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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
1Pi-hole logoPi-holeOpen sourceYesSelf-hosted, Linux4 of 459.6
2AdGuard Home logoAdGuard HomeOpen sourceYesSelf-hosted, Linux, Windows +13 of 357.2
  1. Pi-hole logo

    1. Pi-holeTop pick

    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)
  2. AdGuard Home logo

    2. 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)

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.