Comparison

DNS Forge vs PubBlock

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

Head to head
About

DNS Forge

Encrypt your DNS queries to protect your online privacy from your ISP, carrier, and network administrators. Choose from multiple trusted providers or add your own, and utilize a suite of network diagnostic tools. Customize rules for when encrypted DNS is active and sync settings across devices.

Highlights
  • Encrypts DNS queries via HTTPS/TLS
  • Select from 6 trusted DNS providers
  • Add custom DoH/DoT endpoints
  • 10 built-in network diagnostic tools
  • Smart network rules for DNS application
  • iCloud sync for custom profiles
  • Home screen widgets and Shortcuts integration
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.

About

PubBlock

Features
Read full description

PubBlock cleans up Safari and your apps: no more banners, no more pop-up ads, no more trackers following you from site to site. Pages load faster, use less data and respect your privacy. HOW IT WORKS • Safari content blocker (free): PubBlock hands Safari a compiled rule list, and Safari blocks ads and trackers before they even load. No injected scripts, nothing read from your pages. • Safari extension for youtube.com (free): it removes the site's video ads, including the ones that play before the video, sponsored Shorts and promoted videos in the feed. • Blocking in all your apps (Pro, iOS 26 or later): PubBlock's own encrypted DNS server gives no address to known advertising and tracking domains, so they never load, whatever the app. You select it once in Settings > General > VPN & Device Management > DNS, and PubBlock checks that it really works. WHAT MAKES PUBBLOCK DIFFERENT • No data collection: no account, no analytics. The Safari blocker runs entirely on your iPhone or iPad, and PubBlock's DNS server keeps no logs. • No subscription: PubBlock Pro is a one-time purchase. • A list built for the French-speaking web: on top of the big global ad networks, PubBlock blocks the French and European ad-tech and tracking tools that generic lists often miss. • Your own rules: allow the websites you choose in Safari, and add your own blocked domains. • An honest status: the home screen says exactly what is protected right now, and why when something is off. • Light and quiet: no complicated settings, everything works in the background. KNOWN LIMITATIONS • Ads served from the same domain as the content cannot be blocked by a domain filter: that is a limit of the technique, not an oversight. Video ads inside the YouTube app therefore remain impossible to block; on youtube.com in Safari, the extension handles them. • While a VPN is connected, iOS sends DNS through the VPN, so blocking in your apps pauses; the Safari blocker keeps working. • Some sites show empty spaces where blocked ads used to be. PUBBLOCK PRO One-time purchase, no subscription: blocking in all your apps (iOS 26 or later) plus your own blocked domains. The Safari blocker and the YouTube extension stay free, forever. Privacy: https://calnexia.com/pubblock/privacy Support: https://calnexia.com/pubblock/support

Screenshots

DNS Forge4 screens
PubBlock4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: PubBlock at Free against DNS Forge's $2.99. PubBlock also leads on update cadence (fortnightly vs every 6 weeks). DNS Forge's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1). On ads, device support 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

PubBlock is free to download; DNS Forge costs $2.99 up front. PubBlock sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. DNS Forge asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

DNS Forge ships an update every 6 weeks, PubBlock fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 28, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 6 level
DNS Forge versus PubBlock: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDNS ForgePubBlock
Price$2.99Free — better
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeksFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaid—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS18.617.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size3 MB3 MB
Age rating+44+
DeveloperBen SpearsCIPRIAN ALEXANDRU FRASINESCU

In-app purchases

None

DNS Forge

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

PubBlock

One-time1
  • PubBlock Pro$2.99

Questions

Is DNS Forge free?
DNS Forge costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is PubBlock free?
PubBlock is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do DNS Forge or PubBlock have ads?
Neither DNS Forge nor PubBlock shows ads.
Which is updated more often, DNS Forge or PubBlock?
DNS Forge ships an update every 6 weeks, and PubBlock fortnightly. Most recently, DNS Forge was updated on October 28, 2026 and PubBlock on October 31, 2026.

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