NextDNS

NextDNS is a DNS service for protecting devices and networks from security threats, blocking ads and trackers, and supervising children's internet access. Its listed protections include malware and phishing, cryptojacking, DNS rebinding, deceptive lookalike domains, domain generation algorithms, and newly registered domains. Parental controls include category blocking, SafeSearch, YouTube Restricted Mode, blocks for specific sites, apps, and games, plus scheduled Recreation Time. DNS-over-HTTPS and DNS-over-TLS provide encrypted DNS connections; IPv4 linked-IP setup is unencrypted. Users can disable logs or choose retention from one hour to two years and select storage in the United States, European Union, United Kingdom, or Switzerland. The free plan includes 300,000 queries per month; beyond that quota, NextDNS says it continues answering queries as a non-blocking DNS service. Pro costs £1.79 a month, Business costs £17.90 a month for every 50 employees, and Education costs £17.90 a month for every 250 students. Platforms include Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, Windows, and routers.

NextDNS combines DNS threat filtering, privacy controls, and parental controls across devices and networks. The free tier has a monthly query limit, and IPv4 linked-IP setup does not encrypt traffic.

NextDNS suits people who want DNS-based threat, ad, and tracker blocking across devices or networks. Its supervised-access controls may also suit families, while Business and Education plans are listed for organizations and schools.

NextDNS is a DNS filtering service for blocking online threats, ads and trackers, and managing children’s access across devices and networks. It is best suited to households or organizations that want detailed controls in one service. Its breadth is a strength, but the free plan’s filtering ends at 300,000 queries per month, and linked-IP setup over IPv4 is unencrypted.

Overview

NextDNS applies controls through DNS: it can block security threats and unwanted tracking, and lets users shape internet access for children. DNS-over-HTTPS (DoH) and DNS-over-TLS (DoT) encrypt DNS connections. The service also supports router setup, but the IPv4 linked-IP method does not encrypt traffic, so users who need encrypted DNS should use DoH or DoT instead.

Its privacy controls include choices about whether to log activity, how long to retain it—from one hour to two years—and where to store it: the United States, European Union, United Kingdom, or Switzerland. NextDNS says it discards DNS request and response data after replying, and logs data only when the user requests it or a feature requires it. Users can view, export, or delete their data. These options will appeal to people who want control over retention and storage, though they require choosing settings that match their own preferences.

Key features

Threat and tracker filtering

NextDNS blocks malware and phishing as well as cryptojacking, DNS rebinding, IDN homographs, typosquatting, domain generation algorithms, and newly registered domains. Ad and tracker blocking includes operating-system-level trackers and third-party trackers disguised as first-party. That breadth is useful for people seeking filtering beyond basic ad blocking; it remains DNS-level protection, rather than a general device security suite.

Parental controls and configuration

Parents can block categories, particular websites, apps, and games, turn on SafeSearch and YouTube Restricted Mode, and schedule Recreation Time. Custom allowlists and denylists, customizable block pages, DNS rewrites, DNSSEC validation, and experimental Handshake support give more technically inclined users additional control. Unlimited configurations let users maintain separate setups without a configuration-count ceiling.

Setup and reporting

NextDNS supports Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, routers, and other major operating systems, as well as API, extension, web, and self-hosted options. Its Apple setup page generates profiles for iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and tvOS. The help center covers device and router setup, and its CLI can run on some routers. Activity reports and configurable logs help users review DNS activity, while the option to disable logging suits those who prefer not to retain it.

Pricing

The free plan costs nothing and includes all features, unlimited devices and configurations, community support, and 300,000 queries per month. After that quota, NextDNS continues answering queries as a classic non-blocking DNS service. That makes Free a reasonable way to use the full feature set at modest query volume, but not a dependable choice for continued filtering once the cap is reached. There is no free trial.

Pro costs £1.79 a month, billed £1.79/month or £17.90/year, saving 17%. It adds unlimited queries while retaining unlimited devices and configurations, all features, and community support; it is intended for personal and close family use. It is the natural step up for households that outgrow the free quota. Business costs £17.90 a month, billed £17.90/month or £179/year, saving 17%, for every 50 employees. Education costs £17.90 a month, billed £17.90/month or £179/year, saving 17%, for every 250 students. Both provide unlimited queries, devices, and configurations, all features, and email support, and are aimed at small and medium businesses and schools or universities respectively. The per-employee and per-student seat bases matter when estimating organizational cost.

Platforms

NextDNS supports Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, routers, and major operating systems. API, extension, web, and self-hosted platforms are also supported. Apple profile generation covers iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and tvOS, while router users can follow device or router setup guidance; only DoH and DoT encrypt DNS traffic.

Who it's for

NextDNS fits families that want category, site, app, and game controls with scheduled access, and users who want DNS threat filtering alongside ad and tracker blocking. Its granular logging choices and multiple storage jurisdictions suit privacy-conscious users willing to configure retention for themselves. Businesses and educational institutions can use plans priced against employee or student counts, with email support. It is less suitable for anyone who needs filtering to continue beyond the free quota without upgrading, or who expects an IPv4 linked-IP setup to encrypt traffic.

Pros and cons

• Broad filtering: Threat protections span familiar risks such as malware and phishing and more specialized DNS threats, alongside ad and tracker blocking.
• Detailed family controls: Category and individual blocking, SafeSearch, YouTube Restricted Mode, and scheduled Recreation Time address different household needs.
• Flexible privacy settings: Users choose whether to log, retention duration, and storage jurisdiction, and can view, export, or delete data.
• Free plan has a consequential cap: After 300,000 monthly queries, DNS replies continue without blocking, so filtering is not sustained at higher usage without Pro or an organizational plan.
• IPv4 linked-IP setup is unencrypted: Users needing encrypted DNS should choose DoH or DoT instead.
• Support varies by plan: Free and Pro include community support; email support is reserved for Business and Education.

Alternatives

AdGuard DNS is worth considering for readers who want a free DNS option with a free trial and an open-source implementation that anyone can inspect. NxFilter may suit those looking for freeware explicitly offered for commercial and non-commercial use, with a separate Jahaslist Monthly plan at $7 a month. Quad9 is a simpler free choice for readers who want a DNS service with no contract or sign-up process. RethinkDNS is a fit for Android users who prefer a free, open-source app with source code linked from its site. AdGuard offers personal and family plans for 3 and 9 devices, respectively, as well as a lifetime personal plan. CleanBrowsing is another DNS filtering option, with a Basic plan at $8.99 a month for up to 25 devices or 3.75 M requests/month. Control D is an alternative with a free plan and free trial, plus an SMB plan at $2 a month. GoGuardian DNS is an alternative for schools seeking customized pricing, volume discounts, or bundle pricing. For broader category browsing, see DNS Filtering Software and Internet Filtering Software.

Verdict

Choose NextDNS if you want one service for DNS threat filtering, tracker blocking, detailed family controls, and configurable privacy settings across devices and networks. Pro is the practical choice for personal use once the free query cap becomes restrictive; Business and Education add unlimited queries and email support on defined seat bases. Look elsewhere if you need an encrypted IPv4 linked-IP setup or want free filtering to continue without a monthly quota.