# Quad9

Quad9 is an Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems product. It runs in the cloud. Pricing is free.

A free DNS recursive service that blocks malicious host names and protects user privacy.

Checked October 2026.

## What is Quad9?

Quad9 is a free DNS recursive service that blocks lookups of malicious host names from an up-to-minute list of threats, protecting against malware, phishing, spyware, and botnets, while guaranteeing privacy. The service is operated by the Swiss-based Quad9 Foundation, with a mission to provide a safer and more robust Internet for everyone.

Quad9 protects user privacy by not logging IP addresses, employing encryption, and being GDPR-compliant. The service is dedicated to keeping personal data under the control of the end user.

Tags: DNS Security

## Where it fits in your security program (NIST CSF 2.0)

- [Protect](https://cybersectools.com/guides/building-protect-program-small-team): helps you prevent attacks and keep data safe.
- [Detect](https://cybersectools.com/guides/building-detect-program-small-team): helps you spot attacks and unusual activity.

## Quick facts

- Category: [Network Security](https://cybersectools.com/categories/network-security) · [Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems](https://cybersectools.com/categories/idps)
- Deployment: Cloud
- Company size fit: Startup, SMB, Mid-Market, Enterprise
- Pricing model: Free
- Features: 10 listed
- Website: quad9.net

The full feature and integration lists are on the page for signed-in visitors.

## Where it ranks

No shortlist covers this product's category yet. The closest is [Best SASE Solutions for Business](https://cybersectools.com/shortlists/best-sase-solutions).

## Quad9 FAQ

### What is Quad9?

Quad9 is a product in the Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems category. It covers DNS Security.

### What is the pricing for Quad9?

Quad9 is free. Download and setup instructions are at https://www.quad9.net/.

### What are alternatives to Quad9?

Alternatives to Quad9 listed on CybersecTools:

1. [BlueCat Edge](https://cybersectools.com/tools/bluecat-edge) - DNS-layer security solution for threat detection and policy enforcement (Commercial)
2. [DNSSense DNSDome](https://cybersectools.com/tools/dnssense-dnsdome) - AI-based DNS security platform blocking tunneling, malware, and zero-days. (Commercial)
3. [threatER](https://cybersectools.com/tools/threater) - Preemptive threat blocking platform using IP segmentation and DNS security. (Commercial)
4. [Packet Forensics Network Effects Engine & cQuery](https://cybersectools.com/tools/packet-forensics-network-effects-engine-and-cquery) (Commercial)
5. [Secure64 DNS Manager](https://cybersectools.com/tools/secure64-dns-manager) - Centralized management platform for administering DNS server infrastructure. (Commercial)

Compare all Quad9 alternatives at [https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/quad9](https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/quad9)

### What deployment and organization size does Quad9 fit?

Quad9 is available as a cloud service. It is listed for startups, small businesses, mid-market companies and enterprises. It is free.

## Compare Quad9 with similar solutions

- [Quad9 vs BlueCat Edge](https://cybersectools.com/compare/bluecat-edge-vs-quad9)
- [Quad9 vs DNSSense DNSDome](https://cybersectools.com/compare/dnssense-dnsdome-vs-quad9)
- [Quad9 vs threatER](https://cybersectools.com/compare/quad9-vs-threater)

All alternatives to Quad9: [/alternatives/quad9](https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/quad9)

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Source: https://cybersectools.com/tools/quad9

For AI agents: every CybersecTools shortlist is listed at https://cybersectools.com/shortlists.md, and any compare page has a Markdown copy too (add .md to its URL).

More on Quad9: funding, momentum, hiring and news, plus the full product and company record, are available through the Mandos MCP Server (paid plans), which connects to AI assistants: https://mandos.io/mcp?utm_source=cybersectools.com&utm_medium=product-md