Comparison

DNS Sinkhole vs Lava Security

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

DNS Sinkhole

Features
Read full description

Choose encrypted DNS without replacing your VPN. Sinkhole helps you understand, select, and configure a trusted DNS-over-HTTPS provider on iPhone and iPad. It adds an encrypted DNS configuration for the provider you choose, using the system API iOS provides for this. SIMPLE GUIDED SETUP Choose your goal — privacy and security, family protection, or advanced custom DNS — then follow clear installation steps designed for everyone. CURATED PROVIDERS Compare privacy and security-focused options from established public DNS providers. Depending on your selection, provider-side filtering may cover known malware, phishing, trackers, ads, or adult content. ADVANCED MODE Use a trusted custom HTTPS DNS endpoint from a service you control or configure, including compatible self-hosted resolvers. HONEST STATUS Sinkhole reads its own state from iOS: whether a configuration exists, and whether iOS has it active. It also sends a single DNS test request to confirm the selected endpoint is reachable, and keeps that separate from activation. PRIVACY BY DESIGN • No Sinkhole account • No LorisLabs DNS server • No VPN tunnel and no VPN configuration • No advertising or analytics SDK • No DNS query or browsing history received by Sinkhole Once active, DNS requests go directly from your device to the provider you selected. That provider's privacy policy and filtering behavior apply. Sinkhole cannot see or fabricate per-domain statistics. IMPORTANT iOS asks for your approval before Sinkhole can add a DNS configuration, and only you can select it in Settings > General > VPN & Device Management > DNS. You can switch away or remove it there at any time, without the app. A VPN may choose to override system DNS settings; behavior depends on that VPN.

About

Lava Security

Features
Read full description

Lava Security helps block known scam and phishing websites, plus trackers, on your iPhone and iPad. Choose what to block, allow sites you trust, and switch filters with Focus or Shortcuts. See what Lava blocks in Activity. Filtering happens on your device. Your activity history stays there. Website lookups use your chosen DNS provider. Core protection is free, with no account needed. Lava Security Plus adds more filters, custom blocklists and custom DNS. Download Lava Security and turn on free protection today. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

DNS Sinkhole4 screens
Lava Security4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: DNS Sinkhole at none against Lava Security's 2. On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price Ā· Rating Ā· Positive reviews Ā· Number of ratings Ā· Update frequency Ā· Ads Ā· In-app purchases Ā· Monetization Ā· Best chart rank Ā· Devices Ā· Requires iOS

CostPrice Ā· In-app purchases Ā· Ads Ā· Monetization

Both are free to download. Lava Security sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. DNS Sinkhole asks for nothing beyond the download.

Scorecard1 real difference Ā· 5 level
DNS Sinkhole versus Lava Security: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDNS SinkholeLava Security
PriceFreeFree
Update frequency—Fortnightly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.0 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size4 MB86 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperChristine MartinLava Security LLC

In-app purchases

None

DNS Sinkhole

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Lava Security

Subscriptions2
  • Lava Security Plus$3.991 Month
  • Lava Security Plus$29.991 Year

Questions

Is DNS Sinkhole free?
DNS Sinkhole is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Lava Security free?
Lava Security is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do DNS Sinkhole or Lava Security have ads?
Neither DNS Sinkhole nor Lava Security shows ads.

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