European alternatives to Cloudflare DNS

Mullvad VPN AB operates a public encrypted DNS resolver providing DNS over HTTPS (DoH) and DNS over TLS (DoT) to protect DNS queries from third-party observation. The service is intended primarily for use when users are not connected to Mullvad's VPN or on devices where a VPN is impractical, and it is available to anyone without a Mullvad subscription. The encrypted DNS offering supports content blocking (ads, trackers, malware, adult content, gambling, social media), QNAME minimization to limit information shared during resolution, and is served from an anycast network to route queries to geographically nearby servers for improved performance and reliability. Mullvad documents supported connection methods and provides resolver endpoints and configuration guidance for common platforms. Operationally, Mullvad's DoH/DoT resolvers are implemented with the Unbound DNS resolver and hardened with firewall rules, network best practices, and audit-driven mitigations; the deployment is anycasted across multiple locations and has undergone a third-party security audit. Mullvad publishes much of its software as open source and maintains a GitHub organization with related projects and clients. The encrypted DNS resolver is offered free of charge and does not require a Mullvad VPN account; Mullvad's broader service and corporate policies emphasise minimal data retention, compliance with GDPR, and processing personal data within the EU/EEA, with the company headquartered in Gothenburg, Sweden.

DNS.SB is a public DNS resolver service operated by xTom GmbH that emphasizes privacy, speed, and modern encrypted DNS protocols; it is described as a no-logs resolver supporting DNS over HTTPS (DoH) and DNS over TLS (DoT) on the official site DNS.SB and in the xTom announcement xTom blog. The resolver enforces privacy-preserving behaviors — including not logging DNS queries, not sending EDNS Client Subnet headers, and supporting DNS Query Name Minimisation — as described in the DNS.SB privacy and FAQ pages Privacy Policy and FAQ. DNS.SB runs on a globally distributed anycast network with multiple locations to provide low-latency resolution worldwide, and it supports IPv4 and IPv6 addresses and DNSSEC validation to protect DNS integrity and prevent cache-poisoning attacks DNS.SB servers & features and FAQ. The DNS.SB project maintains public repositories for its website and DoH/DoT tooling on GitHub, but the core resolver software itself is not published as an open-source resolver repository; the website and documentation repositories are available at the dns-sb GitHub organization GitHub while the core resolver code is not published there DNS.SB GitHub and xTom's launch post confirms the service operation xTom blog.

ClouDNS was founded in 2010 in Sofia, Bulgaria with initial servers in Europe and North America operating just four data centers. The company started with basic DNS hosting services and quickly expanded its infrastructure over the years. By 2011 it hired its first employees and introduced premium plans while increasing data centers to six. This early growth phase established the foundation for becoming a major global managed DNS provider focused on reliability. In the following years ClouDNS continued adding servers across continents and releasing new features like API methods and domain registrations. ClouDNS has grown to manage hundreds of thousands of domains handling over eight billion queries per day as of recent statistics. It operates a sophisticated global Anycast network now spanning fifty points of presence across multiple continents. The service ranks number one in raw DNS performance according to DNSPerf tests conducted in May 2025. This superior infrastructure delivers unmatched speed and stability for all users worldwide. Customers benefit from advanced security measures including DDoS protection integrated directly into the network. The platform offers a completely free forever plan with essential features such as basic unicast servers and limited queries per month. Premium subscriptions begin at very affordable prices and unlock powerful tools like DNSSEC support and automatic failover monitoring. Additional services include domain registration for over one thousand top level domains at deep discounts plus free SSL certificates for enhanced security. White label options and custom private DNS servers are available specifically for hosting providers and resellers. These versatile offerings make ClouDNS suitable for individuals small businesses and large enterprises alike. Professional 24/7 live chat support responds in an average of forty seconds with ninety two percent customer satisfaction ratings. Many long term users report relying on the service for over a decade without experiencing any downtime incidents. The company maintains ISO 27001 certification demonstrating its commitment to information security standards. ClouDNS emphasizes seamless upgrades as customer needs evolve without any upfront payment requirements. Overall this combination of performance reliability and customer centric support has made it the preferred managed DNS solution across Europe and beyond.

Quad9 operates as a non-profit organization based in Switzerland since relocating its headquarters from California in 2021. This move was made to ensure maximum privacy protections under strict Swiss and GDPR laws for users worldwide. The service functions as a public recursive DNS resolver replacing default ISP or enterprise servers with enhanced security features. Quad9 blocks known malicious domains using threat intelligence from partners including IBM and other cybersecurity organizations. This collaborative approach helps prevent malware phishing and other online threats before they reach end users. As a free service Quad9 prioritizes user privacy by implementing a strict no-logging policy for DNS queries. The foundation is supported entirely by donations and partnerships without any commercial data monetization. Multiple filtered resolver options are available allowing users to customize protection levels for malware content filtering or family safety. The platform has been recognized for extending GDPR privacy standards globally making it a trusted choice for privacy conscious individuals and organizations. Quad9's transparent governance and finances further build confidence in its mission to improve internet safety. Founded in 2016 Quad9 has grown into a widely used public DNS service with servers distributed across multiple continents for optimal performance. The relocation to Zurich Switzerland provided legal diversity in the open DNS resolver space and strengthened its commitment to data protection. Users benefit from high speed resolution combined with proactive blocking of dangerous domains. The service integrates seamlessly with any device or network without requiring additional software installation. This accessibility has made Quad9 popular among both individual users and enterprise environments seeking cost effective security enhancements. Quad9 continues to evolve with ongoing updates to its threat intelligence database and resolver features. The non-profit structure ensures all resources focus exclusively on secure private and performant DNS operations. Community support and partnerships with organizations like Packet Clearing House and SWITCH have been instrumental in its success. By providing free cybersecurity tools Quad9 contributes significantly to a safer internet ecosystem worldwide. Its dedication to privacy without compromising performance sets it apart from commercial alternatives.