Comparison

NextDNS vs Control D Quick Setup

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Features
Read full description

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

About

Control D Quick Setup

Easily configure your iOS device to use a custom DNS service with a single tap. This companion app simplifies the process of switching to a chosen DNS resolver, enhancing your network experience.

Highlights
  • Single-click DNS setup
  • Supports custom DNS resolvers
  • iOS device compatibility
  • Simple network configuration
Features
Read full description

This is an optional setup app for the Control D DNS service. It allows you to start using any Control D DNS resolver on your iOS device with a single click.

Screenshots

NextDNS4 screens
Control D Quick Setup4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Control D Quick Setup at none against NextDNS's 2. Control D Quick Setup also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 vs 18.0). NextDNS's advantage is rating (4.5 vs 4.1) and ratings volume (1.8K vs 47). On price, review sentiment, 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. NextDNS sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Control D Quick Setup asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

NextDNS holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 4.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: NextDNS has 1.8K ratings behind it against 47, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 63% and 63% positive.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

NextDNS ships an update every 6 weeks, Control D Quick Setup every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 12, 2026 and October 11, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
NextDNS versus Control D Quick Setup: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNextDNSControl D Quick Setup
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (1.8K ratings) — better4.1 (47 ratings)
Positive reviews63.2% of reviews63.3% of reviews — better
Number of ratings1.8K — better47
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeksEvery 5 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS18.013.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size5 MB39 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developernextdns Inc.Windscribe Limited

Customer experience

NextDNS

All ratings1,836 ratings
Positive86.5%
Neutral3.1%
Negative10.5%
Written reviews465 reviews
Positive63.2%
Neutral8.2%
Negative28.6%

Control D Quick Setup

All ratings47 ratings
Positive74.5%
Neutral6.4%
Negative19.1%
Written reviews30 reviews
Positive63.3%
Neutral6.7%
Negative30.0%

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)

Control D Quick Setup

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

2 purchases

NextDNS

Subscriptions2
  • Pro Monthly$2.991 Month
  • Pro Yearly$29.991 Year
None

Control D Quick Setup

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is NextDNS free?
NextDNS is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Control D Quick Setup free?
Control D Quick Setup is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, NextDNS or Control D Quick Setup?
NextDNS is rated higher. NextDNS averages 4.5 out of 5 from 1.8K ratings, while Control D Quick Setup averages 4.1 from 47 ratings.
Do NextDNS or Control D Quick Setup have ads?
Neither NextDNS nor Control D Quick Setup shows ads.
Which is updated more often, NextDNS or Control D Quick Setup?
NextDNS ships an update every 6 weeks, and Control D Quick Setup every 5 weeks. Most recently, NextDNS was updated on October 12, 2026 and Control D Quick Setup on October 11, 2026.

Other comparisons