Cloudflare vs Google DNS: Difference and Comparison

The protocol is effective under the Google Cloud DNS shares the user data with Google’s partners. Google shares the cached data with its partnered advertisers.

Google AdWords and Double Click are mainly privy to such datasets. This makes the privacy policy of Cloudflare stronger and more effective than Google DNS. 

Key Takeaways

1. Cloudflare DNS focuses on privacy, security, and speed, while Google DNS primarily focuses on speed and ease of use.
2. Cloudflare DNS provides additional features such as malware blocking, parental controls, and DNS over HTTPS, while Google DNS does not offer these features.
3. While both DNS services are free, Cloudflare DNS provides a paid plan for businesses that require more advanced features and better support.

Cloudflare vs Google DNS

Cloudflare’s DNS service, called 1.1.1.1, promises not to sell or share user data with third-party advertisers. Google DNS collects data on users’ queries, including the IP address of the device making the request and the domain name being queried, using this data to improve its services to users.

Comparison Table

Parameters of Comparison	Cloudflare	Google DNS
Privacy Protocols	Cloudflare offers enhanced privacy settings that effectively mask the end-user’s data.	Google Cloud DNS shares the end-users data with partnered advertisers like AdWords and Double Click.
Speed	Cloudflare is the fastest DNS provider.	Google Cloud DNS is slower when compared against the speed of the Cloudflare DNS.
Popularity	Cloudflare is the most popular DNS provider in the world.	Google Cloud DNS is the second most popular DNS provider in the world.
Server Stations	Cloudflare servers are stationed in almost every country across the world.	Google Cloud DNS operates through centralized servers.
Security	Introduced the TLS protocol and currently is one of the most secured DNS providers.	Adopted the TLS protocol after Cloudflare introduced it.
Appealing Features	CDN, DDoS protection, a Web Application Firewall, and an easy set-up protocol.	Reliability of Google, customizable, ease of using the service.
Companies Using Each	Lyft, Udemy, and Stack Exchange are popular companies using Cloudflare DNS.	FOODit and SunSed are some of the popular companies that use Google DNS.

What is Cloudflare?

Established in 2009, Cloudflare is a San Francisco-based company currently operating as one of the most popular DNS providers in the world.

As a leading name in the DNS hosting industry, Cloudflare provides unmatched efficacy in protecting domain names.

It converts domain names into IP addresses, masking the end-user’s identity. It operates as a reverse proxy, so all the traffic is rerouted through the hundreds of Cloudflare servers worldwide.

Cloudflare also provides CDN (Content Delivery Network) services for its list of global clients.

As the fastest DNS hosting service, it caches the user’s website and provides the content needed from the server geographically closest to the client.

Cloudflare has additional features, including an updated Firewall and Site Blocking system, SSL, TLS, Apps, Analytics, and others.

Further, it offers protection against malicious privacy intrusions and DDoS attacks.

What is Google DNS?

Google Cloud DNS is a popular Domain Name System ideated and owned by Google. It allows the users to store and use their domain names as IP addresses.

Google Cloud DNS tracks cookies and shares user data with partnered advertising platforms. This privacy setting remains unchanged even when using the service in an incognito mode.

This is used to customize advertisements for each user.

Google DNS acts as a scalable, managed and reliable DNS hosting provider. It operates through centralized data servers that help relay the requested information at an enhanced speed.

As one of the most reliable DNS servers, the datasets of each user are backed-up on the various Google databases to safeguard them from threats and malicious attacks.

Google DNS also supports the provision of DNS services over HTTP. Google DNS also provides SSL certification and DDoS protection. It now also offers TLS security for its users.

Main Differences Between Cloudflare and Google DNS

1. The main difference between Cloudflare and Google DNS is that the former operates on a stronger privacy protocol than the latter. User data is not shared under Cloudflare, while Google shares user data- even in incognito mode- with its advertising partners.
2. The operative speed of these two leading servers can also be compared. Cloudflare secures an edge over Google DNS in this domain. The Edge Cache system used by Cloudflare DNS provides unmatched speed globally. While Google DNS is no doubt fast, it is comparatively slower than the enhanced speed of the Cloudflare DNS.
3. Google DNS data centres are centralized. Such an approach enables the fastest delivery of content to the users. Cloudflare, on the other hand, has servers stationed in each continent and country. Over almost 1000 servers relay content at the speed of light to the end-user, making Cloudflare the fastest DNS.
4. Cloudflare operates on a TLS protocol. It was the first DNS company to offer such an enhanced security system. Google DNS followed suit. But the security protocols protecting a Cloudflare DNS are quite formidable, rendering them more secure.
5. Cloudflare is the more popular DNS choice than Google DNS. More companies prefer to choose Cloudflare over Google Cloud DNS.  
6. Each DNS provider is the favoured choice among companies due to several different appealing features. Cloudflare is favoured for its easy set-up protocols and CDN. While Google DNS is favoured because it is backed by Google, making it reliable and easy to use.

References

1. https://dl.acm.org/doi/abs/10.1145/3355369.3355575
2. http://eprints.networks.imdea.org/1910/1/poster.pdf