NextDNS vs AdGuard DNS
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
NextDNS
This app provides system-wide protection against ads, trackers, malware, and malicious domains. It encrypts DNS traffic to ensure privacy and offers features like parental controls and content filtering. Manage your security and privacy settings easily through a native dashboard and the mobile app.
- System-wide ad and tracker blocking
- Malware and phishing protection
- Parental controls and content filtering
- Encrypted DNS traffic
- Native dashboard for analytics and logs
- Easy setup and profile management
- Device-specific control and unblocking
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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
AdGuard DNS
This utility app connects your devices to a secure DNS server that blocks ads, trackers, and malicious websites. It offers enhanced privacy and protection across your entire network without collecting user data. Ideal for individuals and organizations seeking a cleaner, safer online experience.
- Blocks ads and trackers
- Protects against malicious domains
- Works across all devices
- Privacy-focused, no data collection
- Easy network-wide protection
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This app works in tandem with AdGuard DNS. To use it, you need an AdGuard DNS account. Sign up or log in at https://adguard-dns.io. AdGuard DNS lets you connect to a secure, privacy-oriented DNS server that blocks ads, trackers, and malicious domains. It works on all devices — phones, tablets, laptops, and routers — with no restrictions. It is perfect for protecting your home network and convenient for schools, universities, or companies that need to manage multiple devices consistently. Privacy first: we do not track users, collect personal data, or embed third-party analytics or advertising SDKs. Learn more in our Privacy policy: https://adguard-dns.io/privacy.html. Need help or have questions? Visit our support center: https://adguard-dns.io/support.html. Learn more about AdGuard DNS on our website: https://adguard-dns.io.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: NextDNS at 4.5 against AdGuard DNS's 3.5. NextDNS also leads on review sentiment (64% vs 37%) and ratings volume (2K vs 47). AdGuard DNS's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 6 weeks). On price, 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
Both are free to download. NextDNS sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. AdGuard DNS asks for nothing beyond the download.
NextDNS holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 3.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: NextDNS has 2K ratings behind it against 47, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 64% of NextDNS's written reviews are positive against 37% of AdGuard DNS's.
NextDNS ships an update every 6 weeks, AdGuard DNS every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 13, 2026 and November 12, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | NextDNS | AdGuard DNS |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.5 (2K ratings) — better | 3.5 (47 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 63.6% of reviews — better | 37.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 2K — better | 47 |
| Update frequency | Every 6 weeks | Every 2 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Freemium | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | 15.4 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 6 MB | 87 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | nextdns Inc. | Adguard Software Limited |
Customer experience
NextDNS
AdGuard DNS
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)
AdGuard DNS
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
NextDNS
- Pro Monthly$2.991 Month
- Pro Yearly$29.991 Year
AdGuard DNS
No in-app purchases
