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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
2Control D logoControl DPaidNoWeb, Windows, macOS +33 of 362.6
3AdGuard Home logoAdGuard HomeOpen sourceYesSelf-hosted, Linux, Windows +13 of 359.6
4Quad9 logoQuad9FreeNoWindows, macOS, Linux +24 of 457.2
5Pi-hole logoPi-holeOpen sourceYesSelf-hosted, Linux4 of 455.3
  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)
  2. Control D logo

    2. Control D

    Best for: Small businesses and power users who want managed DNS filtering profiles

    PaidWeb, Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS

    62.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from AdGuard DNS

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

    Pros

    • Flexible profiles with category blocking and service redirection
    • Strong management tools for many devices
    • Free public resolvers with preset filters

    Cons

    • Main plans are now aimed at businesses
    • Full service needs a paid plan after the trial
    • DNS-level blocking can't catch same-domain ads
    Visit Control D Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.387
    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 Control D a good AdGuard DNS alternative?

    Verified facts

    3 of 3 verified
    Free trial
    14 days
    Checked Oct 25, 2026controld.com(opens source in a new tab)
    SMB price
    $2 per endpoint/month
    Checked Oct 25, 2026controld.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Certification
    ISO 27001
    Checked Oct 25, 2026controld.com(opens source in a new tab)
  3. AdGuard Home logo

    3. AdGuard Home

    Best for: Home-lab users who want network-wide blocking with a polished dashboard

    Open sourceSelf-hostableSelf-hosted, Linux, Windows, macOS

    59.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from AdGuard DNS

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

    Pros

    • Covers every device on the network, including smart TVs
    • Encrypted DNS support built in
    • Single binary or Docker image, easy to set up

    Cons

    • Can't block ads served from the same domain as content
    • Needs an always-on device on your network
    • Protection stops when devices leave home unless you expose it
    Visit AdGuard Home Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.377
    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 AdGuard Home a good AdGuard DNS alternative?

    Verified facts

    3 of 3 verified
    Open source
    Yes, free
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Docker
    Official image
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Method
    DNS sinkholing
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
  4. Quad9 logo

    4. Quad9

    Best for: Anyone wanting free malware and phishing protection at DNS level with no setup

    FreeWindows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS

    57.2

    score / 100

    Why switch from AdGuard DNS

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

    Pros

    • Free, with no account needed
    • Blocks malware and phishing domains
    • No logging of IP addresses; Swiss non-profit

    Cons

    • Does not block ads or most trackers
    • No custom blocklists or dashboard
    • Protection depends on threat feeds catching new domains
    Visit Quad9 Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.369
    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 Quad9 a good AdGuard DNS alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Price
    Free
    Checked Oct 25, 2026quad9.net(opens source in a new tab)
    Resolver address
    9.9.9.9
    Checked Oct 25, 2026quad9.net(opens source in a new tab)
    IP logging
    None
    Checked Oct 25, 2026quad9.net(opens source in a new tab)
    Blocks
    Malware, phishing, spyware, botnets
    Checked Oct 25, 2026quad9.net(opens source in a new tab)
  5. Pi-hole logo

    5. Pi-hole

    Best for: Tinkerers who want ad blocking for every device on their home network

    Open sourceSelf-hostableSelf-hosted, Linux

    55.3

    score / 100

    Why switch from AdGuard DNS

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

    Pros

    • Covers every device on the network
    • Huge community, guides and blocklists
    • Runs on cheap hardware like a Raspberry Pi

    Cons

    • Can't block same-domain ads like YouTube's
    • Needs a device running around the clock
    • Occasional allowlisting needed when sites break
    Visit Pi-hole Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.363
    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 Pi-hole a good AdGuard DNS alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Install options
    Docker or supported Linux
    Checked Oct 25, 2026pi-hole.net(opens source in a new tab)
    Hardware
    Raspberry Pi, PC, VM or NAS
    Checked Oct 25, 2026pi-hole.net(opens source in a new tab)
    DHCP server
    Optional
    Checked Oct 25, 2026docs.pi-hole.net(opens source in a new tab)
    Method
    DNS sinkhole
    Checked Oct 25, 2026docs.pi-hole.net(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.