DNS for Family vs NxFilter

DNS for Family is a free DNS service for blocking adult websites and other harmful domains across computers, phones, browsers, and Wi-Fi routers. Its filtering covers advertisements, malware, ransomware, scams, phishing, gambling, drugs, proxy sites, and some dating sites. Safe Search is enforced for Google, YouTube, Brave, Ecosia, Bing, DuckDuckGo, and Yandex, while social services such as Facebook, Instagram, Reddit, and WhatsApp are not blocked. The maker says its blacklist is updated daily. Supported protocols include DNSSEC, DNS-over-TLS, DNS-over-HTTPS, DNSCrypt v2, and IPv6. Developers can query a JSON API to check up to 100 hostnames at once. The listed plan costs nothing, with no hidden fees; unusually high query volumes are subject to fair-use limits. The privacy policy says DNS requests contain the queried domain, visit time, and user IP, retained for rate limiting. Queries are forwarded to Google through DNSDist without sending user IP addresses or personal data to Google.

NxFilter is a lightweight DNS filter for controlling DNS queries across a network. It supports URL keyword filtering, custom blocklists, safe search controls, filtering schedules, and policies for individual users or groups. Screen time limits and data caps add controls, while reports provide daily, weekly, and user-level views; logs can be retained for up to 400 days. NxFilter caches responses from an upstream DNS server and serves cached results locally. Authentication options include Active Directory integration. Remote Windows and Android devices can use filtering agents, while iOS devices can be filtered through DNS over HTTPS. For roaming iOS or Android devices, NxFilter can provide DNS over HTTPS when an SSL certificate is installed and users authenticate with NxFilter. Clustering supports one master and up to four slave nodes for load balancing and fail-safe operation. The maker offers Windows executable, Debian package, and ZIP downloads, and points users to third-party RPM packages and Docker images. NxFilter itself is freeware for commercial or non-commercial use. Paid list options include Jahaslist Monthly at $7 a month for 50 users, Jahaslist Annual at $60 a year for 50 users, and Cloudlist Annual at $150 a year for 50 users.