Comparison

NextDNS vs Cyclope

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
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

Cyclope

This utility app uses your iPhone's front camera to detect when someone is looking at your screen. It automatically dims the display to protect your privacy, then brightens it when you're alone. It works in real-time with all your apps, ensuring complete on-device privacy.

Highlights
  • Real-time gaze detection
  • Automatic screen dimming
  • Works with all apps
  • On-device processing
  • One-tap on/off
  • Intuitive interface
Features
Read full description

Cyclope is an intelligent privacy filter for iPhone. It uses the front camera and on-device visual recognition to detect when someone is looking at your screen over your shoulder — and automatically dims it to protect your privacy. HOW IT WORKS Cyclope analyses the field of view of your front camera in real time. As soon as an unauthorised face is detected, the screen gradually dims. It brightens again as soon as you are alone. COMPLETE PRIVACY • No images or biometric data are stored • No network connection — everything happens on your device • No account required • Fully GDPR compliant FEATURES • Intelligent real-time gaze detection • One-tap on/off • Works with all your apps • Clean, intuitive interface Cyclope is built for professionals, travellers, and anyone who cares about their digital privacy.

Screenshots

NextDNS4 screens
Cyclope4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: NextDNS at 64% against Cyclope's 0%. NextDNS also leads on rating (4.5 vs 3.0) and ratings volume (2K vs 1). Cyclope's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and update cadence (every 4 days 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. NextDNS sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Cyclope asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

NextDNS holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: NextDNS has 2K ratings behind it against 1, 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 0% of Cyclope's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

NextDNS ships an update every 6 weeks, Cyclope every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on November 13, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
NextDNS versus Cyclope: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNextDNSCyclope
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (2K ratings) — better3.0 (1 ratings)
Positive reviews63.6% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings2K — better1
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeksEvery 4 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreemiumFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS18.016.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size6 MB1 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developernextdns Inc.Privateer

Customer experience

NextDNS

All ratings2,009 ratings
Positive87.0%
Neutral3.0%
Negative10.0%
Written reviews484 reviews
Positive63.6%
Neutral8.3%
Negative28.1%

Cyclope

All ratings1 ratings
Positive0.0%
Neutral100.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral100.0%
Negative0.0%

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)

Cyclope

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
None

Cyclope

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is NextDNS free?
NextDNS is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Cyclope free?
Cyclope is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, NextDNS or Cyclope?
NextDNS is rated higher. NextDNS averages 4.5 out of 5 from 2K ratings, while Cyclope averages 3.0 from 1 ratings.
Do NextDNS or Cyclope have ads?
Neither NextDNS nor Cyclope shows ads.
Which is updated more often, NextDNS or Cyclope?
NextDNS ships an update every 6 weeks, and Cyclope every 4 days. Most recently, NextDNS was updated on November 13, 2026 and Cyclope on October 31, 2026.

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