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Head-to-head · DNS Filtering Services

NextDNS vs Control D

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 2 checks side by side
Higher score NextDNS #2 in DNS Filtering Services 9.3/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 7 features Visit NextDNS
Control D #3 in DNS Filtering Services 9.2/10 Free plan · 14-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 1 of 7 features Visit Control D

NextDNS leads on 0 checks, Control D 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 scoreNextDNS · 9.3/10
  • Free planboth
  • Free trialonly Control D

NextDNS scores higher on our rubric for dns filtering services: 9.3 against 9.2 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #3.

NextDNS is the better fit for privacy-focused users needing advanced DNS controls. Control D is the better fit for power users wanting flexible DNS policies.

  • NextDNS fits best

    Privacy-focused users needing advanced DNS controls

  • Control D fits best

    Power users wanting flexible DNS policies

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Side by side

Feature NextDNS 9.3/10 Visit ↗ Control D 9.2/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.3 9.2
Ranking #2 in DNS Filtering Services #3 in DNS Filtering Services
Best for Privacy-focused users needing advanced DNS controls Power users wanting flexible DNS policies
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free plan + paid
Starting price — $2/device/mo
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — 14 days
Deployment Cloud, Desktop, Mobile Cloud, Desktop, Mobile
Platforms Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Support Email, Community, Docs Email, Community, Docs
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features NextDNS 1/7 · Control D 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 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
  • Custom rules support block, bypass, redirect, and wildcard actions
  • Schedules, profiles, Safe Search, and analytics support detailed control
  • DoH, DoT, DoQ, DoH3, and router deployment broaden compatibility
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
  • Some advanced features require paid plans
  • Traffic redirection is limited to the Full Control plan
  • Personal and SMB pricing uses different plan structures
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 →

Control D is a cloud-based DNS filtering and security platform for individuals, families, businesses, and organizations. It blocks malware, phishing, ads, trackers, unwanted content, and selected services at the DNS level. Users can create…

Read the review →
  1. NextDNSDNS Filtering Services 9.3Free plan
  2. Control DDNS Filtering Services 9.2Free plan · 14-day trial

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

  • Control D — where it wins

    • Custom rules support block, bypass, redirect, and wildcard actions
    • Schedules, profiles, Safe Search, and analytics support detailed control
    • DoH, DoT, DoQ, DoH3, and router deployment broaden compatibility

    Where it doesn't

    • Some advanced features require paid plans
    • Traffic redirection is limited to the Full Control plan
    • Personal and SMB pricing uses different plan structures
  • NextDNS9.3/10 · Free plan

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

    Visit NextDNSFull verdict →
  • Control D9.2/10 · Free plan · 14-day trial

    A flexible DNS platform with detailed policies, schedules, analytics, and router deployment.

    Visit Control DFull 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