NextDNS vs Benchwarden
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
Benchwarden
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Benchwarden keeps your electronics and 3D-printing shelf organized so you can find any part in seconds and know exactly what you can build. Track every drawer, bin, and spool by what it holds, how many you have, and where it lives. Type "10k" and instantly see which drawers hold it and where. Benchwarden is local-first and works fully offline: your inventory lives on your device and syncs privately across your iPhone and iPad through your own iCloud. Features: - Fast search across labels, specs, and locations - Drawer-based inventory with quantities and locations - Filament spool tracking for your 3D printer - Projects with a parts list and time tracking - CSV and JSON export of your whole catalog, anytime - A bench co-pilot that suggests what you can build from the parts you actually own, running on-device with Apple Intelligence, or with your own Anthropic or OpenAI key - Private by design: your data stays on your device and in your private iCloud, with no ads and no data selling
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Benchwarden at none against NextDNS's 2. NextDNS's advantage is iOS requirement (18.0 vs 26.0). 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. Benchwarden asks for nothing beyond the download.
| Parameter | NextDNS | Benchwarden |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.5 (1.8K ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 63.2% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 1.8K — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 6 weeks | — |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 — better | 26.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 5 MB | 5 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | nextdns Inc. | Franky Fernandez |
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)
Benchwarden
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
NextDNS
- Pro Monthly$2.991 Month
- Pro Yearly$29.991 Year
Benchwarden
No in-app purchases









