NextDNS AlternativesOnly apps categorised as Ad Blockers

The best Ad Blocker alternative to NextDNS is Pi-hole, which is both free and Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 100 alternatives to NextDNS and loads of them are Ad Blockers so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting Ad Blocker alternatives to NextDNS are Portmaster, AdGuard, Adblock Plus and SponsorBlock.

filter to find the best alternatives

NextDNS alternatives are mainly Ad Blockers, but if you're looking for Privacy Tools or Firewalls you can filter on that. You can also filter by region, for example EU-based alternatives if you prefer software developed in the European Union. These are just examples - use the filter bar below to find more specific alternatives to NextDNS.
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Alternatives list

  1. Pi-hole icon
     178 likes

    Blocks ads for all connected devices at the DNS layer without client setup. Provides web control, in-app ad and tracker blocking, DHCP and API support, regex filtering, privacy modes, audit logs, and long-term query analytics for network management.

    41 Pi-hole alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Self-Hosted
    • CentOS
    • Fedora
    • Ubuntu
    • Debian
    • Raspberry Pi OS
    • Raspberry Pi
     
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    2
    Pi-hole vs NextDNS Comments
    Eriko
    Positive
    1

    Basically a Self Hosted NextDNS. Its meant for more advanced users.

    Guest
    Positive
    4

    The same in both purpose and method

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    • Pi-hole is Free and Open SourceNextDNS is Freemium and Open Source
  2. Portmaster icon
     179 likes

    Free, open-source privacy suite monitoring all network activity, blocking unwanted connections, using trusted filter lists for ads and malware, enforcing DNS-over-TLS, providing custom app and global rules, and supporting advanced privacy management.

    37 Portmaster alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
     
  3. AdGuard icon
     276 likes

    Ad-blocking solution eliminating intrusive ads and preventing tracking, with malware protection. Filters pop-ups, banners, and more for clean browsing. Works in the background for ad-free surfing, protects data privacy with Spyware filter, and controls ad display in apps.

    122 AdGuard alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Chrome OS
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Vivaldi
    • Google Chrome
    • Safari
    • Yandex Browser
    • Opera
    • Mozilla Firefox
    • Snapcraft
    • Microsoft Edge
    • Android TV
     
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    1
    AdGuard vs NextDNS Comments
    smed79
    Negative
    -7

    AdGuard is an Adblock browser extension not a DNS service.

    • AdGuard is Freemium and Open SourceNextDNS is also Freemium and Open Source
  4. Adblock Plus icon
     1745 likes

    Adblock Plus is a free extension that allows you to - among other things - block annoying ads, disable tracking and block domains known to spread malware.

    121 Adblock Plus alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • iPhone
    • Chrome OS
    • iPad
    • Microsoft Edge
    • Internet Explorer
    • Vivaldi
    • Google Chrome
    • Safari
    • Yandex Browser
    • Opera
    • Mozilla Firefox
     
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    4
    Adblock Plus vs NextDNS Comments
    xoloitzcuintli
    Negative
    3

    Adblock Plus is a browser extension, not a DNS.

    Guest
    Negative
    7

    adblock is not a DNS service itself, it only uses DNS

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Alwyn-van-Deventer
    Positive
    1

    Just an extension, not system-wide filtering at DNS level

    3 of 4 comments
    • Adblock Plus is Freemium and Open SourceNextDNS is also Freemium and Open Source
  5. SponsorBlock icon
     128 likes

    SponsorBlock is a browser extension and open API via crowdsource for skipping sponsor segments in YouTube videos. It's open-source. Users submit when a sponsor happens from the extension, and the extension automatically skips sponsors it knows about using a privacy...

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Microsoft Edge
    • Google Chrome
    • Safari
    • Opera
    • Mozilla Firefox
     
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    1
    SponsorBlock vs NextDNS Comments
    Alwyn-van-Deventer
    Positive
    0

    Not a DNS-level filtering tool - just an adblocker

    • SponsorBlock is Free and Open SourceNextDNS is Freemium and Open Source
  6. RethinkDNS icon
     59 likes

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

    46 RethinkDNS alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • F-Droid
     
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    2
    RethinkDNS vs NextDNS Comments
    Shaz Shah
    Positive
    3

    Like NextDNS, RethinkDNS is a DNS resolver that aim to provide a safer and more private browsing experience by offering ad-blocking and tracking protection. On the plus side it is open source and the free tier with unlimited queries. The free tier of NextDNS is limited to (I think) 300,000 queries. If you want a free and open source alternative this is it. At the time of writing, their website does state that paid plans are on their way.

    ezdketsuban
    0

    RethinkDNS allows you to check if a domain is blocked or not in the lists you choose, but it doesn't allow for personalized allowlists or blocklists, nor does it have a comprehensive log (besides using the app).

    • RethinkDNS is Free and Open SourceNextDNS is Freemium and Open Source
  7. AdGuard DNS icon
     42 likes

    Cloud DNS blocks ads, trackers, and malicious domains for all devices, provides real-time request stats, customizable filtering, parental controls, and a web dashboard. Compatible with routers, enables safer browsing, and ensures a privacy-focused internet experience.

    34 AdGuard DNS alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Self-Hosted
     
  8. AdAway icon
     140 likes

    An ad blocker that uses the hosts file. The hosts file contains a list of mappings between hostnames and IP addresses. When an app requests an ad, that request is directed to 127.0.0.1 which does nothing.

    95 AdAway alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • F-Droid
     
  9. Control D icon
     33 likes

    Control D is a modern and customizable DNS service that blocks threats, unwanted content and ads - on all devices. Onboard in minutes, and forget about it.

    28 Control D alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Open Source (MIT)

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • iPhone
    • Android
    • iPad
    • Android Tablet
    • Google Chrome
    • Mozilla Firefox
    • Online
     
  10. uMatrix icon
     181 likes

    Point & click to forbid/allow any class of requests made by your browser. Use it to block scripts, iframes, ads, facebook, etc.

    82 uMatrix alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Google Chrome
    • Opera
    • Brave
    • Firefox
     
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    1
    uMatrix vs NextDNS Comments
    Guest
    Negative
    6

    uMatrix is Not a DNS service

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    • uMatrix is Free and Open SourceNextDNS is Freemium and Open Source
  11. MullvadDNS icon
     30 likes

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

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
     
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    1
    MullvadDNS vs NextDNS Comments
    Spidge
    Positive
    0

    Several levels of blocking available, but not user-customisable like nextDNS

    • MullvadDNS is Free and Open SourceNextDNS is Freemium and Open Source
  12. Blokada icon
     107 likes

    Blokada is the popular ad blocker and privacy app for Android and iOS. It's being supported and actively developed by the amazing open source community.

    97 Blokada alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
     
    |
    1
    Blokada vs NextDNS Comments
    thebenmix11
    Positive
    0

    NextDNS is a cloud-based DNS blocker, while Blokada is local and works by establishing a vpn connection.

    Blokada 6 is now a cloud-based alternative, but Blokada 5 is sitll maintained and it works wonderfully.

    • Blokada is Freemium and Open SourceNextDNS is also Freemium and Open Source
12 of 95 NextDNS alternatives