Comparison

NextDNS vs Big Network

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

Big Network

This platform simplifies connectivity for distributed offices, teams, and remote locations. It enables seamless connection and access to resources everywhere through simple, secure, and reliable networking technology.

Highlights
  • Simplified connectivity for distributed offices
  • Seamless connection for teams
  • Remote location access
  • Simple, secure, and reliable networking
  • Access resources everywhere
Read full description

Our platform simplifies connectivity for distributed offices, teams and remote locations. Connect everything seamlessly together and access it everywhere using our simple, secure, and reliable networking technology.

Screenshots

NextDNS4 screens
Big Network4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Big Network at 100% against NextDNS's 63%. Big Network also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.5) and in-app purchases (none vs 2). NextDNS's advantage is ratings volume (1.8K vs 2). On price, update cadence, ads and monetization model 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. Big Network asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Big Network holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: NextDNS has 1.8K ratings behind it against 2, 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 100% of Big Network's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

NextDNS ships an update every 6 weeks, Big Network every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 12, 2026 and October 3, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
NextDNS versus Big Network: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNextDNSBig Network
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (1.8K ratings)5.0 (2 ratings) — better
Positive reviews63.2% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings1.8K — better2
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeks — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS18.015.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size5 MB21 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developernextdns Inc.Big Network

Customer experience

NextDNS

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

Big Network

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

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)

Big Network

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

Big Network

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is NextDNS free?
NextDNS is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Big Network free?
Big Network is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, NextDNS or Big Network?
Big Network is rated higher. NextDNS averages 4.5 out of 5 from 1.8K ratings, while Big Network averages 5.0 from 2 ratings.
Do NextDNS or Big Network have ads?
Neither NextDNS nor Big Network shows ads.
Which is updated more often, NextDNS or Big Network?
NextDNS ships an update every 6 weeks, and Big Network every 2 months. Most recently, NextDNS was updated on October 12, 2026 and Big Network on October 3, 2026.

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