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Best Internet Filtering Software in 2026
Managing internet access can mean setting boundaries for sites, searches or times of use across the devices you oversee. Compared on safe search controls, custom blocklists and filtering schedules, these software options also vary in activity reports, device limits and platform support. Free plans and paid-from pricing help frame the cost. AdGuard DNS, NextDNS and Cloudflare Gateway are among the entries to compare, with UnveilDNS and Technitium DNS Server also listed. Consider how much control and reporting you need, which platforms are in scope and whether the device coverage fits your situation.
- 65 apps
- Research read 23 Sept 2026
- How the order is worked out
- 1
AdGuard DNS
Free plan Open source AndroidAPIiPhone+5Choose AdGuard DNS for device-level DNS filtering, family controls, and request analytics, with a free Starter plan available.
- 2
Control D
Free plan Open source AndroidAPIExtension+6Control D combines DNS filtering, threat protection, and traffic controls across a wide range of integrations.
- 3
NextDNS
Free plan Open source AndroidAPIExtension+6NextDNS 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.
- 4
- 5
Blocky
Free plan APILinuxMac+2Choose Blocky if you want a free DNS proxy for local-network ad blocking with client-group rules and configurable DNS settings.
- 6
CleanBrowsing
Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+4CleanBrowsing offers DNS filtering with encrypted DNS options, public filters, and paid controls for custom rules and profiles.
- 7
Cloudflare Gateway
Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+4 - 8
Diladele Web Safety
Free plan LinuxSelf-hostedWeb+1Diladele Web Safety combines traffic filtering, TLS inspection, user controls and reporting, with deployment options for several virtualized platforms and Ubuntu hardware.
- 9
DNS Daddy
Free plan APIiPhoneLinux+4DNS Daddy combines threat-feed blocking with detailed DNS visibility in a self-hosted package for smaller environments.
- 10
DNSFilter
Free plan AndroidAPIExtension+6Choose DNSFilter if your organization needs protective DNS, content filtering, and deployment across networks or roaming devices.
- 11
DNS for Family
Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+4DNS for Family offers broad filtering and Safe Search controls at no listed charge. Note that social sites remain accessible, and the privacy policy describes retaining IP addresses for rate limiting.
- 12
FilterDNS
Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+5FilterDNS provides protocol options, per-profile rules, blocklists, query statistics, and temporary filtering controls for a self-hosted setup.
- 13
GateSentry
Free plan LinuxMacSelf-hosted+2GateSentry offers several network filtering controls and administrative tools for home and small networks.
- 14
NxFilter
Free plan AndroidAPILinux+4NxFilter combines network DNS controls with user policies, reporting, and options for roaming devices.
- 15
OpenBLD
Free plan AndroidAPIExtension+6OpenBLD combines protective DNS with flexible setup for personal and organizational use. Check the public-use limits and coverage exception, and note that Plus pricing is available by request.
- 16
OpenDNS Home
Free plan AndroidiPhoneLinux+3OpenDNS Home offers free, customizable filtering for home networks, with parental controls and phishing protection listed among its benefits.
- 17
Pi-hole
Free plan APILinuxSelf-hosted+1Pi-hole combines network-wide blocking with filtering controls, query reporting, and API access.
- 18
e2guardian
Free plan LinuxSelf-hostedChoose e2guardian if you need a free, configurable filtering proxy and can work with its Linux-oriented deployment and setup options.
- 19
Technitium DNS Server
Free plan APILinuxMac+3Technitium DNS Server offers extensive self-hosted DNS, authentication, and network management capabilities at no cost. Raspberry Pi arm6 users should note the platform limitation.
- 20
UnveilDNS
Free plan AndroidiPhoneMac+3UnveilDNS combines DNS threat blocking, content controls, and traffic reporting, with a free Community plan and two paid annual plans listed.
- 21
ufdbGuard
Free plan APILinuxSelf-hostedufdbGuard combines category-based URL filtering with controls for tunnels and firewall bypasses. It offers a free option and trial, while larger deployments can use priced URL database subscriptions.
- 22
Yandex DNS
Free plan AndroidiPhoneLinux+2Choose Yandex DNS if you want free DNS filtering with separate Safe and Family modes and setup options for devices or routers.
- 23
CIRA Canadian Shield
Free plan AndroidiPhoneLinux+3 - 24
ClearDNS
Free trial AndroidiPhoneLinux+3ClearDNS provides broad device coverage and configurable DNS-level filtering, with plans that add history, analytics, and live monitoring.
- 25
WindowsSpyBlocker
Free plan WindowsWindowsSpyBlocker offers network-rule and hosts-list controls for Windows, with several documented formats and distribution options.
#1Places #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 on this list can be bought by the makers of the software on it. See the price
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