The Free plan stops filtering after 300,000 queries in a month, while continuing to answer DNS queries.
Devices remain connected, but users who reach the quota lose blocking and filtering until the monthly reset or a plan upgrade.
Evidence source ↗
NextDNS
NextDNS is a configurable DNS service that filters ads, trackers, malicious domains, and selected content across devices and networks.
Editorial overview
Aggregated Overview
Feature depth, adjustable logging, and a free tier are documented by NextDNS. Public review samples are small and mixed, especially on support, so sentiment and support assessments have limited confidence.
This profile combines documented product information and independent evidence where available. It is not a hands-on test unless TechZella explicitly identifies one.
NextDNS Decision Snapshot
A quick way to understand who this product may suit, where its limits matter, and which facts are most relevant before you compare alternatives.
Best suited to
Individuals, families, schools, and small businesses seeking centrally configurable DNS filtering, tracker blocking, security controls, and optional query analytics.
Look elsewhere if
Organizations requiring documented enterprise SSO, SIEM integrations, or a mature support commitment should verify those needs before adopting; the public materials reviewed do not establish them, and should evaluate alternatives such as Control D or AdGuard DNS instead.
Platforms
Android, API, iOS, Web, Windows
TechZella assessment
7.9/10
Overview
NextDNS is a cloud-hosted DNS service for filtering requests across devices and networks. Its controls combine security protections, ad and tracker blocking, parental controls, custom domain rules, and query analytics.
Users can configure the service through a web account and connect supported devices or routers. The product page says logs can be disabled, retained for a selected period, and stored in a selected jurisdiction.
NextDNS — What Sets It Apart?
These are the product-specific differences that may matter when deciding whether the software fits your workflow. They are based on documented evidence rather than a universal ranking.
- One DNS profile combines threat blocking, tracker filtering, parental controls, custom domain rules, and query analytics.
- Users can choose log retention and storage jurisdiction, or disable logging.
- The free tier includes all listed features but limits filtering to 300,000 queries monthly.
7 key claims verifiedOur editorial team checked this profile against vendor documentation, pricing information, product documentation. Supported by 4 documented sources.
NextDNS Pros & Cons
Pros
- Combines privacy filtering, security controls, and parental controls within DNS profiles.
- Offers granular logging controls, including disabling logs and choosing retention and storage jurisdiction.
- Free tier includes all listed features and unlimited devices, subject to its query cap.
- Multiple setup methods cover individual devices and router-based networks.
Cons
- Free-plan filtering stops after 300,000 monthly queries, though DNS resolution remains available.
- The API documentation warns that the beta API may change without notice.
- The published support model reserves email support for Business and Education; Free and Pro list community support.
NextDNS Gotchas & Operational Limits
These are documented constraints or practical friction points that may matter before you adopt the product.
The API documentation labels the API beta and warns that it may change without notice.
Automations tied to endpoints or response formats may need maintenance as the API evolves.
Evidence source ↗Security & Privacy
For security-sensitive software, TechZella focuses on documented architecture, authentication, data handling, deployment and privacy details that can affect a buying decision. This is product research, not an independent security audit.
Security posture at a glance
| Encrypted DNS | DNS-over-HTTPS and DNS-over-TLS are documented on the product page. |
|---|
What the documented evidence tells us
The product page documents threat protections, tracker blocking, content categories, SafeSearch, YouTube Restricted Mode, and time controls.
Source ↗Security claims are presented only when supported by documented sources. The presence of this section does not constitute a penetration test, certification or independent security audit.
NextDNS Pricing & Plans
Free
A$0
month
300,000 queries monthly, unlimited devices and configurations, all listed features, and community support. After the quota, DNS continues without filtering. Official page states prices are in AUD.
Check current pricing →Pro
A$2.99/month or A$29.90/year
month or year
For personal and close-family use; unlimited queries, devices, and configurations; all listed features; community support. Prices shown in AUD.
Check current pricing →Business
A$29.90/month or A$299/year per 50 employees
month or year
Unlimited queries, devices, configurations, and all listed features, with email support. Prices shown in AUD.
Check current pricing →Education
A$29.90/month or A$299/year per 250 students
month or year
For schools and universities; unlimited queries, devices, configurations, and all listed features, with email support. Prices shown in AUD.
Check current pricing →Pricing may change. Verify current plans on the vendor's website.
Quick Comparison
Compare the product with documented alternatives across the factors that can change a buying decision. Each row is evidence-backed rather than a generic feature checklist.
NextDNS vs. Control D
Documented comparison| Decision factor | NextDNS | Control D |
|---|---|---|
| Core scope | DNS filtering combines security threat controls, ad and tracker blocking, and parental controls. | DNS filtering includes malware protection, content controls, service rules, and optional content redirection. Source ↗ |
| Deployment model | Cloud DNS service configured on devices, systems, or routers; setup options vary by platform. | Cloud service with desktop, mobile, and router clients listed on its business pricing page. Source ↗ |
| Pricing model | Personal Pro subscription and organization plans priced by employee or student count; the displayed pricing page lists AUD prices. | SMB plan publicly priced per endpoint monthly; education, nonprofit, MSP, and enterprise options use contact-based pricing. Source ↗ |
| API availability | Documented API is labeled beta and can manage profiles, settings, analytics, and logs. | Control D lists full API access among its plan capabilities. Source ↗ |
Only factors supported by the available research are shown. The comparison is descriptive, not a ranking.
NextDNS Competitors & Alternatives
Compare similar products directly, then see which alternatives may make more sense when your requirements differ.
At a glance
Privacy Software| Decision factor | NextDNS | Control D |
|---|---|---|
| Core scope | DNS filtering combines security threat controls, ad and tracker blocking, and parental controls. | DNS filtering includes malware protection, content controls, service rules, and optional content redirection. Source ↗ |
| Deployment model | Cloud DNS service configured on devices, systems, or routers; setup options vary by platform. | Cloud service with desktop, mobile, and router clients listed on its business pricing page. Source ↗ |
| Pricing model | Personal Pro subscription and organization plans priced by employee or student count; the displayed pricing page lists AUD prices. | SMB plan publicly priced per endpoint monthly; education, nonprofit, MSP, and enterprise options use contact-based pricing. Source ↗ |
| API availability | Documented API is labeled beta and can manage profiles, settings, analytics, and logs. | Control D lists full API access among its plan capabilities. Source ↗ |
Only factors supported by the available research are shown. The comparison is descriptive, not a ranking.
Direct competitors
These products address broadly similar requirements. The descriptions focus on documented reasons a buyer might compare them with NextDNS.
NextDNS Features
Security and privacy
- Threat-intelligence and malicious-domain filtering
- Ad and tracker blocklists
- Native tracking protection
- Disguised third-party tracker detection
- Custom allowlists and denylists
Parental controls
- Website and service blocking
- Content-category filtering
- SafeSearch enforcement
- YouTube Restricted Mode
- Scheduled access through Recreation Time
Administration and visibility
- Multiple configurations with different settings
- DNS analytics and real-time logs
- Configurable log retention and storage jurisdiction
- DNS response rewrites
- Customizable block page
API
- Profile and settings management
- Analytics endpoints
- Log-related endpoints
- Beta status stated in API documentation
Demo & Screenshots
NextDNS Specifications
| Service model | Cloud-hosted DNS filtering service |
|---|---|
| Setup methods | Device, operating-system, and router configuration; NextDNS CLI is documented for Linux and router use. |
| Encrypted DNS | DNS-over-HTTPS and DNS-over-TLS are documented on the product page. |
| API | Documented API; beta status and possible breaking changes are disclosed. |
| Free query limit | 300,000 per month; filtering stops after the cap while DNS resolution continues. |
| Logging controls | Logging can be disabled; configurable retention from one hour to two years is listed. |
| Log storage jurisdictions | United States, European Union, United Kingdom, or Switzerland, per product page. |
| Free trial | No-signup try option and a free plan; separate timed trial not listed. |
| Pricing currency displayed | AUD on the official pricing page consulted. |
| Support | Community support on Free and Pro; email support on Business and Education. |
Deployment & System Footprint
Verified installation, hosting, administration, or environment details that can affect implementation.
| Installation or hosting | Cloud-hosted DNS service. Users configure devices, operating systems, or routers to use NextDNS; the vendor also describes a CLI for Linux and router installations. Source ↗ |
|---|
Migration & Lock-In
Documented portability, standards, export, or switching considerations. No switching-cost score is shown unless the evidence supports one.
Data portability
The privacy policy says users can view, export, or delete their logged data. No migration utility for importing configuration from another DNS provider was verified.
Evidence source ↗Our evidence-based assessment
TechZella Score
A proprietary editorial score based on product capabilities, usability, value, performance, support and user sentiment evidence.
7.9/10Moderate confidence
Feature depth, adjustable logging, and a free tier are documented by NextDNS. Public review samples are small and mixed, especially on support, so sentiment and support assessments have limited confidence.
Methodology v1.0. The assessment weighs feature coverage (25%), ease of use (15%), value for money (20%), performance (15%), support (10%) and user sentiment (15%), using researched product evidence and verified review evidence where available. It is a TechZella editorial assessment, not a direct user-review average.
Editorial transparency
Our Review Methodology
Key claims are linked to the sources used to verify them. This evidence record is separate from third-party user ratings.
TechZella evaluates software using documented product capabilities, pricing information, usability and value considerations, independent user evidence where available, and competitive context. The assessment is an editorial review, not a hands-on test unless one is explicitly identified. Our editorial assessment is based on 4 documented sources.
What TechZella adds
- One DNS profile combines threat blocking, tracker filtering, parental controls, custom domain rules, and query analytics.
- Users can choose log retention and storage jurisdiction, or disable logging.
- The free tier includes all listed features but limits filtering to 300,000 queries monthly.
Important limitations
- After the free monthly query quota is exceeded, DNS continues resolving but filtering and related features are disabled until the quota resets.
- NextDNS states that its API is in beta and may change without notice.
- Free and Pro plans provide community support; email support is listed for Business and Education plans.
Evidence-backed claimsThe Free plan includes 300,000 monthly queries and all features. Filtering ceases after the Free monthly query allowance, but DNS resolution continues. Users can adjust logging retention and storage jurisdiction, or disable logging. NextDNS provides security filtering, privacy controls, and parental controls. The API documentation is available and identifies the API as beta. The displayed Pro price is A$2.99 monthly or A$29.90 yearly. NextDNS Inc. identifies itself as an independent, founder-owned company.
The official pricing page lists the query allowance, unlimited devices and configurations, and access to all features.
View source ↗Verified 2026-10-05The pricing page says the service continues answering queries as a classic non-blocking DNS service after the quota is exceeded.
View source ↗Verified 2026-10-05The product page lists retention from one hour to two years, no-logging mode, and selectable storage jurisdictions.
View source ↗Verified 2026-10-05The product page documents threat protections, tracker blocking, content categories, SafeSearch, YouTube Restricted Mode, and time controls.
View source ↗Verified 2026-10-05The API documentation describes authentication, profile management, analytics, and log endpoints, and warns about possible breaking changes.
View source ↗Verified 2026-10-05The official pricing page, which states that its prices are in AUD, lists these Pro amounts.
View source ↗Verified 2026-10-05The company privacy policy describes NextDNS Inc. as independent and founder-owned and controlled.
View source ↗Verified 2026-10-05Community feedback
Reviews
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FAQ
Does NextDNS have a free plan?
Yes. The Free plan includes all listed features and allows up to 300,000 queries per month. Filtering stops after the cap, but the service continues answering DNS queries.
Does NextDNS offer a free trial?
The official site offers a no-signup way to try the service. Its pricing page lists a Free plan rather than a separate timed trial.
Does NextDNS provide an API?
Yes. Official API documentation covers profile management, analytics, and logs. The documentation labels the API beta and warns that it may change.
Can users control logging?
Yes. Users can choose whether to log, set a retention period, and select a storage jurisdiction. The product page lists an option to disable logging.
Which devices can use NextDNS?
NextDNS provides setup options for multiple operating systems and routers. The exact setup path varies by device; the help center describes native encrypted DNS, apps, and CLI options.