DoH) for encrypted communication. It operates as a non-profit project, dedicated to providing reliable and privacy-conscious DNS services.
OpenNIC DNS
OpenNIC DNS is a community-driven DNS service that offers an alternative to traditional DNS providers. It provides access to top-level domains (TLDs) not available on standard DNS services. OpenNIC DNS supports both IPv4 and IPv6 and offers two IP addresses for its servers: 185.121.177.177 and 169.239.202.202. It emphasizes security and privacy by offering DNS over TLS (DoT) and DNS over HTTPS (DoH) options. OpenNIC DNS operates as a non-profit organization, driven by the goal of providing a decentralized and inclusive DNS infrastructure.
SafeDNS
SafeDNS is a cloud-based DNS service that specializes in web filtering and security solutions. It caters to home, education, and business users, offering customizable filtering options to block access to malicious and inappropriate websites. SafeDNS provides two IP addresses for its servers: 195.46.39.39 and 195.46.39.40. It prioritizes security and privacy by supporting DNS over TLS (DoT) and DNS over HTTPS (DoH) protocols. SafeDNS offers a free trial so you can experience its services before committing.
How to Configure DNS for PS4
Here are step-by-step instructions for changing DNS server addresses within the PS4 system settings, including optional instructions for setting up a static IP address on the PS4:
To change the DNS settings on your PS4:
- Open Settings and navigate to Network Settings.
- Look for Set Up Internet Connection and select it.
- Choose Custom when prompted.
- Select Automatic and proceed to DHCP Host Name.
- Under DHCP Host Name, choose Do Not Specify and continue.
- In DNS Settings, select Manual.
- Enter the Primary and Secondary DNS settings, then click Next.
- Set the MTU Settings to Automatic and go to Proxy Server.
- Choose Do Not Use under Proxy Server.
- Click on Test Internet Connection and wait for the results. Make further adjustments if needed.
To set up a static IP address:
- Follow steps 1-6 from above.
- Select Manual for IP Address Settings.
- Enter the desired IP address for your PS4 within the allowed range specified by your router.
- Input the subnet mask and default gateway, usually found in your router’s settings.
- For DNS Settings, select Manual.
- Enter the Primary and Secondary DNS server addresses mentioned in step 7 above.
- Set the MTU settings to “Automatic” (optional, recommended for most users).
- Click Next and then select Test Internet Connection to verify your PS4’s internet connection.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the fastest DNS server for PS4?
Some of the fastest DNS servers for PS4 include Google Public DNS, Cloudflare DNS, OpenDNS, and Quad9 DNS. These servers are known for their speed due to their extensive network of servers distributed worldwide, reducing latency and improving response times. They utilize advanced technologies like Anycast routing, where a single IP address is shared among multiple devices in different locations. This allows routers to direct incoming packets to the nearest operational server, minimizing network hops and optimizing performance. Moreover, these DNS servers employ DNS over HTTPS (DoH) or DNS over TLS (DoT), which encrypt DNS queries and responses for enhanced security and privacy.
Does changing the DNS help PS4?
Yes, optimizing the DNS settings on your PS4 can definitely enhance your internet speed and overall connectivity. By default, the PS4 relies on the DNS server provided by your internet service provider (ISP), which may not necessarily be the speediest or most dependable choice. By switching to a faster and more reliable DNS server, you can reduce latency, enjoy quicker response times, and establish a more stable internet connection.
How to change the DNS on PS4?
Follow the step-by-step instructions in the section of this article titled “How to Configure DNS for PS4”. These instructions can be found just above the FAQ section.
What DNS server is best for gaming?
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