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AdGuard DNS alternatives: 5 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave AdGuard DNS: can't block ads served from the same domain as content, and your DNS queries go through AdGuard's servers. We ranked 5 alternatives by how directly each one replaces AdGuard DNS, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. NextDNS currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1NextDNS logoNextDNSFree plan + paidNoWeb, Windows, macOS +34 of 466.5
  1. NextDNS logo

    1. NextDNSTop pick

    Best for: People who want Pi-hole-style blocking on all devices without running a server

    Free plan + paidWeb, Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS

    66.5

    score / 100

    Why switch from AdGuard DNS

    Very similar hosted DNS filtering with a generous free query allowance.

    Pros

    • Works everywhere, including on mobile data
    • All features available on the free plan
    • Very cheap paid plan with unlimited queries

    Cons

    • Free plan stops blocking after 300,000 queries a month
    • DNS queries are handled by a third party
    • Can't remove ads served from the same domain as content
    Visit NextDNS Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.3100
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is NextDNS a good AdGuard DNS alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Free plan
    300,000 queries/month
    Checked Oct 25, 2026nextdns.io(opens source in a new tab)
    Over quota
    Resolves without blocking
    Checked Oct 25, 2026nextdns.io(opens source in a new tab)
    Paid plan
    Unlimited queries
    Checked Oct 25, 2026nextdns.io(opens source in a new tab)
    Payment methods
    Cards, PayPal, crypto
    Checked Oct 25, 2026nextdns.io(opens source in a new tab)

The best AdGuard DNS alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

NextDNS logo

Best AdGuard DNS alternative for most people

NextDNS

Very similar hosted DNS filtering with a generous free query allowance.

AdGuard Home logo

Best AdGuard DNS alternative for a free option

AdGuard Home

Self-host the same idea for free, with your queries staying at home.

NextDNS logo

Best AdGuard DNS alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

NextDNS

Very similar hosted DNS filtering with a generous free query allowance.

Pi-hole logo

Best AdGuard DNS alternative for open source

Pi-hole

Self-hosted DNS blocking with full control over your data.

AdGuard Home logo

Best AdGuard DNS alternative for self-hosting

AdGuard Home

Self-host the same idea for free, with your queries staying at home.

Control D logo

Best AdGuard DNS alternative for Mac

Control D

Hosted DNS filtering with strong business and multi-device management.

Quad9 logo

Best AdGuard DNS alternative for Windows

Quad9

Free non-profit DNS that blocks malicious domains, for security rather than ads.

NextDNS logo

Best AdGuard DNS alternative for Linux

NextDNS

Very similar hosted DNS filtering with a generous free query allowance.

NextDNS logo

Best AdGuard DNS alternative for iPhone and Android

NextDNS

Very similar hosted DNS filtering with a generous free query allowance.

NextDNS logo

Best AdGuard DNS alternative for working in the browser

NextDNS

Very similar hosted DNS filtering with a generous free query allowance.

AdGuard DNS alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to AdGuard DNS?

NextDNS ranks first right now. Very similar hosted DNS filtering with a generous free query allowance. Control D and AdGuard Home follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to AdGuard DNS?

Yes. NextDNS (free plan + paid), AdGuard Home (open source), Quad9 (free) and Pi-hole (open source) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to AdGuard DNS?

Yes: AdGuard Home and Pi-hole. AdGuard Home and Pi-hole can also be self-hosted.

Which AdGuard DNS alternatives work on Linux?

NextDNS, Control D, AdGuard Home, Quad9 and Pi-hole run on Linux.

Why do people switch from AdGuard DNS?

The complaints we hear most: can't block ads served from the same domain as content; your DNS queries go through AdGuard's servers; free plan has usage limits.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces AdGuard DNS, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.