NextDNS
Cloud DNS firewall that blocks threats, ads, trackers and adult content
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Pricing
Free · from $1.99/mo
Company
NextDNS Inc.
Platforms
What is NextDNS?
NextDNS is a cloud-hosted DNS resolver that filters traffic at the DNS level. It blocks malware, phishing, cryptojacking, ads and trackers, and offers parental controls for every device and network. It works over DNS-over-HTTPS and DNS-over-TLS, is supported natively on all major platforms, and runs nothing on the device itself, so it doesn't use CPU, memory or battery.
You can turn on 10+ types of security protection, including threat intelligence feeds, Google Safe Browsing, typosquatting and newly registered domain blocking. You can also add ad and tracker blocklists, custom denylists and allowlists, and DNS rewrites. Parental controls cover SafeSearch, YouTube Restricted Mode, blocking specific apps, and Recreation Time schedules. Real-time logs and analytics are optional: you choose how long logs are kept and whether they're stored in the US, EU, UK or Switzerland.
NextDNS fits individuals and families who want something like Pi-hole hosted in the cloud. It also has plans for businesses and schools.
Key features
- Blocks malware, phishing, cryptojacking and typosquatting domains
- Ad and tracker blocklists updated in real time
- Native Tracking Protection for OS-level trackers
- Parental controls with SafeSearch and YouTube Restricted Mode
- Recreation Time schedules for apps and websites
- Configurable log retention and log storage region
- DNS-over-HTTPS, DNS-over-TLS and DNSSEC support
- Custom denylist, allowlist and DNS rewrites
Use cases
Who it's for
Network-wide ad blocking
Block ads and trackers in browsers and apps on every device without installing a blocker on each one.
Kids' online safety
Block adult content and specific apps like TikTok or Fortnite, and allow some sites only at set times.
Small business security
Protect employee devices from phishing and malicious domains, with logs stored in a region of your choice.
School filtering
Schools and universities can enforce content filtering, with plans priced per 250 students.
NextDNS pricing
From the vendor's site, checked Nov 8, 2026. Prices change — confirm on their pricing page.
| Plan | Free | Pro | Business | Education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paid monthly | Free | $1.99/mo$19.90/year | $19.90/moper 50 employees | $19.90/moper 250 students |
| Paid yearly | Free | $1.66/mo−17% | $16.58/mo−17% | $16.58/mo−17% |
| Queries a month | 300,000 | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Support | Community | Community | ||
| Intended for | — | Personal and close family use | Small and medium businesses | Schools and universities |
| Also |
| — | — | — |
| Cost for a team, per month | 1 person | 5 people | 20 people |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proflat, up to 1 | $1.66 | — | — |
| Businessflat | $16.58 | $16.58 | $16.58 |
| Educationflat | $16.58 | $16.58 | $16.58 |
Billed yearly where the plan offers it. — means the plan doesn't allow that many people.
Which plan do you need?
- NextDNSPro$1.66/mo
- Control DSMB$2/mo
The cheapest paid plan with a published price that fits. Custom and sales-quoted plans aren't included.
Cost over 2 years: $39.8212 × $1.66 + 12 × $1.66 after renewal. Worked out from the figures in NextDNS in numbers below.
Get an email when NextDNS changes its prices
One mail per change, a stop link in each. Nothing else.
NextDNS in numbers
- Monthly plan
- $1.99
- Best intro price
- $1.66
- Intro term (months)
- 12
- Renewal per year
- $19.90
- Devices at once
- Unlimited
- Jurisdiction
- United States (Delaware)
- Free plan
- Yes
- Pay with crypto
- Yes
NextDNS is a DNS filtering service, not a VPN. Pro costs $1.99/month or $19.90/year (about $1.66/month) at the same rate on renewal, and the free tier covers 300,000 queries a month. From NextDNS's own pages, checked Nov 8, 2026. Each figure links to the page it is from; fields the vendor doesn't state are left out.
How NextDNS compares
- NextDNS has a free plan, like 3 of the 4 alternatives below.
| Tool | Cost over 2 years | Best intro price | Renewal per year | Latest no-logs audit | Server countries | Devices at once | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NNextDNS | $39.82 | $1.66 | $19.90 | — | — | Unlimited | |
A AdGuard DNS | — | — | — | — | — | — | NextDNS vs AdGuard DNS |
C Control D | $60 | $2.50 | $30 | — | 69 | Unlimited | NextDNS vs Control D |
P Pi-hole | — | — | — | — | — | — | NextDNS vs Pi-hole |
Q Quad9 | — | — | — | — | — | — | NextDNS vs Quad9 |
Figures from each vendor's own pages; — means the vendor doesn't state it. The closest alternatives in our directory by category. “Starts at” is the cheapest paid plan per month, as each vendor lists it.
Pros and cons
Strengths
- Free plan includes all features and 300,000 queries a month
- Unlimited devices and configurations on every plan
- Logs can be turned off completely or kept from one hour up to two years
- Accepts cards, PayPal and cryptocurrency
Limitations
- Pro and Free plans get community support only
- Prices are listed in EUR
- Filtering stops on the free plan once the monthly quota is used up
NextDNS FAQ
Is NextDNS free?
Yes. The free plan includes all features and 300,000 queries per month. After the quota is used up, NextDNS keeps answering queries but no longer blocks anything.
Do I need an account to try it?
No. You can try it without signing up and create an account later to save your settings.
Which protocols does it support?
DNS-over-HTTPS, DNS-over-TLS and DNSSEC validation.
Where are logs stored?
You can choose the United States, European Union, United Kingdom or Switzerland, or turn logging off entirely.
How are business plans priced?
The Business plan is billed per 50 employees and the Education plan per 250 students, monthly or yearly.
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NextDNS
Free · from $1.99/mo
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