Best DNS Filtering Software in 2026
Updated
In short: AdGuard DNS is ranked #1 of 28 as of 4 October 2026, ahead of NextDNS and Quad9. The best-ranked option with a free plan is NextDNS. The lowest first paid tier on this page is ScoutDNS at $0.21/mo.
For applying rules to domain access, DNS filtering software can be compared by the policies it supports and where those policies apply. Compared on category filtering, custom domain policies, deployment modes, and roaming protection, the entries offer several ways to assess fit for your devices or network. Activity reports, encrypted DNS support, and device limits add practical considerations, while free-plan availability and paid-from pricing help with cost comparisons. AdGuard DNS, NextDNS, and Quad9 are among the options shown. Weigh these details against the controls and coverage your setup requires.
28 DNS filtering software ranked on what their makers publish — plans and prices, free tiers, platforms and the facts on their own pages.
5 of the 25 here have a free tier you can use, 0 have open-source code on record, and 0 have full bars: free, open, on most of your devices and documented.
| # | App | Signal | Free tier | Open code | Devices | From | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | AdGuard DNSWeb · Windows · Mac · Linux · Android · iPhone · Self-hosted · API | Three bars | — | 6 of 6 | Free | 6.8 | |
| 2 | NextDNSWeb · Windows · Mac · Linux · Android · iPhone · Self-hosted · API · Extension | Three bars | — | 6 of 6 | £1.79/mo | 6.7 | |
| 3 | Quad9Windows · Mac · Linux · Android · iPhone | Three bars | — | 5 of 6 | Free | 6.7 | |
| 4 | Technitium DNS ServerWeb · Windows · Mac · Linux · Self-hosted · API | Three bars | — | 4 of 6 | Free | 6.6 | |
| 5 | AdGuardWindows · Mac · Linux · Android · iPhone · Extension | Two bars | — | — | 5 of 6 | — | 5.8 |
| 6 | CleanBrowsingWeb · Windows · Mac · Linux · Android · iPhone · API | Two bars | — | — | 6 of 6 | $6.25/mo | 5.8 |
| 7 | Control DWeb · Windows · Mac · Linux · Android · iPhone · Self-hosted · API · Extension | Two bars | — | — | 6 of 6 | $2/mo | 5.8 |
| 8 | GoGuardian DNSWeb · Windows · Mac · Android · iPhone | Two bars | — | — | 5 of 6 | — | 5.7 |
| 9 | Infoblox Cloud Network AutomationWeb · Windows · Linux · Self-hosted · API | Two bars | — | — | 3 of 6 | — | 5.6 |
| 10 | EfficientIP SOLIDserver DDIWeb · Self-hosted · API | One bar | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 5.4 |
| 11 | SafeDNSWeb · Windows · Mac · Linux · Android · iPhone · Self-hosted · API | Two bars | — | — | 6 of 6 | $1.20/mo | 5.4 |
| 12 | Smart DNS ProxyWeb · Windows · Mac · Linux · Android · iPhone | Two bars | — | — | 6 of 6 | $4.61/mo | 5.4 |
| 13 | Cisco Secure AccessWeb · Windows · Mac · Linux · Android · iPhone · API | Two bars | — | — | 6 of 6 | — | 5.3 |
| 14 | DNSFilterWeb · Windows · Mac · Android · iPhone · API · Extension | Two bars | — | — | 5 of 6 | — | 5.3 |
| 15 | RethinkDNSWeb · Android | No signal | — | — | 2 of 6 | — | 5.3 |
| 16 | BlueCat HorizonWeb · Windows · Linux · API | Two bars | — | — | 3 of 6 | — | 5.2 |
| 17 | NxFilterWeb · Windows · Linux | One bar | — | — | 3 of 6 | — | 5.2 |
| 18 | RAV Endpoint ProtectionNo platforms listed | One bar | — | — | 0 of 6 | — | 5.2 |
| 19 | ScoutDNSWeb · Windows · Mac · API | Two bars | — | — | 3 of 6 | $0.21/mo | 5.2 |
| 20 | Webroot DNS ProtectionWeb · Windows · Mac | Two bars | — | — | 3 of 6 | — | 5.2 |
| 21 | BlockyMac · Linux · Self-hosted · API | One bar | — | 2 of 6 | Free | 5.1 | |
| 22 | Comodo Secure DNSWindows · Mac | No signal | — | — | 2 of 6 | — | 5.1 |
| 23 | DigiCert UltraDNSWeb · Windows · Mac · API | Two bars | — | — | 3 of 6 | — | 5.1 |
| 24 | OpenDNS FamilyShieldNo platforms listed | No signal | — | — | 0 of 6 | — | 5.1 |
| 25 | Pi-holeWeb · Linux | No signal | — | — | 2 of 6 | — | 5.1 |
Is your app on this list?
Numbered spots on this list can be sponsored. They are labelled, and the editorial order and scores never change for payment.
Questions about this list
Which DNS filtering software is ranked first on Freedom251?
AdGuard DNS is ranked #1 of 28 with a score of 6.8. NextDNS is second and Quad9 third.
How many of these have a free plan?
5 of the 25 on this page publish a free plan on their own pricing pages.
Which is the cheapest paid option?
On this page, ScoutDNS has the lowest first paid tier we found: $0.21/mo.
How is this list ranked?
Ranked free-and-open first: a usable free tier and open-source code, then the platforms it runs on and its documentation. Paid placements never change a rank.