Comparison

NextDNS vs FastDDNS

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

FastDDNS

Features
Read full description

FastDDNS is a toolbox for IT technicians, network admins, CCTV installers, MSPs, and home-lab users. Manage changing IPs, configure cameras, and diagnose remote access on site. One toolbox combines DDNS, camera setup, ONVIF inspection, and internet-side checks. Why FastDDNS Plain DDNS updates a hostname. FastDDNS helps prove where a connection fails: on the device, at port forwarding, behind CGNAT, or at the ISP. DDNS hostname management • Create hostnames on FastDDNS domains or on your own domain. • See the current IP with country and ISP, last update time, expiry date, and service pack. • Copy hostname/IP, add notes, review history, and enable IP-change push notifications. • Ping a hostname, move it between service packs, or delete it. • DynDNS-compatible updates work with routers, NAS, scripts, and third-party clients. Auto Setup for CCTV Camera No more typing the DDNS server, hostname, username, and password into the camera's web UI. Enter a camera, DVR, or NVR IP on the LAN or WAN, port, and login. Tap Scan IP to pick the device straight from the LAN. Choose Hikvision, Dahua, EZVIZ, Imou, XMEye, HiLook, Tiandy, or Other. FastDDNS writes the DDNS settings and, where required, DNS or email settings. Manual DDNS Configuration covers Hikvision, Dahua, DrayTek, MikroTik, pfSense, Linux/curl, and Windows. ONVIF Camera Enter a camera IP to read manufacturer, model, firmware, serial number, hardware ID, hostname, service endpoint, ONVIF versions, and services without a password. Sign in with camera credentials to list every video stream and profile with snapshot thumbnails. Watch live video inside the app. Copy the RTSP link with or without credentials, ready for an NVR, VMS, or VLC. A tries-left counter helps avoid locking out the camera account. Network tools • LAN Scanner — Find LAN devices, identify vendors, and see open ports. • Port Checker — Test TCP/UDP ports from your phone and from the internet at once, so you know if the problem is forwarding, CGNAT, or the ISP. • Ping — Measure live latency, min/avg/max, packet loss, and standard deviation. • Traceroute — See each hop and transit delay. • CGNAT Checker — Detect ISP CGNAT and NAT loopback support. • MAC Vendor Lookup — Identify a manufacturer from a MAC address. • DNS Lookup — Query A, AAAA, CNAME, MX, TXT, and NS records. • MX Lookup — Find mail server records for a domain. • Domain Whois Lookup — View domain registration and owner details. • IP Whois Lookup — Identify the organization behind a public IP. • Storage Calculator — Estimate CCTV storage from channels, bitrate, resolution, and schedule. Compatible devices and systems Dahua, Hikvision, Imou, EZVIZ, HiLook, XMEye, Tiandy, UNV, MikroTik, pfSense, DrayTek, Windows, Linux, NAS, and DynDNS-compatible clients. Who it's for • IT technicians and network administrators • CCTV and IP-camera installers • MSP field technicians • Home-lab and self-hosting users Plans • Free 1 Hostname — one hostname, valid for one year, free. • Free with Limited Use — extra hostnames, 30 days each; reactivate to continue. • Premium Packs — more hostnames and longer validity. Keep DDNS, camera setup, and connectivity checks together on site. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://fastddns.net/privacy

Screenshots

NextDNS4 screens
FastDDNS4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: NextDNS at none against FastDDNS's shown. FastDDNS's advantage is update cadence (every 11 days vs every 6 weeks) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 18.0). On price, in-app purchases 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 and FastDDNS sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $19.99 per year. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

NextDNS ships an update every 6 weeks, FastDDNS every 11 days. The most recent releases landed on October 29, 2026 and October 10, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
NextDNS versus FastDDNS: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNextDNSFastDDNS
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (1.9K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews63.2% of reviews—
Number of ratings1.9K — better—
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeksEvery 11 days — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS18.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size5 MB57 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developernextdns Inc.Minh Nguyen

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)

FastDDNS

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
3 purchases

FastDDNS

Subscriptions3
  • Premium Basic Yearly$19.991 Year
  • Premium Pro Yearly$34.991 Year
  • Premium Business Yearly$69.991 Year

Questions

Is NextDNS free?
NextDNS is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is FastDDNS free?
FastDDNS is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do NextDNS or FastDDNS have ads?
FastDDNS shows ads; NextDNS does not.
Which is updated more often, NextDNS or FastDDNS?
NextDNS ships an update every 6 weeks, and FastDDNS every 11 days. Most recently, NextDNS was updated on October 29, 2026 and FastDDNS on October 10, 2026.

Other comparisons