# Next Dash Dns vs CactusVPN

The clearest difference is update cadence: Next Dash Dns at every 5 days against CactusVPN's every 6 months. CactusVPN's advantage is ratings volume (6 vs 2) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 17.0). On price, rating, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 3.0 for Next Dash Dns against 3.0 for CactusVPN. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2 and 6 respectively.

Next Dash Dns ships an update every 5 days, CactusVPN every 6 months. The most recent releases landed on November 4, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Next Dash Dns | CactusVPN |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/next-dash-dns-nextdns-remote/id6738365453/reviews) | [3.0 (6 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cactusvpn-smart-dns/id6743163048/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 2 | **6** |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 5 days** | Every 6 months |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 6 MB | 20 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | **12.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Jesther Silvestre](https://appshunter.io/developer/1780428967) | [CactusVPN, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1801726617) |

## What reviewers say

### Next Dash Dns

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/next-dash-dns-nextdns-remote/id6738365453)

Manage your NextDNS settings directly from your mobile device. Monitor connection status, inspect DNS queries, and adjust profiles with a clean, intuitive interface. Ideal for privacy-conscious users and IT professionals seeking enhanced internet control.

**Highlights:** Live server ping monitoring, View connected devices and ISPs, Track resolved, relayed, and blocked domains, Visualize encryption methods and IP versions, Full DNSSEC support, Secure and private data handling

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### CactusVPN

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cactusvpn-smart-dns/id6743163048)

This app provides a secure VPN and Smart DNS service to protect your online privacy and prevent tracking. It offers high-speed servers, end-to-end encryption, and unlimited bandwidth for a seamless browsing experience across multiple devices.

**Highlights:** High-Speed VPN Servers, End-to-End Encryption, 7 VPN Protocols, No Logs Guaranteed, Unlimited Bandwidth, Unlimited Devices, Smart DNS Service

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Next Dash Dns free?

Next Dash Dns is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is CactusVPN free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Next Dash Dns or CactusVPN?

Next Dash Dns and CactusVPN are both rated 3.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 2 and 6 ratings respectively.

### Do Next Dash Dns or CactusVPN have ads?

Neither Next Dash Dns nor CactusVPN shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Next Dash Dns or CactusVPN?

Next Dash Dns ships an update every 5 days, and CactusVPN every 6 months. Most recently, Next Dash Dns was updated on November 4, 2026 and CactusVPN on October 30, 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.*