AppBreakup
Submit an app

Control D alternatives: 4 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave Control D: main plans are now aimed at businesses, and full service needs a paid plan after the trial. We ranked 4 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Control D, 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
1AdGuard Home logoAdGuard HomeOpen sourceYesSelf-hosted, Linux, Windows +13 of 357.2
  1. AdGuard Home logo

    1. AdGuard HomeTop pick

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

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

    57.2

    score / 100

    Why switch from Control D

    Run your own filtering DNS server for free.

    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 ×0.369
    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 AdGuard Home a good Control D 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)

The best Control D alternative for…

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

NextDNS logo

Best Control D alternative for most people

NextDNS

Simpler hosted DNS filtering with a generous free tier for individuals.

Quad9 logo

Best Control D alternative for a free option

Quad9

Free non-profit resolver blocking malicious domains, no account needed.

AdGuard DNS logo

Best Control D alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

AdGuard DNS

Hosted DNS filtering with family features and a free Starter plan.

AdGuard Home logo

Best Control D alternative for open source

AdGuard Home

Run your own filtering DNS server for free.

AdGuard Home logo

Best Control D alternative for self-hosting

AdGuard Home

Run your own filtering DNS server for free.

NextDNS logo

Best Control D alternative for Mac

NextDNS

Simpler hosted DNS filtering with a generous free tier for individuals.

NextDNS logo

Best Control D alternative for Windows

NextDNS

Simpler hosted DNS filtering with a generous free tier for individuals.

NextDNS logo

Best Control D alternative for Linux

NextDNS

Simpler hosted DNS filtering with a generous free tier for individuals.

NextDNS logo

Best Control D alternative for iPhone and Android

NextDNS

Simpler hosted DNS filtering with a generous free tier for individuals.

NextDNS logo

Best Control D alternative for working in the browser

NextDNS

Simpler hosted DNS filtering with a generous free tier for individuals.

Control D alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Control D?

NextDNS ranks first right now. Simpler hosted DNS filtering with a generous free tier for individuals. AdGuard DNS and Quad9 follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to Control D?

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

Is there an open-source alternative to Control D?

Yes: AdGuard Home. AdGuard Home can also be self-hosted.

Which Control D alternatives work on Linux?

NextDNS, AdGuard DNS, Quad9 and AdGuard Home run on Linux.

Why do people switch from Control D?

The complaints we hear most: 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.

How is this list ranked?

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