DoH vs. DoT: Which Really Stops DNS Leaks? We Tested Both

Many people run into a tricky question when doing a DNS leak test: is DoH (DNS over HTTPS) or DoT (DNS over TLS) actually more secure?

A lot of users assume that once encrypted DNS is enabled, DNS leaks are completely solved—but the reality is not that simple.

Today, we’ll break down the differences between DoH and DoT in DNS leak protection, and explain why encrypted DNS alone doesn’t make you completely anonymous.

1. What is a DNS leak? Why so many users are affected

DNS works like the “phonebook” of the internet. When you visit a website, your device first queries a DNS server to get the IP address of the domain, and only then establishes the actual connection.

If this process isn’t protected, your real network environment can be exposed. Many people think changing their IP is enough, but DNS information is just as important, which is why running regular DNS leak tests is essential.

2. What are DoH and DoT? The principle is simple

Both DoH and DoT aim to achieve the same goal: encrypt DNS queries that were originally sent in plain text, preventing monitoring or tampering.

Their main difference lies in the transmission method, which leads to different user experiences.

1. DoH (DNS over HTTPS)

DoH wraps DNS requests inside HTTPS traffic, using the common port 443. This makes DNS queries look just like regular web traffic, making them harder to detect or block separately.

The advantage is strong compatibility—it works in most network environments, and major browsers already have built-in DoH support.

The downside is slightly more complex troubleshooting, and in some networks, latency may be a bit higher, though usually not noticeable in daily use.

2. DoT (DNS over TLS)

• DoT uses a dedicated encrypted channel designed specifically for DNS, typically running on port 853. Compared to DoH, its structure is simpler and theoretically offers slightly lower latency.

• However, because the port is fixed, network devices can easily identify it as DNS traffic. Some corporate networks or public Wi-Fi hotspots block this port, which is a common limitation of DoT.

3. Real-world comparison: DoH vs. DoT in DNS leak protection

I tested three different environments using common DNS leak testing tools. The results are shown below:

From the table, we can see:

• In a pure local environment, DoT can effectively prevent plain-text DNS leaks.

• DoT cannot always fully solve DNS leaks in VPN scenarios.

• At the browser level, DoH provides more stable DNS leak protection.

4. Key point: DNS security ≠ overall environment security

Many users see a clean DNS leak test result and assume everything is safe. But once they run a browser fingerprint test, multiple issues often appear, such as:

• Time zone not matching proxy location

• WebRTC exposing the real IP

• System language inconsistent with network environment

This reveals an important fact: even without DNS leaks, browser fingerprints can still expose your real identity.

So when performing DNS leak protection, it’s also recommended to use tools like the ToDetect fingerprint checker to review the entire environment. It can analyze not only DNS, but also fingerprint consistency and overall risk.

5. How to choose between DoH and DoT

Based on real-world testing, here’s a simple guideline:

If you use browser proxies, manage cross-border e-commerce accounts, or frequently connect through public networks, choosing DoH is usually more stable.

If you’re configuring a home network, router-level DNS, or only need system-level encryption, DoT is also a solid option with lower latency and simpler structure.

6. Practical summary: how to reduce DNS leak risks

Based on repeated testing and real usage experience, you can improve DNS leak protection with these steps:

First, every time you change VPN nodes, proxy settings, or browser environments, run a DNS leak test again to ensure there are no abnormal records.

Second, enable DoH in your browser so DNS requests go through an encrypted channel, avoiding conflicts between system DNS and proxies.

Finally, don’t just check DNS—always combine it with a browser fingerprint test. With the ToDetect fingerprint tool, you can verify whether IP, DNS, time zone, language, and other parameters are consistent.

Conclusion

Which is more secure depends on your scenario: DoH is better for browser-level proxies and cross-border operations. DoT is more suitable for system or router-level encryption with lower latency.

Also, don’t ignore browser fingerprint leaks. With the ToDetect fingerprint checker, you can review IP, DNS, time zone, language, and other parameters together for stronger privacy protection.

Only when all these elements are properly configured can your network environment be considered truly “clean.” If you only check your IP but never verify DNS or fingerprints, you may have already been identified without realizing it.