AdGuard DNS
AdGuard DNS resolves DNS requests and can filter ads, trackers, phishing, and malicious domains across connected devices.
What AdGuard DNS is
AdGuard DNS resolves DNS requests and can filter ads, trackers, phishing, and malicious domains across connected devices. Public DNS offers Default, Family, and Non-filtering modes; Family also blocks adult content and enables Safe Search and Safe Mode where possible. Private DNS adds rules to allow or block domains on individual devices or globally, plus parental controls with scheduling for sites such as social media. A dashboard shows request statistics by date, country, or device, including blocked requests. It supports DNSCrypt, DNS-over-HTTPS, DNS-over-TLS, DNS-over-QUIC, and DNSSEC. The free Starter plan is provided by default. Personal and Team plans are billed monthly, but no numeric prices are listed; Enterprise uses flexible pricing through sales contact. Enterprise includes a REST API for automation and integration with security control systems. AdGuard says the service is open source, GDPR-compliant, collects only necessary data, and does not share it with third parties. Enterprise request logging can be disabled in account settings.
Good
- Offers three Public DNS filtering modes.
- Private DNS supports domain allow and block rules.
- Dashboard breaks down requests by date, country, or device.
- Supports four encrypted DNS protocols and DNSSEC.
- Supports Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS.
Watch out
- Personal and Team prices are not listed.
- Monthly subscriptions are non-refundable.
- Enterprise pricing requires contacting sales.
Who it suits
The Personal plan is described for personal use, Team for small businesses, and Enterprise for larger companies. Its filtering and scheduling controls may suit households managing content access across devices.
Verdict
AdGuard DNS combines DNS filtering with device-level rules, parental controls, and request statistics. Check the plan terms before subscribing, especially the refund policy and the unlisted Personal and Team prices.
Plans and prices
From AdGuard DNS's own pricing page, checked 14 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| AdGuard DNS Starter | Free | 300,000 monthly requests · 5 devices · 2 servers · 100 rules |
| AdGuard DNS Personal | $19.99 a month | 10M monthly requests · 20 devices · unlimited servers · 1,000 rules · billed monthly +VAT |
| AdGuard DNS Personal | $29.88 a year | 10M monthly requests · 20 devices · unlimited servers · 1,000 rules · billed annually +VAT |
| AdGuard DNS Team | $239.99 a month | 100M monthly requests · 200 devices · 50 servers · 5,000 rules · 2 dedicated IPv4 addresses · custom domains · RBAC · billed monthly +VAT |
| AdGuard DNS Team | $359.77 a year | 100M monthly requests · 200 devices · 50 servers · 5,000 rules · 2 dedicated IPv4 addresses · custom domains · RBAC · billed annually +VAT |
| AdGuard DNS Enterprise | Priced on request | unlimited requests · unlimited devices · unlimited servers · 100,000 rules · dedicated IPv4 and IPv6 · priority support · SLA · annual per user or per 100M requests |
The facts
Each one read from AdGuard DNS's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Analytics
- The dashboard provides per-device DNS statistics, traffic destinations, blocked-request counts, categories, domains, countries, and query logs.checked 14 Oct 2026
- API
- A REST User API supports API-key and OAuth bearer-token authentication for devices, DNS servers, settings, logs, statistics, and limits.checked 14 Oct 2026
- API extensibility
- The API documentation publishes an OpenAPI specification, supports OAuth2 Authorization Code with PKCE for approved clients, and links a dedicated API changelog.checked 14 Oct 2026
- Business integrations
- Enterprise DNS offers a REST API for automation and integration with existing security control systems, and the enterprise page says it integrates with AdGuard Ad Blocker and AdGuard VPN.checked 29 Sep 2026
- Custom filtering
- Private DNS users can set rules to block or allow domains on individual devices or globally.checked 29 Sep 2026
- Custom rules
- Users can add domain rules, import custom rule lists, export lists, and configure block or allow behavior.checked 14 Oct 2026
- DNSSEC
- AdGuard DNS supports DNSSEC to verify the authenticity of stored DNS records with digital signatures.checked 29 Sep 2026
- Documentation depth
- The knowledge base includes setup guides, protocol guidance, troubleshooting, filtering documentation, generated API reference, and API changelog material.checked 14 Oct 2026
- Encrypted DNS
- AdGuard DNS supports DNSCrypt, DNS-over-HTTPS, DNS-over-TLS, and DNS-over-QUIC.checked 29 Sep 2026
- Encryption protocols
- The service supports DNSCrypt, DNS-over-HTTPS, DNS-over-TLS, and DNS-over-QUIC with DNSSEC validation.checked 14 Oct 2026
- Enterprise filtering
- Enterprise includes more than 30 preinstalled blocklists and permits up to 100,000 user rules.checked 14 Oct 2026
- Enterprise infrastructure
- AdGuard says its anycast network has more than 100 servers in 15-plus locations, handles 400 billion queries daily, and processes over 4.6 million queries per second.checked 14 Oct 2026
- Enterprise management
- Enterprise adds automatic device onboarding, an AdGuard DNS Client, dedicated IP addresses, custom domains, centralized policy management, and email reports.checked 14 Oct 2026
- Filtering modes
- Public DNS offers default ad and tracker blocking, a family mode with adult-content and safe-search filtering, and a non-filtering encrypted mode.checked 14 Oct 2026
- Licence
- The AdGuard DNS resolver source is released under the GNU Affero General Public License version 3.checked 14 Oct 2026
- Limit: G2 users
- G2 reviewers report missed or in-app ads, slower page loading, blocked SSO or remote-network features, and delayed support responses.checked 14 Oct 2026
- Limit: Trustpilot users
- Trustpilot reviewers report VPN connection conflicts, no official pfSense integration, and payment pages broken by aggressive blocking.checked 14 Oct 2026
The company
- Company founders
- Crunchbase lists Andrey Meshkov, Dmitry Zaytsev, and Igor Lukyanov as founders and Limassol, Cyprus as headquarters.checked 14 Oct 2026
- Company legal name
- The maker is Adguard Software Limited, incorporated on June 1, 2009, and registered in Limassol, Cyprus.checked 14 Oct 2026
- Company size
- LinkedIn lists AdGuard as a privately held IT services and consulting company with 51–200 employees.checked 14 Oct 2026
- Founded
- 2009checked 23 Sep 2026
- Headquarters
- Limassol, Cypruschecked 23 Sep 2026
Where it runs
- Limit: Apple app
- Apple reviewers report Wi-Fi failures, ads returning after days or weeks, and some apps detecting the DNS blocker; the developer says DNS filtering only catches simpler DNS-level ads.checked 14 Oct 2026
- Limit: Google Play app
- A Xiaomi Redmi reviewer reports that clearing recent apps stops the VPN-based DNS service; AdGuard says it was working on background-process support.checked 14 Oct 2026
The full review of AdGuard DNS
Overview
AdGuard DNS resolves DNS requests and can filter them to block ads, trackers, phishing, and malicious domains across connected devices. Public DNS provides preset filtering choices, while Private DNS adds controls for individual devices, parental settings, and request statistics. Enterprise DNS extends the service with an API and integrations for organizational security systems.
AdGuard was founded in 2009 and is headquartered in Limassol, Cyprus. The company describes AdGuard DNS as open source and says it complies with GDPR, collects only the minimum data necessary, and does not share that data with third parties. Its listed technical support contact is [email protected].
AdGuard DNS is listed in DNS Filtering Software and Internet Filtering Software.
Key features
Filtering and parental controls
Public DNS has Default, Family, and Non-filtering modes. Family mode blocks adult content and enables Safe Search and Safe Mode where possible. Private DNS users can make custom rules to allow or block domains, applying them to one device or globally. Parental controls can block adult content and schedule restrictions for sites such as social media.
Request statistics and logging
The dashboard shows DNS request statistics by date, country, or device, including which requests were blocked. Activity reports are described as advanced. Enterprise DNS stores request logs to produce statistics, but users can disable request logging in account settings.
Encrypted DNS and DNSSEC
Supported encrypted DNS protocols include DNSCrypt, DNS-over-HTTPS, DNS-over-TLS, and DNS-over-QUIC. DNSSEC uses digital signatures to help verify that stored DNS records are authentic.
Enterprise administration
Enterprise DNS offers a REST API for automation and integration with existing security control systems. Its enterprise page also describes integration with AdGuard Ad Blocker and AdGuard VPN. Enterprise customers are offered priority support, technical documentation, setup guides, API documentation, and email support.
Pricing
AdGuard DNS is freemium. The Starter plan is free at free, provided by default. A 30-day trial is listed, but the available pricing details do not state a price for the paid personal or team plans.
| Plan | Listed billing | Audience and terms |
|---|---|---|
| AdGuard DNS Starter | Free plan | free; provided by default |
| AdGuard DNS Personal | Monthly | For personal use; price not listed |
| AdGuard DNS Team | Monthly | For small businesses; price not listed |
| AdGuard DNS Enterprise | Flexible pricing | Contact sales; payment can be annual per user or per 100M requests. Unlimited devices, servers, and DNS requests. |
The pricing FAQ says one-year subscriptions have a 30-day money-back guarantee; monthly subscriptions are non-refundable.
Platforms
Listed platforms include Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS, as well as routers and game consoles. The broader platform listing also includes API, web, and self-hosted support.
Who it's for
AdGuard DNS offers options for individuals, small businesses, and larger companies. The pricing FAQ positions Personal for personal use, Team for small businesses, and Enterprise for larger organizations. Its mix of preset modes and configurable rules may suit people who want DNS filtering at home, while request analytics and API access address administrative needs. The listed device limit is 20 devices; Enterprise is described separately as allowing unlimited devices, servers, and DNS requests.
Pros and cons
- Pros: Multiple public filtering modes, custom allow and block rules, parental scheduling, and request statistics.
- Pros: Supports four encrypted DNS protocols and DNSSEC.
- Pros: The free plan is provided by default, and Enterprise includes API access and priority support.
- Cons: Personal and Team prices are not listed in the available pricing details.
- Cons: Monthly subscriptions are non-refundable.
Alternatives
Other options in this area include CleanBrowsing, Control D, NextDNS, Quad9, Technitium DNS Server, GoGuardian DNS, and Infoblox Cloud Network Automation. For other AdGuard software, see AdGuard.
Verdict
AdGuard DNS combines DNS filtering with device-specific rules, parental controls, and request visibility. Its free Starter plan makes the service accessible without an upfront listed cost, while paid tiers cover personal, team, and enterprise use. The main pricing caveat is that Personal and Team have no numeric prices in the available details, so buyers will need to check current plan pricing before choosing between them.
Getting started
- Visit https://adguard-dns.io/.
- Start with the free Starter plan provided by default, or choose a plan for your use case.
- Set up DNS on a supported device, router, or game console.
- Choose a Public DNS mode or configure Private DNS rules and parental controls.
- Review request statistics in the dashboard.
- For Enterprise DNS automation, use its REST API and technical documentation.
Questions
Is there a free plan or trial?
Yes. AdGuard DNS provides a free Starter plan by default, and the pricing note lists a 30-day trial.
What does AdGuard DNS cost?
The Starter plan is free. Personal and Team are billed monthly, and Enterprise uses flexible pricing through sales contact.
Which platforms are supported?
The listed platforms include Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, routers, and game consoles.
Does it offer parental controls?
Yes. Private DNS controls can block adult content and schedule restrictions for sites such as social media.
Is AdGuard DNS open source?
AdGuard says AdGuard DNS is open source so its code can be inspected.
What are the refund terms?
The pricing FAQ says a one-year subscription has a 30-day money-back guarantee. Monthly subscriptions are non-refundable.
Alternatives to AdGuard DNS
- 1
NextDNS
Free planOpen sourceAndroidiOSWebAPI8.6From £1.79 a month - 2
Cloudflare Gateway
Free planAndroidiOSWebAPI8.3$7 usage-based - 3
Control D
Open sourceAndroidiOSWebAPI8.1From $2 a month - 4
OpenBLD
Free planAndroidiOSWebAPI7.9From $15 a month - 5
DNSFilter
AndroidiOSWebAPI7.8From $1 a month - 6
NxFilter
Free planAndroidWebAPILinux7.6From $60 a year