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Head-to-head · DNS Filtering Services

NextDNS vs DeCloudUs DNS

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 8 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
DeCloudUs DNS #6 in DNS Filtering Services 8.9/10 Free plan · 10-day trial Free plan✓ 7 of 7 features Visit DeCloudUs

NextDNS leads on 0 checks, DeCloudUs DNS on 0, and 8 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 8 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
  • Most featuresDeCloudUs DNS · 7 of 7

NextDNS scores higher on our rubric for dns filtering services: 9.3 against 8.9 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #6.

NextDNS is the better fit for privacy-focused users needing advanced DNS controls. DeCloudUs DNS is the better fit for families wanting free profile-based filtering.

  • NextDNS fits best

    Privacy-focused users needing advanced DNS controls

  • DeCloudUs DNS fits best

    Families wanting free profile-based filtering

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Side by side

Feature NextDNS 9.3/10 Visit ↗ DeCloudUs DNS 8.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.3 8.9
Ranking #2 in DNS Filtering Services #6 in DNS Filtering Services
Best for Privacy-focused users needing advanced DNS controls Families wanting free profile-based filtering
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free plan + paid
Starting price — $5.94/yr
Free plan ✓ ✓
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
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business
Features NextDNS 1/7 · DeCloudUs DNS 7/7
Malware blocking Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Ad blocking Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Adult content filtering Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Per-device policies Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Activity logs Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Analytics dashboard Not checked yet ✓ (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
  • Parental categories cover adult content, social media, streaming, and gambling
  • Separate profiles support individual policies, schedules, and custom rules
  • Encrypted DNS includes DoH, DoT, DNSCrypt, API, and MCP management
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
  • Advanced filtering categories and individual service blocks are tied to Premium
  • Additional profiles, schedules, and regional resolvers require Premium Plus
  • Device setup depends on support for encrypted DNS configuration
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 →

DeCloudUs DNS is an encrypted DNS resolver and filtering service for individuals, families, and households. It blocks ads, trackers, malware, phishing domains, and selectable content categories at the DNS layer. Families can create…

Read the review →
  1. NextDNSDNS Filtering Services 9.3Free plan
  2. DeCloudUs DNSDNS Filtering Services 8.9Free plan · 10-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

  • DeCloudUs DNS — where it wins

    • Parental categories cover adult content, social media, streaming, and gambling
    • Separate profiles support individual policies, schedules, and custom rules
    • Encrypted DNS includes DoH, DoT, DNSCrypt, API, and MCP management

    Where it doesn't

    • Advanced filtering categories and individual service blocks are tied to Premium
    • Additional profiles, schedules, and regional resolvers require Premium Plus
    • Device setup depends on support for encrypted DNS configuration
  • NextDNS9.3/10 · Free plan

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

    Visit NextDNSFull verdict →
  • DeCloudUs DNS8.9/10 · Free plan · 10-day trial

    A flexible DNS filter for families that need profiles, schedules, and privacy controls.

    Visit DeCloudUsFull 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