Instead of FilterDNS
FilterDNS alternatives
FilterDNS gives you a free, MIT-licensed DNS filtering service to run yourself. It blocks ads, trackers, and malware through DNS over HTTPS, DNS over TLS, or legacy DNS, with profiles for different devices and use cases. Custom allow and deny rules, gaming and social-media presets, configurable blocklists, query statistics, temporary pauses, and maintenance mode provide detailed control. The trade-off is operational: the quick start uses Docker Compose, the documented architecture includes PostgreSQL and a SvelteKit interface, and encrypted DNS requires a wildcard TLS certificate. Activity reports are basic, with no Safe Search controls or filtering schedules.
- 1
AdGuard DNS
Free plan Open source AndroidAPIiPhone+5Managed DNS with family modes and encrypted protocols — AdGuard DNS adds family filtering, Safe Search, scheduling, and DNSCrypt or DNS-over-QUIC beyond FilterDNS’s profiles.
- 2
DNS for Family
Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+4Family-safe DNS with enforced search controls — DNS for Family focuses on adult and harmful-domain blocking with enforced Safe Search, while FilterDNS offers customizable profiles and presets.
- 3
NextDNS
Free plan Open source AndroidAPIExtension+6Detailed threat protection and parental scheduling — NextDNS adds extensive threat categories, SafeSearch, scheduled Recreation Time, configurable log retention, and DNS rewrites.
- 4
OpenBLD
Free plan AndroidAPIExtension+6Protective DNS with optional organizational analytics — OpenBLD offers adaptive filtering profiles, a browser extension, and Plus organization policies and integrations beyond FilterDNS.
- 5
OpenDNS Home
Free plan AndroidiPhoneLinux+3Whole-home filtering with simple router setup — OpenDNS Home applies settings across connected home devices and includes Family Shield, while FilterDNS uses self-managed profiles.
- 6
Cloudflare Gateway
Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+4Team DNS controls with advanced reports — Cloudflare Gateway adds Safe Search, schedules, advanced activity reports, and network access options absent from FilterDNS.
- 7
DNS Daddy
Free plan APIiPhoneLinux+4Self-hosted DNS visibility and network policies — DNS Daddy emphasizes plain-English query reasons, per-network CIDR policies, behavioral alerts, metrics, and SIEM exports.
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Control D
Free plan Open source AndroidAPIExtension+6 - 9
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Blocky
Free plan APILinuxMac+2 - 11
CleanBrowsing
Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+4 - 12
Diladele Web Safety
Free plan LinuxSelf-hostedWeb+1 - 13
DNSFilter
Free plan AndroidAPIExtension+6 - 14
GateSentry
Free plan LinuxMacSelf-hosted+2 - 15
NxFilter
Free plan AndroidAPILinux+4 - 16
Pi-hole
Free plan APILinuxSelf-hosted+1 - 17
e2guardian
Free plan LinuxSelf-hosted - 18
Technitium DNS Server
Free plan APILinuxMac+3 - 19
UnveilDNS
Free plan AndroidiPhoneMac+3 - 20
ufdbGuard
Free plan APILinuxSelf-hosted - 21
Yandex DNS
Free plan AndroidiPhoneLinux+2 - 22
CIRA Canadian Shield
Free plan AndroidiPhoneLinux+3 - 23
ClearDNS
Free trial AndroidiPhoneLinux+3 - 24
WindowsSpyBlocker
Free plan Windows
An alternative may be preferable when you want a managed DNS service, family-oriented safeguards, broader threat categories, or organization-wide reporting. Several options add Safe Search, scheduled access, category controls, longer log choices, browser extensions, or centralized policies. Others simplify setup on phones, browsers, desktops, routers, or whole home networks. Compare whether you need self-hosting and API control, which filtering and parental features matter, how much analytics and retention you want, and which protocols and devices must connect. Also compare each service’s free or paid terms with FilterDNS’s free self-hosted model.
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