Skip to content
SPECIFICTION
Get listed

NextDNS

nextdns.io

From £1.79/mo Free plan Open source WebWindowsmacOSLinuxiOSAndroid
Visit nextdns.io
Spec score 9.0 #5 of 65 in Internet Filtering Software

What it is

NextDNS filters internet traffic to block security threats, ads, and trackers, and offers controls for supervising children's access across devices and networks. Its listed threat protections include malware, phishing, cryptojacking, DNS rebinding, lookalike domains, typosquatting, domain generation algorithms, and newly registered domains. Parental controls include category blocking, SafeSearch, YouTube Restricted Mode, and blocks for specific sites, apps, and games, plus scheduled Recreation Time. DNS-over-HTTPS and DNS-over-TLS provide encrypted DNS connections. Users can disable logging or choose retention from one hour to two years and select storage in the United States, European Union, United Kingdom, or Switzerland. The free plan costs nothing and includes 300,000 queries per month; after the limit, it continues answering as a non-blocking DNS service. Pro costs £1.79 a month. Business and Education each cost £17.90 a month, for every 50 employees or 250 students respectively. Free and Pro list community support; Business and Education list email support.

Spec sheet

What it does
NextDNS is a cloud DNS firewall that blocks security threats, ads and trackers and provides supervised internet controls across devices and networks.Read 15 Oct 2026 · nextdns.io
Support
The pricing page lists community support for Free and Pro, and email support for Business and Education.Read 30 Sep 2026 · nextdns.io
Additional controls
Features include unlimited configurations, custom allowlists and denylists, customizable block pages, DNS rewrites, DNSSEC validation, and experimental Handshake support.Read 30 Sep 2026 · nextdns.io
Analytics and logs
Analytics include real-time logs, Tracker Insights, configurable retention from one hour to two years, and a choice of United States, European Union, United Kingdom or Switzerland storage.Read 15 Oct 2026 · nextdns.io
API authentication
API calls use an X-Api-Key header and the endpoint is api.nextdns.io.Read 15 Oct 2026 · nextdns.github.io
API capabilities
The API supports profile creation and updates, nested settings and lists, analytics, time-series data, log filtering, server-sent log streaming, log downloads and log deletion.Read 15 Oct 2026 · nextdns.github.io
API status
The public API documentation labels the API beta and warns that breaking changes may occur without notice.Read 15 Oct 2026 · nextdns.github.io
Apple setup
The Apple setup page generates a configuration profile for iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and tvOS devices.Read 30 Sep 2026 · apple.nextdns.io
CLI and self-hosting
NextDNS publishes an open-source CLI that acts as a DNS53-to-DoH proxy for routers and Unix-like systems and can also use other DoH providers.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
CLI licence
The public NextDNS CLI repository is licensed under MIT.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Company profile
LinkedIn describes NextDNS as a privately held Wilmington, Delaware technology company founded in 2019 with 11–50 employees.Read 15 Oct 2026 · linkedin.com
Configuration features
Accounts support unlimited configurations, unlimited custom allowlists and denylists, customizable block pages, DNS rewrites, DNSSEC validation and experimental Handshake naming.Read 15 Oct 2026 · nextdns.io
Data privacy controls
The privacy policy says users can choose what is logged, for how long and in which jurisdiction, and can view, export, or delete their data.Read 30 Sep 2026 · nextdns.io
Documentation and support
The Help Center lists 25 getting-started articles, four privacy or blocklist articles, eight how-to guides, four troubleshooting articles, 3,317 discussions, 1,123 ideas and 3,147 bug reports.Read 15 Oct 2026 · help.nextdns.io
Encrypted DNS
NextDNS supports DNS-over-HTTPS and DNS-over-TLS and says setup works across home, cellular, work and public Wi-Fi networks.Read 15 Oct 2026 · nextdns.io
Free tier limit
The free plan includes 300,000 queries per month; after the quota is exceeded, NextDNS says it continues answering queries as a classic non-blocking DNS service.Read 30 Sep 2026 · nextdns.io
Independent review limits
TechRadar says setup can be difficult, support is limited and speeds can occasionally suffer; Android Authority notes the 300,000-query free limit can be excessive for a single phone.Read 15 Oct 2026 · androidauthority.com
Independent review praise
TechRadar praises NextDNS for strong security, effective ad blocking, customization and reasonable pricing, while Android Authority describes it as a convenient set-and-forget DNS service with detailed analytics.Read 15 Oct 2026 · techradar.com
Limit: G2 reviewers
G2 reviewers report confusing initial setup, occasional sites or services that require disabling NextDNS, and some ads or trackers still getting through.Read 15 Oct 2026 · g2.com
Limit: iOS app
iOS reviewers describe the app as dated, sometimes report Wi-Fi, app or website failures, and say a VPN can take priority over NextDNS DNS.Read 15 Oct 2026 · apps.apple.com
Limit: Mac app
Mac reviewers report missing network or SSID detection, a dated client and cases where the menu-bar app appeared not to work.Read 15 Oct 2026 · apps.apple.com
Limit: Trustpilot list management
A Trustpilot reviewer says NextDNS lacks convenient alphabetic sorting and upload or download tools for allowlists and denylists compared with Control D.Read 15 Oct 2026 · trustpilot.com
Limit: Trustpilot support and updates
Trustpilot complaints repeatedly mention unanswered support requests and a perception that product development has slowed or stopped.Read 15 Oct 2026 · trustpilot.com
Maker and founding
NextDNS Inc. was founded in May 2019 in Delaware by Romain Cointepas and Olivier Poitrey.Read 15 Oct 2026 · help.nextdns.io
Network scale
The homepage reports 132 server locations, about 100 billion queries per month and 15 billion blocked queries per month.Read 15 Oct 2026 · nextdns.io
Parental controls
Controls can block categories such as pornography, violence and piracy, enforce SafeSearch and YouTube Restricted Mode, block named apps or games, and schedule access through Recreation Time.Read 15 Oct 2026 · nextdns.io
Praise: G2 reviewers
G2 reviewers praise blocking ads in Apple News and desktop apps, private DNS queries, easy multi-platform setup, configurable filters and malware protection.Read 15 Oct 2026 · g2.com
Praise: Trustpilot reviewers
Trustpilot reviewers repeatedly describe fast DNS, effective ad blocking, easy set-and-forget operation, broad blocklist support and fair pricing.Read 15 Oct 2026 · trustpilot.com
Privacy blocking
Privacy controls use advertising and tracker blocklists, native tracking protection and detection of third-party trackers disguised as first-party domains.Read 15 Oct 2026 · nextdns.io
Privacy commitment
NextDNS Inc. says it is founder-funded, owned and controlled, does not sell or share user data, discards unlogged DNS data after responding, and lets users control retention, jurisdiction, export and deletion.Read 15 Oct 2026 · nextdns.io
Privacy features
NextDNS says it blocks ads and trackers, including operating-system-level trackers and third-party trackers disguised as first-party.Read 30 Sep 2026 · nextdns.io
Privacy policy
NextDNS says it does not sell, license, or share user-submitted data, discards DNS request and response data after replying, and logs data only when requested by the user or required for a feature.Read 30 Sep 2026 · nextdns.io
Rating on Apple iOS App Store
4.5 out of 5 from about 1.9K ratings.Read 15 Oct 2026 · apps.apple.com
Rating on Apple Mac App Store
3.7 out of 5 from 113 ratings.Read 15 Oct 2026 · apps.apple.com
Rating on Chrome Web Store
4.7 out of 5 from 21 ratings for the unofficial NX Enhanced extension.Read 15 Oct 2026 · chromewebstore.google.com
Rating on G2
4.7 out of 5 from 3 reviews.Read 15 Oct 2026 · g2.com
Rating on Google Play
4.2 out of 5 from about 1.86K ratings for the unofficial NextDNS Manager app.Read 15 Oct 2026 · play.google.com
Rating on Trustpilot
2.8 out of 5 from 38 reviews.Read 15 Oct 2026 · trustpilot.com
Router and CLI setup
NextDNS's help center describes setup on devices or routers and says its CLI can run on some routers; IPv4 linked-IP setup is unencrypted, while DoH and DoT encrypt traffic.Read 30 Sep 2026 · help.nextdns.io
Security protections
The service offers more than ten protection types, including threat-intelligence feeds, Google Safe Browsing, cryptojacking, DNS rebinding, IDN homographs, typosquatting, DGAs, newly registered domains, parked domains, risky TLDs and CSAM domains.Read 15 Oct 2026 · nextdns.io
Threat protection
Its listed protections include malware and phishing, cryptojacking, DNS rebinding, IDN homographs, typosquatting, domain generation algorithms, and newly registered domains.Read 30 Sep 2026 · nextdns.io

Plans and prices

Free Free 300,000 queries/month · Unlimited devices · Unlimited configurations · All features · Community support Read 30 Sep 2026 · nextdns.io
Free Free £0/month 300,000 queries/month · unlimited devices · unlimited configurations · all features · community support Read 15 Oct 2026 · nextdns.io
Pro £1.79 a month £1.79/month or £17.90/year unlimited queries · unlimited devices · unlimited configurations · all features · community support · personal and close family use Read 15 Oct 2026 · nextdns.io
Business £17.90 a month £17.90/month or £179/year unlimited queries · unlimited devices · unlimited configurations · all features · email support · per 50 employees Read 15 Oct 2026 · nextdns.io
Education £17.90 a month £17.90/month or £179/year unlimited queries · unlimited devices · unlimited configurations · all features · email support · per 250 students Read 15 Oct 2026 · nextdns.io

Every NextDNS plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Provides DNS-over-HTTPS and DNS-over-TLS.
  • Offers configurable logging and storage locations.
  • Includes category controls and scheduled Recreation Time.
  • Supports unlimited configurations on the free plan.

Limits

  • Free plan is limited to 300,000 queries per month.
  • After the free quota, service becomes non-blocking DNS.
  • IPv4 linked-IP setup is unencrypted.

Who it suits

NextDNS suits people seeking threat filtering, ad and tracker blocking, or supervised internet access across devices. Its log controls may suit users who want to choose retention and storage location.

NextDNS in depth

Read the full write-up

Overview

NextDNS is a DNS filtering service for people who want to apply threat, tracker, and family controls across devices and networks. Its broad set of controls makes it a strong fit for households and organizations that need configurable filtering; the free plan’s monthly quota is the main practical constraint.

Key features

Threat and privacy filtering

NextDNS blocks malware and phishing as well as cryptojacking, DNS rebinding, IDN homographs, typosquatting, domain generation algorithms, and newly registered domains. Its ad and tracker controls reach operating-system-level tracking and third-party trackers disguised as first-party, a useful breadth for people seeking more than conventional ad blocking. Custom allowlists and denylists, customizable block pages, DNS rewrites, DNSSEC validation, and experimental Handshake support provide additional control, though the more specialized options will matter most to users willing to configure their DNS setup.

Parental controls

Parents can block content categories, specific sites, apps, and games, enable SafeSearch and YouTube Restricted Mode, and schedule Recreation Time. That mix makes NextDNS practical for households wanting both broad category rules and exceptions or time-based limits, rather than a single fixed family filter.

Encrypted DNS, logging, and setup

DNS-over-HTTPS and DNS-over-TLS encrypt DNS traffic. The IPv4 linked-IP setup is unencrypted, so users who want encrypted connections should choose DoH or DoT instead. Apple users can generate configuration profiles for iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and tvOS; setup guidance also covers devices and routers, and the CLI can run on some routers.

Users can disable logging or choose retention from one hour to two years, select storage in the United States, European Union, United Kingdom, or Switzerland, and view, export, or delete their data. NextDNS says it discards DNS request and response data after replying, and logs data only when a user requests it or a feature requires it. These controls suit privacy-conscious users who want to decide whether activity records exist and where they are stored.

Pricing

NextDNS is freemium, with no free trial. Every plan includes unlimited devices, unlimited configurations, and all features; the differences are query quota, intended use, and support.

PlanPrice and termsBest fitFreefree; 300,000 queries/month; community supportIndividuals or households with modest query volume who can accept filtering stopping at the quotaPro£1.79 a month, billed £1.79/month or £17.90/year; save 17%; unlimited queries; community supportPersonal and close family use needing uninterrupted filtering beyond the free capBusiness£17.90 a month, billed £17.90/month or £179/year, for every 50 employees; save 17%; unlimited queries; email supportSmall and medium businessesEducation£17.90 a month, billed £17.90/month or £179/year, for every 250 students; save 17%; unlimited queries; email supportSchools and universitiesThe free plan includes all features, but once 300,000 monthly queries are exceeded, NextDNS continues answering requests as a classic, non-blocking DNS service. That means it is not a reliable choice for uninterrupted filtering if usage can exceed the allowance. Pro removes the query limit for personal and close-family use; organizations get the same unlimited queries and configurations through Business or Education, with email rather than community support. The per-50-employee and per-250-student billing units make those plans clearer for smaller organizations than for groups whose size does not fit those increments.

Platforms

NextDNS supports Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, routers, and major operating systems. Its platform range also includes web, API, extensions, and self-hosted use, giving users multiple ways to configure or integrate DNS filtering.

Who it's for

NextDNS is well suited to families who want scheduled recreation access and specific app, game, and site controls, and to privacy-minded users who want encrypted DNS plus granular logging choices. Pro is the sensible choice for personal use when the free quota is too restrictive. Businesses and educational institutions can use plans with unlimited queries and email support; users who need only a fixed, no-sign-up family filter or a free DNS service may prefer a simpler alternative.

Pros and cons

Pros

Broad filtering coverage: Threat blocking spans familiar risks such as phishing and malware as well as DNS-specific attacks and newly registered domains.

Useful household controls: Category filters, individual app and site blocks, SafeSearch, YouTube Restricted Mode, and scheduled Recreation Time support more tailored rules than a fixed family filter.

Meaningful privacy choices: Users can disable logs, set retention, choose a storage jurisdiction, and manage their stored data.

Unlimited configurations on every plan: Separate setups do not require moving to a more expensive tier.

Cons

The free quota ends active filtering: After 300,000 monthly queries, DNS continues in non-blocking mode, so the free plan cannot guarantee filtering throughout heavier usage.

One setup path is unencrypted: IPv4 linked-IP setup does not encrypt traffic; users must configure DoH or DoT for encrypted DNS.

Organizational pricing uses fixed seat blocks: Business charges per 50 employees and Education per 250 students, which may not align neatly with every organization's size.

Alternatives

AdGuard DNS is worth considering if open-source code that anyone can inspect is a priority; it also has a free plan and a free trial.

Comodo Secure DNS may suit enterprises and MSPs looking for a free option with up to 300,000 DNS requests per month.

Control D is another freemium option with a free trial; its SMB plan is $2 a month and billed endpoint-based.

NxFilter suits users seeking freeware for commercial or non-commercial use; its Jahaslist Monthly plan is $7 a month.

OpenDNS FamilyShield is a simpler free alternative when a preconfigured adult-content block and no sign-up are more important than NextDNS’s broad configuration controls.

Quad9 is a fit for readers who want a free DNS service without a contract or sign-up process.

SafeDNS is a paid alternative with a $1.20 a month Basic plan, a 15-user minimum, 66 web-filtering categories, and phishing and malware protection.

Smart DNS Proxy is a paid alternative with a 14-day free trial and a $6.79 a month plan.

For broader comparisons, see DNS Filtering Software and Internet Filtering Software.

Verdict

Choose NextDNS if you want one configurable DNS service for threat filtering, tracker blocking, and family controls across devices, with control over encryption and logs. Pro is the right tier when the free query cap would interrupt filtering; the free plan is best treated as a limited-volume option, not an unlimited safety net. Look elsewhere if you need a simple fixed filter, or if a free service without a monthly query ceiling is the priority.

Verdict

NextDNS combines security filtering, privacy controls, and parental settings, with a free monthly query limit. Review the encrypted setup options and the plan that matches your query volume or organization.

Where Specifiction places it

Alternatives to NextDNSAll alternatives →