CleanBrowsing.org DNS vs Secure DNS & Firewall
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
CleanBrowsing.org DNS
This service provides DNS-based content filtering to create a safer browsing experience. It blocks unwanted websites based on your chosen filters, including adult content and malicious sites. Advanced options allow for custom blocking and network visibility.
- DNS-based content filtering
- Blocks adult content
- Blocks malicious sites
- Customizable filters
- Network visibility
- Safe Search enforcement
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CleanBrowsing is a DNS-based content filtering service that offers a safe way to browse the web without surprises. It intercepts domain requests and filter sites that should be blocked, based on your requirements. Our free family filter, for example, blocks adult content, while still allowing Google, Youtube, Bing, DuckDuckGo and the rest of the web to load safely. Our free filters are comprised of three predefined filters for global consumption (Security, Adult, and Family). The Family filter blocks adult / obscene content and applies Safe Search filters to Google, Bing, Yandex, etc. The security filter, however, only focuses on restricting access to malicious activity. Our custom filters give you full control on what should be blocked. You can pick from 14 predefined filters (Adult, Gaming, Gambling, Torrents, Weapons, Social Network, etc), but also make your own rules and block/allow any domains you wish. Custom block pages can also be created on the Pro plans and all the plans allow for network visibility (see which sites are being visited from your network).
Secure DNS & Firewall
Encrypts DNS queries for enhanced privacy and security. It blocks ads, trackers, and malicious sites with customizable rules, offering a safer browsing experience. View your DNS query history for insights and control.
- Encrypted DNS over HTTPS (DoH)
- Customizable domain block list
- Predefined blocked categories
- App and service blocking
- DNS query history
- Ad and tracker blocking
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DNS Firewall encrypts all DNS queries across all networks to ensure secure DNS queries and protect your privacy. With customized rules, it also helps protect against certain phishing and malware attacks, blocks ads and trackers, and provides a safer and cleaner network environment. ## Features ### Security DNS Firewall offers a DNS over HTTPS (DoH) service to immediately protect your DNS privacy and safeguard against DNS manipulation, a cyber attack that can block access to news sites, social media platforms, and messaging apps. ### Customizable Firewall You can add domains to the block list, including subdomains, and customize it to fit your needs. ### Predefined Blocked Categories We maintain and update predefined blocked categories, such as known malicious and phishing domains, several times a day to keep the block list data up-to-date. ### App/Service Blocking You have the option to block selected apps and services. ### Your DNS query history - Offers clear insights into your network queries. You can block or allow domains with a single tap. - Displays the domains you're visiting, the blocked domains, and the reason for the block (e.g., ad, malicious). - Shows the most recent DNS queries on your device via a timeline. - DNS query history is private and can only be accessed by you. - Can be turned off, in which case the server won't save any query data. # Privacy We are fully committed to data security and privacy. DNS Firewall is in return protecting your own privacy. Your data is fully under your control. - We don’t track your usage of DNS Firewall. There are no cookies, advertisements and analytics. - DNS Firewall is designed to be used anonymously. We do not ask for any email, phone or personal information to use our app. - We do not (and will never) sell or share any of the data submitted directly or indirectly by our users with any person or entity. # Subscription - Subscription is needed to use our service. - 14-day free trial requires activation of subscription $1.49/month or $12.99/year. - Payment will be charged to Apple account at confirmation of purchase. - Cancel in your Apple account before end of trial to avoid payment. After trial, your subscription will start and renew automatically monthly, unless cancelled. - 14-day trial is valid for one subscription only.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: CleanBrowsing.org DNS at none against Secure DNS & Firewall's 2. CleanBrowsing.org DNS also leads on rating (4.4 vs 4.0) and ratings volume (329 vs 22). Secure DNS & Firewall's advantage is review sentiment (70% vs 38%). On price, update cadence, 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. Secure DNS & Firewall sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.49 per month. CleanBrowsing.org DNS asks for nothing beyond the download.
CleanBrowsing.org DNS holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: CleanBrowsing.org DNS has 329 ratings behind it against 22, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 38% of CleanBrowsing.org DNS's written reviews are positive against 70% of Secure DNS & Firewall's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
CleanBrowsing.org DNS ships an update every 3 weeks, Secure DNS & Firewall every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 3, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | CleanBrowsing.org DNS | Secure DNS & Firewall |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.4 (329 ratings) — better | 4.0 (22 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 38.2% of reviews | 70.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 329 — better | 22 |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks — better | Every 6 weeks |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Freemium | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, Mac |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 36 MB | 42 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | CleanBrowsing, Inc | Flinteger LLC |
Customer experience
CleanBrowsing.org DNS
Secure DNS & Firewall
Bugs and requests
CleanBrowsing.org DNS
Reported bugs
19 issues- VPN disconnects for no reason
- App locks user out of account
- Cannot access settings to change password
- Blocks internet to all apps
- App keeps shutting off protection
Show 14 moreShow fewer
- Loopholes in app security
- App is too easy to uninstall
- Phone becomes unusable due to WiFi drops
- Unable to enter custom code on iPod Touch
- Doesn't force safe mode on DuckDuckGo via Safari
- Router issues with Xfinity
- Code generated online changes
- iOS app does not connect
- Disables mobile data
- Disrupts data connection
- WiFi connection drops constantly
- Cannot change password
- App does not allow access to settings after activating filter
- App deleted but still working
Requested features
8 requests- Block disabling custom filter
- Require password to disable VPN
- Email notification on VPN change/app deletion
- Block custom websites
- More friction to not disable VPN
Show 3 moreShow fewer
- Add 'return' button functionality for code entry
- Force safe mode on DuckDuckGo
- Add 'always on' VPN option
Secure DNS & Firewall
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
CleanBrowsing.org DNS
No in-app purchases
Secure DNS & Firewall
- DNSS Monthly Subscription3 Days trial$1.491 Month
- DNSS Yearly Subscription14 Days trial$12.991 Year
Questions
Is CleanBrowsing.org DNS free?
Is Secure DNS & Firewall free?
Which has better reviews, CleanBrowsing.org DNS or Secure DNS & Firewall?
Do CleanBrowsing.org DNS or Secure DNS & Firewall have ads?
Which is updated more often, CleanBrowsing.org DNS or Secure DNS & Firewall?
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