AdGuard DNS vs NextDNS: Overview
AdGuard DNS and NextDNS represent a new generation of DNS services. Unlike basic resolvers like Google or Cloudflare, these services filter your DNS queries to block ads, trackers, malware, and adult content. They put you back in control of what your devices connect to.
AdGuard DNS is the newer entry. It is built by the same team behind the popular AdGuard ad-blocking software. The service offers pre-configured DNS servers for different filtering levels: default (blocks ads and trackers), family protection (also blocks adult content), and non-filtering.
NextDNS launched in 2019 and quickly became the favorite of privacy enthusiasts. It offers deep customization: you can choose from dozens of blocklists, create allowlists, see analytics, and configure everything through a web dashboard. NextDNS is essentially a cloud-based Pi-Hole that you can configure from anywhere.
Features Comparison
| Feature |
AdGuard DNS (Free) |
NextDNS (Free) |
NextDNS (Pro) |
| Ad blocking |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| Tracker blocking |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| Malware protection |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| Custom blocklists |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
| Analytics dashboard |
Basic |
Yes |
Yes |
| Custom allowlist |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
| Query limit |
300K/month |
300K/month |
Unlimited |
| Log retention |
24 hours |
24 hours |
Custom |
| Price |
$0 |
$0 |
$1.99/month |
Pricing
AdGuard DNS is free for up to 300,000 queries per month. That is about 10,000 queries per day. If you have multiple devices, that limit adds up fast, especially if you use smart home devices that constantly phone home. Above the limit, blocking stops functioning and the DNS falls back to non-filtering mode.
NextDNS has the same 300,000 query limit on the free plan. The Pro plan costs $1.99 per month or $19.90 per year and removes the query limit. It also adds extended log retention and priority support.
For a single person with a phone, laptop, and maybe a tablet, the free tier on either service is enough for most months. For families or smart home enthusiasts, the paid NextDNS plan is worth the $2 per month.
Speed
Both services add some latency because they check each query against filtering lists before responding. The overhead is typically 5-15ms. Neither is as fast as Cloudflare, but the difference is hardly noticeable in normal use.
NextDNS has an advantage because you can choose your data center location. AdGuard automatically routes you to the nearest server. In practice, both perform similarly from most locations.
Privacy
AdGuard DNS anonymizes logs after 24 hours. They do not store IP addresses with logs. Their privacy policy is clear and straightforward.
NextDNS offers more granular control over logging. You can choose how long to retain logs (from 24 hours to never delete), or disable logging entirely. The free plan keeps 24 hours of logs. Pro plans let you configure retention up to 2 years.
Verdict: Which Should You Use?
Choose AdGuard DNS if: You want a set-it-and-forget-it solution. The pre-configured servers work well out of the box. You do not need custom blocklists or analytics.
Choose NextDNS if: You want full control. You want to choose exactly which blocklists to use. You want to see analytics and customize your filtering. You are willing to pay $2/month for unlimited queries.
My pick: NextDNS. The extra control is worth the small price. But AdGuard DNS is a totally valid choice if you just want ad blocking without fiddling with settings.