NextDNS vs DNSFilter

NextDNS9.2Visit DNSFilter8.9Visit

Higher score NextDNS #3 in DNS Filtering Software 9.2/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 4 features Visit NextDNS

vs

DNSFilter #4 in DNS Filtering Software 8.9/10 14-day trial Free trial✓ 0 of 4 features Visit DNSFilter

• NextDNS fits best

  Privacy-focused personal and family filtering

• DNSFilter fits best

  Low-cost managed filtering for organizations

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Side by side

Feature	NextDNS 9.2/10 Visit ↗	DNSFilter 8.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.2	8.9
Ranking	#3 in DNS Filtering Software	#4 in DNS Filtering Software
Best for	Privacy-focused personal and family filtering	Low-cost managed filtering for organizations
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Paid
Starting price	—	$1/unit/mo
Free plan	✓ (best)	—
Free trial	—	14 days
Deployment	Cloud, Desktop, Mobile	Cloud, Desktop, Mobile
Platforms	Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android	Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android
Support	Email, Community, Docs	Email, Live chat, Phone, Tickets, Docs
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features NextDNS 0/4 · DNSFilter 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	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Encrypted DNS support	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Our review
Pros	Free plan includes all features and unlimited devices Blocks malware, phishing, ads, trackers, and selected content Supports encrypted DNS, schedules, logs, and custom domain rules	DNS-layer protection with malware, phishing, and botnet blocking Roaming protection for Windows and macOS devices Reporting, exports, schedules, and AppAware application blocking
Cons	Free usage is limited to 300,000 queries per month Custom blocklists must be entered manually rather than uploaded Business and Education pricing is tied to employee or student groups	No free plan is available Core and Plus rates shown are based on annual billing Enterprise requires custom pricing
Our verdict	NextDNS is a DNS-based Internet filtering and security service for individuals, families, schools, and businesses. It applies filtering policies across computers, mobile devices, routers, and other supported network environments. Core… Read the review →	DNSFilter is a cloud-based internet filtering and protective DNS service for businesses, schools, managed service providers, and public Wi-Fi operators. It applies DNS policies to block malicious domains, unwanted content, and applications… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• NextDNS — where it wins

  • Free plan includes all features and unlimited devices
  • Blocks malware, phishing, ads, trackers, and selected content
  • Supports encrypted DNS, schedules, logs, and custom domain rules

  Where it doesn't

  • Free usage is limited to 300,000 queries per month
  • Custom blocklists must be entered manually rather than uploaded
  • Business and Education pricing is tied to employee or student groups

• DNSFilter — where it wins

  • DNS-layer protection with malware, phishing, and botnet blocking
  • Roaming protection for Windows and macOS devices
  • Reporting, exports, schedules, and AppAware application blocking

  Where it doesn't

  • No free plan is available
  • Core and Plus rates shown are based on annual billing
  • Enterprise requires custom pricing

• NextDNS9.2/10 · Free plan

  Flexible DNS filtering for families, personal privacy, schools, and businesses.

  Visit NextDNSFull verdict →
• DNSFilter8.9/10 · 14-day trial

  Managed DNS filtering with roaming protection, reporting, and identity integrations.

  Visit DNSFilterFull verdict →