Alternatives to NextDNS

Cloud DNS filtering with per-device profiles and detailed logs. The listings below can replace it for an important use case. Each note says what changes if you switch.

Replacements

Listings that take over the same core job as NextDNS.

  • AdGuard DNS

    Public filtering DNS resolver with encrypted transports.

    FreemiumProprietaryWindowsmacOSLinuxAndroidiOS

    AdGuard DNS supports DNS-over-QUIC and Android Private DNS with no app, while custom rules and statistics need a paid account beyond a small free tier.

  • Control D

    Customisable DNS filtering service with per-device profiles.

    FreemiumProprietaryWindowsmacOSLinuxAndroidiOS

    Control D offers per-device profiles and very granular per-service rules with apps everywhere, though most useful features sit behind a paid plan.

  • Cloudflare 1.1.1.1

    Fast public DNS resolver with a filtered option for families.

    FreeProprietaryWindowsmacOSLinuxAndroidiOS

    Cloudflare 1.1.1.1 is free without query limits on a large global network, but its Families filtering is limited and it lacks per-device profiles and analytics.

  • Quad9

    Free public DNS resolver that blocks known malicious domains.

    FreeProprietaryWindowsmacOSLinuxAndroidiOS

    Quad9 is a free, non-profit Swiss resolver that blocks malicious domains without an account, but it does not block advertising or offer per-device settings.

  • CleanBrowsing

    A DNS filtering service that blocks malware, phishing and adult content at the network level.

    FreemiumProprietaryWeb

    CleanBrowsing focuses on malware, phishing and adult content blocking with enforced Safe Search for families and schools, rather than granular blocklists and detailed analytics.

  • OpenDNS Home

    A public DNS service from Cisco with phishing protection and optional content filtering for home networks.

    FreeProprietaryWindowsmacOSLinuxAndroidiOS

    OpenDNS Home is a free Cisco service with phishing protection and content filtering set at the router, without per-device profiles or detailed analytics.

  • DNS4EU

    A free public DNS resolver hosted in the EU that blocks malware, phishing and ransomware domains.

    FreeProprietaryWindowsmacOSLinuxAndroidiOS

    DNS4EU is a free resolver on EU infrastructure with fixed filtering variants, so there are no custom block lists or per-device profiles for individuals.

Also worth comparing

These listings name NextDNS as their own alternative, so the relationship runs both ways.

  • CIRA Canadian Shield

    A free protective DNS service from Canada's domain registry that blocks malware, phishing and scams.

    FreeProprietaryWindowsmacOSAndroidiOSBrowser extension

    NextDNS adds granular blocklists, per-device profiles and detailed logs, but its free tier is limited to a monthly query allowance.

  • NxFilter

    A self-hosted DNS filter with per-user policies, reports and Active Directory integration.

    FreeProprietarySelf-hosted

    NextDNS moves filtering to a cloud service with per-device profiles and detailed logs, so no server is needed, but its free tier has a monthly query allowance.

  • Pi-hole

    A DNS server for your home network that refuses to look up ad and tracker domains, for every device at once.

    FreeOpen sourceLinuxSelf-hostedWeb

    NextDNS moves filtering to a cloud service with per-device profiles and detailed logs, so nothing runs at home, but it resolves your queries and limits the free tier.

  • Safe Surfer

    A parental-control DNS filtering service that blocks harmful content on phones, computers and home routers.

    PaidProprietaryAndroidiOSWeb

    NextDNS provides per-device profiles, granular blocklists and detailed logs on every major platform, with a free tier limited by monthly queries.

Similar software

Related functionality, not a direct replacement.