Comparison

Flow vs PetDNS

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

Head to head
About

Flow

Take control of your internet connection system-wide. This app replaces your carrier's default DNS with a faster, smarter one, blocking ads, trackers, and malware without needing a VPN. Choose from multiple DNS providers for enhanced privacy and speed.

Highlights
  • System-wide DNS filtering
  • Block ads, trackers, and malware
  • Choose from 8 DNS providers
  • No VPN required
  • Privacy-focused, no logs
  • Custom DNS with subscription
Read full description

Flow is a DNS privacy app for iPhone and iPad. It encrypts every DNS query your device makes — preventing your carrier, ISP, and anyone on your network from seeing which websites and services you use. WHAT DNS IS AND WHY IT MATTERS Every time you open an app or visit a website, your device first asks a DNS server to translate the address into an IP. By default, this request is sent unencrypted — visible to your carrier, ISP, and anyone monitoring your connection. Flow replaces this with DNS-over-HTTPS (DoH) or DNS-over-TLS (DoT), encrypting every query so only the provider you choose can read it. HOW IT WORKS Flow installs a secure DNS profile directly on your device. Once active, every DNS request — every app, every website, every service — is encrypted before it leaves your iPhone or iPad. No VPN. No app that needs to stay open. No extra battery drain. 16+ PROVIDERS TO CHOOSE FROM • Cloudflare 1.1.1.1 — fastest public DNS, strict no-logging policy • Quad9 — blocks malware and phishing domains automatically • AdGuard — removes ads and trackers at the DNS level • NextDNS — fully customisable filtering rules • Mullvad — privacy-first, no logs, Tor-compatible • Google, OpenDNS, CleanBrowsing, Control D, and more Switch providers in seconds. Or add your own custom DoH or DoT server. FLOW+ — PAY ONCE, OWN IT FOREVER Flow+ unlocks the full experience with a single payment. No subscription. No renewal. No catch. Flow+ includes: • All privacy and ad-blocking providers • Custom DNS profiles — save up to 3 configurations • Auto-switch by network — different DNS per Wi-Fi • DNS Benchmark — find the fastest provider for your connection • DNS Health Check — resolution, latency, leaks, DNSSEC • Disconnect alerts — get notified if your profile goes offline • Siri & Shortcuts — pause, resume, switch providers by voice • Themes and accent colours • iCloud sync — settings follow you across all your devices • Lock Screen and Home Screen widgets YOUR PRIVACY Flow has no servers and no analytics. It does not log, collect, or sell any information about your DNS activity or browsing. The provider you choose handles your queries according to their own privacy policy — check it before you pick. Requires iOS 16 or later. Compatible with iPhone and iPad. ______________________________ IMPORTANT Privacy Policy: flowprivacy.rift.lat Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

PetDNS

Manage your NextDNS profiles from your mobile device. Monitor network activity, block trackers, and fine-tune settings with a user-friendly interface and powerful features.

Highlights
  • DNS query log analysis
  • Allowlist/denylist management
  • Query analytics
  • Advanced settings configuration
  • Configurable dashboard widgets
  • Siri and Shortcuts support (Pro)
Features
Read full description

Manage every NextDNS profile from one app with live logs, deep analytics, dynamic widgets, and instant settings management. Full control of your network: - Powerful DNS log search with extensive filtering - Update your allowlists and denylists from anywhere - Deep query analytics to see exactly what's happening on your network over time - Complete control over all profile settings, including advanced configurations like DNS Rewrites and Parental Controls - Customizable dashboard and widgets on the Home Screen and Lock Screen Elevate your experience with PetDNS Pro to manage multiple accounts or automate changes: - Manage multiple NextDNS accounts from a single app - Build custom workflows to edit your profiles with Siri and Shortcuts - Search and compare logs across all profiles simultaneously - Update the allowlists and denylists on all profiles with a single tap - View combined, cross-profile analytics - See aggregated profile data in the dashboard and widgets The PetDNS Promise: Managing your privacy should be easy and accessible. PetDNS promises to provide all profile management features available on the NextDNS website, including data retrieval, viewing logs, and managing settings for all of your individual profiles, in the app at no cost. No paywall will ever prevent you from seeing your data. PetDNS is an independent third-party app for NextDNS account management. A NextDNS account is required to use this app. PetDNS is not affiliated with or endorsed by NextDNS. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Flow4 screens
PetDNS4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: PetDNS at 5.0 against Flow's 4.4. Flow's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs every 3 weeks) and ratings volume (14 vs 2). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Flow sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month and PetDNS sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

PetDNS holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Flow has 14 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Flow ships an update weekly, PetDNS every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 8, 2026 and October 20, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Flow versus PetDNS: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFlowPetDNS
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (14 ratings)5.0 (2 ratings) — better
Positive reviews33.3% of reviews—
Number of ratings14 — better2
Update frequencyWeekly — betterEvery 3 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemiumFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS18.0 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size185 MB12 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperCHIRAG DASHARATHBHAI PATELLuke Edwards

Customer experience

Flow

All ratings14 ratings
Positive78.6%
Neutral14.3%
Negative7.1%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive33.3%
Neutral33.3%
Negative33.3%

PetDNS

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Flow

Subscriptions2
  • Flow+$2.991 Month
  • Flow+ Yearly3 Days trial$29.991 Year
One-time1
  • Flow Lifetime$6.99
2 purchases

PetDNS

Subscriptions2
  • PetDNS Pro - Monthly7 Days trial$0.991 Month
  • PetDNS Pro - Yearly1 Month trial$9.991 Year

Questions

Is Flow free?
Flow is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is PetDNS free?
PetDNS is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Flow or PetDNS?
PetDNS is rated higher. Flow averages 4.4 out of 5 from 14 ratings, while PetDNS averages 5.0 from 2 ratings.
Do Flow or PetDNS have ads?
Neither Flow nor PetDNS shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Flow or PetDNS?
Flow ships an update weekly, and PetDNS every 3 weeks. Most recently, Flow was updated on October 8, 2026 and PetDNS on October 20, 2026.

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