Head-to-head · 2026

Quad9 vs Google DNS

Quad9 is a European alternative to Google DNS — same security & identity use case, built under EU data-protection law.

By the EU Alternatives team Last updated

European alternative
Quad9 logo
Quad9
Switzerland
Jurisdiction
EU / EEA
GDPR by default
Yes
US CLOUD Act exposure
No
Open source
No
Free tier
No
See full Quad9 profile
Non-EU
Google DNS
Google · US

Google DNS by Google.

Jurisdiction
US
GDPR by default
Requires DPA + TIA
US CLOUD Act exposure
Yes
All European alternatives to Google DNS

Why choose Quad9 over Google DNS?

The decisive argument is data jurisdiction. Google DNS is headquartered in US, which means personal data processed through it can be subject to non-EU legal regimes — the US CLOUD Act, FISA 702, or similar laws depending on the provider. After the 2020 Schrems II ruling, EU organisations must carry out a transfer impact assessment for every such data flow.

Quad9 removes that overhead. As a Switzerland-based provider, it operates natively under GDPR, and data stays inside the EU/EEA by default. For regulated sectors — health, public administration, finance — that's not a nice-to-have but a requirement. For everyone else, it's concentration-risk insurance: you avoid depending on a single non-EU jurisdiction that can change the rules without warning.

Frequently asked questions

Is Quad9 a good alternative to Google DNS?
Yes — Quad9 is one of the top-ranked European alternatives to Google DNS in our directory, covering the same security & identity use case. It is headquartered in Switzerland, keeping your data under EU law by default.
What's the main difference between Quad9 and Google DNS?
The biggest difference is jurisdiction: Quad9 is based in Switzerland and operates under GDPR and EU data-protection law, while Google DNS is headquartered in US and may transfer data outside the EU. For regulated industries or organisations following Schrems II guidance, this difference is decisive.
Is Quad9 GDPR-compliant?
Quad9 is a European company based in Switzerland, so GDPR compliance is the default operating model — not a bolt-on. No transfer impact assessment is required for EU customers, unlike when using Google DNS.
How do I migrate from Google DNS to Quad9?
Start by exporting your data from Google DNS (most providers offer an export in their settings). Then import into Quad9 using its native import tool or migration guide. Running both in parallel for a week catches any feature or workflow gaps before you fully switch.

Other European alternatives to Google DNS

UncensoredDNS
vs Google DNS
Digitale Gesellschaft
vs Google DNS
FFMUC DNS
vs Google DNS
DNS4EU
vs Google DNS
Foundation for Applied Privacy
vs Google DNS