NextDNS vs Shortcut Remote Control
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
NextDNS
Encrypt all your DNS queries across all networks with this app. It leverages native iOS settings to bring your custom blocking policies and traffic analytics directly to your phone. Easily set up your configuration ID to enhance your online privacy and security.
- Encrypts all DNS queries
- Uses native iOS Encrypted DNS settings
- Apply custom blocking policies
- View traffic analytics and logs
- Configure with your NextDNS account ID
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NextDNS protects your device from ads, trackers, malware, and other harmful domains while keeping your internet activity private. All DNS traffic is encrypted, preventing networks and internet providers from seeing or manipulating your DNS queries. Protection across your device NextDNS works system-wide across apps and browsers. • Block ads and trackers automatically • Protect against malware, phishing, and malicious domains • Enable parental controls and content filtering • View analytics, query logs, graphs, and domain details in a native dashboard Easy setup Create your NextDNS profile in seconds or connect an existing one. Your configuration is managed at my.nextdns.io, where you control blocking rules, security settings, and privacy features. Control on iPhone and iPad The app lets you manage protection on your device: • Enable or disable NextDNS anytime • Temporarily pause protection and resume from a live activity • Optionally send your device name for easier identification in logs • Quickly unblock domains from the app • Exclude trusted Wi-Fi networks • Exclude specific domains and their subdomains so they use the system DNS resolver Terms of use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://nextdns.io/privacy
Shortcut Remote Control
Control your Mac remotely using voice commands with Siri or custom workflows. Manage media playback, adjust volume, take screenshots, and automate tasks from your iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch.
- Siri voice control for Mac
- Remote control via iPhone/iPad/Apple Watch
- Customizable workflows with Shortcuts app
- AppleScript integration
- iCloud data syncing
- Take screenshots remotely
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If you've already purchased the Mac companion app, the iOS app is free to download. The iOS app and Mac app are bundled together as one price. With Shortcuts Remote you can connect remote-controlling your Mac with Siri. For example, tell Siri on your HomePod to mute the volume on your Mac. Or tell Siri on Apple Watch to pause Netflix on your Mac. Or use the Shortcuts app to create more sophisticated workflows – controlling every aspect of your Mac with the power of AppleScript. And the best thing: Shortcut Remote control even works from remote: All data is securely synced via iCloud. So you can even take a screenshot on your Mac while at the gym.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: NextDNS at Free against Shortcut Remote Control's $0.99. NextDNS also leads on rating (4.5 vs 2.6) and ratings volume (1.8K vs 7). Shortcut Remote Control's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and device support (4 vs 2). On update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
NextDNS is free to download; Shortcut Remote Control costs $0.99 up front. NextDNS sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Shortcut Remote Control asks for nothing beyond the download.
NextDNS holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 2.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: NextDNS has 1.8K ratings behind it against 7, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 63% of NextDNS's written reviews are positive against 40% of Shortcut Remote Control's.
NextDNS ships an update every 6 weeks, Shortcut Remote Control every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 29, 2026 and September 8, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | NextDNS | Shortcut Remote Control |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free — better | $0.99 |
| Rating | 4.5 (1.8K ratings) — better | 2.6 (7 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 63.2% of reviews — better | 40.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 1.8K — better | 7 |
| Update frequency | Every 6 weeks — better | Every 2 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free — better | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | 12.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 5 MB | 12 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | nextdns Inc. | riedel.wtf apps S.L. |
Customer experience
NextDNS
Shortcut Remote Control
Bugs and requests
NextDNS
Reported bugs
4 issues- App crashes on launch for older iOS devices
- Profiles not working correctly after iOS 15 update
- Inability to remove the DNS profile from the device
- Connectivity issues when used in conjunction with a VPN
Requested features
5 requests- Add a quick toggle to enable/disable the service
- Integrate the web dashboard functionality into the app
- Provide more granular control over blocked content
- Implement a timed mode to temporarily disable the service
- Add support for DNS over HTTPS (DoH) and DNS over TLS (DoT)
Shortcut Remote Control
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
NextDNS
- Pro Monthly$2.991 Month
- Pro Yearly$29.991 Year
Shortcut Remote Control
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is NextDNS free?
Is Shortcut Remote Control free?
Which has better reviews, NextDNS or Shortcut Remote Control?
Do NextDNS or Shortcut Remote Control have ads?
Which is updated more often, NextDNS or Shortcut Remote Control?
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