Best DNS Filtering Software in 2026
Updated
In short: AdGuard DNS is ranked #1 of 28 as of 3 October 2026, ahead of Control D and NextDNS. The best-ranked option with a free plan is NextDNS. The lowest first paid tier on this page is ScoutDNS at $0.21/mo.
Managing which domains devices can reach starts with choosing filtering controls that fit your policies and environment. Compared on category filtering and custom domain policies, these options show how rules can be set; deployment modes and roaming protection help you assess where those rules can apply. Activity reports, encrypted DNS support and device limits add further distinctions. Free-plan availability and paid-from pricing offer a way to weigh cost alongside capability. AdGuard DNS, Control D and NextDNS are among the named options. Consider the devices you need to cover and the controls you want over domain access, then use the listed features to compare approaches.
28 DNS filtering software ranked on what their makers publish — plans and prices, free tiers, platforms and the facts on their own pages.
#1 AdGuard DNS Top pick · 8.2 Free plan · Free
#2 Control D Runner-up · 7.7 $2/mo
#3 NextDNS Also great · 7.6 Free plan · £1.79/mo
- Free planFree trial AndroidapiiOSLinuxmacOSself-hostedWebWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Device limit
- 20 devices
RecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trial - Free trial AndroidapiextensioniOSLinuxmacOSself-hostedWebWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trial$2/mofirst paid tier About Control DVisit site - Free plan AndroidapiextensioniOSLinuxmacOSself-hostedWebWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trial£1.79/mofirst paid tier About NextDNSVisit site - Free plan AndroidiOSLinuxmacOSWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Category filtering
- No
- Custom domain policies
- No
RecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trial - AndroidextensioniOSLinuxmacOSWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trial - Free trial AndroidapiiOSLinuxmacOSWebWindows
- Free plan
- No
RecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trial - AndroidapiiOSLinuxmacOSWebWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Device limit
- 25 devices
RecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trial$6.25/mofirst paid tier About CleanBrowsingVisit site - Free trial AndroidapiextensioniOSmacOSWebWindows
- Free plan
- No
RecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trial - Free trial macOSWebWindows
- Free plan
- No
- Category filtering
- Yes
- Custom domain policies
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trial - AndroidiOSmacOSWebWindows
- Deployment modes
- dns
- Category filtering
- Yes
- Custom domain policies
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trial - apiLinuxself-hostedWebWindows
- Free plan
- No
- Deployment modes
- dns
- Category filtering
- Yes
- Custom domain policies
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trial - Free trial apimacOSWebWindows
- Free plan
- No
- Category filtering
- Yes
- Custom domain policies
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trial$0.21/mofirst paid tier About ScoutDNSVisit site - Free plan apiLinuxmacOSself-hostedWebWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trial - apimacOSWebWindows
- Category filtering
- Yes
- Custom domain policies
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trial - apiself-hostedWeb
- Deployment modes
- dns
- Category filtering
- Yes
- Custom domain policies
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trial - WindowsmacOSLinux
- Free plan
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trial - Free trial AndroidapiiOSLinuxmacOSself-hostedWebWindows
- Free plan
- No
RecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trial$1.20/mofirst paid tier About SafeDNSVisit site - WindowsmacOSiOSAndroid
- Free plan
- No
- Category filtering
- Yes
- Custom domain policies
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trial -
- Free plan
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trial - Free trial apiLinuxWebWindows
- Deployment modes
- dns
- Custom domain policies
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trial - WebAndroid
- Free plan
- Yes
- Category filtering
- Yes
- Custom domain policies
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trial - WebWindowsLinux
- Free plan
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trial - Free trial AndroidiOSLinuxmacOSWebWindows
- Free plan
- No
RecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trial$4.61/mofirst paid tier About Smart DNS ProxyVisit site - WindowsmacOS
- Free plan
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trial - WebWindowsmacOS
- Free plan
- No
RecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trial
Is your tool on this list?
Numbered spots on this list can be sponsored. They are labelled, and the editorial order and scores never change for payment.
Questions about this list
Which DNS filtering software is ranked first on Specifiction?
AdGuard DNS is ranked #1 of 28 with a score of 8.2. Control D is second and NextDNS third.
How many of these have a free plan?
4 of the 25 on this page publish a free plan on their own pricing pages.
Which is the cheapest paid option?
On this page, ScoutDNS has the lowest first paid tier we found: $0.21/mo.
How is this list ranked?
Ranked on what each maker publishes, the fullest spec sheet first: how deeply the product is documented, the platforms it runs on, a free tier or trial to test it, and its standing. Paid placements never change a rank.