Proton DNS as a Secure, Private alternative to 8.8.8.8 or ISP / CDS
Dear Proton Team,
I recently got deep into DNS and found out that most DNS Servers out there are not very private.
Therefore I'm proposing, could be an addition to Proton VPN, a Proton DNS Server.
Examples of competitors would be 8.8.8.8 (Google), 1.1.1.1 (Cloudflare), or 94.140.14.14 (Ad-Guard DNS, the only somewhat private I could find).
This could also be the opportunity to build a CDS Network as a competitor to Cloudflare.
I'm sure this isn't an small project but this could develop into a trustworthy, private alternative in Europe against Google and Cloudflare.
Stay Safe!
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Abid Rashid commented
That’s a really interesting idea. DNS privacy is becoming a much bigger topic as more people realize how much data traditional DNS providers can potentially log or analyze. Having a Proton DNS service would make a lot of sense, especially considering Proton’s strong focus on privacy and security. It could fit naturally alongside services like Proton VPN, Proton Mail, and Proton Drive, giving users a more complete privacy-focused ecosystem.
A privacy-first DNS resolver based in Europe could also be a strong alternative to major providers like Google (8.8.8.8) or Cloudflare (1.1.1.1), particularly for users who want better transparency about logging policies and data handling. If Proton ever expanded this into a broader CDN/CDS-style network, it could even become a real competitor in the privacy-focused infrastructure space.
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as another example of a simple informational site. -
Mirəli
commented
Dear Proton Team,
There is one critical gap in the privacy ecosystem: a standalone, customizable, privacy-first public DNS service. Google (8.8.8.8) and Cloudflare (1.1.1.1) dominate — both companies whose core business depends on data. NextDNS and AdGuard DNS offer better privacy, but neither is backed by Swiss law or the trust Proton has built. Proton DNS could change that.
What it must be:
A full platform — not just a resolver. Custom blocklists, per-device profiles, analytics, DoH/DoT/DoQ support, and zero logs. NextDNS has customization. AdGuard has filters. Proton DNS must have both — wrapped in Swiss-grade privacy that neither competitor can match.
The South Caucasus — a strategic opportunity.
Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Armenia together have nearly 15 million internet users. Not a single privacy-focused DNS provider has infrastructure here. This region sits at the intersection of Russia, Iran, Turkey, and the West — privacy tools are not a luxury here, they are a necessity. A single server in Baku, Tbilisi, or Yerevan would serve all three countries and position Proton as the privacy leader in a region no competitor has claimed yet.
The infrastructure window is open right now. Whoever arrives first, wins.
— A Proton user from Azerbaijan -
Yurgen
commented
A SERVICE LIKE Nextdns, BUT WITH THE REAL PRIVACY WITH PROTON
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Furky
commented
A Proton DNS application would be a genuinely strong alternative to many of the currently inadequate or closed-source DNS services on the market. Providing features such as blocklists, allowlists, and support for other open-source filtering lists within the application, along with extensive customization options, would make it a valuable complement to Proton VPN for users who want to use both VPN and DNS together.
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Zeno
commented
DNS leaks are bad tho
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Ahmet TANRIKULU
commented
Proton DNS, please ;)
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Sukehiro Kurosaki
commented
Just use Quad9.
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Mahboob Alam commented
That’s actually a solid proposal — privacy-focused DNS could definitely complement Proton’s ecosystem. It reminds me of how identity systems https://samagraidgyaan.com/] amagra ID India focus on centralized yet secure data management. The key challenge, just like in DNS privacy, is balancing accessibility with protection from misuse. A Proton DNS could serve as that privacy-first bridge for digital identity and connectivity alike.
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David
commented
My home router does not support installing the full Proton 'upgrade', but I would love to be able to set it to a Proton-managed DNS address for the added security and privacy. I have the VPN on all my computers, tablets, and phones, but other connected devices within my house don't have any protection. My main concern are the spying devices , AKA smart televisions, that I have no control over.
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NamelessNanashi
commented
would also absolutely need ProtonVPN integraton
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NamelessNanashi
commented
Just make sure users have the ability to customize the blocks as with NextDNS
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Seth
commented
Something like this would be an incredible addition to the Proton ecosystem. Not only could it integrate nicely with the VPN offering, but something that replaces NextDNS with a good privacy backing would be a game changer.
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Ryan
commented
What would make a Proton DNS better than quad9 (9.9.9.9)? I'd rather they focus their efforts creating private tools for which there aren't other good options.
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Phobia
commented
Proton DNS similar to NextDNS or Adguard DNS would be very nice. With server locations all around the world (low pings!) and filter lists that can be customized to one's likings.
This would fit perfectly in Proton's security and privacy portfolio! -
Phobia
commented
Proton DNS similar to NextDNS or Adguard DNS would be very nice. With server locations all around the world (low pings!) and filter lists that can be customized to one's likings.
This would fit perfectly in Proton's security and privacy portfolio! -
Bruno
commented
you could use MullvadDNS in the meantime
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Matheo “veddev” Syversen commented
You have Quad9, at 9.9.9.9
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HcrZZ
commented
I would like to have a customised DNS filter like NextDNS
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Tim
commented
To me, the existing combination of ProtonVPN and Quad9 (when not using a VPN) make this a solution looking for a problem. Or to put it another way, if there were a ProtonDNS, how would it be much different than Quad9?
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RH
commented
When you use a VPN (like ProtonVPN) all your traffic is routed through Proton's servers and to avoid DNS leaks, your DNS queries are also routed through Proton's DNS servers. Why would you choose to not use a VPN but then use a private DNS? It would be pointless because while your DNS queries might be private, all your other traffic wouldn't be.