NetShade DNS vs DNS Security
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
NetShade DNS
Protect your online privacy by encrypting your DNS queries. This app prevents marketers and hackers from tracking your internet activity by securing your connection.
- Encrypted DNS protection
- Prevents online tracking
- Uses DNS over TLS (DoT)
- Protects against marketers and hackers
- Lightweight and always-on privacy
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Keep marketers and hackers from spying on your online activity. Encrypted DNS is the latest technology for privacy protection. Newly available in iOS 14, encrypted DNS is a lightweight, always-on form of privacy protection. Encrypted DNS prevents people from keeping track of which websites you visit. This gives you the upper hand on marketers and bad actors who want to build a profile of your online activities. • WHAT IS DNS? DNS (Domain Name Service) is a core technology that powers the Internet. When you access Internet content, your device asks DNS servers to translate names (www.raynersw.com) into IP addresses (64.62.244.50). DNS queries are constantly happening in the background, even though they're invisible to the user. Because DNS originated in the early 1980s when security was not a major concern, the protocol is open and unencrypted. Even when you visit secure (HTTPS) websites, eavesdroppers can spy on the DNS queries from your device to find out what you're doing online. • ENCRYPTED DNS Encrypted DNS patches one of the few remaining security holes in the Internet stack. NetShade DNS uses the DoT (DNS over TLS) protocol to securely encrypt all your DNS queries, much like how your browser uses HTTPS to encrypt your web traffic. Encrypted DNS is a new technology which will prove essential for privacy protection in the future. • WHO ARE WE? Rayner Software has been making VPN and Proxy software for the Mac and iOS since 2003. We're one of the oldest and most respected security providers in the industry. Find out why users choose us over the many fly-by-night VPN services out there. And if you need the full encryption of a VPN, check out our flagship product NetShade.
DNS Security
This app encrypts your DNS queries using DoH and DoT protocols to enhance online privacy and security. It prevents eavesdropping and data manipulation by securing the translation of domain names to IP addresses. Choose from trusted providers or configure your own server for a safer browsing experience.
- DNS over HTTPS (DoH) support
- DNS over TLS (DoT) support
- No VPN configuration needed
- Configurable custom DNS servers
- Privacy-focused, no user data collection
- Choice of trusted DNS providers
- Supports custom URL schemes for automation
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Make your DNS private. DNS Security helps protect your privacy by encrypting DNS queries with DNS over HTTPS (DoH) and DNS over TLS (DoT). Choose a provider, enable your DNS configuration, and manage your settings in one place—without routing your internet traffic through a VPN. WHY ENCRYPT YOUR DNS? HTTPS protects the content exchanged with websites, but traditional DNS lookups may still be unencrypted. These lookups translate domain names into IP addresses and can reveal the domains your device requests. Encrypted DNS helps protect queries between your device and your chosen DNS provider from eavesdropping and tampering. Your provider still handles those queries, so choose one whose privacy practices you trust. EVERYDAY DNS CONTROL • Use DNS over HTTPS or DNS over TLS. • Choose built-in profiles for providers including Cloudflare, Google, and AdGuard. • Enable or disable your DNS configuration from the app. • Choose whether DNS settings apply on Wi-Fi, cellular, or both. • Check DNS protocol and provider details in the Status tab. DNS SECURITY OR DNS SECURITY PRO? DNS Security includes the everyday DNS controls above at no cost. It offers an optional Pro in-app purchase for the advanced features below. DNS Security Pro is the paid edition. It includes the same everyday DNS controls plus these advanced features from the start: PRO FEATURES (IN APP PURCHASE) • Create custom DoH and DoT profiles. • Download updates to built-in DNS profiles. • Enable or disable DNS for specific Wi-Fi SSIDs. • Switch profiles with Shortcuts and URL schemes. The difference is advanced control: both editions support encrypted DNS. You can unlock the Pro tools inside DNS Security or choose DNS Security Pro with those tools already included. DESIGNED AROUND PRIVACY DNS Security manages your device's DNS configuration and does not collect personal information. DNS requests are handled by your selected provider under that provider's privacy policy. Encrypted DNS protects DNS queries; it does not make all browsing anonymous. Blocking malicious domains depends on the provider and profile you choose. AUTOMATE YOUR DNS With Pro, use Shortcuts or a compatible app to open a switch URL and select a DNS profile with your preferred network settings. Example: select google-DOH for Wi-Fi, with cellular disabled: dnsapp://switch?config=google-DOH&enableOnWifi=true&enableOnCellular=false Use the scheme for your installed app: • DNS Security Pro: dnssecuritypro:// • DNS Security: dnssecurity:// • Shared scheme: dnsapp:// Replace dnsapp in the example with your app's scheme. The requested profile must already exist in the app. Initial activation may require selecting DNS Security in iOS Settings. Choose your DNS. Control your settings. Add privacy to every lookup that uses your encrypted DNS configuration.
Screenshots
Verdict
NetShade DNS and DNS Security both sit at 4.8 stars, but that hides the real split: 100% of NetShade DNS's written reviews are positive against 67% of DNS Security's. NetShade DNS also leads on iOS requirement (14.0 vs 17.0). On price, rating, ratings volume and ads 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. NetShade DNS sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month and DNS Security sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for NetShade DNS against 4.8 for DNS Security. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 47 and 72 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 100% of NetShade DNS's written reviews are positive against 67% of DNS Security's.
| Parameter | NetShade DNS | DNS Security |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.8 (47 ratings) | 4.8 (72 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better | 66.7% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 47 | 72 — better |
| Update frequency | — | Every 3 weeks |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 14.0 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 4 MB | 4 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Rayner Software LLC | CHUNG-HO LEE |
Customer experience
NetShade DNS
DNS Security
In-app purchases
NetShade DNS
- NetShade Premium DNS: Monthly$3.991 Month
- NetShade Premium DNS: Yearly$39.991 Year
- NetShade DNS Lifetime$69.99
DNS Security
- Unlock Pro features$1.99







