When you type in a web URL in text, a DNS resolver takes that text-based URL and finds its numbered IP address and redirects you there. So basically every time you get on the internet, using your web browser or any app, every network query goes through a DNS resolver. Which means every ad that gets served to you also goes through a DNS resolver. What if it were smart enough to know which addresses were ads and simply send them elsewhere?
That’s what AdGuard and NextDNS do. These aren’t your run-of-the-mill DNS services like Google DNS or Cloudflare. Instead of just resolving domain names, they give you control over what your devices can connect to. Ads, trackers, malware, telemetry servers, adult content, you name it. They both essentially do the same thing: to give you a faster, safer, cleaner browsing by filtering out the noise. But there are some differences. We’re here to identify them and help you pick.
Comparison Overview
| Feature | AdGuard DNS | NextDNS |
| Best For | Families, casual users | Power users, privacy enthusiasts |
| Platform Support | All platforms incl. mobile/routers | All platforms incl. mobile/routers |
| AdBlock Tester Score | 66/100 | 70/100 |
| Queries on Free Tier | 300,000/month | 300,000/month |
| Pricing Starts At | $2.49/month (10M queries) | $1.99/month (unlimited queries) |
Pros and Cons
AdGuard DNS Pros and Cons
Pros
- Easy to set up and use
- Family Protection mode
- Works well on mobile and blocks in-app ads
- Bundled with AdGuard VPN for extra value
- No personal logs when using public servers
Cons
- Fewer advanced filtering tools compared to NextDNS
- Public DNS has fewer analytics and controls
- Lower AdBlock Tester score (66/100)
NextDNS Pros and Cons
Pros
- Highly customisable with per-device profiles and advanced filters
- Powerful analytics with real-time logs and domain-level stats
- Better AdBlock Tester score (70/100)
- Excellent value even in free plan
- Strong privacy controls and logging policies
Cons
- Requires more setup and understanding for full benefit
- It can feel too complex for casual users
- In-app ad blocking is not as consistent as AdGuard on mobile
Key Features
Ads and Tracker Blocking Capabilities
When it comes to ad blocking, both AdGuard DNS and NextDNS utilise blocklists to rid you of ads. However, there are some differences, especially when it comes to real-world use.
AdGuard DNS
AdGuard DNS uses a combination of filter lists. AdGuard Base Filter, Tracking Protection, and optional Annoyances filters are used to to block a wide range of ad domains. These filters are updated by AdGuard’s team and the community. And the web dashboard lets you choose from many more blocklists. Ads are blocked at the DNS level, so the request to fetch the ad never reaches your device. This includes banner ads, autoplay video ads, pop-ups and more.
In real-world use, AdGuard DNS works great outside of web browsers. It blocks all in-app ads in Android and iOS apps and games. AdGuard uses local DNS proxies and HTTPS filtering. And when paired with the AdGuard app, it delivers better results.
NextDNS
NextDNS gives you a lot of control. You can enable or disable filter lists like EasyList, OISD and even AdGuard’s own filters. You can subscribe to region-specific filters and have per-profile settings, which is great if you manage multiple devices or users. NextDNS also detects CNAME-based cloaked trackers (a technique used to bypass simple blockers) and blocks them well. Its ad-blocking is very accurate in browsers and integrates well with privacy-focused filter sets that block telemetry, analytics, and script-based ads.
But in real life, AdGuard DNS blocks more ads across more platforms. While NextDNS is sharp in the browser and great for power users who like to fine-tune filters, AdGuard is more user-friendly and has native in-app ad blocking, so it’s the better choice for users who want set-it-and-forget-it coverage, especially on mobile.
Privacy and Security
Privacy and security are core to both AdGuard DNS and NextDNS, but they approach it slightly differently.
Both services support encrypted DNS protocols: DNS-over-HTTPS (DoH), DNS-over-TLS (DoT), DNS-over-QUIC (DoQ). These protocols encrypt your DNS queries and make them unreadable to your ISP, coffee shop Wi-Fi, or any middleman trying to snoop on your traffic. This is a huge step up from most traditional DNS services that are unencrypted.
AdGuard DNS
AdGuard DNS keeps it simple for users who want security without hassle. When you use the public AdGuard DNS servers, your data isn’t logged in any personally identifiable way. If you use their Private DNS dashboard (free with registration), you can fine-tune what’s logged, set retention policies and even anonymise logs. Their servers are in the EU under GDPR, and they don’t share or sell data to third parties. The AdGuard app also prevents DNS leaks and can enforce DNS-over-HTTPS system-wide.
NextDNS
NextDNS goes all in on transparency and control. You can choose where your logs are stored (US, EU, or Switzerland). You can turn off logging completely or set retention from 1 hour to 2 years. And more impressively, NextDNS shows you the DNS requests made by your devices. It shows which domains were blocked, why they were blocked and what tracker or service they belonged to.
NextDNS also goes further in protecting against advanced threats. It blocks CNAME-cloaked trackers, enforces SafeSearch when enabled and protects against typosquatting, phishing domains and even DNS rebinding attacks. AdGuard DNS has malware domain blocking as well, but doesn’t match NextDNS’s level of advanced threat detection.
Both AdGuard DNS and NextDNS are very secure and trustworthy but NextDNS gives more transparency and granular privacy control, AdGuard DNS delivers a simpler, more effective experience that’s still very safe.
Parental Controls
Parental control is one of the key features of DNS-based filtering. Mainly because it allows you to set it up on an entire network or on a per-device basis. And both AdGuard DNS and NextDNS take different approaches to content safety.
AdGuard DNS
AdGuard DNS has built-in Family Protection servers that block adult websites, enforce Safe Search in search engines and filter out explicit content on YouTube. Instead of the regular DNS server, you’ll just have to use the “Family Protection” DNS addresses, and your entire home network or mobile device gets content filtering applied instantly. There’s no additional setup process involved. It just works out of the box. If you use the AdGuard app alongside, you can get even more control over which services are allowed or restricted.
AdGuard DNS also has basic scheduling features when used with a Private DNS account. This allows parents to set up time-based restrictions, like blocking all content after bedtime or limiting access to social media apps during school hours.
NextDNS
NextDNS has even more flexible and powerful parental controls, but requires a bit more setup. You can create multiple profiles (e.g. for kids, teens, guests) and apply different filters and blocklists to each. Each profile can enforce Safe Search, YouTube Restricted Mode and even app-specific blocks (like TikTok, Discord or Snapchat). Scheduling features let you define time windows when certain types of content are allowed or blocked, which is great for homework or sleep schedules.
NextDNS also has an “Education filter” category and lets you apply deny/allow rules per domain, so parents have full control over what kids can access. The only drawback is it requires a bit more configuration compared to AdGuard’s Family Protection toggle.
AdGuard DNS is for parents who want quick and easy protection. NextDNS is for tech-savvy families who want more granular control.
Statistics and Analytics
NextDNS
NextDNS has real-time analytics for domain, device and category. You can see blocked requests, which filters are applied and trends over time. The dashboard is interactive and lets you drill down into the data, perfect for privacy enthusiasts and network admins.
AdGuard
AdGuard DNS has basic stats for Private DNS users – query counts and top blocked domains. If you use the public DNS, logging is disabled completely, which is more private but less visible.
If you need detailed stats and full logs, NextDNS is the way to go. If you prefer simplicity and no logs, AdGuard DNS is the better choice.
Usability and Customisability
Installation and Setup
Getting started with both AdGuard DNS and NextDNS is easy, but the experience varies slightly depending on your comfort with DNS settings.
AdGuard DNS is super simple. For most users, it’s just copying two DNS addresses and pasting them into your device’s network settings. You can also use configuration profiles for iOS or the official AdGuard apps, which make installation on Android and Windows even easier. These apps simplify DNS setup and give you more control if needed. AdGuard DNS is perfect for users who want a set-it-and-forget-it solution without digging into advanced settings. We have a full setup guide if you want to learn more about how to set up AdGuard DNS.
NextDNS also has installation via DNS addresses or configuration profiles. Its platform-specific setup guides walk you through installation on Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, Linux and routers. There’s even a native CLI client for power users. But NextDNS is a little more technical and assumes you’re comfortable navigating a custom dashboard and applying settings yourself. The initial setup is still easy, but the level of control it gives you may be overwhelming for users who just want to block ads.
Ease of Use
Once installed, both services are hands-off. They just work in the background. However, things differ when it comes to managing settings, toggling filters, and checking stats.
AdGuard DNS has a simple dashboard. Using the app makes it even easier. Enabling Family Protection mode, switching filters, or temporarily disabling DNS filtering can all be done with a couple of taps. It’s designed for average users who prefer toggles over technical explanations. Everything is labeled in plain language and requires minimal effort to manage.
NextDNS has a dashboard full of options, but with a slight learning curve. You can fine-tune every aspect of the service, from choosing filter lists to setting up multiple profiles and conditional access rules. The layout is clean and functional, but more geared towards users who like control. If you’re not the type to mess around in settings, some of its features will go unnoticed.
Customisation Options
Both services let you customise your DNS filtering experience, but NextDNS clearly takes the lead for power users.
AdGuard DNS allows you to enable or disable preset filters, add custom block or allow rules, and redirect domains using its DNS rewrites feature. You can also toggle Safe Search, enable family mode, and switch between different filtering modes in one click. These features are all clearly labeled, making it a breeze for users who just want a basic level of control.
NextDNS, on the other hand, is built for those who want to control everything. You can add or remove any number of public filter lists, create custom rules per domain or service, set up conditional profiles for different devices, and monitor DNS traffic in real time. It also supports DNS rewrites, CNAME cloaking detection, and device-based identification. Advanced users will appreciate the ability to configure blocking behaviors down to individual services or geographic regions.
Pricing and Plans
Both AdGuard DNS and NextDNS are good value in terms of pricing, but they differ in flexibility and scalability.
AdGuard DNS
- Free Plan: 300,000 DNS queries/month for up to 5 devices
- Personal Plan: $2.49/month for 10 million queries, 20 devices, Private DNS dashboard, custom filtering
- Team Plan: For small teams; more queries and users (custom pricing)
- Enterprise Plan: For businesses with high demand (custom pricing)
Moreover, AdGuard VPN subscribers get Personal Plan free.
NextDNS
- Free Plan: 300,000 queries/month, unlimited devices and profiles, full feature access (filtering stops after limit, but resolution continues)
- Pro Plan: $1.99/month or $19.90/year for unlimited queries, unlimited devices, advanced analytics, custom filtering
- Business Plan: $19.90/month per 50 employees — for SMBs with email support
- Education Plan: $19.90/month per 250 students — for schools and universities
NextDNS is cheaper for individual users and more flexible, even on the free tier. However, AdGuard DNS is good value when bundled with their VPN or for users who prefer simpler setups and less dashboard management.
For flexibility and low cost, NextDNS Pro is the overall winner.
Final Verdict
At the end of the day both AdGuard DNS and NextDNS are great DNS based protection, but for different types of users.
You should choose AdGuard DNS if you want something that just works. It’s simple, powerful and great at blocking ads across apps on mobile. It’s perfect for families, beginners and anyone who values ease of use over micromanagement.
Go with NextDNS if you love data, analytics and customisation. It gives you more visibility, per-device control and is perfect for privacy nerds and tech-savvy users who want to fine tune every setting.
Whichever you choose, you get similar speed, privacy and peace of mind. And that’s a win. And if you want something simpler, you can always look into the best ad blockers of 2025.