It goes without even saying that geographical restrictions can be truly frustrating to the ones who are left outside. That being said, there are quite many channels, websites and services that are only available within specific countries and obstruct everyone from a different location to enjoy what they have got to offer.
In the form of examples, you can turn to Netflix and Hulu, Amazon Prime or BBC iPlayer. These are all cool ways of expanding your entertainment spectrum, but they are not free to watch universally. If you are not amongst the chosen ones (meaning the ones who are privileged, due to their exact location), you will be displayed a message that informs you of the restrictions applied to your area.
Luckily enough, there are methods that allow you to overcome these limitations and go ahead with watching the content of your preference without any problem whatsoever. The two major methods that can be used towards providing reliable effects are SmartDNS and VPN. They both come with their pros and cons, as well as their dedicated fans and their sworn enemies. Since we understand that unblocking restricted content is of paramount importance for a great many people everywhere in the world, we are going to highlight both these services and we are going to engage in their ultimate comparison; SmartDNS Vs VPN, let’s get started!
Table of Contents
What Is a SmartDNS?
SmartDNS proxy is a service that unblocks the geographically restricted content of specific websites, channels and other services online. There is a plethora of such web addresses that can be accessed, using the SmartDNS service. It might sound similar to the VPN (which we are going to analyze below), as their goal is none other than help the user to overcome geographical limitations and enjoy uncensored online content. It acts as an intermediary between the website you are seeking to access and your device, enabling you to gain access that you would otherwise not gain.
Advantages in a nutshell
- Super Fast
- Easy to Setup and Use
- Cheaper Than VPN (or even Free)
- Works on Every Device
Disadvantages
- No Encryption Involved
- No IP Concealed
- May require Manual Setting Up
What Is a VPN?
VPN (or else a Virtual Private Network) is a system that helps you conceal your true digital identity and get a brand new IP address. It uses encryption for your data (unlike the SmartDNS), meaning that you remain anonymous and out of reach to all the hackers and snoopers everywhere. The VPN works just like a middle-man, using remote servers to unblock the restricted content that you are after. There are many VPN service providers on the market, each of which comes with detailed setup guides and instructions as to its usage.
VPN benefits in a nutshell
- Uses Encryption
- Hides Your IP
- Extremely Reliable
- Thorough Support
Bads of VPNs
- Slightly More Expensive Than SmartDNS
- Loss of Speed Due to Encryption
- Cannot Unblock Multiple Locations at a Time
Which Service Should You Choose?
We have outlined both the methods that can be used, in order for you to unblock the censored content from channels, streaming services and websites all over the globe. However, the real question as to which of these two is actually the best option for you remains. It is true that there is no simple or straightforward answer to the dilemma of DNS Vs VPN. Instead, it is a matter of prioritizing several features that these two services use.
For instance, if you are mostly worried about online privacy you certainly need to lean towards VPN service providers on the market. On the other hand, if what you are seeking the most is speed and no loss of bandwidth, then SmartDNS should be your number one option. As you can see, there are many different parameters that ought to be taken into some serious consideration prior to your decision.
Make sure that you read through the pros and cons of both these methods that we have highlighted above for you. Whatever you get to choose, it is certain that you will be happy upon having managed to unblock the sites and streaming services that you have been waiting for. Follow the directions that are related to either of these two methods and enjoy the freedom that they provide to you.
VPN is the perfect solution for everyone that values privacy, anonymity and the opportunity to get all your traffic encrypted online, whereas SmartDNS is the ultimate solution for all the users who are more concerned about streaming fast and without any bandwidth being lost due to encryption. It is up to you to decide what matters most! Feel free to share with us your thoughts or any comments about either one of the methods for unblocking restricted content!