# DNS Shield vs Cipher

The clearest difference is price: Cipher at Free against DNS Shield's $1.99. DNS Shield's advantage is update cadence (monthly vs every 11 months) and iOS requirement (18.4 vs 26.0). On ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Cipher is free to download; DNS Shield costs $1.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

DNS Shield ships an update monthly, Cipher every 11 months. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 28, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | DNS Shield | Cipher |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $1.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | **[4.0 (4 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dns-shield/id6480333671/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **4** | — |
| Positive reviews | 0.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Monthly** | Every 11 months |
| Monetization | Paid | — |
| Size | 3 MB | 22 MB |
| Requires iOS | **18.4** | 26.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, Mac** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [ARETORI SOLUTIONS LTD](https://appshunter.io/developer/1737969115) | [App4Life Sweden AB](https://appshunter.io/developer/507125048) |

## What reviewers say

### DNS Shield

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dns-shield/id6480333671)

Encrypt your DNS queries and use no-logging servers to safeguard your online presence across all your Apple devices. Easily configure settings, switch servers, and benefit from system-wide protection without needing a VPN. It helps minimize contact with harmful sites and updates DNS providers automatically.

**Highlights:** Encrypts DNS queries, No-logging DNS servers, Ease of configuration, Effortless DNS server switching, System-wide protection, Minimizes harmful site contact, Automatic DNS provider updates

**In-app purchases:** none


### Cipher

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cipher-decode-any-language/id6742792378)

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is DNS Shield free?

DNS Shield costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Cipher free?

Cipher is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Do DNS Shield or Cipher have ads?

Neither DNS Shield nor Cipher shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, DNS Shield or Cipher?

DNS Shield ships an update monthly, and Cipher every 11 months. Most recently, DNS Shield was updated on October 24, 2026 and Cipher on October 28, 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.*