Having a fast DNS provider is critical when optimizing your website for speed – especially when optimizing for a quick TTFB (time to first byte). Here are some of the most popular web hosts and their DNS speeds ranked from slowest to fastest. All tests were done from the DNS Speed Test tool by neustar using the hosting company’s first nameserver hostname as the benchmark.
10. SiteGround
ns1.siteground.com
Siteground’s average DNS latency: 55ms
9. DreamHost
ns1.dreamhost.com
DreamHost’s average DNS latency: 46ms
8. Media Temple
ns1.mediatemple.net
Media Temple’s average DNS latency: 35ms
7. InMotion Hosting
ns1.inmotionhosting.com
InMotion Hosting’s average DNS latency: 34ms
6. GoDaddy
ns1.godaddy.com
GoDaddy’s average DNS latency: 17ms
5. Flywheel
ns1.getflywheel.com
Flywheel’s average DNS latency: 6ms (CloudFlare)
3. BlueHost
ns1.bluehost.com
BlueHost’s average DNS latency: 5ms (Oracle + Dyn)
4. Host Gator
ns1.hostgator.com
Host Gator’s average DNS latency: 4ms (Oracle + Dyn)
2. Digital Ocean
ns1.digitalocean.com
Digital Ocean’s average DNS latency: 3ms (CloudFlare)
1. WP Engine
ns1.wpengine.com
WP Engine’s average DNS latency: 3ms (CloudFlare)
Conclusion
As you can see, the hosting companies that manage their own DNS are much slower than the companies that point their DNS to networks specifically designed for DNS hosting (Oracle + Dyn and CloudFlare for example). You may think that the difference between 55 milliseconds and 3 milliseconds is not noticeable. Which, for the most part, you would be correct. But considering the average webpage has 75 HTTP requests and each one of those requests could potentially take 50 milliseconds… that’s 3+ seconds of additional loading time! 😲
If you are still using your hosting company’s default nameservers, you may want to consider moving your DNS to a new provider.
