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Head-to-head · DNS Filtering Services

AdGuard DNS vs NextDNS

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 2 checks side by side
Higher score AdGuard DNS #1 in DNS Filtering Services 9.4/10 Free plan · 30-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 1 of 7 features Visit AdGuard DNS
NextDNS #2 in DNS Filtering Services 9.3/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 7 features Visit NextDNS

AdGuard DNS leads on 0 checks, NextDNS on 0, and 2 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 2 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreAdGuard DNS · 9.4/10
  • Free planboth
  • Free trialonly AdGuard DNS

AdGuard DNS scores higher on our rubric for dns filtering services: 9.4 against 9.3 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #2.

AdGuard DNS is the better fit for broad consumer and family DNS protection. NextDNS is the better fit for privacy-focused users needing advanced DNS controls.

  • AdGuard DNS fits best

    Broad consumer and family DNS protection

  • NextDNS fits best

    Privacy-focused users needing advanced DNS controls

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature AdGuard DNS 9.4/10 Visit ↗ NextDNS 9.3/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.4 9.3
Ranking #1 in DNS Filtering Services #2 in DNS Filtering Services
Best for Broad consumer and family DNS protection Privacy-focused users needing advanced DNS controls
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free plan + paid
Starting price — —
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial 30 days —
Deployment Cloud, Browser extension Cloud, Desktop, Mobile
Platforms Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Support Email, Docs Email, Community, Docs
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features AdGuard DNS 1/7 · NextDNS 1/7
Malware blocking Not checked yet Not checked yet
Ad blocking Not checked yet Not checked yet
Adult content filtering Not checked yet Not checked yet
Per-device policies Not checked yet Not checked yet
Activity logs Not checked yet Not checked yet
Analytics dashboard Not checked yet Not checked yet
Custom blocklists ✓ ✓
Our review
Pros
  • Free Starter plan includes filtering, controls, schedules, logs, and encrypted DNS.
  • Supports computers, mobile devices, routers, smart TVs, consoles, and IoT devices.
  • REST API, custom rules, and multiple encrypted DNS protocols support advanced setups.
  • Free plan includes malware, ad, parental, and SafeSearch controls
  • Supports encrypted DNS, analytics, scheduling, and DNS rewrites
  • Works across desktop, mobile, Linux, routers, and API environments
Cons
  • Paid plan prices are not shown here.
  • Advanced controls may exceed the needs of simple ad blocking.
  • Enterprise administration is reserved for the Enterprise offering.
  • Free plan is limited to 300,000 queries per month
  • Custom blocklists cannot be uploaded
  • Business and Education pricing applies per employee or student bundle
Our verdict

AdGuard DNS is a DNS resolver and network-level filtering service for individuals, families, organizations, and connected devices. It blocks ads, trackers, phishing, malware, and adult content at the DNS level, while adding parental…

Read the review →

NextDNS is a DNS-based filtering and security service for individuals, families, schools, universities, and businesses. It applies policies across computers, mobile devices, routers, and other supported network environments, with apps and…

Read the review →
  1. AdGuard DNSDNS Filtering Services 9.4Free plan · 30-day trial
  2. NextDNSDNS Filtering Services 9.3Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • AdGuard DNS — where it wins

    • Free Starter plan includes filtering, controls, schedules, logs, and encrypted DNS.
    • Supports computers, mobile devices, routers, smart TVs, consoles, and IoT devices.
    • REST API, custom rules, and multiple encrypted DNS protocols support advanced setups.

    Where it doesn't

    • Paid plan prices are not shown here.
    • Advanced controls may exceed the needs of simple ad blocking.
    • Enterprise administration is reserved for the Enterprise offering.

  • NextDNS — where it wins

    • Free plan includes malware, ad, parental, and SafeSearch controls
    • Supports encrypted DNS, analytics, scheduling, and DNS rewrites
    • Works across desktop, mobile, Linux, routers, and API environments

    Where it doesn't

    • Free plan is limited to 300,000 queries per month
    • Custom blocklists cannot be uploaded
    • Business and Education pricing applies per employee or student bundle
  • AdGuard DNS9.4/10 · Free plan · 30-day trial

    Broad DNS protection with strong family controls, encrypted protocols, and wide device coverage.

    Visit AdGuard DNSFull verdict →
  • NextDNS9.3/10 · Free plan

    A flexible DNS filtering service with unusually broad controls on its free plan.

    Visit NextDNSFull verdict →

More comparisons

All DNS filtering services comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update