OpenBLD

OpenBLD is a protective DNS service for blocking malware, phishing, tracking, and other unwanted domains across devices and networks. It fits individuals, households, small offices, and organizations that want DNS-level controls without installing an agent on every Free-plan device. Its strongest case is flexible deployment and organizational control; public-use limits, the lack of a standard DNS SLA, and no YouTube coverage make it a less universal choice.

Overview

OpenBLD has operated since 2019 and uses DNS filtering rather than device-by-device security software. Classic DNS, DNS-over-HTTPS (DoH), and DNS-over-TLS (DoT) are supported, allowing deployment choices across phones, browsers, computers, routers, and managed environments. Free is positioned for personal use, home networks, and small offices, while Plus targets companies, security teams, and managed service providers.

Key features

The ADA profile is designed for typical users and is the better starting point when compatibility matters. RIC applies stricter filtering, which can block more questionable destinations but may also affect services that depend on them. Custom blocklists and advanced activity reports let users tune protection and inspect activity rather than relying only on a fixed filter.

OpenBLD Free needs no agent or additional software. Configuration can be performed directly on phones, browsers, desktops, and routers, which is useful for mixed-device households and small offices. The extension supports Chrome, Edge, Brave, Vivaldi, and Opera, but the underlying service must be configured first. Mobile support covers Android 9 and later and iOS 14 and later.

Public DNS use is capped at 100 requests per second per IP. AXFR and ANY requests are not accepted, and requests from virtual servers or cloud environments may be blocked automatically. These rules are material for hosted infrastructure and high-volume deployments. OpenBLD also states that YouTube is not covered, so it should not be selected where that service is a required filtering target.

Plus adds organization-specific policies, centralized DNS analytics, security events, and corporate DNS integrations. Possible integrations include Active Directory DNS, ClickHouse, VictoriaLogs, Grafana, Prometheus-compatible monitoring, syslog, and SIEM systems. Managed Cloud, Dedicated DNS, and On-Premise deployment cover different control requirements; On-Premise keeps DNS traffic, events, and analytics inside the customer’s infrastructure. Logs may be enabled for troubleshooting, are not transferred to third parties for advertising, and are anonymized whenever possible.

Pricing

Free is the sensible choice for personal networks and small offices that can stay within its daily and per-IP limits. Plus is for organizations that need centralized policy, analytics, integrations, support, or control over where DNS data is processed. The free tier gives up enterprise deployment and support, while Plus requires a requirements-based quote; the published starting price does not replace that quote.

Platforms

OpenBLD supports Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, Windows, the web, browser extensions, and self-hosted deployments. Router configuration broadens Free’s coverage beyond individually managed devices. Android 9+ and iOS 14+ are supported, and the extension covers Chrome, Edge, Brave, Vivaldi, and Opera after service setup.

Who it's for

Choose Free for household protection, personal devices, or a small office seeking DNS filtering without an installed agent. Choose Plus when a security or IT team needs organization-specific rules, centralized reporting, corporate integrations, professional support, or an On-Premise data boundary. Public-facing cloud workloads and services requiring an SLA should assess the request restrictions and service commitment carefully.

Pros and cons

Pros

• No-agent Free setup: DNS can be configured directly on phones, computers, browsers, and routers.
• Multiple encrypted transports: DoH and DoT supplement classic DNS for varied deployment needs.
• Organizational depth on Plus: Policies, analytics, security events, integrations, and three deployment models support managed environments.
• Data-control option: On-Premise keeps traffic and analytics within customer infrastructure.

Cons

• Public-use ceiling: 100 requests per second per IP and roughly 100,000 daily queries constrain heavier use.
• Cloud and special-request restrictions: Virtual-server traffic may be blocked, and AXFR and ANY are unavailable.
• No YouTube coverage: It is unsuitable when YouTube must be included in filtering.
• No standard DNS SLA: The documentation gives the base DNS service no SLA; SLA options are associated with Plus.
• Support split: Professional support is a Plus benefit, while general and technical questions go through Telegram.

Alternatives

AdGuard DNS is the better comparison for readers who want a freemium service with a free trial and an open-source project. FilterDNS suits readers seeking a free service with no trial. NextDNS is worth considering for a free tier offering 300,000 queries per month, unlimited devices, and unlimited configurations. OpenDNS Home fits users who want a free resolver, including a preconfigured Family Shield option. DNS for Family is another free, family-focused choice with fair-use limits. NxFilter is an alternative with freeware licensing and a paid $7.00-per-month Jahaslist plan. UnveilDNS offers a free Community plan with unlimited devices and requests. Cloudflare Gateway is a better fit for readers who prefer a free business tier for up to 50 users and standard log retention.

For broader category browsing, see Internet Filtering Software.

Verdict

OpenBLD is a strong choice for users and organizations that want DNS protection, no-agent Free deployment, and a path to centralized policies and on-premise control. Select Free for modest personal or small-office networks; select Plus when integrations, professional support, deployment choice, and SLA options justify custom pricing. Look elsewhere if you need YouTube coverage, unrestricted cloud-server use, or a standard SLA on the DNS service.