RethinkDNS
RethinkDNS combines a configurable DNS resolver with an Android firewall to block ads, trackers, malware, and other selected domains.
What RethinkDNS is
RethinkDNS combines a configurable DNS resolver with an Android firewall to block ads, trackers, malware, and other selected domains. Users can choose from more than 190 blocklists spanning parental, security, and privacy categories. On Android, app-specific rules can prevent individual apps from using Wi-Fi or mobile data. The app encrypts DNS requests to help resist DNS-based censorship and supports DNS over HTTPS and DNS over TLS. It also displays per-app connection activity and data use, including known or suspicious connections.
The Android app is free and open source; a web presence is also listed. DNS requests are not logged by default, while opted-in stored logs can be encrypted at rest in Cloudflare R2. RPN is an optional WireGuard-based VPN with servers in 89 countries and connections to as many as five remote locations at once. It costs $1.75 a month, subject to fair use. The app also supports WireGuard, SOCKS5 and HTTP proxies, Orbot, and automated start and stop actions with apps such as Tasker. DNS-based blocking may not stop ads in some services, including Instagram and YouTube.
Good
- More than 190 blocklists across three categories.
- App-specific firewall rules for Wi-Fi and mobile data.
- Reports show per-app activity and data use.
- Free, open-source Android app.
- Supports WireGuard, SOCKS5, HTTP proxies, and Orbot.
Watch out
- DNS blocking may miss ads on Instagram and YouTube.
- RPN costs $1.75 a month, subject to fair use.
Who it suits
It suits Android users who want app-level network controls, configurable domain blocking, and connection reports. The optional RPN plan may suit users seeking multi-location VPN connections.
Verdict
RethinkDNS brings domain filtering, app-level firewall rules, and connection reporting into one Android app. Its free open-source app is the core offering; RPN is a separate paid option, and DNS filtering has stated limits on some services.
Plans and prices
From RethinkDNS's own pricing page, checked 5 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Rethink DNS + Firewall app | Free | Android app · free and open source |
| Rethink Proxy Network (RPN) | $1.75 a month | WireGuard-based VPN · connect to 5 locations at once · multi-hop on demand · no bandwidth caps, subject to fair use · Starting at $1.75 per month |
The facts
Each one read from RethinkDNS's own pages, with the date it was checked.
Where it runs
- Android firewall
- The Android app can block apps from connecting over Wi-Fi or mobile data and offers app-specific firewall rules.checked 5 Oct 2026
What it does
- Blocklists
- The service offers more than 190 predefined blocklists across parental, security, and privacy categories.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Censorship circumvention
- The Android app encrypts DNS requests to help prevent censorship through DNS manipulation.checked 5 Oct 2026
- DNS and firewall
- RethinkDNS provides a configurable DNS resolver and firewall for blocking ads, trackers, malware, and other selected domains.checked 5 Oct 2026
- DNS logging
- DNS requests are not logged by default; the FAQ says users who opt in to stored logs can have them encrypted at rest in Cloudflare R2.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Encrypted DNS
- RethinkDNS says its resolver responds over TLS, and its site describes DNS over HTTPS and DNS over TLS support.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The app supports WireGuard, SOCKS5 and HTTP proxies, and Orbot; it can also automate start and stop actions with apps such as Tasker.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Notable limit
- The FAQ says DNS-based blocking may not block ads in some services, including Instagram and YouTube.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Open source
- The Android app is free and open source, and the site links to its source code on GitHub.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Privacy
- The privacy policy says the Android app does not collect, sell, license, or share data, and that the F-Droid build has no trackers, ads, spyware, or loggers.checked 5 Oct 2026
- RPN locations
- RPN is described as a WireGuard-based VPN with servers in 89 countries and connections to as many as five remote locations at once.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Support
- The FAQ directs users to email, Telegram, or Matrix for support questions.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Traffic monitoring
- The Android app shows per-app connection activity and data use, with reports that flag known or suspicious connections.checked 5 Oct 2026
Money
- Free plan
- Yeschecked 20 Sep 2026
The company
- Maker background
- The site says RethinkDNS was developed by engineers who previously worked at AWS, IBM, and Scientific Games.checked 5 Oct 2026
Alternatives to RethinkDNS
- 1
AdGuard DNS
Free planOpen sourceAndroidiOSWebAPI8.6From $29.88 a year - 2
NextDNS
Free planOpen sourceAndroidiOSWebAPI8.6From £1.79 a month - 3
Cloudflare Gateway
Free planAndroidiOSWebAPI8.3$7 usage-based - 4
Control D
Open sourceAndroidiOSWebAPI8.1From $2 a month - 5
GoodAccess
Free planAndroidiOSWebLinux8.1Free plan - 6
DNSFilter
AndroidiOSWebAPI7.8From $1 a month