NextDNS vs Safe Surfer

NextDNS7.6Visit Safe Surfer6.3Visit

Higher score NextDNS #17 in Internet Filtering Software 7.6/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 3 features Visit NextDNS

vs

Safe Surfer #30 in Internet Filtering Software 6.3/10 Free plan · 7-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 3 of 3 features Visit Safe Surfer

• NextDNS fits best

  Advanced free DNS controls and analytics

• Safe Surfer fits best

  Families needing detailed controls and alerts

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Side by side

Feature	NextDNS 7.6/10 Visit ↗	Safe Surfer 6.3/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	7.6	6.3
Ranking	#17 in Internet Filtering Software	#30 in Internet Filtering Software
Best for	Advanced free DNS controls and analytics	Families needing detailed controls and alerts
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Free plan + paid
Starting price	—	—
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	7 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, Docs
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features NextDNS 3/3 · Safe Surfer 3/3
Custom blocklists	✓	✓
Safe search controls	✓	✓
Filtering schedules	✓	✓
Specs
Device limit	Not checked yet	5 devices
Activity reports	Advanced	Advanced
Platform support	Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, routers, and major operating systems	Android, iOS/iPadOS, Windows, macOS, Wi-Fi/network routers
Our review
Pros	Free plan includes all features, unlimited devices, and unlimited configurations Advanced analytics, real-time DNS logs, retention controls, and data residency options Supports Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, routers, and API access	Blocks 50+ categories with custom website and domain rules Offers schedules, timers, history, alerts, and remote management Supports web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, routers, and DNS
Cons	Free usage is limited to 300,000 queries per month Custom blocklists cannot be uploaded; domains must be entered manually Business and Education pricing applies by employee or student groups	Paid plans include up to five devices Some monitoring and nudity detection features depend on supported devices Filtering depends on supported browsers, search engines, and platforms
Our verdict	NextDNS is a DNS-based Internet filtering and security service for individuals, families, schools, and businesses. It blocks malware, phishing domains, advertisements, trackers, explicit content, selected websites, apps, and games across… Read the review →	Safe Surfer is internet-filtering and parental-control software for individuals, families, schools, and organizations. It combines category blocking with custom allowlists and blocklists, SafeSearch controls, YouTube filtering, screen-time… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• NextDNS — where it wins

  • Free plan includes all features, unlimited devices, and unlimited configurations
  • Advanced analytics, real-time DNS logs, retention controls, and data residency options
  • Supports Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, routers, and API access

  Where it doesn't

  • Free usage is limited to 300,000 queries per month
  • Custom blocklists cannot be uploaded; domains must be entered manually
  • Business and Education pricing applies by employee or student groups

• Safe Surfer — where it wins

  • Blocks 50+ categories with custom website and domain rules
  • Offers schedules, timers, history, alerts, and remote management
  • Supports web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, routers, and DNS

  Where it doesn't

  • Paid plans include up to five devices
  • Some monitoring and nudity detection features depend on supported devices
  • Filtering depends on supported browsers, search engines, and platforms

• NextDNS7.6/10 · Free plan

  A flexible DNS filter with unusually broad controls, logs, and platform support.

  Visit NextDNSFull verdict →
• Safe Surfer6.3/10 · Free plan · 7-day trial

  A broad family-filtering toolkit with schedules, alerts, monitoring, and remote controls.

  Visit Safe SurferFull verdict →