AdGuard DNS vs SafeDNS

AdGuard DNS9.4Visit SafeDNS8.4Visit

Higher score AdGuard DNS #1 in DNS Filtering Software 9.4/10 Free plan · 30-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 0 of 4 features Visit AdGuard DNS

vs

SafeDNS #8 in DNS Filtering Software 8.4/10 15-day trial Free trial✓ 0 of 4 features Visit SafeDNS

• AdGuard DNS fits best

  Broad DNS filtering across home and business devices

• SafeDNS fits best

  Families and organizations wanting detailed 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 ↗	SafeDNS 8.4/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.4	8.4
Ranking	#1 in DNS Filtering Software	#8 in DNS Filtering Software
Best for	Broad DNS filtering across home and business devices	Families and organizations wanting detailed controls
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Paid
Starting price	—	$25.95/yr
Free plan	✓ (best)	—
Free trial	30 days	15 days
Free trial length	30 days	15 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, Phone, Live chat, Docs · 24/7
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features AdGuard DNS 0/4 · SafeDNS 0/4
Category filtering	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Custom domain policies	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Roaming protection	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Activity reports	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Specs
Deployment modes	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Device limit	20 devices	Not checked yet
Encrypted DNS support	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Our review
Pros	Free Starter plan with a 30-day free trial Encrypted DNS protocols plus custom rules and blocklists Schedules, detailed query logs, and REST API automation	Filters across 66 content categories with custom allowlists and denylists Adds AppBlocker, schedules, per-user policies, and Safe Search Supports routers, roaming clients, OpenWRT, and major desktop and mobile platforms
Cons	Filtering operates at the DNS level rather than as full endpoint control Enterprise administration is aimed at organizational deployments Device setup varies across computers, routers, TVs, consoles, and IoT devices	No free plan is available Advanced business controls are distributed across higher paid tiers Deployment requires choosing among router, DNS, or agent-based approaches
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 while supporting custom blocklists, user… Read the review →	SafeDNS is a cloud-based DNS security and internet-filtering service for households, schools, small and midsize businesses, enterprises, managed service providers, internet service providers, and Wi-Fi providers. It filters traffic at the… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• AdGuard DNS — where it wins

  • Free Starter plan with a 30-day free trial
  • Encrypted DNS protocols plus custom rules and blocklists
  • Schedules, detailed query logs, and REST API automation

  Where it doesn't

  • Filtering operates at the DNS level rather than as full endpoint control
  • Enterprise administration is aimed at organizational deployments
  • Device setup varies across computers, routers, TVs, consoles, and IoT devices

• SafeDNS — where it wins

  • Filters across 66 content categories with custom allowlists and denylists
  • Adds AppBlocker, schedules, per-user policies, and Safe Search
  • Supports routers, roaming clients, OpenWRT, and major desktop and mobile platforms

  Where it doesn't

  • No free plan is available
  • Advanced business controls are distributed across higher paid tiers
  • Deployment requires choosing among router, DNS, or agent-based approaches

• AdGuard DNS9.4/10 · Free plan · 30-day trial

  A broad DNS filtering service for families, organizations, and connected devices.

  Visit AdGuard DNSFull verdict →
• SafeDNS8.4/10 · 15-day trial

  Detailed DNS controls for households and organizations, with paid plans for broader management.

  Visit SafeDNSFull verdict →