Best DNS Filtering Software in 2026
Updated
In short: AdGuard DNS is ranked #1 of 28 as of 3 October 2026, ahead of NextDNS and Quad9. The best-ranked option with a free plan is NextDNS. The lowest first paid tier on this page is ScoutDNS at $0.21/mo.
DNS filtering tools let you set rules for domain access, with options for category-based controls and custom domain policies. Compare the entries on activity reports, deployment modes, device limits, and roaming protection, as well as encrypted DNS support. A free plan may offer a way to evaluate an option, while paid-from pricing gives another cost reference. AdGuard DNS, Control D, and NextDNS lead the ranking, followed by CleanBrowsing and Technitium DNS Server. Consider how much control you need over filtering, where the rules should apply, and whether they need to follow devices away from a familiar network.
28 DNS filtering software ranked on what their makers publish — plans and prices, free tiers, platforms and the facts on their own pages.
#1 AdGuard DNS Top pick · 7.6 Free plan · Free
#2 NextDNS Runner-up · 7.4 Free plan · £1.79/mo
#3 Quad9 Also great · 7.3 Free plan · Free
- Free planFree trial AndroidapiiOSLinuxmacOSself-hostedWebWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Device limit
- 20 devices
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Free plan AndroidapiextensioniOSLinuxmacOSself-hostedWebWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms£1.79/mofirst paid tier About NextDNSVisit site - Free plan AndroidiOSLinuxmacOSWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Category filtering
- No
- Custom domain policies
- No
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Free plan apiLinuxmacOSself-hostedWebWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - AndroidextensioniOSLinuxmacOSWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - AndroidapiiOSLinuxmacOSWebWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Device limit
- 25 devices
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms$6.25/mofirst paid tier About CleanBrowsingVisit site - Free trial AndroidapiextensioniOSLinuxmacOSself-hostedWebWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms$2/mofirst paid tier About Control DVisit site - AndroidiOSmacOSWebWindows
- Deployment modes
- dns
- Category filtering
- Yes
- Custom domain policies
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - apiLinuxself-hostedWebWindows
- Free plan
- No
- Deployment modes
- dns
- Category filtering
- Yes
- Custom domain policies
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Free trial AndroidapiiOSLinuxmacOSWebWindows
- Free plan
- No
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Free trial AndroidapiextensioniOSmacOSWebWindows
- Free plan
- No
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Free trial apimacOSWebWindows
- Free plan
- No
- Category filtering
- Yes
- Custom domain policies
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms$0.21/mofirst paid tier About ScoutDNSVisit site - Free trial macOSWebWindows
- Free plan
- No
- Category filtering
- Yes
- Custom domain policies
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - apimacOSWebWindows
- Category filtering
- Yes
- Custom domain policies
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - apiself-hostedWeb
- Deployment modes
- dns
- Category filtering
- Yes
- Custom domain policies
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - WindowsmacOSLinux
- Free plan
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms -
- Free plan
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - WebWindowsmacOSLinuxiOSAndroid
- Free plan
- No
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - WebAndroid
- Free plan
- Yes
- Category filtering
- Yes
- Custom domain policies
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Web
- Deployment modes
- dns
- Custom domain policies
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - WindowsmacOSiOSAndroid
- Free plan
- No
- Category filtering
- Yes
- Custom domain policies
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - WebWindowsLinux
- Free plan
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - WindowsmacOS
- Free plan
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - WebWindowsmacOSiOSAndroid
- Free plan
- No
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms -
- Deployment modes
- dns
- Category filtering
- Yes
- Custom domain policies
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms
Is your app on this list?
Numbered spots on this list can be sponsored. They are labelled, and the editorial order and scores never change for payment.
Questions about this list
Which DNS filtering software is ranked first on Everything Xiaomi?
AdGuard DNS is ranked #1 of 28 with a score of 7.6. NextDNS is second and Quad9 third.
How many of these have a free plan?
4 of the 25 on this page publish a free plan on their own pricing pages.
Which is the cheapest paid option?
On this page, ScoutDNS has the lowest first paid tier we found: $0.21/mo.
How is this list ranked?
Ranked on what each maker publishes: documentation depth, a free tier and the platforms it runs on. Paid placements never change a rank.