Instead of NextDNS
NextDNS alternatives
NextDNS combines encrypted DNS with security filtering, ad and tracker blocking, and supervised internet access for children. It covers malware, phishing, cryptojacking, DNS rebinding, typosquatting, newly registered domains, and other domain risks. Families can block categories, websites, apps, and games, enforce SafeSearch or YouTube Restricted Mode, and schedule Recreation Time. Custom allowlists, denylists, DNS rewrites, configurable block pages, and DNSSEC validation add control. Logging can be disabled or retained for periods from one hour to two years, with storage choices across several jurisdictions. It works on major desktop and mobile platforms, routers, browsers, and through API or self-hosted options.
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AdGuard DNS
Free plan Open source AndroidAPIiPhone+5Encrypted DNS with family modes and request analytics — AdGuard DNS adds DNSCrypt and DNS-over-QUIC, plus device or global domain rules, but does not describe NextDNS's broad threat controls or log choices.
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DNS for Family
Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+4Free family DNS with broad Safe Search enforcement — DNS for Family focuses on blocking adult and harmful domains with daily blacklist updates, rather than NextDNS's configurable logs and extensive controls.
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FilterDNS
Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+5Self-hosted profiles with open-source blocklists — FilterDNS is self-hosted and offers per-profile presets, query analysis, and timed filtering pauses, while NextDNS is a hosted service with configurable retention.
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OpenBLD
Free plan AndroidAPIExtension+6Protective DNS with browser extension and business integrations — OpenBLD adds a Chrome-family browser extension and organization integrations such as SIEM and monitoring systems, unlike NextDNS's consumer and education plans.
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OpenDNS Home
Free plan AndroidiPhoneLinux+3Simple home-network filtering across every connected device — OpenDNS Home applies settings to an entire home network and offers Family Shield without sign-up, but fewer controls than NextDNS are described.
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Cloudflare Gateway
Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+4Teams needing user limits and extended log retention — Cloudflare Gateway offers advanced reports, schedules, and up to six months of standard retention, with free coverage for 50 users.
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DNS Daddy
Free plan APIiPhoneLinux+4Self-hosted DNS visibility with threat-feed explanations — DNS Daddy explains each blocked query's device, reason, and threat feed, and adds network policies, APIs, 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
The free plan allows 300,000 queries monthly; after that, NextDNS continues as a non-blocking DNS service. Pro costs £1.79 monthly or £17.90 yearly, while Business and Education charge £17.90 monthly per employee or student group. Alternatives may fit better if you want a free service without that quota, self-hosted operation, network-specific policies, organization integrations, or simpler family filtering. Compare each option's protocols, reporting, parental controls, setup requirements, and platform coverage before changing your DNS configuration.
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