Leaving Cloudflare DNS? Here's everything you need
Compare 3 EU alternatives side-by-side. Find the right fit based on migration difficulty, pricing, and privacy features.
Your data may be subject to US surveillance laws
Cloudflare DNS is headquartered in the US. Under the CLOUD Act and FISA Section 702, US authorities can access your data without your knowledge. Switch to an EU alternative to keep your data protected under GDPR.
All EU Alternatives at a Glance
| Alternative | Country | Pricing | Difficulty | Time Estimate | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Quad9Recommended Quad9 is a European cybersecurity service that provides a free DNS resolver to enhance internet security and privacy. By blocking access to malicious sites, it protects users from cyber threats. The service is easy to set up on various devices and networks, ensuring safer browsing without compromising speed or performance. Visit https://quad9.net for more information. | 🇨🇭Switzerland | Contact | Medium | 2-4 hours | |
dns0.eu dns0.eu is a European-based DNS management service that provides reliable domain name resolution. With an intuitive interface, users can easily manage their DNS records, ensuring efficient website accessibility and email delivery. The platform supports various record types and offers robust security features to protect against DNS attacks. | 🇪🇺EU | Contact | Medium | 2-4 hours | |
Mullvad DNS Mullvad DNS is a secure, privacy-focused DNS resolver provided by the Swedish company Mullvad. It supports DNS-over-HTTPS and DNS-over-TLS, ensuring encrypted communication for your DNS queries. This service helps prevent data tracking and enhances your online privacy while browsing. | 🇸🇪Sweden | Contact | Medium | 1-2 hours |
Our Top Picks
Best for Privacy
Quad9 is a European cybersecurity service that provides a free DNS resolver to enhance internet security and privacy. By blocking access to malicious sites, it protects users from cyber threats. The service is easy to set up on various devices and networks, ensuring safer browsing without compromising speed or performance. Visit https://quad9.net for more information.
Certifications:
Migration difficulty data is being enriched for these alternatives.
Detailed Comparison of Each Alternative
Quad9 is a European cybersecurity service that provides a free DNS resolver to enhance internet security and privacy. By blocking access to malicious sites, it protects users from cyber threats. The service is easy to set up on various devices and networks, ensuring safer browsing without compromising speed or performance. Visit https://quad9.net for more information.
Advantages
- Quad9 has servers in the EU, ensuring GDPR compliance for users.
- Quad9 blocks access to known malicious domains, enhancing security.
- Quad9's DNS queries are encrypted via DNS-over-HTTPS (DoH) option.
- Quad9's non-profit model focuses on user privacy, not profit.
Trade-offs
- Migrating DNS settings may require technical knowledge and time.
- Quad9 lacks some advanced features like DNS filtering offered by Cloudflare.
- Quad9's performance may vary based on location compared to Cloudflare.
dns0.eu is a European-based DNS management service that provides reliable domain name resolution. With an intuitive interface, users can easily manage their DNS records, ensuring efficient website accessibility and email delivery. The platform supports various record types and offers robust security features to protect against DNS attacks.
Advantages
- dns0.eu servers are located in the EU, ensuring GDPR compliance.
- dns0.eu is open source, allowing for community audits and transparency.
- E2E encryption is optional, enhancing security for sensitive queries.
- dns0.eu may offer lower latency for EU users due to local servers.
Trade-offs
- Migration from Cloudflare may involve downtime and configuration changes.
- dns0.eu lacks known features like DNSSEC and advanced analytics.
- Learning curve for users unfamiliar with open-source DNS management.
Mullvad DNS is a secure, privacy-focused DNS resolver provided by the Swedish company Mullvad. It supports DNS-over-HTTPS and DNS-over-TLS, ensuring encrypted communication for your DNS queries. This service helps prevent data tracking and enhances your online privacy while browsing.
Advantages
- Mullvad DNS servers are located in the EU, ensuring GDPR compliance.
- Mullvad offers optional end-to-end encryption for enhanced security.
- Mullvad does not log user data, ensuring greater privacy protection.
- Mullvad is transparent about its operations and privacy policies.
Trade-offs
- Migration may require reconfiguring devices and settings.
- Mullvad DNS lacks some advanced features of Cloudflare DNS.
- Learning curve for users unfamiliar with Mullvad's interface.
Before You Switch
Export your data from Cloudflare DNS before you start the migration. This ensures you have a backup and makes the transition smoother.
General Data Export Steps
- 1Log into your Cloudflare DNS account and navigate to Settings or Privacy.
- 2Look for "Download your data", "Export", or "Data portability" options.
- 3Select all data you want to export and choose a standard format (ZIP, CSV, JSON).
- 4Wait for the export to complete — large accounts may take hours or days.
- 5Download and verify the export before proceeding with migration.
Under GDPR Article 20, you have the right to data portability. Cloudflare DNS is required to provide your data in a structured, commonly used format upon request.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best EU alternatives to Cloudflare DNS?
There are 3 European alternatives to Cloudflare DNS. Quad9, dns0.eu, Mullvad DNS are among the top-rated options. All are GDPR-compliant and store your data in European data centers.
How long does it take to switch from Cloudflare DNS?
Migration time varies by alternative. Most migrations can be completed in under an hour with our step-by-step guides. We provide detailed migration guides for each alternative.
Can I export my data from Cloudflare DNS?
Yes, most services including Cloudflare DNS allow you to export your data. Check the settings or privacy section of your Cloudflare DNS account for data export options. GDPR also grants you the right to data portability.
Is switching from Cloudflare DNS to an EU alternative safe?
Yes, switching is safe when done correctly. We recommend: 1) Export your data from Cloudflare DNS first, 2) Set up the new EU service, 3) Import your data, 4) Run both services in parallel for a transition period, 5) Update any linked accounts or integrations, and 6) Cancel your Cloudflare DNS subscription only after verifying everything works.
Why should I switch from Cloudflare DNS to an EU alternative?
EU alternatives provide stronger privacy protection under GDPR, keep your data in European data centers, and are not subject to US surveillance laws like the CLOUD Act or FISA Section 702. By switching, you gain true data sovereignty and support European tech innovation.