NextDNS is a DNS service for filtering security threats, ads, and trackers, and for supervising internet access for children across devices and networks. Its protections include malware and phishing, cryptojacking, DNS rebinding, lookalike domains, domain-generation algorithms, and newly registered domains. Parental controls include category filters, SafeSearch, YouTube Restricted Mode, specific site, app, and game blocking, plus scheduled Recreation Time. Connections can use DNS-over-HTTPS or DNS-over-TLS for encryption; IPv4 linked-IP setup is unencrypted. Users can disable logs or set retention from one hour to two years and choose storage in the United States, European Union, United Kingdom, or Switzerland. The free plan includes 300,000 queries monthly; after the limit, it answers as a non-blocking DNS service. Pro costs 1.79 GBP per month, Business 17.90 GBP per month per 50 employees, and Education 17.90 GBP per month per 250 students. Free and Pro include community support; Business and Education list email support.
Who it is for
NextDNS may suit individuals, families, schools, and businesses seeking DNS filtering and configurable parental controls. Its logging and storage choices may also suit users who want to control those settings.
What is good
- Threat filtering includes malware, phishing, and cryptojacking.
- Parental controls include schedules and app blocking.
- DNS-over-HTTPS and DNS-over-TLS are supported.
- Users can disable logging and choose retention.
- Unlimited configurations are included across plans.
What to know first
- Free plan is limited to 300,000 monthly queries.
- Free quota overflow becomes non-blocking DNS.
- IPv4 linked-IP setup is unencrypted.
- No free trial is listed.
Verdict
NextDNS combines threat and tracker filtering with configurable family controls and log settings. The free plan has a monthly query cap, while paid plans offer unlimited queries at their listed rates.
NextDNS plans and pricing
All plansCompared on internet filtering software
- Free plan
- Yes
- Custom blocklists
- Yes
