NextDNS vs uBlock Origin Lite
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
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.
- Efficient content blocking
- Declarative filtering
- Customizable rulesets
- Low resource consumption
- Browser integration
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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
Verdict
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
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.
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.
NextDNS ships an update every 6 weeks, uBlock Origin Lite weekly. Both last shipped on October 15, 2026.
| Parameter | NextDNS | uBlock Origin Lite |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.5 (1.8K ratings) | 4.7 (949 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 63.2% of reviews | 77.9% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 1.8K — better | 949 |
| Update frequency | Every 6 weeks | Weekly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, Mac — better |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 — better | 18.5 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 5 MB | 48 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | nextdns Inc. | Raymond Hill |
Customer experience
NextDNS
uBlock Origin Lite
User reviews
NextDNS
From 1.8K App Store ratingsWhat 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 ratingsWhat 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
NextDNS
- Pro Monthly$2.991 Month
- Pro Yearly$29.991 Year
uBlock Origin Lite
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is NextDNS free?
Is uBlock Origin Lite free?
Which has better reviews, NextDNS or uBlock Origin Lite?
Do NextDNS or uBlock Origin Lite have ads?
Which is updated more often, NextDNS or uBlock Origin Lite?
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