Best Quad9 Alternatives in 2026
The top Quad9 alternatives are AdGuard DNS, Control D and NextDNS: 15 DNS filtering software our editors would look at instead of Quad9, in our ranking order.
Quad9: A free DNS resolver for blocking malicious domains without accounts or administration. Where it falls short: does not provide predefined category filtering.
Switching from Quad9? For most dns filtering software buyers the best Quad9 alternative is AdGuard DNS, built for broad DNS filtering across home and business devices. On a budget, Control D starts at $2/device/mo. CleanBrowsing offers the most device limit (25 devices).
Why People Look for a Quad9 Alternative
- Does not provide predefined category filtering
- Does not support custom policies
- Broader administration controls are limited
- No category filtering — 4 of the alternatives below have it
- No custom domain policies — 5 of the alternatives below have it
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallAdGuard DNS9.4
Broad DNS filtering across home and business devices
Visit AdGuard DNS - Lowest priceControl D9.3
Paid plans from $2/device/mo
Visit Control D - Best free optionAdGuard DNS9.4
Has a free plan
Visit AdGuard DNS - Most device limitCleanBrowsing8.5
25 devices
Visit CleanBrowsing - Best for category filteringScoutDNS8.1
Category filtering (Quad9: no)
Visit ScoutDNS
All 15 Quad9 Alternatives, Ranked
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.
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Best forBroad DNS filtering across home and business devices
- Better than Quad9:
- Editor score 9.4 vs 7.0
A broad DNS filtering service for families, organizations, and connected devices.
9.4/10★★★★★Visit AdGuard DNS -
Best forAffordable, highly configurable DNS filtering
- Better than Quad9:
- Editor score 9.3 vs 7.0
A broad DNS filtering platform with free access, detailed controls, and flexible deployment.
9.3/10★★★★★Visit Control D -
Best forPrivacy-focused personal and family filtering
- Better than Quad9:
- Editor score 9.2 vs 7.0
Flexible DNS filtering for families, personal privacy, schools, and businesses.
9.2/10★★★★★Visit NextDNS -
Best forLow-cost managed filtering for organizations
- Better than Quad9:
- Editor score 8.9 vs 7.0
Managed DNS filtering with roaming protection, reporting, and identity integrations.
8.9/10★★★★☆Visit DNSFilter -
Best forLarge organizations using Cisco infrastructure
- Better than Quad9:
- Editor score 8.8 vs 7.0
Broad DNS, web, identity, and reporting controls for Cisco-centered enterprises.
8.8/10★★★★☆Visit Cisco Umbrella -
Best forSelf-hosted network-wide ad blocking
- Better than Quad9:
- Editor score 8.6 vs 7.0
A free, open-source choice for self-hosted network-wide ad blocking.
8.6/10★★★★☆Visit Pi-hole -
Best forFamilies and small networks needing profiles
- Better than Quad9:
- Editor score 8.5 vs 7.0
A flexible DNS filter for families and small networks that need profiles and schedules.
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit CleanBrowsing -
Best forFamilies and organizations wanting detailed controls
- Better than Quad9:
- Editor score 8.4 vs 7.0
Detailed DNS controls for households and organizations, with paid plans for broader management.
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit SafeDNS -
Best forSelf-hosted DNS administrators needing flexibility
- Better than Quad9:
- Editor score 8.3 vs 7.0
A broad self-hosted DNS toolkit for administrators who want control over filtering and resolution.
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit Technitium -
Best forLow-cost education and small-business filtering
- Better than Quad9:
- Category filtering
- Custom domain policies
- Editor score 8.1 vs 7.0
Affordable DNS filtering for schools and small businesses that need roaming and directory policies.
- Roaming protection
- Category filtering
- Custom domain policies
8.1/10★★★★☆Visit ScoutDNS -
Best forManaged business filtering with identity policies
- Better than Quad9:
- Editor score 8.0 vs 7.0
A policy-focused DNS filtering service for managed business and education environments.
8.0/10★★★★☆Visit WebTitan -
Best forEnterprise threat-focused DNS protection
- Better than Quad9:
- Category filtering
- Custom domain policies
- Editor score 7.9 vs 7.0
Enterprise DNS protection with deep threat controls, roaming coverage, and SIEM connectivity.
- Roaming protection
- Category filtering
- Custom domain policies
Pricing on request · 60-day trial Our Akamai Secure Internet Access Enterprise verdict → Visit Akamai7.9/10★★★★☆Visit Akamai -
Best forEnterprise threat intelligence and DNS analytics
- Better than Quad9:
- Category filtering
- Custom domain policies
- Editor score 7.8 vs 7.0
A strong enterprise choice for predictive DNS threat intelligence and analytics.
- Roaming protection
- Category filtering
- Custom domain policies
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit Infoblox -
Best forSecurity teams protecting DNS infrastructure
- Better than Quad9:
- Category filtering
- Custom domain policies
- Editor score 7.7 vs 7.0
A focused DNS security appliance for teams managing complex DNS infrastructure.
- Category filtering
- Custom domain policies
- Activity reports
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit EfficientIP -
Best forEnterprise DNS infrastructure and analytics
- Better than Quad9:
- Custom domain policies
- Editor score 7.6 vs 7.0
A broad enterprise DNS control layer with analytics, security policies, and cloud discovery.
- Custom domain policies
- Activity reports
7.6/10★★★★☆Visit BlueCat Edge
Quad9 Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to Quad9?
AdGuard DNS: #1 in our DNS Filtering Software ranking, with an editor score of 9.4 out of 10. A broad DNS filtering service for families, organizations, and connected devices.
Is there a free alternative to Quad9?
Yes. AdGuard DNS, Control D, NextDNS, Pi-hole and CleanBrowsing have a free plan or a free tier (6 of the 15 alternatives on this page).
Why do people look for Quad9 alternatives?
Does not provide predefined category filtering; Does not support custom policies; Broader administration controls are limited.
Which Quad9 alternative has the most device limit?
CleanBrowsing, with 25 devices.
How do I switch from Quad9?
Export your data from Quad9 (most tools have an export in their settings). Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one. Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on. Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel Quad9.
How to Switch from Quad9
- Export your data from Quad9 (most tools have an export in their settings).
- Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one.
- Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on.
- Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel Quad9.
Quad9 vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 | Quad9 | Yes | Free | 7.0 |
| 1 | AdGuard DNS | Yes | 9.4 | |
| 2 | Control D | Yes | $2/device/mo | 9.3 |
| 3 | NextDNS | Yes | 9.2 | |
| 4 | DNSFilter | No | $1/unit/mo | 8.9 |
| 5 | Cisco Umbrella | No | 8.8 | |
| 6 | Pi-hole | Yes | Free | 8.6 |
| 7 | CleanBrowsing | Yes | $75/yr | 8.5 |
| 8 | SafeDNS | No | $25.95/yr | 8.4 |
| 9 | Technitium DNS Server | Yes | Free | 8.3 |
| 10 | ScoutDNS | No | $2.50/seat/yr | 8.1 |
| 11 | WebTitan Cloud | No | 8.0 | |
| 12 | Akamai Secure Internet Access Enterprise | 7.9 | ||
| 13 | Infoblox Threat Defense | No | 7.8 | |
| 14 | EfficientIP DNS Guardian | 7.7 | ||
| 15 | BlueCat Edge | 7.6 |
Guides on DNS Filtering Software
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update