# CleanBrowsing.org DNS vs Secure DNS & Firewall

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | CleanBrowsing.org DNS | Secure DNS & Firewall |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.4 (329 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cleanbrowsingorg-dns/id1495089176/reviews)** | [4.0 (22 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/secure-dns-and-firewall/id1553642022/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **329** | 22 |
| Positive reviews | 38.2% of reviews | **70.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 weeks** | Every 6 weeks |
| Monetization | Freemium | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 36 MB | 42 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 17.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, Mac |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [CleanBrowsing, Inc](https://appshunter.io/developer/1412364311) | [Flinteger LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1553642024) |

## What reviewers say

### CleanBrowsing.org DNS

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cleanbrowsingorg-dns/id1495089176)

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.

**Highlights:** DNS-based content filtering, Blocks adult content, Blocks malicious sites, Customizable filters, Network visibility, Safe Search enforcement

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Helpful for fighting habits
- 👍 Great tool for families
- 👍 Forces safe search
- 👍 Simple and intuitive
- 👍 Easy setup

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 VPN disconnects frequently
- 🐛 Blocks internet access
- 🐛 App can be deleted easily
- 🐛 VPN can be disabled easily
- 🐛 Settings page won't open

**Reported bugs**

- 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

**Requested features**

- 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


### Secure DNS & Firewall

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/secure-dns-and-firewall/id1553642022)

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.

**Highlights:** Encrypted DNS over HTTPS (DoH), Customizable domain block list, Predefined blocked categories, App and service blocking, DNS query history, Ad and tracker blocking

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| DNSS Monthly Subscription | $1.49 | per month |
| DNSS Yearly Subscription | $12.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is CleanBrowsing.org DNS free?

CleanBrowsing.org DNS is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Secure DNS & Firewall free?

Secure DNS & Firewall is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, CleanBrowsing.org DNS or Secure DNS & Firewall?

CleanBrowsing.org DNS is rated higher. CleanBrowsing.org DNS averages 4.4 out of 5 from 329 ratings, while Secure DNS & Firewall averages 4.0 from 22 ratings.

### Do CleanBrowsing.org DNS or Secure DNS & Firewall have ads?

Neither CleanBrowsing.org DNS nor Secure DNS & Firewall shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, CleanBrowsing.org DNS or Secure DNS & Firewall?

CleanBrowsing.org DNS ships an update every 3 weeks, and Secure DNS & Firewall every 6 weeks. Most recently, CleanBrowsing.org DNS was updated on September 3, 2026 and Secure DNS & Firewall on September 21, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*