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.
More about NextDNS
Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard
NextDNS alternatives page was last updated

Alternatives list

  1. Pi-hole icon

    Pi-hole

     173 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.

    40 Pi-hole alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    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.
     
    |
    2
    19
    Comments about Pi-hole as an Alternative to NextDNS
    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 icon
    Pi-hole icon

    • Almost everyone thinks Pi-hole is a great NextDNS alternative.

    • Pi-hole is Free and Open SourceNextDNS is Freemium and Open Source
  2. Portmaster icon

    Portmaster

     174 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.

    35 Portmaster alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
    Dashboard PMv1.4
     
  4. AdGuard icon

    AdGuard

     274 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.

    121 AdGuard alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Chrome OS
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Vivaldi
    • Google Chrome
    • Safari
    • Yandex Browser
    • Opera
    • Mozilla Firefox
    • Snapcraft
    • Microsoft Edge
    • Android TV
    AdGuard screenshot 1
     
    |
    1
    9
    Comments about AdGuard as an Alternative to NextDNS
    smed79
    Negative
    -7

    AdGuard is an Adblock browser extension not a DNS service.

    AdGuard icon
    AdGuard icon

    • Most users think AdGuard is a great NextDNS alternative.

    • AdGuard is Freemium and Open SourceNextDNS is also Freemium and Open Source
  5. Ad
    Screenshot
    Total Adblock icon
    Total Adblock

    Block unwanted ads for faster browsing with Total Adblock. Remove banners, pop-ups, and video ads. SAVETIME by decreasing data usage and improving privacy while prolonging battery life. Easy iOS setup requires a paid account, off...

    http://www.totaladblock.com
    Learn More
  6. Adblock Plus icon

    Adblock Plus

     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.

    120 Adblock Plus alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • iPhone
    • Chrome OS
    • iPad
    • Microsoft Edge
    • Internet Explorer
    • Vivaldi
    • Google Chrome
    • Safari
    • Yandex Browser
    • Opera
    • Mozilla Firefox
    Adding a filter
     
    |
    4
    Comments about Adblock Plus as an Alternative to NextDNS
    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 icon
    Adblock Plus icon

    • This alternative is disputed. Adblock Plus is a legitimate NextDNS alternative, but it might have issues that some users think are important.

    • Adblock Plus is Freemium and Open SourceNextDNS is also Freemium and Open Source
  7. SponsorBlock icon

    SponsorBlock

     126 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...

    75 SponsorBlock alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Microsoft Edge
    • Google Chrome
    • Safari
    • Opera
    • Mozilla Firefox
    SponsorBlock screenshot 1
     
    |
    1
    8
    Comments about SponsorBlock as an Alternative to NextDNS
    Alwyn-van-Deventer
    Positive
    0

    Not a DNS-level filtering tool - just an adblocker

    SponsorBlock icon
    SponsorBlock icon

    • Most users think SponsorBlock is a great NextDNS alternative.

    • SponsorBlock is Free and Open SourceNextDNS is Freemium and Open Source
  8. RethinkDNS icon

    RethinkDNS

     59 likes

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

    45 RethinkDNS alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • F-Droid
    RethinkDNS screenshot 1
     
    |
    2
    6
    Comments about RethinkDNS as an Alternative to NextDNS
    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 icon
    RethinkDNS icon

    • Almost everyone thinks RethinkDNS is a great NextDNS alternative.

    • RethinkDNS is Free and Open SourceNextDNS is Freemium and Open Source
  10. AdGuard DNS icon

    AdGuard DNS

     41 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.

    35 AdGuard DNS alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Self-Hosted
    AdGuard DNS screenshot 1
     
    |
    6
  11. AdAway icon

    AdAway

     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.

    94 AdAway alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • F-Droid
    AdAway screenshot 1
     
  12. Control D icon

    Control D

     31 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.

    29 Control D alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Open Source (MIT)

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • iPhone
    • Android
    • iPad
    • Android Tablet
    • Google Chrome
    • Mozilla Firefox
    • Online
    Control D screenshot 1
     
    |
    6
  13. uMatrix icon

    uMatrix

     180 likes

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

    81 uMatrix alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Google Chrome
    • Opera
    • Brave
    • Firefox
    uMatrix screenshot 1
     
    |
    1
    Comments about uMatrix as an Alternative to NextDNS
    Guest
    Negative
    6

    uMatrix is Not a DNS service

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    uMatrix icon
    uMatrix icon

    • This alternative is disputed. uMatrix is a legitimate NextDNS alternative, but it might have issues that some users think are important.

    • uMatrix is Free and Open SourceNextDNS is Freemium and Open Source
  14. Blokada icon

    Blokada

     106 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.

    96 Blokada alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    Blokada screenshot 1
     
    |
    1
    Comments about Blokada as an Alternative to NextDNS
    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 icon
    Blokada icon

    • Some users think Blokada is a great NextDNS alternative, some don't.

    • Blokada is Freemium and Open SourceNextDNS is also Freemium and Open Source
  15. MullvadDNS icon

    MullvadDNS

     26 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 type

    Platforms

    • Online
     
    |
    1
    Comments about MullvadDNS as an Alternative to NextDNS
    Spidge
    Positive
    0

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

    MullvadDNS icon
    MullvadDNS icon
    • MullvadDNS is Free and Open SourceNextDNS is Freemium and Open Source
12 of 94 NextDNS alternatives