What is Smart DNS?

DNS stands for Domain Name System. Each network consists of multiple networking devices. Every device can be identified with the help of a unique IP address given for each device. DNS is used to translate the domain name into IP addresses. When a user searches for a domain name initially it is sent to the DNS server. The DNS server then returns the IP address for that domain name. Smart DNS provides more features than DNS. The below article covers this in detail regarding Smart DNS.

What is Smart DNS?

Smart DNS is defined as a special type of service that is used to unblock the geo-restricted services and content and accordingly improve the speed of the internet. Smart DNS mainly works by changing the Domain Name System(DNS) settings on the router or user device to redirect DNS requests of users through a server that is placed or located at a different region. Smart DNS helps to stay connected to the networks that have restrictions for accessing such as corporate networks.

Smart DNS is similar to proxy servers in terms of the way proxy server routes internet traffic through a remote server to hide the real IP address and its physical location. Smart DNS directs only the part of traffic that is DNS queries to its server. Therefore Smart DNS is majorly used in scenarios where there is a need to access the geo-blocked content without hiding the real IP address and affecting the traffic of the vice. Smart DNS supports for various streaming services such as Disney Plus (US region), Netflix Originals, Amazon Prime (US region), Peacock TV, etc.

Working on Smart DNS

The below diagram describes the working of Smart DNS. It consists of various networking components such as server, DNS, and proxy.

Smart DNS

• Smart DNS servers receives the DNS requests from the clients and provides the DNS responses to the servers that are situated at different geographical regions according to the users choice.
• While using Smart DNS service, the device firs sends the request to Smart DNS server first and then sends it to the regular DNS server.
• Upon receiving the request the Smart DNS server checks whether the domain name is associated with the geo-restricted service or not.
• If this domain name is associated with the geo-restricted service, the IP address of proxy server is returned by the Smart DNS server. This IP address is of proxy server where services are not blocked.
• The proxy server then forwards the request received from Smart DNS server to the blocked service and the content will become unblocked.

Advantages of Smart DNS

• Smart DNS can unblock the geo-restricted streaming services.
• Smart DNS can work on the systems that does not supports for native VPN applications.
• Smart DNS is more cheaper as compared to VPN services.
• Smart DNS provides with more better speed.

Disadvantages of Smart DNS

• Smart DNS does not hide your IP address.
• Smart DNS provides less security as it does not encrypts the web traffic.
• Smart DNS is more complicated to set up.
• Smart DNS is less flexible as compared to VPN services.

Difference Between Smart DNS and VPN

VPN stands for Virtual Private Network. VPN provides more security by providing a new IP address. This new IP address provided by VPN is the address of VPN server. Both Smart DNS and VPN differ from each other. Below is the difference between Smart DNS and VPN.

Parameter	Smart DNS	VPN
Unblocking	Smart DNS cannot unblock all the online content. Such as it cannot unblock least used websites and applications.	VPN can unblock nearly all the online content.
Encryption	Smart DNS provides with less security as it does not encrypts the data.	VPN provides with more security by encrypting the connection.
Location spoofing	Smart DNS does not hide or change the IP address.	VPN can hide and change the IP address.
Price	Smart DNS services are cheaper.	VPN services are more expensive
Speed	Smart DNS have more better speed.	VPN can sometimes be slower as it provides more security related features.
Compatibility	Smart DNS is compatible with all the types of devices.	VPN is compatible with limited native applications only.

Check for Difference between DNS and VPN: DNS vs VPN

FAQs on Smart DNS

Q.1: Can we use Smart DNS and VPN together simultaneously?

Answer:

No, we cannot use Smart DNS along with the VPN simultaneously. For working of Smart DNS all the devices needs to be under same network. Using VPN modifies the network and it cannot be identified as the same one.

Q.2: Can Smart DNS unblock all the websites automatically?

Answer:

No, Smart DNS cannot unblock all the websites. The websites or applications that are least used may not be unlocked with the Smart DNS.

Q.3: Which streaming services are supported by Smart DNS?

Answer:

The streaming services supported by Smart DNS are Amazon Prime (US region), Disney Plus (US region), Netflix Originals, Peacock TV , HBO Now (US region) etc.

Q.4: While using Smart DNS will IP address also get changed?

Answer:

While using Smart DNS, the IP address is not changes. It only changes the DNS addresses.