How it works
Every device looks up websites via DNS before connecting. Our server intercepts that lookup and routes it through HorizonVPN — making you appear in a different country, instantly.
Set HorizonVPN's DNS address in your device or router network settings.
When your device looks up a service, our DNS routes the query through your chosen region.
The service sees you in the new location. Access all regional content instantly.
Know the difference
Both use HorizonVPN's server network. They're different tools for different situations.
HorizonVPN includes both — one subscription covers Smart DNS and the full VPN app.
One DNS. Every device.
Set Smart DNS once on your router and every device behind it — from your PS5 to your Smart TV to your laptop — is covered with no individual configuration.
What people use it for
Set your DNS to a UK server and open BBC iPlayer, ITVX, or Channel 4 directly on your Smart TV, PS5, or laptop — completely free, no VPN app needed.
US Netflix has ~5,800 titles — far more than most countries. Set a US DNS on your Smart TV and you instantly get access to the full American catalog.
Japan is 9–14 hours ahead of most Western countries. Switch to a Japan DNS at midnight JST and download games that haven't released yet in your timezone.
Game prices vary enormously between regional stores. Smart DNS lets you browse any store before you decide — some regions have consistent 30–50% lower prices.
Peacock has NFL Sunday Night Football, Premier League rights (US), WWE, and Olympics coverage. All of it is US-only — a US Smart DNS unlocks it on any device.
Set Smart DNS once on your router — every device behind it (consoles, TVs, phones, laptops) gets location protection without any individual setup.
Android and iOS don't expose DNS settings for cellular connections. For mobile data, use the full HorizonVPN app instead.
These devices hard-code Google's DNS and ignore your network settings entirely. The only workaround is a router-level rule.
Chrome bypasses system DNS when Secure DNS is on. Disable it: Chrome → Settings → Privacy → Use secure DNS → Off.
Same problem as Chrome. Firefox → Settings → Privacy → DNS over HTTPS → Off.
Overrides Wi-Fi DNS. Settings → Network & Internet → Private DNS → Off.
Apple's Private Relay tunnels around your DNS. Settings → [Your name] → iCloud → Private Relay → Off.
Use the VPN app on unsupported devices
HorizonVPN's full app works everywhere Smart DNS doesn't — mobile data, all browsers, all connections. Included in every subscription.
Setup guide
Your Smart DNS addresses
Log in to your dashboard to activate Smart DNS and get your personalised addresses.
No — and that's by design. Smart DNS only re-routes your DNS queries and location-revealing traffic. It doesn't encrypt everything. For full traffic encryption and privacy, use the HorizonVPN app on supported devices. Smart DNS is the right tool when you need streaming and gaming unblocked on devices that can't run a VPN app.
No. Smart DNS only affects DNS lookups (tiny queries that happen in milliseconds). Your actual download, upload, and gaming traffic goes exactly the same route as before — there's no VPN tunnel overhead. Many people find streaming faster than with a full VPN.
Yes. Your Smart DNS addresses are personalised to your account and linked to your home IP address. Log in to your dashboard to activate Smart DNS, pick a region, and get your addresses.
Smart DNS is IP-locked for security. If your ISP gives you a new IP (common after router restarts), log into your HorizonVPN dashboard and update your registered IP. It takes 30 seconds and works immediately.
Yes. Use Smart DNS on devices that can't run the app (consoles, TVs, smart home), and use the full VPN app on your laptop and phone for complete encryption. Both work from the same subscription.
Android and iOS deliberately block custom DNS settings for cellular connections. On mobile data, use the HorizonVPN app instead — it works on all connections.
Our Smart DNS system works over IPv4. If your router or ISP has enabled IPv6 by default, some requests may bypass the DNS — which can cause inconsistent results. We recommend either disabling IPv6 on your router's WAN settings or enabling our IPv6 DNS addresses (available in your dashboard) alongside the IPv4 ones.
Most ISPs honour the DNS addresses you set on your device or router. However, some ISPs use transparent DNS proxying — they intercept port 53 traffic and redirect it to their own servers regardless of what you entered. If you suspect this, check your dashboard's DNS test tool. If proxying is confirmed, our DNSCrypt option bypasses it.
The easiest test: after setting the DNS, visit a region-locked service (e.g. BBC iPlayer if you set a UK server). If it loads, Smart DNS is active. You can also use our DNS leak test at your HorizonVPN dashboard — it shows which DNS server your device is actually using.
Yes — if your 4G/5G router exposes DNS settings in its admin panel (most do), you can set Smart DNS there and it will cover all devices connected to that router, including on mobile broadband. This is different from setting DNS on a phone directly.
Smart DNS is registered to your home IP address, not per device. Every device on that IP — your entire household — can use it at the same time with no limits or slowdowns.
It depends on your goal. For the widest streaming library: US. For free over-the-air British TV (BBC, ITV, Channel 4): UK. For the largest anime catalog: Japan. For potentially cheaper PSN or Xbox store prices: check Brazil, Colombia, or Turkey for current deals. You can switch regions any time from your dashboard — the change takes effect in seconds.
It depends. If the hotel/venue's network allows you to configure DNS (most do for devices that connect normally), it will work. However, some public Wi-Fi networks use captive portals that intercept all DNS traffic. On those networks, use the full HorizonVPN app instead — it tunnels over HTTPS and bypasses most captive portal restrictions.
Not natively with a single DNS entry on your router — all devices share the same router-level DNS. However, you can override the DNS on individual devices (e.g. set your laptop to a UK server while the router uses US). Device-level DNS settings always take priority over the router.
One Smart DNS subscription. Works on 12+ device types. Zero installs on most. Try free for 7 days.
Related guides
Set up Smart DNS on PS4 and PS5 without an app.
VPN for Android TVConnect before streaming on TV devices.
VPN for streamingCompare routes for video, TV, and regional libraries.
Download VPNInstall Horizon VPN on compatible devices.
VPN pricingChoose a plan for protecting multiple devices.