Comparison

NextDNS vs SmartKey

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

SmartKey

Features
Read full description

SmartKey helps you to easily and safely manage doors, barriers and elevators by installing our small device, after device is installed you can open doors, barriers and elevators even when there is no internet in your phone, it is also possible to share the device for specified time interval, we provide a secure connection and log each action such as when and who used device. We cooperate both with individuals who want to install our system at home, as well as with companies who want full office control and accounting. To purchase the device and cooperate, contact us via e-mail sales@smartkey.ge if you already cooperate with us and need help, contact us at support@smartkey.ge

Screenshots

NextDNS4 screens
SmartKey4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: SmartKey at none against NextDNS's 2. SmartKey also leads on iOS requirement (16.4 vs 18.0). On price, update cadence, ads and device support 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. SmartKey asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

NextDNS ships an update every 6 weeks, SmartKey every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and May 16, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
NextDNS versus SmartKey: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNextDNSSmartKey
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (1.8K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews63.1% of reviews—
Number of ratings1.8K — better—
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeks — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS18.016.4 — better
Further details — not scored
Size5 MB4 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developernextdns Inc.Geo Taxi LLC

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)

SmartKey

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

SmartKey

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is NextDNS free?
NextDNS is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is SmartKey free?
SmartKey is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do NextDNS or SmartKey have ads?
Neither NextDNS nor SmartKey shows ads.
Which is updated more often, NextDNS or SmartKey?
NextDNS ships an update every 6 weeks, and SmartKey every 2 months. Most recently, NextDNS was updated on September 23, 2026 and SmartKey on May 16, 2026.

Other comparisons