Quad9
Quad9 Foundation operates a free, privacy-first recursive DNS resolver used by tens of millions of devices globally. It blocks malicious domains via threat intelligence from 25+ providers across 230+ clusters in 110+ countries, funded by donations and grants under Swiss law.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2017
- HeadquartersZurich, Switzerland
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingSoftware
What Quad9 does
Quad9 is the operating brand of the Swiss-based Quad9 Foundation, a nonprofit that runs a free, privacy-first recursive DNS resolver service for consumers, organizations, and research networks worldwide. The core product replaces the user's default ISP DNS with Quad9 addresses (notably 9.9.9.9 and 149.112.112.112) and blocks lookups of malicious hostnames using aggregated threat intelligence from 25+ providers, while supporting DNS-over-HTTPS, DNS-over-TLS, DNSCrypt, and DNSSEC validation. Infrastructure is delivered via an anycast network of 230+ resolver clusters in 110+ countries, primarily located at internet exchange points, with the platform designed to be GDPR-compliant and to log no IP addresses under Swiss jurisdiction.
The business model is donation- and grant-based rather than commercial: the service is free, requires no account, and is monetized only through philanthropic grants, corporate sponsorships, and infrastructure donations from partners including founding organizations Global Cyber Alliance, IBM, and Packet Clearing House. Distribution is product-led — users self-configure devices, routers, or network forwarders, and Quad9 is built into Android 9+, Windows 11, macOS, iOS 14+, ChromeOS, and Firefox as a native encrypted DNS option. Quad9 serves a long tail of tens of millions of devices globally and has begun layering institutional deals with research and education networks (CSC/Funet, FRGP/UCAR) on top of its consumer base, while increasingly engaging in regulatory and legal battles over mandated site blocking in Germany, France, and other jurisdictions.
Quad9 firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Quad9
- Legal name
- Quad9 Foundation
- Website
- https://quad9.net
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2017
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Quad9 Foundation operates a free, privacy-first recursive DNS resolver used by tens of millions of devices globally. It blocks malicious domains via threat intelligence from 25+ providers across 230+ clusters in 110+ countries, funded by donations and grants under Swiss law.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Quad9 industry classification
Industry- Product category
- DNS Security Services
- NAICS
- Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (5182), Wired Telecommunications Carriers (517111), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (5415)
- SIC
- Telephone Communications (No Radiotelephone) (4813), Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370), Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373), Services-Computer Programming Services (7371)
- akta.pro primary industry
- DNS Security & Protective DNS (HDADABAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- DNS Security Appliances (HDAFAFAK), Resilient DNS, Traffic Management & Global Load Balancing (HDABAIAI), Network Security Services (Firewall/VPN/ZTNA/SASE Integration) (BPAEAEAG)
Keywords
Where Quad9 is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Zurich
- HQ country
- Switzerland
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Quad9 business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Infrastructure, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations
Revenue model
- Donations: Individual users can make donations via PayPal, bank transfer (Swiss IBAN), or through Every.org platform. Quad9 is a nonprofit organization with no commercial incentive to monetize DNS data.
- Sponsorships and Grants: Corporate and institutional sponsors provide funding including founding organizations (Global Cyber Alliance, IBM, PCH), ongoing sponsors (Asurvio, EdgeUno, i3D.net, SWITCH), and grants from organizations like Craig Newmark Philanthropies and Nominet DNS Fund.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Others | Free DNS Service |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels6 records
Quad9 product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Quad9 operates a free, public recursive DNS resolver service (primary address 9.9.9.9) that replaces users' default ISP or enterprise DNS configuration. It blocks DNS lookups for malicious hostnames using aggregated, real-time threat intelligence from 25+ cybersecurity providers, while supporting encrypted DNS protocols (DNS-over-HTTPS, DNS-over-TLS, DNSCrypt) and DNSSEC validation. The service is offered at no cost to end users with no sign-up, no account creation, and zero IP address logging under Swiss jurisdiction.
Product overview
Quad9 is a Swiss-based non-profit organization operating a privacy-and-security focused recursive DNS service used by tens of millions of devices worldwide. The core offering is the Quad9 Secure DNS Service (9.9.9.9) which blocks malicious domains using threat intelligence from 25+ providers while supporting encrypted DNS protocols (DoH, DoT, DNSCrypt) and DNSSEC validation. The product portfolio includes specialized service variants: the Unsecured DNS (9.9.9.10) for testing purposes, the EDNS Client Subnet service (9.9.9.11) for geolocation-optimized responses, and the Domain Checker Tool for verifying blocklist status. The service is available across 230+ resolver clusters in over 110 countries, operated by the Quad9 Foundation with complete GDPR compliance and zero IP address logging under Swiss law.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Quad9 Secure DNS Service Free recursive DNS resolver (primary IPv4 9.9.9.9 / 149.112.112.112; IPv6 2620:fe::fe / 2620:fe::9) that replaces default ISP/enterprise DNS, blocks lookups of malicious hostnames (malware, phishing, spyware, botnets) using real-time threat intelligence from 25+ providers, supports encrypted DNS (DoH, DoT, DNSCrypt), DNSSEC validation, and operates without any IP address logging.
- Quad9 Unsecured DNS Service Unfiltered DNS resolver service at 9.9.9.10 / 149.112.112.10 that provides DNS resolution without blocklists, DNSSEC validation, or EDNS Client Subnet, intended for users testing false positives in threat feeds or DNSSEC errors.
- Quad9 EDNS Client Subnet Service DNS service variant at 9.9.9.11 / 149.112.112.11 that sends EDNS Client Subnet information to authoritative servers, enabling geolocation-aware DNS responses for improved content delivery performance.
- Quad9 Threat Intelligence Platform Platform that aggregates real-time malicious domain data from 25+ threat intelligence partners (including IBM X-Force, BforeAI, InQuest, Proofpoint, RiskIQ, Team Cymru and others) into a single blocklist, and provides bidirectional threat data sharing with partners via the Quad9 Threat Intel API.
- Domain Checker Tool Public web-based tool that lets users check whether a domain is blocked by Quad9, identify which threat intelligence provider listed the domain, and submit false positive reports for review.
Quantifiable outcome
- 670M+ average daily threat blocks
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Quad9
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Quad9 technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
Quad9 partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered major and core.
- CSC – IT Center for Science (Finland)majorPartnership announced August 2025 to enhance cybersecurity protections for Finnish higher education and research institutions, and the broader public relying on trusted DNS infrastructure. CSC is responsible for Funet, Finland's national research and education network.
- BforeAImajorExpanded strategic partnership announced June 2025 to accelerate protection against cyber attacks before they occur. BforeAI is an AI-powered predictive threat intelligence provider and newly announced Quad9 sponsor deepening its commitment to Quad9's mission.
- FRGP/UCAR (Front Range GigaPop)majorResearch and education network managed by University Corporation for Atmospheric Research adopted Quad9 DNS security in May 2025 to strengthen cybersecurity infrastructure for member institutions. Tens of thousands now protected.
- InQuestmajorPartnership announced April 2024 integrating InQuest's sophisticated threat intelligence into Quad9's DNS filtering service. During testing phase, contributed to more than 20 million blocks per day.
- Cyber Threat AlliancemajorQuad9 joined the Cyber Threat Alliance as leading DNS service to improve cybersecurity of global digital ecosystem.
- Internet SocietymajorPartnership announced June 2022 for expansion of DNS-based privacy and security services, with completion of first successful partnership for expansion to edge cities.
- BforeAImajorInitial partnership February 2022. AI-powered predictive threat intelligence brings preemptive DNS cybersecurity protection with early identification of threats.
- Global Cyber AlliancecoreFounding organization. International, cross-sector initiative dedicated to reducing cyber risk and improving connected world. 501(c)(3) in US, nonprofit in UK and Belgium, founded September 2015.
- IBMcoreFounding member and ongoing sponsor. Transferred ownership of memorable 9.9.9.9 address to Quad9. IBM X-Force provides threat intelligence. IBM operates extensive security research, monitors 35B+ security events daily in 130+ countries.
- PCH (Packet Clearing House)coreFounding organization. Nonprofit operating much of world's authoritative DNS and supporting root nameservers. Provides network infrastructure enabling Quad9's worldwide presence.
- EdgeUnomajorPartnership since May 2022. Leading IaaS provider supplying servers and network connectivity in Latin America (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Egypt, Guatemala, Mexico, Peru, Puerto Rico, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, USA) to expand Quad9 DNS security.
- i3D.netmajorPartnership since April 2022. Ubisoft company providing high-performance hosting and global infrastructure services with compute, CDN and Game Hosting in 40+ points of presence on 6 continents. Gaming market specialist hosting AAA games for PC and major consoles.
- SWITCHmajorSwiss academic network and registry for .ch and .li domain names. Provides hosting and network infrastructure support. Approximately 100 employees in Zurich.
- Threat Intelligence Providers (30+ listed)coreOver 30 threat intelligence partners supply malicious domain data including Bambenek Consulting, bfore.ai, CDA, Cert.pl, ChainPatrol.io, CriminalIP, Cyber Notify, Domain Intelligence, Domain Trust, DomainSure, DomainTools, Echap, F-Secure, Gridinsoft, Health-ISAC, IBM X-Force, InQuest, iVerify, JustGuard, Mnemonic, OpenIntel, Openphish, Phish Report, Proofpoint, RiskAnalytics, RiskIQ, SI-CERT, SignalSpam, Swiss Internet Security Alliance, Team Cymru, Threat Connect, Threat Stop, ThreatCat, Ticura, URLAbuse, URLHaus. Quad9 provides anonymized volumetric threat data back to partners.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves11 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Quad9 competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- NextDNS: Privacy-first DNS service offering configurable blocklists, DoH/DoT support, and per-device profiles. Directly competes with Quad9 in the privacy-conscious consumer and SMB market, with a freemium commercial model.
- Cloudflare: Operates 1.1.1.1, the most widely recognized free public DNS resolver with built-in privacy claims (no logging of querying IP). Directly competes with Quad9 for the same individual and enterprise user base, and bundles DNS into a broader security and performance platform.
- DNSFilter: Cloud-based DNS filtering with threat protection, content filtering, and MSP-focused deployment. Competes with Quad9 in the enterprise and managed-service-provider segment, where DNS-layer security is sold as a paid product.
- CleanBrowsing: Privacy-focused public DNS resolver offering threat filtering, adult content blocking, and DoH/DoT support. Directly comparable to Quad9 with similar threat-blocking and encryption features.
- Google Public DNS: Provides free recursive DNS at 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 with global infrastructure. Competes directly with Quad9 on speed, reliability, and reach; backed by Google's scale and bundled into Chrome and Android ecosystems.
- OpenDNS (Cisco): One of the earliest public DNS services, now owned by Cisco. Provides security-focused DNS with phishing/malware blocking, overlapping directly with Quad9's threat-blocking value proposition and serving similar SMB and enterprise customers.
- AdGuard DNS: Privacy-focused DNS resolver with ad/tracker blocking and parental controls. Directly comparable to Quad9's encrypted, filtered DNS offering with freemium and paid tiers.
- Comodo Secure DNS: Provides free filtered DNS with malware/phishing protection and enterprise variants. Overlaps directly with Quad9's threat-blocking proposition and competes for the same SMB and security-conscious user segments.
Emerging players
- Mullvad DNS: Privacy-focused DNS-over-HTTPS/TLS service operated by Mullvad VPN, with strict no-logging and ad-blocking variants. Closely aligned with Quad9's privacy-first positioning, though smaller in scale and bundled with a paid VPN product.
- ControlD: Modern customizable DNS service from the makers of Windscribe VPN, offering per-traffic-type routing, blocklists, and proxying. Overlaps with Quad9 on threat-blocking and encrypted DNS, with a stronger commercial positioning.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Quad9 social profiles
Digital presenceQuad9 financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Quad9 leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
Quad9 funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Quad9 M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Quad9
What does Quad9 do?
Quad9 operates a free, public recursive DNS resolver service (primary address 9.9.9.9) that replaces users' default ISP or enterprise DNS configuration. It blocks DNS lookups for malicious hostnames using aggregated, real-time threat intelligence from 25+ cybersecurity providers, while supporting encrypted DNS protocols (DNS-over-HTTPS, DNS-over-TLS, DNSCrypt) and DNSSEC validation. The service is offered at no cost to end users with no sign-up, no account creation, and zero IP address logging under Swiss jurisdiction.
Is Quad9 a public or private company?
Quad9 is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Quad9 founded?
Quad9 was founded in 2017. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Quad9 based?
Quad9 is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, in the Europe region.
How does Quad9 make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Donations are the primary driver. The others are sponsorships and Grants.
Who are Quad9's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are NextDNS, Cloudflare, DNSFilter, CleanBrowsing, Google Public DNS, OpenDNS (Cisco), AdGuard DNS and Comodo Secure DNS. Emerging players are Mullvad DNS and ControlD.
Does Quad9 have an API?
Yes. Quad9 operates a Threat Intel API that allows threat intelligence partners to exchange data with Quad9. This API enables bidirectional threat intelligence sharing where Quad9 provides anonymized volumetric information and rough geography of threats to partners in exchange for threat intelligence feeds. The API helps threat intelligence analysts refine their analyses and receive more accurate information to improve user security. Developer documentation is at github.com/Quad9DNS/threat-intel-api.
What industry is Quad9 in?
Quad9's product category is DNS Security Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDADABAF, DNS Security & Protective DNS, with a secondary code of HDAFAFAK, DNS Security Appliances. Its NAICS code is 5182 and its SIC code is 4813.