NxFilter

NxFilter is a lightweight DNS filter for managing DNS queries across a network. It supports URL keyword filtering, custom blocklists, safe search controls, filtering schedules, and policies for users or groups. Screen time controls and data caps add ways to manage access, while reports can show daily, weekly, and user-level activity. Logs can be retained for up to 400 days. NxFilter also caches responses from an upstream DNS server and serves them locally, and authentication options include Active Directory integration. Remote Windows and Android devices can use filtering agents; iOS devices can be filtered through DNS over HTTPS. Roaming iOS and Android devices can also use DNS over HTTPS when an SSL certificate is installed and users authenticate with NxFilter. Clustering supports one master and up to four slave nodes for load balancing and fail-safe operation. Downloads include a Windows executable, Debian package, and ZIP, with third-party RPM packages and Docker images also noted. NxFilter is freeware for commercial or non-commercial use, but selling the software in its original form is prohibited. The paid Jahaslist Monthly plan is $7 a month for 50 users; the Annual plan is $60 a year for 50 users.

NxFilter combines DNS filtering, reporting, caching, and options for remote-device coverage. Its licensing is free, while administrators should note the license-limit warning behavior and the setup requirements for roaming DNS over HTTPS.

NxFilter suits network administrators who need DNS filtering, user or group policies, reports, or filtering for remote Windows and Android devices. Organizations with roaming mobile devices may use its DNS-over-HTTPS options, subject to certificate and authentication requirements.

NxFilter is a self-hosted DNS filtering server for schools, businesses, and households that need policies tied to users or groups rather than a single network-wide switch. It is strongest when administrators can handle deployment, authentication, and roaming-device configuration, while organizations requiring automatic seat enforcement should look elsewhere.

Overview

NxFilter inspects DNS queries on a network and applies controls such as URL keyword rules, custom blocklists, safe-search settings, schedules, screen-time limits, and data caps. Policies can follow individual users or groups, making it more suitable for managed environments than a basic family DNS profile. Active Directory integration can connect those policies to an existing directory, although that benefit depends on having directory administration in place.

The freeware license permits commercial and non-commercial use and prohibits selling the software in its original form. NxFilter may send Jahastech a usage report; its EULA says that report contains no end-user personal information. The product comes from Jahastech in Seoul, Republic of Korea.

Key features

NxFilter caches responses from its upstream DNS server and serves them locally, which can reduce repeated upstream lookups for frequently requested domains. Reporting is unusually substantial for a free DNS server: daily, weekly, and user-level reports are supported, with log retention of up to 400 days. That history helps schools and businesses review patterns over time instead of relying on short-lived dashboards.

Windows and Android devices can use filtering agents outside the main network. Roaming iOS and Android devices can instead use DNS over HTTPS, but administrators must install an SSL certificate and enable NxFilter user authentication. This is a capable route for mobile coverage, not a zero-configuration one. Clustering supports load balancing and fail-safe operation with one master and up to four slave nodes, a useful ceiling for organizations that need redundancy without a large cluster.

A support forum and [email protected] provide assistance channels.

Pricing

The NxFilter plan costs free, billed as freeware for all purposes, including commercial use. It is the logical choice for smaller deployments that can operate the server themselves. The license counts unique usernames and client IP addresses each day. Exceeding the licensed user limit produces a visual warning in logs but does not block traffic, so it is not a hard technical seat cap.

Jahaslist Monthly costs $7 a month for 50 users and includes a local database, dynamic classification, and a clustering license at no extra charge. Jahaslist Annual costs $60 a year for the same 50-user package and adds a multi-year discount. Cloudlist Annual costs $150 a year for 50 users with a cloud database, dynamic classification, clustering license, and the convenience of hosted classification data. A 30-day trial is offered. Choose Jahaslist when local data storage matters; choose Cloudlist when hosted classification is worth the higher annual fee.

Platforms

NxFilter supports Android, API access, Linux, macOS, self-hosted deployment, web administration, and Windows. Platform support also covers Docker, pfSense, and iOS through DNS over HTTPS; macOS coverage for filtering is likewise provided through DNS over HTTPS.

Who it's for

It fits schools, offices, and technically capable households that need identity-based rules, long report retention, and optional redundancy. It is less suitable for people seeking a plug-and-play consumer filter, or for administrators who require excess users to be automatically denied rather than flagged.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Free commercial-use license; detailed user and group controls; custom blocklists, safe search, schedules, screen-time controls, and data caps; reports retained up to 400 days; clustering with one master and four slaves; remote Windows and Android agents.
• Cons: Roaming DNS over HTTPS requires an SSL certificate and authentication; deployment may involve packages or third-party Docker/RPM sources; license overages create warnings without blocking; paid classification databases add recurring cost.

Alternatives

Choose AdGuard DNS instead if you want a freemium, open-source service spanning Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, self-hosted, web, and Windows. Comodo Secure DNS is a free alternative with a plan allowing up to 300,000 DNS requests per month and Active Directory support for enterprises and MSPs.

NextDNS suits readers wanting unlimited devices and configurations within its free plan, capped at 300,000 queries per month. Quad9 is the simpler free choice, with no contract or sign-up. RethinkDNS is a free, open-source Android app. OpenDNS FamilyShield is preconfigured to block adult content without sign-up.

AdGuard is a broader device-focused option with personal and family tiers, while CleanBrowsing offers a Basic plan at $8.99 a month for up to 25 devices or 3.75 million requests monthly. For more choices, browse DNS Filtering Software and Internet Filtering Software.

Verdict

Choose NxFilter when you need a low-cost, self-hosted DNS policy engine with identity-aware controls, durable reporting, caching, and optional clustering. Look elsewhere if you want effortless roaming setup or a license that automatically blocks usage beyond its user allowance.