Smart DNS vs VPN: What’s the Difference?

In short, Smart DNS spoofs your geo-location by routing your connection through a proxy server, whereas VPN encrypts your connection and routes it through a secure VPN server. Unlike VPN, Smart DNS doesn’t hide your IP address.

许多人对智能 DNS 和 VPN 感到困惑。简而言之，智能 DNS 是一种高级域名服务，可让您访问受地理限制的网站和内容。另一方面，VPN 会加密并隐藏您的 IP 地址。

要了解什么是智能 DNS 及其工作原理，首先您必须了解什么是 DNS。 DNS 或域名服务器是一种翻译域名的服务（www.example.com）到 IP 地址 (255.255.255.255)。

The Smart DNS technology combines DNS and a proxy server. It translates the domain of the website you want to access to its IP address and routes it through a proxy server. Thus, it tricks the website into believing you’re accessing it from that location.

Smart DNS and VPN have different purposes, functionality, and pros/cons. We’ll thoroughly discuss the differences between Smart DNS and VPN and decide which is right for you based on your needs.

智能 DNS 与 VPN：比较概览

请参阅下面的比较表，了解智能 DNS 与 VPN 的简要说明：

因素	智能域名解析	虚拟专用网络 (VPN)
特征	智能 DNS 允许用户访问不可用的内容	VPN 通过隐藏 IP 地址来加密互联网连接
安全	Protects your DNS queries from hackers and snoopers but doesn’t encrypt all internet traffic	通过向政府和 ISP 隐藏您的在线活动来确保隐私和安全
加密	Smart DNS doesn’t provide any encryption	VPN 提供强大的军用级 AES-256 位加密
速度	由于没有加密，通常速度更快	由于加密能力更强，速度较慢
数据记录	智能 DNS 提供商或其连接的代理可以记录数据	VPNs with no log policy don’t log user data
兼容性	适用于多种设备，如手机、PC、Android 电视等。	兼容Android、Windows、TV等主流平台。
使用方便	无需技术知识	如果提供用户友好的应用程序，则易于使用
绕过审查制度	It’s not that effective in bypassing strong Internet censorship	有效对抗地理限制或强大的审查制度绕过
Streaming support	适合在 Netflix、Amazon、Hulu 等平台上流式传输内容。	非常适合在 Netflix、Amazon、Hulu 等上播放和解锁受地理限制的内容。
价格	智能DNS相对便宜或者可以免费	VPN 比智能 DNS 服务相对昂贵

什么是智能域名系统？

使用智能 DNS 将域名转换为 IP 地址，并通过代理发送以绕过审查。与仅将网站域转换为 IP 地址的 DNS 不同，它还通过代理服务器路由网络流量。 

As a result, with Smart DNS, you can bypass censorship and access blocked sites. However, the major downside of using Smart DNS is it doesn’t encrypt or hide your online identity. It only provides a basic level of encryption to route your data.

Since Smart DNS doesn’t hide your IP address, you’ll be exposed if you access a blocked website that breaks the law of your country. So, Smart DNS is a good choice in terms of streaming and accessing blocked content if there’s no legal issue.

智能 DNS 还具有用户友好性，并且比某些 VPN 更易于设置。它们几乎与所有类型的设备兼容。一些流行的智能 DNS 包括 Next DNS, Control D、Cisco OpenDNS等。其中，Next DNS是我个人最喜欢的。

使用智能 DNS 合法吗？

Yes, using Smart DNS is absolutely legal. There’s nothing wrong with changing your Domain Name Servers for your own preferences. Many people don’t prefer using their ISP’s DNS servers since they can log your browsing data. 

So, using a secure DNS to hide your queries from ISPs is advisable. However, some countries have strong restrictions against Smart DNS services, and they can easily be blocked on the ISP level. As a result, it’s always recommended to use a VPN. 

什么是 VPN？

虚拟专用网络 (VPN) 创建一个安全隧道，对来自黑客、ISP 和监控的数据传输进行加密。它通过隐藏您的 IP 地址来保护您的在线身份并提供完全的匿名性。

VPN 使您看起来像是从您所连接的位置进行浏览。因此，使用 VPN，您可以安全地绕过地理限制并观看 Netflix、Amazon Prime、Hulu、Disney+ 等上的区域锁定内容。

VPN 通常比智能 DNS 提供更好的加密、安全性和隐私性。它们易于设置和使用，并在主要平台上提供良好的兼容性。然而，VPN 的成本比智能 DNS 更高，这是有道理的。

使用 VPN 合法吗？

Absolutely, using a VPN is not only legal; it’s an essential tool for every individual and business who values their privacy. It protects you from all kinds of cyber threats and secures your online identity on dangerous public Wi-Fi networks. Some VPNs, like our Symlex VPN, can seamlessly bypass the strongest censorship (China).

什么是 DNS 泄漏？

DNS leaks occur when requests are sent to an ISP’s DNS servers, even when you’re connected to a VPN network. A concerning security flaw leaks your original IP address to ISPs, sending queries outside the encrypted tunnel and exposing your identity.

基于智能 DNS 的 VPN 的功能

✓加密：VPN 现在使用军事级 AES-256 位加密，军事和政府官员使用该加密来实现牢不可破的安全性。即使是目前最快的超级计算机也需要数百万年才能解码这种加密。

That’s one of the reasons it’s widely adopted by VPN companies and considered a cutting-edge technology for securing privacy. 

✓地理限制绕过: While both Smart DNS and VPNs can bypass censorship, VPNs have a slight advantage due to their strong encryption. So, with a VPN, you don’t have to worry about your identity being exposed, while Smart DNS offers zero encryption.

✓拆分隧道：有时，您可能只想使用特定应用程序或某些带有 VPN 的应用程序。您可以选择哪些应用程序可以使用 VPN 服务器，哪些应用程序不能使用分割隧道。与智能 DNS 不同，它使您可以更好地控制网络。

✓终止开关: Kill-switch is one of the most essential security features of a VPN that you can’t get with Smart DNS services. If there’s a network interruption or sudden network drop, it automatically disconnects you from the internet, acting as a failsafe.

As a result, you’re protected from IP leaks, and your online identity remains secured from hackers and third parties. Smart DNS services cannot prevent IP leaks from happening.

✓同时连接： 最好的 VPN 允许您一次连接多台设备，因此您可以同时在多台设备上使用它们。这样，您就可以在所有设备上体验无缝服务。 

那么，智能 DNS 与 VPN：哪个更好？

Now that we know the ins and outs of both Smart DNS and VPN let’s find out which is the best for you. Generally, it depends on personal preferences, but we have it sorted.

智能 DNS 与 VPN：速度方面

Smart DNS is a better choice than VPNs in terms of speed since they are generally faster. Smart DNS doesn’t come with any encryption, so data transfer is faster. While VPNs offer strong encryptions, which is why they are comparatively slow.

然而，一些 VPN（例如 Symlex VPN）提供专用的超快缓存服务器，可实现更快的浏览速度和无延迟的游戏。此外，速度很大程度上取决于服务器和您的连接协议。有些公司提供最好的速度，而另一些公司则提供最好的安全性，但在速度上略有妥协。

概括：由于不加密，智能 DNS 提供比 VPN 更好的速度。

智能 DNS 与 VPN：安全性方面

VPNs win the race in terms of security and privacy. Smart DNS doesn’t encrypt user data and IP addresses, making you vulnerable to surveillance and identity leaks. VPNs, on the other hand, hide your IP address and encrypt your data. It also comes with essential security features like an active kill switch, split tunneling, no-log policy, etc.

概括：VPN 比智能 DNS 提供更好的安全性和隐私性。

智能 DNS 与 VPN：绕过审查制度

Smart DNS and VPNs are suitable for censorship bypass; however, with Smart DNS, your identity is exposed since it doesn’t hide your IP address. Major social media and Google ecosystems are blocked in many countries like China. If you use a Smart DNS to bypass the great firewall of China, you’ll get into trouble when the authorities find out.

但是，使用 VPN 可以使您免受 ISP 和政府的监视。它通过端到端加密来加密您的数据，没有人可以拦截和监视您的在线活动。因此，使用 VPN 绕过审查制度更加容易且安全。

概括：智能 DNS 和 VPN 都可以绕过审查，但 VPN 会隐藏您的身份以保护您免受网络威胁和间谍活动。

Technically, yes! It’s not hard to choose between Smart DNS and VPNs. You can see from the above discussion that VPN outperforms Smart DNS in every aspect. However, Smart DNS can be a handy tool for many users, while VPNs are for privacy-concerned individuals and large businesses who want a complete solution.

常见问题解答

DNS 会跟踪您吗？

是的，如果 DNS 有保留日志的政策（例如 Google DNS），他们可以跟踪您。因此，您应该使用能够保护您的日志隐私的 DNS 提供商。如果可能，请使用 VPN 以获得更好的隐私和安全性。

DNS 可以看到我的密码吗？

DNS服务器仅将域名转换为IP地址。它无法看到您与网站之间发生的通信。因此，DNS 无法查看密码、卡详细信息等敏感信息。

谷歌会跟踪 DNS 吗？

Google is an artist of keeping logs. According to Google’s official statement, they keep two types of logs: temporary logs and permanent logs. So, it’s not a good idea to use Google’s public DNS if you have privacy concerns.

最后的话

Smart DNS and VPNs are equally significant to internet users if not more. You need to choose carefully what is the best choice for your device. After all, your internet security is the most crucial aspect if you do not want to lose your personal and professional data amidst the millions of data theft victims. So,  choose the one that suits your needs best.