Control D AlternativesAd Blockers & DNS Resolvers like Control D

Control D is described as 'Completely customizable DNS service with superpowers. You can use ControlD to block unwanted categories of sites (like ads or porn), popular online services like Facebook or TikTok, or any domain of your choice' and is a Ad Blocker in the network & admin category. There are more than 25 alternatives to Control D for a variety of platforms, including Web-based, Linux, Mac, Android and Windows apps. The best Control D alternative is NextDNS, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like Control D are Pi-hole, 1.1.1.1, RethinkDNS and DNS4EU.

Control D iconControl D
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Control D is a completely customizable DNS service with superpowers. You can use ControlD to block unwanted categories of...

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Control D alternatives page was last updated Jun 6, 2025
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  1. NextDNS icon

    NextDNS

     124 likes
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    NextDNS protects you from all kinds of security threats, blocks ads and trackers on websites and in apps and provides a safe and supervised Internet for kids — on all devices and on all networks.

    141 NextDNS alternatives

    License model

    • Freemium • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Chrome OS
    • BSD
    • iPad
    • UC Browser
    • Vivaldi
    • Google Chrome
    • UniFi Network
    • Safari
    • Yandex Browser
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    • OpenWrt
    • Opera
    • Alpine Linux
    • pfSense
    • Mozilla Firefox
    • DD-WRT
    NextDNS screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Customizable
    2.  Privacy focused
    3.  Lightweight
    4.  Security-focused

    Features

    1.  DNS Resolver
    2.  DNS Server
    3.  DNS over HTTPS
    4.  DNS-over-TLS
    5.  Parental Control
    6.  Real-time analytics
    7.  Data analytics
    8.  Dns
    9.  DNSSEC
    10.  Block Trackers
    11.  Ad-free
    12.  Dark Mode

    NextDNS VS Control D

     

    • NextDNS is the most popular Web-based, Windows, Android & Mac alternative to Control D.

    • NextDNS is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to Control D.

    • NextDNS is Freemium and Open SourceControl D is Paid and Open Source
    • NextDNS is Customizable and Privacy focusedControl D is not according to our users
  2. Pi-hole icon

    Pi-hole

     152 likes
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    Block ads for all your devices without the need to install client-side software. The Pi-hole blocks ads at the DNS-level, so all your devices are protected.

    42 Pi-hole alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Self-Hosted
    • CentOS
    • Fedora
    • Ubuntu
    • Debian
    • Raspberry Pi OS
    • Raspberry Pi
    The Web interface shows how many ads were blocked, a query log, and more.

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused
    2.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Network-wide blocking
    2.  Adblocking via DNS
    3.  DNS Server
    4.  Self-hosted
    5.  Ad-free
    6.  Dark Mode
    7.  Dockerized
    8.  DNS Proxy
    9.  Custom DNS

    Pi-hole VS Control D

     
    Comments about Pi-hole as an Alternative to Control D
    festivity
    Jan 11, 2023
    1

    Pi-hole is selfhosted and therefore require a server and some sysadmin knowledge whereas ControlD is a managed services that's also suitable for novices. Pi-hole has more in-depth control.

    Control D Icon
    Pi-hole icon

    • Pi-hole is the most popular Self-Hosted alternative to Control D.

    • Pi-hole is Free and Open SourceControl D is Paid and Open Source
    • Pi-hole is Privacy focused and LightweightControl D is not according to our users
  4. 1.1.1.1 icon

    1.1.1.1

     90 likes
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    Designed by CloudFlare, this DNS resolver focuses on speed and privacy, ensuring no user data is sold. Mobile apps extend protections with WARP VPN, enhancing browsing security, performance, and offering anti-malware features. Aimed at tech-savvy and general audiences alike.

    68 1.1.1.1 alternatives

    License model

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    1.1.1.1 screenshot 1
    1.1.1.1 screenshot 2
    1.1.1.1 screenshot 3

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused
    2.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  DNS Server
    2.  Built-in VPN
    3.  Dns
    4.  Encrypted VPN
    5.  DNS Proxy
    6.  Block Trackers
    7.  Web filter
    8.  DNS over HTTPS
    9.  DNS-over-TLS
    10.  Built-in routing

    1.1.1.1 VS Control D

     

    • 1.1.1.1 is the most popular Android Tablet alternative to Control D.

    • 1.1.1.1 is Freemium and ProprietaryControl D is Paid and Open Source
    • 1.1.1.1 is Privacy focused and LightweightControl D is not according to our users
  5. Ad
    Screenshot
    AdGuard DNS icon
    AdGuard DNS

    Control all web traffic on your devices, block ads, trackers, and malicious domains. Make the Internet safe for everyone at home or at work.

    https://adguard-dns.io
    Learn More
  6. RethinkDNS icon

    RethinkDNS

     48 likes
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    An OpenSnitch-inspired firewall and network monitor + a pi-hole-inspired DNS over HTTPS client with blocklists.

    45 RethinkDNS alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • F-Droid
    RethinkDNS screenshot 1
    RethinkDNS screenshot 2
    RethinkDNS screenshot 3

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused
    2.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  No Root Required
    2.  Block Trackers
    3.  DNS over HTTPS
    4.  Firewall
    5.  Dns
    6.  Ad-free
    7.  Bypass Censorship
    8.  Dark Mode
    9.  No registration required
    10.  No Tracking
    11.  No Logs

    RethinkDNS VS Control D

     
  7. DNS4EU icon

    DNS4EU

     15 likes
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    Join DNS4EU, an EU initiative providing secure, private, and reliable DNS services for users across Europe.

    License model

    • Free • Proprietary

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • CZ flagCzechia
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Online
    DNS4EU screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused
    2.  Security-focused

    Features

    1.  Ad-free
    2.  No Tracking
    3.  DNS Server
    4.  European data privacy
    5.  GDPR Compliant
    6.  Dns

    DNS4EU VS Control D

     
  8. AdGuard DNS icon

    AdGuard DNS

     33 likes
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    Control all web traffic on your devices, block ads, trackers, and malicious domains. Make the Internet safe for everyone at home or at work.

    33 AdGuard DNS alternatives

    License model

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • CY flagCyprus
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Self-Hosted
    AdGuard DNS screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused
    2.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  DNS Server
    2.  DNS Resolver
    3.  Block Trackers
    4.  No registration required
    5.  Ad-free
    6.  No Logs
    7.  Dark Mode

    AdGuard DNS VS Control D

     
  10. Quad9 icon

    Quad9

     35 likes
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    Quad9 is a free, recursive, anycast DNS platform that provides end users robust security protections, high-performance, and privacy.

    48 Quad9 alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Proprietary

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • CH flagSwitzerland

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • F-Droid

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused
    2.  Security-focused

    Features

    1.  DNS Server
    2.  Content Filtering
    3.  DNS-over-TLS
    4.  DNSSEC
    5.  Ad-free
    6.  Malware Analysis
    7.  Non profit
    8.  DNS over HTTPS
    9.  DNS filtering

    Quad9 VS Control D

     
  11. MullvadDNS icon

    MullvadDNS

     20 likes
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    Our public DNS service offers DNS over HTTPS (DoH) and DNS over TLS (DoT), with QNAME minimization and basic ad blocking.

    47 MullvadDNS alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • SE flagSweden
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Online

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused
    2.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  Block Trackers
    2.  DNS Resolver
    3.  No Tracking
    4.  DNS Server
    5.  No Logs
    6.  DNS over HTTPS
    7.  Ad-free
    8.  No registration required
    9.  AES-256 Encryption
    10.  Anonymous Proxy
    11.  Dark Mode
    12.  DNS-over-TLS

    MullvadDNS VS Control D

     
  12. AdGuard Home icon

    AdGuard Home

     23 likes
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    AdGuard Home is a network-wide software for blocking ads & tracking. After you set it up, it'll cover ALL your home devices, and you don't need any client-side software for that.

    10 AdGuard Home alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • CY flagCyprus
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Self-Hosted
    • FreeBSD
    • Raspberry Pi
    • Cloudron
    AdGuard Home screenshot 1

    Properties

    1.  Privacy focused
    2.  Lightweight
    3.  Customizable

    Features

    1.  DNS Server
    2.  DNS Proxy
    3.  No Tracking
    4.  Block Trackers
    5.  No Logs
    6.  Ad-free
    7.  Dark Mode
    8.  No registration required

    AdGuard Home VS Control D

     
  13. Cisco Umbrella icon

    Cisco Umbrella

     106 likes
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    Cisco Umbrella (formerly OpenDNS) provides the first line of defense against threats on the internet wherever users go.

    71 Cisco Umbrella alternatives

    License model

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Application types

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Online

    Cisco Umbrella Features

    1.  Dns
    2.  DNS Server
    3.  Content Filtering
    4.  Wiki-like interface
    5.  Web filter
    6.  Reporting

    Cisco Umbrella VS Control D

     
  14. NextDNS Manager icon

    NextDNS Manager

     7 likes
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    With this management app, you can manage and change your NextDNS settings, check your connection, test your ping, and see other connection information!

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Android
    NextDNS Manager screenshot 1
    NextDNS Manager screenshot 2
    NextDNS Manager screenshot 3

    NextDNS Manager VS Control D

     
  15. Google Public DNS icon

    Google Public DNS

     61 likes
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    A free, global DNS resolution service that you can use as an alternative to your current DNS provider.

    39 Google Public DNS alternatives

    License model

    • Free Personal • Proprietary

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Online
    Google Public DNS screenshot 1

    Google Public DNS Features

    1.  DNS Server

    Google Public DNS VS Control D

     
12 of 27 Control D alternatives