Shadowrocket vs NextDNS
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Shadowrocket
This utility client captures and redirects all device traffic to a proxy server. It records requests, allows rule-based configuration, and measures network performance. It also supports ad blocking, local DNS mapping, and advanced proxy features.
- Capture and redirect all device traffic
- Record HTTP, HTTPS, and DNS requests
- Configure rules by domain, IP, and GeoIP
- Measure traffic usage and network speed
- Import rule files from URL or iCloud
- Block ads by domain and user agent
- Local DNS Mapping
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Rule based proxy utility client for iPhone/iPad. - Capture all HTTP/HTTPS/TCP traffic from any applications on your device, and redirect to the proxy server. - Record and display HTTP, HTTPS, DNS requests from your iOS devices. - Configure rules using domain match, domain suffix, domain keyword, CIDR IP range, and/or GeoIP lookup. - Measure traffic usage and network speed on WiFi, cellular, direct and proxy connections. - Import rule files from URL or iCloud Drive. - Block ads by domain, user agent rules. - Local DNS Mapping. - Work on cellular networks. - Decrypt HTTPS traffic. - Perform URL rewrite. - Fully IPv6 supports. - Script filter supports. - Multi-level forward proxy. - Support kcptun, cloak, gost, v2ray plugins. - Support DNS over HTTPS, DNS over TLS, DNS over QUIC.
NextDNS
Encrypt all your DNS queries across all networks with this app. It leverages native iOS settings to bring your custom blocking policies and traffic analytics directly to your phone. Easily set up your configuration ID to enhance your online privacy and security.
- Encrypts all DNS queries
- Uses native iOS Encrypted DNS settings
- Apply custom blocking policies
- View traffic analytics and logs
- Configure with your NextDNS account ID
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NextDNS protects your device from ads, trackers, malware, and other harmful domains while keeping your internet activity private. All DNS traffic is encrypted, preventing networks and internet providers from seeing or manipulating your DNS queries. Protection across your device NextDNS works system-wide across apps and browsers. • Block ads and trackers automatically • Protect against malware, phishing, and malicious domains • Enable parental controls and content filtering • View analytics, query logs, graphs, and domain details in a native dashboard Easy setup Create your NextDNS profile in seconds or connect an existing one. Your configuration is managed at my.nextdns.io, where you control blocking rules, security settings, and privacy features. Control on iPhone and iPad The app lets you manage protection on your device: • Enable or disable NextDNS anytime • Temporarily pause protection and resume from a live activity • Optionally send your device name for easier identification in logs • Quickly unblock domains from the app • Exclude trusted Wi-Fi networks • Exclude specific domains and their subdomains so they use the system DNS resolver Terms of use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://nextdns.io/privacy
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: NextDNS at Free against Shadowrocket's $2.99. Shadowrocket's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and update cadence (weekly vs every 6 weeks). On rating, review sentiment and ads 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
NextDNS is free to download; Shadowrocket costs $2.99 up front. NextDNS sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Shadowrocket asks for nothing beyond the download.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.5 for Shadowrocket against 4.5 for NextDNS. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Shadowrocket has 12K ratings behind it against 1.8K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 57% of Shadowrocket's written reviews are positive against 63% of NextDNS's.
Shadowrocket ships an update weekly, NextDNS every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Shadowrocket | NextDNS |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 4.5 (12K ratings) | 4.5 (1.8K ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 57.5% of reviews | 63.1% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 12K — better | 1.8K |
| Update frequency | Weekly — better | Every 6 weeks |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Paid | Free — better |
| Best chart rank | #1 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac, Apple TV — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 — better | 18.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 53 MB | 5 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Shadow Launch Technology Limited | nextdns Inc. |
Customer experience
Shadowrocket
NextDNS
User reviews
Shadowrocket
From 12K App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🚀 Excellent VPN performance
- 👍 User-friendly interface
- 🔒 Robust security features
- 💡 Useful customization options
Room to improve
- 🐛 Connectivity issues after updates
- 🔋 High battery consumption
- 🤔 Confusing setup process for some users
NextDNS
From 1.8K App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🚀 Fast and efficient DNS service
- 🔒 Robust security and privacy features
- 👍 Simple and user-friendly setup
- 💡 Highly configurable with advanced options
- 🚀 Improves internet speed and performance
Room to improve
- 🐛 Compatibility issues with newer iOS versions
- 🐛 Inability to disable on specific Wi-Fi networks
- 🐛 Inconsistent ad blocking performance
- 🔋 High battery drain on mobile devices
- 🐛 Lack of transparency on service status and outages
Bugs and requests
Shadowrocket
Reported bugs
3 issues- Incompatibility with newer iOS versions
- Unreliable server connections leading to timeouts
- Subscription management and customer support issues
Requested features
3 requests- Add support for more protocols (e.g. SSTP, L2TP)
- Implement auto-connect and load balancing features
- Develop a native macOS version
NextDNS
Reported bugs
4 issues- App crashes on launch for older iOS devices
- Profiles not working correctly after iOS 15 update
- Inability to remove the DNS profile from the device
- Connectivity issues when used in conjunction with a VPN
Requested features
5 requests- Add a quick toggle to enable/disable the service
- Integrate the web dashboard functionality into the app
- Provide more granular control over blocked content
- Implement a timed mode to temporarily disable the service
- Add support for DNS over HTTPS (DoH) and DNS over TLS (DoT)
In-app purchases
Shadowrocket
No in-app purchases
NextDNS
- Pro Monthly$2.991 Month
- Pro Yearly$29.991 Year
