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Head-to-head · DNS Filtering Services

NextDNS vs RethinkDNS

  • 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
RethinkDNS #7 in DNS Filtering Services 8.8/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 7 features Visit RethinkDNS

NextDNS leads on 0 checks, RethinkDNS 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
  • Most featuresNextDNS · 1 of 7

NextDNS scores higher on our rubric for dns filtering services: 9.3 against 8.8 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #7.

NextDNS is the better fit for privacy-focused users needing advanced DNS controls. RethinkDNS is the better fit for open-source Android and self-hosted users.

  • NextDNS fits best

    Privacy-focused users needing advanced DNS controls

  • RethinkDNS fits best

    Open-source Android and self-hosted users

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 NextDNS 9.3/10 Visit ↗ RethinkDNS 8.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.3 8.8
Ranking #2 in DNS Filtering Services #7 in DNS Filtering Services
Best for Privacy-focused users needing advanced DNS controls Open-source Android and self-hosted users
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free plan + paid
Starting price — Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Desktop, Mobile Cloud, Mobile, Self-hosted
Platforms Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android Web, Android
Features NextDNS 1/7 · RethinkDNS 0/7
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 ✓ (best) Not checked yet
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
  • More than 190 blocklists cover security, privacy, and parental categories
  • Android firewall supports per-application and domain-level rules
  • Searchable logs and suspicious-connection reports improve visibility
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
  • Its strongest controls are centered on Android devices
  • Browser and device setup depends on compatible DNS support
  • Cloud DNS services have separate free and paid tiers
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 →

RethinkDNS combines a DNS resolver with an Android firewall for users who want device-level filtering and network visibility. It blocks ads, trackers, malware, ransomware, phishing domains, and other predefined categories through…

Read the review →
  1. NextDNSDNS Filtering Services 9.3Free plan
  2. RethinkDNSDNS Filtering Services 8.8Free plan

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

  • RethinkDNS — where it wins

    • More than 190 blocklists cover security, privacy, and parental categories
    • Android firewall supports per-application and domain-level rules
    • Searchable logs and suspicious-connection reports improve visibility

    Where it doesn't

    • Its strongest controls are centered on Android devices
    • Browser and device setup depends on compatible DNS support
    • Cloud DNS services have separate free and paid tiers

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