Control D is the best NextDNS alternative for most people, because it gives you strong filters, easy profiles, and more control than basic DNS blockers. NextDNS is great, but its free plan has a 300,000-query monthly limit [source: NextDNS]. If your house has phones, TVs, tablets, and laptops, you can hit that faster than expected.
TLDR: Pick Control D if you want power and custom rules. Pick AdGuard DNS if you want simple ad blocking. Pick Quad9 if security matters most. For example, a family of four can easily send 10,000 to 25,000 DNS queries per day, especially with smart TVs and apps. That adds up fast.
DNS filtering sounds boring. It is not. It is basically a bouncer for the internet. Your device asks, “Can I visit this site?” Your DNS service says, “Sure,” or “Nope, that site is junk.” Nice.
1. Control D
Best for: people who want serious control without running their own server.
Control D feels like NextDNS with extra knobs. You can block ads, trackers, malware, adult sites, gambling, social media, and whole app groups. You can also create profiles for different users. So your kid’s tablet can have strict rules. Your laptop can be less locked down.
The fun part is the custom routing. You can make some services appear from another region. That is not needed for everyone. Still, it is neat.
Good stuff:
- Very flexible filters.
- Profiles for people and devices.
- Great logs and rule control.
- Works on routers, phones, and browsers.
Annoying bit: the settings can feel crowded at first. Expect to waste time on the first setup. Maybe 15 minutes. Maybe 30 if your router menu is a mess.
2. AdGuard DNS
Best for: simple ad blocking and family safety.
AdGuard DNS is easy to like. It blocks ads, trackers, phishing sites, and adult content if you choose the family option. You can use the free public DNS servers or make an account for more control.
It works well for people who do not want a dashboard full of switches. Set it. Test it. Move on with life.
Good stuff:
- Very simple setup.
- Good ad and tracker blocking.
- Family protection mode.
- Clear apps for major platforms.
Annoying bit: some ads still sneak through. DNS blocking cannot remove every ad inside apps. It drives me crazy that some video apps still show sponsored junk anyway.
3. Quad9
Best for: blocking malware and scam domains.
Quad9 is not trying to be cute. It focuses on security. It blocks known bad domains before your device connects to them. That means fewer fake banking pages, malware links, and shady downloads.
Quad9 is also free. It does not give you the fancy personal dashboard that NextDNS or Control D gives you. But for many people, that is fine. Less setup. Less fuss.
Good stuff:
- Free security-focused DNS.
- Blocks known harmful domains.
- No account needed.
- Good for older relatives and small offices.
Weak spot: it is not built for custom family rules. If you want to block TikTok after 9 PM, use something else.
4. Cloudflare 1.1.1.1 for Families
Best for: fast setup and basic family filtering.
Cloudflare is known for speed. Its 1.1.1.1 service is very popular. The “for Families” version adds malware blocking. Another option blocks malware and adult content.
This is a good choice if you want one simple switch. You change your DNS numbers. Done.
Good stuff:
- Fast and simple.
- No account needed.
- Good malware blocking option.
- Easy to add on a router.
Weak spot: it is basic. There are no rich logs. No per-device rules. No deep control. Honestly, it feels like a hammer when you sometimes need tweezers.
5. CleanBrowsing
Best for: parents, schools, and churches.
CleanBrowsing is built around content filtering. It has free DNS filters for security, adult content, and family-safe browsing. Paid plans add more control, logs, and custom block lists.
It is very good if your main goal is keeping adult sites and unsafe search results away from kids. It can also force safer search modes on supported search engines.
Good stuff:
- Strong family filters.
- Free preset options.
- Paid plans for custom rules.
- Good fit for shared devices.
Weak spot: it can block too much at times. A normal health site may get caught in the net. Then someone yells from the couch. Fun.
Quick Pick Guide
- Want the closest NextDNS rival? Choose Control D.
- Want easy ad blocking? Choose AdGuard DNS.
- Want malware protection only? Choose Quad9.
- Want fast and basic? Choose Cloudflare for Families.
- Want strong kid-safe filters? Choose CleanBrowsing.
What DNS Filtering Cannot Do
DNS filtering is useful. It is not magic. It will not remove every ad. It will not stop every scam. It will not replace antivirus software. It also may not work if an app uses its own private DNS.
Still, it gives you a strong first layer. It blocks junk before it loads. That makes the web cleaner, safer, and less annoying.
If you like tweaking rules, start with Control D. If you want fewer buttons, use AdGuard DNS. If you are setting this up for family members who click everything, use Quad9 or CleanBrowsing. Your future self will be thankful.
