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Rethink DNS alternatives: 5 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave Rethink DNS: many settings to learn, and android only for the full app. We ranked 5 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Rethink DNS, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Blokada currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1Blokada logoBlokadaFree plan + paidYesAndroid, iOS4 of 466.5
2TrackerControl logoTrackerControlOpen sourceYesAndroid3 of 362.6
3AdAway logoAdAwayOpen sourceYesAndroid4 of 459.6
4NextDNS logoNextDNSFree plan + paidNoWeb, Windows, macOS +34 of 457.2
5AdGuard logoAdGuardPaidNoWindows, macOS, Linux +34 of 455.3
  1. Blokada logo

    1. BlokadaTop pick

    Best for: Android users who want free system-wide blocking without root

    Free plan + paidOpen sourceAndroid, iOS

    66.5

    score / 100

    Why switch from Rethink DNS

    Simpler open-source blocker for Android with cloud and VPN options.

    Pros

    • Free, open-source system-wide blocking on Android
    • No root or jailbreak needed
    • Optional WireGuard VPN and parental-control apps

    Cons

    • Free version is Android only
    • Cloud, VPN and family features are paid
    • Multiple app editions can be confusing
    Visit Blokada 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 Blokada a good Rethink DNS alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Free version
    Blokada 5, free and open source
    Checked Oct 25, 2026blokada.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Root required
    No
    Checked Oct 25, 2026blokada.org(opens source in a new tab)
    VPN devices
    Up to 5 (Blokada Plus)
    Checked Oct 25, 2026blokada.org(opens source in a new tab)
    VPN protocol
    WireGuard
    Checked Oct 25, 2026blokada.org(opens source in a new tab)
  2. TrackerControl logo

    2. TrackerControl

    Best for: Android users who want to see which companies their apps share data with

    Open sourceAndroid

    62.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Rethink DNS

    Open-source Android blocker focused on showing which companies apps talk to.

    Pros

    • Shows trackers by company and purpose
    • Analysis happens on the device
    • Free, open source and research-backed

    Cons

    • Full version isn't on Google Play
    • Uses Android's VPN slot
    • Not focused on visible ads
    Visit TrackerControl 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 TrackerControl a good Rethink DNS alternative?

    Verified facts

    3 of 3 verified
    License
    GPLv3
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Distribution
    F-Droid; Slim version on Google Play
    Checked Oct 25, 2026trackercontrol.org(opens source in a new tab)
    iOS
    App tracking reports (website)
    Checked Oct 25, 2026trackercontrol.org(opens source in a new tab)
  3. AdAway logo

    3. AdAway

    Best for: Android users, especially rooted ones, who want a simple, transparent blocker

    Open sourceAndroid

    59.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Rethink DNS

    Open-source hosts-based blocker with a simpler setup.

    Pros

    • Free and open source
    • Works with root or without via local VPN
    • Custom hosts sources and rules

    Cons

    • Not on Google Play; install from F-Droid
    • VPN mode blocks using another VPN
    • Can't stop ads from the same domain as content
    Visit AdAway 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 AdAway a good Rethink DNS alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    License
    GPLv3
    Checked Oct 25, 2026adaway.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Root required
    No (local VPN mode)
    Checked Oct 25, 2026adaway.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Distribution
    F-Droid, not Google Play
    Checked Oct 25, 2026adaway.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Android version
    Android 8 and above (v5)
    Checked Oct 25, 2026adaway.org(opens source in a new tab)
  4. NextDNS logo

    4. NextDNS

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

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

    57.2

    score / 100

    Why switch from Rethink DNS

    Hosted DNS filtering that also covers your other devices.

    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 ×0.369
    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 NextDNS a good Rethink 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)
  5. AdGuard logo

    5. AdGuard

    Best for: People who want ads blocked in every app and browser on their devices

    PaidWindows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Browser extension

    55.3

    score / 100

    Why switch from Rethink DNS

    Paid Android app with HTTPS filtering and polished settings.

    Pros

    • System-wide filtering in browsers, apps and games
    • Lifetime licence option
    • Detailed filters, custom rules and per-app control

    Cons

    • Full apps are paid
    • Full Android app is installed outside Google Play
    • Local HTTPS filtering requires trusting a root certificate
    Visit AdGuard 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 AdGuard a good Rethink DNS alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Free trial
    14 days
    Checked Oct 25, 2026adguard.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Licences
    Personal 3 devices, Family 9 devices
    Checked Oct 25, 2026adguard.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Lifetime licence
    Available
    Checked Oct 25, 2026adguard.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Refunds
    30-day money-back guarantee
    Checked Oct 25, 2026adguard.com(opens source in a new tab)

The best Rethink DNS alternative for…

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

Blokada logo

Best Rethink DNS alternative for most people

Blokada

Simpler open-source blocker for Android with cloud and VPN options.

TrackerControl logo

Best Rethink DNS alternative for a free option

TrackerControl

Open-source Android blocker focused on showing which companies apps talk to.

NextDNS logo

Best Rethink DNS alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

NextDNS

Hosted DNS filtering that also covers your other devices.

AdAway logo

Best Rethink DNS alternative for open source

AdAway

Open-source hosts-based blocker with a simpler setup.

AdGuard logo

Best Rethink DNS alternative for Mac

AdGuard

Paid Android app with HTTPS filtering and polished settings.

NextDNS logo

Best Rethink DNS alternative for Windows

NextDNS

Hosted DNS filtering that also covers your other devices.

NextDNS logo

Best Rethink DNS alternative for Linux

NextDNS

Hosted DNS filtering that also covers your other devices.

Blokada logo

Best Rethink DNS alternative for iPhone and Android

Blokada

Simpler open-source blocker for Android with cloud and VPN options.

NextDNS logo

Best Rethink DNS alternative for working in the browser

NextDNS

Hosted DNS filtering that also covers your other devices.

Rethink DNS alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Rethink DNS?

Blokada ranks first right now. Simpler open-source blocker for Android with cloud and VPN options. TrackerControl and AdAway follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to Rethink DNS?

Yes. Blokada (free plan + paid), TrackerControl (open source), AdAway (open source) and NextDNS (free plan + paid) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to Rethink DNS?

Yes: Blokada, TrackerControl and AdAway.

Which Rethink DNS alternatives work on Linux?

NextDNS and AdGuard run on Linux.

Why do people switch from Rethink DNS?

The complaints we hear most: many settings to learn; android only for the full app; occupies Android's single VPN slot.

How is this list ranked?

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