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NextDNS alternatives: 5 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave NextDNS: free plan stops blocking after 300,000 queries a month, and DNS queries are handled by a third party. We ranked 5 alternatives by how directly each one replaces NextDNS, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. AdGuard DNS currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1AdGuard DNS logoAdGuard DNSFree plan + paidNoWeb, Windows, macOS +33 of 366.5
2Control D logoControl DPaidNoWeb, Windows, macOS +33 of 362.6
3Pi-hole logoPi-holeOpen sourceYesSelf-hosted, Linux4 of 459.6
4AdGuard Home logoAdGuard HomeOpen sourceYesSelf-hosted, Linux, Windows +13 of 357.2
5Rethink DNS logoRethink DNSOpen sourceYesAndroid, Web3 of 355.3
  1. AdGuard DNS logo

    1. AdGuard DNSTop pick

    Best for: Households wanting DNS filtering and parental controls without running a server

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

    66.5

    score / 100

    Why switch from NextDNS

    Comparable hosted DNS filtering with parental screen-time schedules.

    Pros

    • No server to run; works on any device or router
    • Per-device statistics and rules
    • Parental controls with screen-time schedules

    Cons

    • Can't block ads served from the same domain as content
    • Your DNS queries go through AdGuard's servers
    • Free plan has usage limits
    Visit AdGuard DNS 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 AdGuard DNS a good NextDNS alternative?

    Verified facts

    3 of 3 verified
    Free plan
    Starter, included by default
    Checked Oct 25, 2026adguard-dns.io(opens source in a new tab)
    VPN bundle
    Personal plan free with AdGuard VPN
    Checked Oct 25, 2026adguard-dns.io(opens source in a new tab)
    Statistics
    Real-time, per device
    Checked Oct 25, 2026adguard-dns.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 NextDNS

    Hosted DNS filtering with more emphasis on business 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 NextDNS 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. Pi-hole logo

    3. Pi-hole

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

    Open sourceSelf-hostableSelf-hosted, Linux

    59.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from NextDNS

    Self-host it for free and keep all query data at home.

    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 ×0.377
    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 Pi-hole a good NextDNS 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)
  4. AdGuard Home logo

    4. AdGuard Home

    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 NextDNS

    Free self-hosted equivalent with a polished dashboard.

    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 NextDNS 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)
  5. Rethink DNS logo

    5. Rethink DNS

    Best for: Android power users who want encrypted DNS, blocklists and an app firewall in one

    Open sourceAndroid, Web

    55.3

    score / 100

    Why switch from NextDNS

    Free open-source DNS blocking plus a firewall on Android.

    Pros

    • Blocklists, encrypted DNS and per-app firewall together
    • Free and open source, no root needed
    • Detailed per-app connection logs

    Cons

    • Many settings to learn
    • Android only for the full app
    • Occupies Android's single VPN slot
    Visit Rethink DNS 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 Rethink DNS a good NextDNS alternative?

    Verified facts

    3 of 3 verified
    Blocklists
    190+
    Checked Oct 25, 2026rethinkdns.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Encryption
    DNS over HTTPS or TLS
    Checked Oct 25, 2026rethinkdns.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Proxy network
    From $1.75/month (optional)
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)

The best NextDNS alternative for…

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

AdGuard DNS logo

Best NextDNS alternative for most people

AdGuard DNS

Comparable hosted DNS filtering with parental screen-time schedules.

Pi-hole logo

Best NextDNS alternative for a free option

Pi-hole

Self-host it for free and keep all query data at home.

AdGuard DNS logo

Best NextDNS alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

AdGuard DNS

Comparable hosted DNS filtering with parental screen-time schedules.

AdGuard Home logo

Best NextDNS alternative for open source

AdGuard Home

Free self-hosted equivalent with a polished dashboard.

Pi-hole logo

Best NextDNS alternative for self-hosting

Pi-hole

Self-host it for free and keep all query data at home.

Control D logo

Best NextDNS alternative for Mac

Control D

Hosted DNS filtering with more emphasis on business device management.

AdGuard DNS logo

Best NextDNS alternative for Windows

AdGuard DNS

Comparable hosted DNS filtering with parental screen-time schedules.

AdGuard DNS logo

Best NextDNS alternative for Linux

AdGuard DNS

Comparable hosted DNS filtering with parental screen-time schedules.

AdGuard DNS logo

Best NextDNS alternative for iPhone and Android

AdGuard DNS

Comparable hosted DNS filtering with parental screen-time schedules.

Rethink DNS logo

Best NextDNS alternative for working in the browser

Rethink DNS

Free open-source DNS blocking plus a firewall on Android.

NextDNS alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to NextDNS?

AdGuard DNS ranks first right now. Comparable hosted DNS filtering with parental screen-time schedules. Control D and Pi-hole follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to NextDNS?

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

Is there an open-source alternative to NextDNS?

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

Which NextDNS alternatives work on Linux?

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

Why do people switch from NextDNS?

The complaints we hear most: 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.

How is this list ranked?

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