What is NextDNS used for?

NextDNS is a cloud DNS resolver that blocks malware, ads and trackers and offers parental controls across devices and networks. It is a good fit for blocking ads and trackers on all home devices, filtering content for children, and adding DNS-level security to a small office.

Yes. NextDNS has a free plan, and paid plans start at $1.99 per month.

Is NextDNS open source?

No. NextDNS is proprietary (closed-source) software and can't be self-hosted. Open-source alternatives to NextDNS include Technitium DNS Server, Pi-hole and AdGuard Home.

What are some alternatives to NextDNS?

NextDNS competes with Control D, Cisco Umbrella and Cloudflare. For open-source options, see Enlisted's ranked list of open-source NextDNS alternatives.

NextDNS: features, pricing and alternatives

About NextDNS

NextDNS is a cloud-based DNS service that filters internet requests at the DNS level. Pointing a device, router or network at its resolver lets it block malicious domains, advertising and trackers on websites and in apps, and it works on all devices and networks through the same configuration.

On the security side it uses threat intelligence feeds and checks for threats such as phishing, cryptojacking, DNS rebinding, typosquatting, domain generation algorithms and newly registered domains. For privacy it applies popular ad and tracker blocklists and native tracking protection, and it can also provide supervised internet access for children.

NextDNS is a commercial hosted service that people can try without signing up, then register later to save their settings. It suits individuals, families and small teams that want a configurable DNS firewall, and its plans are described on the vendor's pricing page.

Key features

Malware and phishing domain blocking
Ad and tracker blocklists for web and apps
Native tracking protection at the OS level
Parental control and supervised browsing
Threat checks for typosquatting and new domains
Works across devices and networks

Good fit for

→Blocking ads and trackers on all home devices
→Filtering content for children
→Adding DNS-level security to a small office

Tags: dns; ad-blocking; privacy; malware-protection; parental-controls; dns-filtering

NextDNS: questions and answers

What is NextDNS used for?: NextDNS is a cloud DNS resolver that blocks malware, ads and trackers and offers parental controls across devices and networks. It is a good fit for blocking ads and trackers on all home devices, filtering content for children, and adding DNS-level security to a small office.
Is NextDNS free?: Yes. NextDNS has a free plan, and paid plans start at $1.99 per month.
Is NextDNS open source?: No. NextDNS is proprietary (closed-source) software and can't be self-hosted. Open-source alternatives to NextDNS include Technitium DNS Server, Pi-hole and AdGuard Home.
What are some alternatives to NextDNS?: NextDNS competes with Control D, Cisco Umbrella and Cloudflare. For open-source options, see Enlisted's ranked list of open-source NextDNS alternatives.