What is Smart DNS and How To Use It To Stream Netflix and Hulu From Anywhere
If you’re looking at the online offerings for video streaming solutions, you maybe be wondering, “what is SmartDNS? SmartDNS is the next step in the evolution of services designed to allow users around the globe easy access to geo-blocked streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, Youtube, Twitter, and more. Let’s take a closer look at what Smart DNS is exactly…
What is SmartDNS?
SmartDNS is a new technology similar to VPN and Proxy servers that reroutes your internet data through DNS servers in specific countries, to allow access to internet sites and services that would otherwise be blocked. If you are located in europe but use Smart DNS servers located in the United States, you will appear to these websites as if you are located in the United States. The result is that you can access sites like Netflix and Hulu that are limited only to users located in the U.S.
Smart DNS uses super high-speed servers, so you should experience no speed loss. This is superior to using a VPN, because a VPN connection is almost always slower than your standard internet connection. The reason is that the encryption technology used to create the VPN tunnel requires a percentage of your bandwidth to operate, and as a result causes the speeds you experience to slow slightly.
What is SmartDNS service used for?
The main purpose of SmartDNS technology is to unblock geo-blocked websites and services. The Smart DNS servers intercept all data regarding your geographic location and tell the website you are visiting that you are located in a country where the service is enabled.
Websites that are popular for unblocking with SmartDNS
- Netflix
- Hulu
- Pandora
What’s the Difference between SmartDNS and a VPN?
While both Smart DNS service and a VPN can be used to unblock websites, each has their own advantages and limitations.
- Has Encryption
- Changes Your IP Address (anonymous)
- Will slow your max download speed slightly
- Slightly more expensive on average
- Your ISP cannot see what sites you visit
- Can unblock websites like netflix and hulu
- Does not have encryption
- Doesn’t change your IP address (not anonymous)
- No speed loss. Maximum speed.
- Slightly less expensive than VPN (on average)
- Your ISP can see what sites you visit
- Can unblock websites like netflix and hulu
So which is better for unblocking websites, a VPN or SmartDNS?
This really comes down to your needs and personal preference. If you just want to access geo-blocked streaming services like netflix, and you don’t care about encrypting your internet traffic, SmartDNS is probably the best choice.
If you don’t want your ISP to read your traffic, you travel frequently, use public wifi hotspots, or use p2p networks like Bittorrent, you should probably have a VPN service instead.
What are the Best Choices for SmartDNS service?
There are a growing number of companies offering SmartDNS service, but here are a few of our favorites:
Overplay VPN and SmartDNS
Overplay is one of the world’s most popular VPN providers, and for a limited time they’re including SmartDNS service for FREE with the purchase of a VPN subscription. Even better, VPN service from overplay starts as low as $4.95 per month when you sign up through this link
ibDNS by Invisible Browing VPN
IBVPN was one of the first companies to offer a smartDNS service and still one of the best. ibDNS service only costs $4.95 per month or $36.95 per year. Even better, if you purchase the Total VPN package or Ultimate VPN Package from ibVPN, they will include ibDNS for FREE. Click here to learn more…
Torguard Anonymous SmartDNS
Torguard has a pretty unique offering in the SmartDNS world. Unlike most smartDNS services, Torguard’s smartDNS actually changes your IP address, much like a VPN. They also promise to keep no logs, so your web browsing activity is 100% anonymous. Service starts at $5.95/month but you can get a steep discount to $3.95/month with 1 year of service.
