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There is no supported winner from the comparison described in the headline: no current controlled results or test logs establish how many of the same malicious domains Cloudflare, Quad9, NextDNS, and AdGuard blocked. The answer also depends on which endpoint and settings you use. Cloudflare’s standard 1.1.1.1 resolver is unfiltered; its malware-blocking variant is a different service configuration.
Provider documentation explains what each security option is designed to do, but it does not prove a comparative blocking rate. To judge a real head-to-head test, you need the exact endpoints, settings, domain list, timestamp, cache handling, and counts for each result type.
What the available evidence can—and cannot—show
Cloudflare, Quad9, NextDNS, and AdGuard each offer DNS configurations intended to block at least some malicious domains. Their documentation establishes intended functionality, not which service blocks the most domains in a current, same-list test. No current controlled comparison with a shared domain set, query window, endpoint settings, and cache controls is established here. Without those details and the test logs, a ranking or blocking percentage would be unsupported.
DNS filtering works at the lookup layer: a resolver can refuse or alter a lookup for a domain it identifies as malicious. It cannot establish that every harmful domain will be recognized, and it is not a substitute for endpoint security. Quad9 describes its threat blocking as security-focused rather than general content censorship; NextDNS likewise presents security as one set of configurable protections. Quad9’s description of threat blocking and NextDNS’s service information explain their stated scope.
#1 Best Overall
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- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
Which setting each provider comparison needs
A comparison is meaningful only if the tested configurations are identified. The provider names alone are not enough: some have separate filtered and unfiltered resolvers, while NextDNS filtering depends on profile settings.
| Provider | Configuration distinction to report | What the provider documents |
|---|---|---|
| Cloudflare | State whether the test used standard 1.1.1.1 or a malware-filtering variant; identify any adult-content filtering too. | Standard 1.1.1.1 is unfiltered. Cloudflare offers separate malware-blocking and malware-plus-adult-content options. Its setup documentation says a domain classified as malicious can resolve to 0.0.0.0 rather than its real address. Setup options; Public resolver scope; Resolver variants. |
| Quad9 | Name the exact endpoint and whether it is the secure resolver or an unfiltered option. | Quad9’s secure service is designed to block requests for domains associated with malicious intent, including malware and phishing; its stated scope is not general content blocking. Threat-blocking scope; Quad9 FAQ. |
| NextDNS | Record whether the test used a saved profile or a no-signup configuration, and list the active security protections. | NextDNS describes a configurable service with multiple threat-intelligence and security protections. The configuration affects what a test measures. NextDNS service information. |
| AdGuard DNS | Identify the Threat Protection endpoint or profile, and distinguish malicious-domain protection from ad and tracker filtering. | AdGuard describes DNS filtering for ads, trackers, phishing, and malicious domains, and its knowledge base distinguishes Threat Protection endpoints from standard resolver options. AdGuard DNS overview; Provider and endpoint information. |
How to tell whether a same-domain test is fair
- Publish the exact configurations. Give each endpoint and protocol, plus every profile or security toggle. For NextDNS, specify the active profile and protections; for AdGuard, make clear whether the endpoint also blocks ads or trackers. Avoid treating a provider’s filtered configuration as equivalent to another provider’s unfiltered one.
- Record the domain set and test time. Explain where the domains came from, when they were collected, and when queries were run. Domain reputations and threat intelligence change, so results describe that list at that time, not future domains.
- Control caches and verify the resolver. Clear the client-side DNS cache when changing resolvers, and check that the client queried the intended endpoint. A cached answer can bypass the resolver being compared.
- Interpret responses using each resolver’s behavior. Do not assume that every service signals a blocked domain in the same way. A test tool that expects one specific blocked-answer format can misclassify a different response. Historical discussion of test-tool problems highlights this risk, but does not establish current provider performance. Discussion of DNS test-tool response interpretation.
- Report counts, not just a percentage. For each provider, show the number blocked and total tested, and separately account for allowed, failed-to-query, and ambiguous results. If false positives were checked, describe how; do not imply that a block rate alone measures overall security.
Why older comparisons do not settle today’s result
Historical comparisons and user discussions can reveal pitfalls such as differing defaults, cache behavior, or response interpretation. They cannot establish a present-day ranking unless their endpoint settings, domain list, timing, and method match the comparison at hand. A provider-hosted discussion of an earlier AVLab comparison records disagreements about configuration and results; it is not an independent current measurement. Earlier AVLab comparison discussion.
Rank #2
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Provider documentation is useful for choosing the correct configuration, but claims about intended protection should not be mistaken for measured efficacy. Until a reproducible test publishes its domain list, timestamp, exact resolver settings, and per-outcome logs, the defensible conclusion is that all four offer security-oriented options, while their relative performance on the same malicious domains remains unestablished.
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Quick Recap
Best Value
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- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
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- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
Rank #4
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- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
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Rank #3
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- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
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