A VPN (Virtual Private Network) creates an encrypted tunnel for all your internet traffic—not just the DNS requests. That means everything you do online, from streaming to sending emails, goes through this secure tunnel. Your real IP address is hidden, and your traffic is routed through the VPN provider’s server instead.

Here’s what that gets you:

• IP masking (your real location stays hidden)

• Bypassing censorship and geo-blocks

• Protection on public Wi-Fi

• Full encryption of traffic

• Throttling prevention (your ISP can’t slow you down based on activity)

Encrypted DNS doesn’t do any of this.

• IP addresses still expose you: Your ISP can see what server you’re talking to based on the IP, even if the DNS query is hidden.

• Shared IP addresses aren’t foolproof: Cloudflare, AWS, and other providers host many sites on the same IP—which helps slightly, but not always.

• You're just moving trust: Instead of trusting your ISP, you’re trusting the DNS provider (like Google or Cloudflare). They still see what you're querying.

What Happens If a Network Blocks Encrypted DNS?

Some school, office, or public Wi-Fi networks block encrypted DNS to control traffic. If this happens:

• You may see iOS warnings like "This network is blocking encrypted DNS traffic"

• Browsers may fall back to unencrypted DNS without telling you

• You lose the privacy benefits

Solution: Use a VPN, which encrypts all traffic—not just DNS—and is harder to block.

Why Trust Still Matters in Both VPN and DNS Providers

No matter the tool, you’re putting trust in someone:

• VPNs: You trust them not to log or sell your data

• Encrypted DNS: You trust the provider not to track or log queries

Some VPNs even run their own private DNS servers to minimize risk. Look for providers with clear no-logging policies and good transparency reports.

Does Encrypted DNS Protect You From Ads and Trackers?

No. Encrypting DNS doesn't block ads or stop tracking scripts.

• It only hides your query, not what happens once you land on the site

• VPNs with tracker blockers or a DNS-level blocker like Pi-hole can help more

Can You Use Encrypted DNS on Your Router or Smart TV?

Yes, but it depends on your hardware:

• Many routers don't support DoH/DoT

• Smart TVs may not allow custom DNS settings at all

• Devices without native support will need workarounds like SmartDNS or a VPN router

Use Encrypted DNS If:

• You want faster browsing without logging by your ISP

• You’re on a modern browser that supports DoH (e.g., Firefox, Chrome)

• You don’t need full encryption or IP masking

Use a VPN If:

• You’re on public Wi-Fi

• You want to access region-locked content

• You need to mask your IP address

• You want to encrypt everything, not just DNS

• You care about real privacy, not partial cover

Can You Use Both?

Yes. Many VPN providers now offer their own encrypted DNS as part of their package. This means you get:

• DNS requests protected from interception

• Full traffic encryption and IP masking

Some browsers also let you use DoH alongside your VPN—adding another layer of protection.

No. Encrypted DNS is a step in the right direction, but it’s not a VPN replacement.

Think of it this way: encrypted DNS hides the question you ask the internet, but a VPN hides everything — the question, the answer, and even that you asked at all.

If you’re serious about privacy, you’ll want a VPN. If you’re looking for a small boost in privacy without paying for a subscription or slowing down your speed, encrypted DNS is a lightweight option.

1. Is encrypted DNS enough to keep me private online?
No. It only hides your DNS queries, not your full browsing activity or IP address.

2. Can a VPN replace encrypted DNS?
Yes. Most VPNs already encrypt DNS queries as part of their service.

3. Will encrypted DNS stop ISP throttling?
No. Only a VPN can help bypass throttling since encrypted DNS doesn’t mask your traffic type.

4. Is encrypted DNS better for speed than a VPN?
Yes. Because it only secures DNS lookups, the performance hit is minimal.

5. Should I use encrypted DNS with a VPN?
Yes. Many VPNs use encrypted DNS by default. You get full traffic protection and DNS query privacy together.

6. Can websites still track me with encrypted DNS?
Yes. Websites can still see your IP, use cookies, and fingerprint your browser. DNS encryption doesn’t stop this.

7. Is SmartDNS the same as encrypted DNS?
No. SmartDNS is used for unblocking content without encryption. Encrypted DNS is about privacy and security.

8. Is DNSCrypt an alternative to VPN?

No. Like other encrypted DNS tools, DNSCrypt only secures DNS queries. It doesn’t encrypt all traffic or hide your IP address like a VPN does.