Comparison

DNSSEC vs DNS Forge

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

Head to head
About

DNSSEC

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DNSSEC routes your device's DNS queries through a DNSSEC-validating resolver — in one tap, without a VPN. Modern DNS-over-HTTPS (DoH) and DNS-over-TLS (DoT) encrypt your queries in transit. DNSSEC validation at the resolver ensures the answers haven't been tampered with. Together they make DNS the private, trustworthy channel it was always meant to be. BUILT-IN DNS4EU PRESETS DNS4EU is the European Commission-backed public resolver network. Four presets ship with the app: • Protective — blocks malware and phishing domains • Protective + Ad Blocking — adds tracker and ad filtering on top • Protective + Child Protection — adds adult content filtering • Unfiltered — encrypted and DNSSEC-validating, no content filtering Pick a preset and tap Apply. iOS will prompt you once to allow the DNS profile, then it's active system-wide. YOUR OWN RESOLVER Prefer a different provider? Add any DoH or DoT endpoint: • Enter a DoH URL (https://…) or a DoT hostname • Optionally add fallback IP addresses for bootstrapping • Flag it as DNSSEC-validating to track which resolvers you trust Custom resolvers are stored on-device and never leave it. ONE TAP, SYSTEM-WIDE The profile installs via the operating system's built-in DNS Settings — no VPN tunnel, no proxy, no configuration profile to trust manually. Once applied, every app on your device uses the configured resolver. Remove it any time from within the app or from Settings › General › VPN & Device Management › DNS. WORKS EVERYWHERE Available for iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, and Apple Vision Pro.

About

DNS Forge

Currently charting
Read full description

DNS Forge encrypts every DNS query on your iPhone, stopping your ISP, carrier, and network admin from seeing what you look up. No VPN required. No monthly fees. One tap to activate. PRIVATE BY DEFAULT Every site you visit starts with a DNS query. Normally, those queries leave your device in plain text, fully visible to whoever runs your network. DNS Forge routes them over HTTPS or TLS so your browsing stays private. 6 TRUSTED PROVIDERS Six privacy-focused resolvers, pre-configured and ready: • Cloudflare: Fast, no-log DNS • Cloudflare Family: Blocks malware and adult content • AdGuard DNS: Blocks ads and trackers at the DNS level • AdGuard Family: Adds parental controls and Safe Search • Mullvad DNS: From the makers of Mullvad VPN, zero logs • Quad9: Blocks malicious domains, non-profit operated Or add your own — NextDNS, ControlD, or any DoH or DoT endpoint, including self-hosted resolvers. 10 DIAGNOSTIC TOOLS A full network toolkit, built in: • DNS Resolver Test: Confirm your resolver is active • Hijack Detector: 5-step canary check for MITM and hijacking • Benchmark: Real round-trip latency, ranked fastest to slowest • DNS Lookup: Query any domain, any record type • My IP: Public IP address and geolocation • Reverse DNS: Host lookup for any IP address • WHOIS / RDAP: Domain registration and ownership data • Domain Certificate: TLS certificate details for any site • Cert Inspector: Verify your resolver's own TLS certificate chain • HTTP Headers: Inspect response headers for any URL SMART NETWORK RULES Apply encrypted DNS exactly where you want it - always on, Wi-Fi only, cellular only, or specific SSIDs. Exclude trusted home or work networks. Rules take effect instantly. ICLOUD SYNC Custom DNS profiles sync automatically across all your devices. WIDGET + SHORTCUTS See your active resolver and whether DNS is currently applied on your home screen or lock screen. Build automations in the Shortcuts app to change resolvers by network, time, or any trigger. DNS Forge uses Apple's Network Extension framework to apply DNS settings at the OS level. Your queries go directly to your chosen resolver. DNS Forge never sees them. DNS Forge is an independent app and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Cloudflare, AdGuard, Mullvad, Quad9, NextDNS, or ControlD.

Screenshots

DNSSEC3 screens
DNS Forge4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is chart position: DNS Forge at #200 against DNSSEC's unranked. DNSSEC's advantage is price ($0.99 vs $2.99) and device support (4 vs 2). On ads, in-app purchases and iOS requirement 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

DNSSEC costs $0.99 and DNS Forge $2.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Scorecard3 real differences · 4 level
DNSSEC versus DNS Forge: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDNSSECDNS Forge
Price$0.99 — better$2.99
Update frequency—Every 6 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
Best chart rank—#200 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Mac, Vision Pro — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.0 — better18.6
Further details — not scored
Size1 MB3 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAsociația unPi pentru ȘcolariBen Spears

In-app purchases

None

DNSSEC

No in-app purchases

None

DNS Forge

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is DNSSEC free?
DNSSEC costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is DNS Forge free?
DNS Forge costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do DNSSEC or DNS Forge have ads?
Neither DNSSEC nor DNS Forge shows ads.

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