Comparison

DNSimple vs MistRoute

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

Head to head
About

DNSimple

Features
Read full description

DNSimple gives you control over DNS on iPhone and iPad through a local DNS tunnel. Use encrypted DNS-over-HTTPS by default, choose from Cloudflare, Google, Quad9 and AdGuard presets, or enter your own resolver. The dashboard shows the active configuration, resolver health and the last responding resolver. PRIVATE HISTORY, YOUR CHOICE Recording is optional and off by default. Keep records on your device with iOS file protection and backup exclusion, or choose memory-only history that disappears when recording stops or the tunnel ends. Choose a retention period of 1 hour, 24 hours, 7 days or 30 days. Expired records are removed while running or when you next open the app. Switching storage clears existing history. UNDERSTAND YOUR DNS Search and filter requests by domain, resolver, query type, errors, local overrides or unencrypted transport. Inspect DNS response codes, response times and the actual responding resolver. Statistics show the retained history window, with up to 20,000 on-device records or 2,000 memory-only records. CONTROL YOUR RESOLVER - DNS-over-HTTPS with HTTPS certificate validation - Standard DNS with UDP and TCP support - Custom IPv4 and IPv6 DNS servers - Custom hosts overrides - Live recording controls and resolver health checks - Plaintext fallback disabled unless you explicitly enable it DNSimple does not require an account and has no advertising or analytics. DNS history stays on your device. Selected bootstrap servers resolve the DoH endpoint hostname; website DNS queries use HTTPS unless you enable plaintext fallback. Your selected resolver can see the queries it handles. DNSimple changes system DNS. It does not hide your IP address or encrypt other app traffic. Apps using their own DNS can bypass the tunnel and will not appear in history. When disconnected, iOS uses its normal DNS settings.

About

MistRoute

Features
Read full description

MistRoute is a native iOS traffic inspector and rule-based router, powered by the open-source mihomo (Clash.Meta) core. Most clients of this kind open onto a list of nodes. MistRoute opens onto your traffic: what your device is actually talking to, which rule matched it, and where it was sent. You change the routing once you can see it. MistRoute provides no servers, subscriptions, or network access of its own. You bring your own configuration and it runs locally on your device. TRAFFIC • A live connection stream as the main screen — not a node list • Group by host, by matched rule, or by outbound to see where bandwidth goes • Searchable request history that survives after connections close ROUTE EXPLANATION • Tap any connection to see the full decision chain: request → matched rule → policy groups → actual outbound • Answers "why did this site go the wrong way" without guesswork • Read straight from the core — no extra requests are made RULE PLAYGROUND • Enter a domain or IP and see which rule would match and which node it would use, evaluated against your live rule set • Generates no real traffic ROUTING • Every policy group and node, with per-node and per-group latency testing • Rule, Global and Direct outbound modes PROFILES • Add by subscription URL, file import, or QR code • Built-in YAML editor; switch profiles live, no restart MORE • Home Screen widget: tunnel status, current outbound, total usage • Core logs, VPN start-up diagnostics, GeoIP / GeoSite management • Custom hosts, latency test URL, external controller PRIVACY No data collection. No analytics, no tracking, no accounts, no telemetry. Your configuration, records and logs never leave your device and can be cleared at any time. REQUIREMENTS • iOS 15.0 or later • A mihomo/Clash-format configuration you already have access to

Screenshots

DNSimple4 screens
MistRoute4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is iOS requirement: MistRoute at 15.0 against DNSimple's 17.0. On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Scorecard1 real difference Ā· 5 level
DNSimple versus MistRoute: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDNSimpleMistRoute
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 2 months—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS17.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size7 MB114 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperKitta Co.StarHub Info

In-app purchases

None

DNSimple

No in-app purchases

None

MistRoute

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is DNSimple free?
DNSimple is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is MistRoute free?
MistRoute is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do DNSimple or MistRoute have ads?
Neither DNSimple nor MistRoute shows ads.

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