Freedom251 › Internet Filtering Software
ClearDNS
What ClearDNS is
ClearDNS is a paid DNS filtering service for blocking ads, trackers, malware, phishing, cryptojacking, and other unwanted content at the network level. It works on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Wi-Fi, and mobile data networks. Thirteen filtering categories can be configured independently, with custom allow and block lists and SafeSearch enforcement. DNS-over-HTTPS and DNS-over-TLS provide encrypted DNS connections. Setup can use a unique link or QR code without a conventional account, email address, or password. Family policies support unlimited users, with up to five devices per user. Essential costs $5.99 per month and includes filtering controls, SafeSearch, encrypted DNS, and no query limits or throttling. Analyze costs $9.99, Stream $10.99, and Full $14.99 per month. Analyze and Full retain history for up to 90 days; Stream and Full add instant logs and a live traffic map. A one-day trial is available, but some first-party ads may remain when ads share a domain with content.
Who it suits
ClearDNS suits households and individuals managing browsing across desktop and mobile devices. Its filtering categories, family links, encrypted DNS, and reporting plans fit users wanting network-level control.
What it does well
- Supports major desktop and mobile platforms
- Thirteen configurable filtering categories
- Custom allow and block lists
- Encrypted DNS via DoH and DoT
- Family policies support unlimited users
What to know first
- No free plan is available
- Subscriptions limit each user to five devices
- Some same-domain first-party ads may remain
- Higher plans are needed for logs
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Stream | 5 devices per user · instant logs · live traffic map · real-time traffic visualization · per-device activity view · additional users 50% off · no query limits or throttling | $10.99 a month |
| Full | 5 devices per user · 90-day log keeping · instant logs · live traffic map · full analytics and reporting · additional users 50% off · no query limits or throttling | $14.99 a month |
| Essential | 5 devices per user · 13 filtering categories · custom allow/block lists · Smart SafeSearch · family sharing via QR/link · DoH and DoT · additional users 50% off · no query limits or throttling | $5.99 a month |
| Analyze | 5 devices per user · 90-day log keeping · historical analytics · trend analysis · detailed reporting · additional users 50% off · no query limits or throttling | $9.99 a month |
As cleardns.com lists them, read 9 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Verdict
ClearDNS provides broad device coverage and configurable DNS-level filtering, with plans that add history, analytics, and live monitoring. The five-device limit and possible same-domain ads are important considerations before subscribing.
Facts from ClearDNS's own pages
- Encrypted DNS
- ClearDNS supports DNS-over-HTTPS and DNS-over-TLS for encrypted DNS connections. · cleardns.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Family use
- A policy can have unlimited users, with up to five devices per user, and members can enroll through a QR code or shareable link. · cleardns.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Filtering
- It offers 13 independently configurable filtering categories, custom allow and block lists, and SafeSearch enforcement. · cleardns.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Headquarters
- Dover, Delaware · cleardns.com, 28 Sept 2026
- History retention
- Essential and Stream keep no DNS query history, while Analyze and Full include history for up to 90 days. · cleardns.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Identity
- The service can be configured without a conventional account, email address, or password, using a unique link or QR code. · cleardns.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Infrastructure
- ClearDNS says it runs on Cloudflare’s edge network across more than 335 locations. · cleardns.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Limitation
- Some first-party ads, including YouTube video ads served from youtube.com, may still appear because they share a domain with content. · cleardns.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Live monitoring
- Instant Logs and the Live Traffic Map are available in Stream and Full; the map shows current DNS activity. · cleardns.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Maker
- The site identifies the company as ClearDNS, LLC. · cleardns.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Platforms
- The FAQ lists iPhone, iPad, Android, Mac, Windows, and Linux, with support for Wi-Fi and mobile data networks. · cleardns.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Product
- ClearDNS is a DNS filtering service that blocks ads, trackers, malware, and unwanted content at the network level. · cleardns.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Support
- The site lists [email protected] for questions. · cleardns.com, 9 Oct 2026
- Threat protection
- Its DNS-level protection blocks malware, phishing, and cryptojacking. · cleardns.com, 9 Oct 2026
Where ClearDNS stands on Freedom251
- Internet Filtering Software#24 of 65