NextDNS vs ArmorDNS

NextDNS9.3Visit ArmorDNS8.5Visit

Higher score NextDNS #2 in DNS Filtering Services 9.3/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 7 features Visit NextDNS

vs

ArmorDNS #10 in DNS Filtering Services 8.5/10 From $5/mo · 7-day trial ✓ 7 of 7 features Visit ArmorDNS

• NextDNS fits best

  Privacy-focused users needing advanced DNS controls

• ArmorDNS fits best

  Families wanting paid per-device DNS policies

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Side by side

Feature	NextDNS 9.3/10 Visit ↗	ArmorDNS 8.5/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.3	8.5
Ranking	#2 in DNS Filtering Services	#10 in DNS Filtering Services
Best for	Privacy-focused users needing advanced DNS controls	Families wanting paid per-device DNS policies
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Paid
Starting price	Not published	Not published
Free plan	✓ (best)	—
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Cloud, Desktop, Mobile	Cloud
Platforms	Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android	Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Support	Email, Community, Docs	Email, Docs
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business, Mid-market
Features NextDNS 1/7 · ArmorDNS 7/7
Malware blocking	Not published	✓ (best)
Ad blocking	Not published	✓ (best)
Adult content filtering	Not published	✓ (best)
Per-device policies	Not published	✓ (best)
Activity logs	Not published	✓ (best)
Analytics dashboard	Not published	✓ (best)
Custom blocklists	✓	✓
Our review
Pros	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	Per-device policies with managed and unmanaged device modes Real-time query logs with search and device filtering Encrypted DNS over TLS, DNS over HTTPS, and DNSSEC validation
Cons	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	No free plan is available The Organization tier costs $20 per month or $200 per year No AI features are included
Our verdict	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 →	ArmorDNS is a DNS-based filtering service for families, churches, ministries, and small organizations. It blocks ads, trackers, malware, phishing, adult content, gambling, and other domain categories before connections are established.… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• 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

• ArmorDNS — where it wins

  • Per-device policies with managed and unmanaged device modes
  • Real-time query logs with search and device filtering
  • Encrypted DNS over TLS, DNS over HTTPS, and DNSSEC validation

  Where it doesn't

  • No free plan is available
  • The Organization tier costs $20 per month or $200 per year
  • No AI features are included

• NextDNS9.3/10 · Free plan

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

  Visit NextDNSFull verdict →
• ArmorDNS8.5/10 · From $5/mo · 7-day trial

  Paid DNS filtering with per-device controls, logs, schedules, and encrypted DNS.

  Visit ArmorDNSFull verdict →