Comparison

NextDNS vs uBlock Origin Lite

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

uBlock Origin Lite

This efficient content blocker utilizes declarative rulesets for reliable filtering without consuming significant system resources. It offers customizable filter lists and integrates seamlessly with browsers.

Highlights
  • Efficient content blocking
  • Declarative filtering
  • Customizable rulesets
  • Low resource consumption
  • Browser integration
Features
Read full description

uBO Lite (uBOL) is a reliable and efficient content blocker. The default ruleset corresponds to uBlock Origin's default filterset: - uBlock Origin's built-in filter lists - EasyList - EasyPrivacy - Peter Lowe’s Ad and tracking server list You can enable more rulesets by visiting the options page -- click the _Cogs_ icon in the popup panel. uBOL is entirely declarative, meaning there is no need for a permanent uBOL process for the filtering to occur, and CSS/JS injection-based content filtering is performed reliably by the browser itself rather than by the extension. This means that uBOL itself does not consume CPU/memory resources while content blocking is ongoing -- uBOL's service worker process is required _only_ when you interact with the popup panel or the option pages.

Screenshots

NextDNS4 screens
uBlock Origin Lite3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: uBlock Origin Lite at none against NextDNS's 2. uBlock Origin Lite also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 6 weeks) and review sentiment (78% vs 63%). On price, ratings volume, 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. uBlock Origin Lite asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

uBlock Origin Lite holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1.8K and 949 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 63% of NextDNS's written reviews are positive against 78% of uBlock Origin Lite's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

NextDNS ships an update every 6 weeks, uBlock Origin Lite weekly. Both last shipped on October 15, 2026.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
NextDNS versus uBlock Origin Lite: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNextDNSuBlock Origin Lite
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (1.8K ratings)4.7 (949 ratings) — better
Positive reviews63.2% of reviews77.9% of reviews — better
Number of ratings1.8K — better949
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeksWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, Mac — better
Requires iOS18.0 — better18.5
Further details — not scored
Size5 MB48 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developernextdns Inc.Raymond Hill

Customer experience

NextDNS

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

uBlock Origin Lite

All ratings949 ratings
Positive91.9%
Neutral2.5%
Negative5.6%
Written reviews521 reviews
Positive77.9%
Neutral6.3%
Negative15.7%

User reviews

NextDNS

From 1.8K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Fast and efficient DNS service
  • 🔒 Robust security and privacy features
  • 👍 Simple and user-friendly setup
  • 💡 Highly configurable with advanced options
  • 🚀 Improves internet speed and performance

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Compatibility issues with newer iOS versions
  • 🐛 Inability to disable on specific Wi-Fi networks
  • 🐛 Inconsistent ad blocking performance
  • 🔋 High battery drain on mobile devices
  • 🐛 Lack of transparency on service status and outages

uBlock Origin Lite

From 949 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Lightweight and efficient
  • 🔒 Open-source and transparent
  • 👍 Effective ad blocking
  • 👍 Seamless integration with Safari

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Compatibility issues with latest iOS version
  • 🔧 Difficulty accessing settings in private mode

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)

uBlock Origin Lite

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Unable to turn on extension on laptop Safari after installation
  • Fails to load when enabling in Safari

Requested features

2 requests
  • Import third-party filter lists
  • Improved dashboard and settings access

In-app purchases

2 purchases

NextDNS

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

uBlock Origin Lite

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is NextDNS free?
NextDNS is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is uBlock Origin Lite free?
uBlock Origin Lite is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, NextDNS or uBlock Origin Lite?
uBlock Origin Lite is rated higher. NextDNS averages 4.5 out of 5 from 1.8K ratings, while uBlock Origin Lite averages 4.7 from 949 ratings.
Do NextDNS or uBlock Origin Lite have ads?
Neither NextDNS nor uBlock Origin Lite shows ads.
Which is updated more often, NextDNS or uBlock Origin Lite?
NextDNS ships an update every 6 weeks, and uBlock Origin Lite weekly. Most recently, NextDNS was updated on October 15, 2026 and uBlock Origin Lite on October 15, 2026.

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