Elevate your online experience with NextDNS, the trailblazing DNS service that seamlessly blends robust security with unparalleled customization. Enjoy lightning-fast browsing, shielded from malicious domains, all while tailoring your protection settings to your unique needs. Dive into a digital realm where safety meets efficiency, and take control of your internet journey like never before.
Navigating the vast digital landscape can be daunting, especially when concerns about online security and privacy loom large.
Enter NextDNS, a revolutionary domain name system (DNS) service that promises not just to guide you through the web but to do so with enhanced safety and control.
Dive into our comprehensive guide, where we unravel the features, benefits, and nuances of NextDNS, answering all your burning questions and ensuring you’re well-equipped for a secure online journey.
Read further to learn more about NextDNS, in our review we will detail its features, pros and cons with our rating, and a conclusion about why you should use it.
Click on “open” if you want to see exactly what we will talk about in the rest of this article.
NextDNS is described as “the new firewall for the modern Internet.” It offers protection against various security threats, blocks ads and trackers on websites and apps, and ensures a safe and supervised online environment for children across all devices and networks.
The platform goes beyond just domain-level security by analyzing DNS queries in real-time to detect and counteract malicious activities.
Additionally, NextDNS provides features like native tracking protection, which blocks trackers operating at the device’s OS level, and the ability to detect third-party trackers that try to masquerade as first-party entities to bypass browser privacy measures.
The service is designed to be easily set up on all major platforms and supports modern encrypted DNS protocols like DNS-over-HTTPS and DNS-over-TLS.
NextDNS specifications
Features
AdBlock / Analytics and Insights / Blocks Trackers / DNS Leak Protection / Data & Privacy Protection / IP Protection / Malware Protection / Parental Control / Parental Monitoring of social media / Top-level privacy protection / URL and App Blocking / Web Filtering & Blocking
Whether you’re an individual, a bustling business, or an educational institution, there’s a plan designed just for you.
With options ranging from a cost-free tier to premium plans, priced between $1.99/month and $199/year, NextDNS ensures top-notch online security and privacy doesn’t break the bank.
Queries Limit: This plan offers up to 300,000 DNS queries per month. Once this limit is exceeded, NextDNS will continue to function but will behave like a standard, non-blocking DNS service.
Devices: Users can connect an unlimited number of devices under this plan.
Configurations: It allows for unlimited configurations, enabling users to set up different protection and filtering settings as needed.
Features: Users have access to all the features that NextDNS offers, even on the free plan.
Support: Community support is available, meaning users can seek assistance from the NextDNS community for any issues or queries.
Pro Plan
Pricing: The cost is set at $1.99 per month. However, users can opt for an annual subscription at $19.90, saving 17% compared to monthly payments.
Target Audience: This plan is designed for personal and close family use.
Queries: There’s no limit to the number of DNS queries.
Devices & Configurations: Like the free plan, users can connect unlimited devices and set up unlimited configurations.
Features & Support: All features are accessible, and community support is available for assistance.
Business Plan
Pricing Structure: The plan costs $19.90 per month or $199 per year (a 17% savings on the annual plan). It’s essential to note that this pricing is for every 50 employees.
Target Audience: Tailored for small and medium-sized businesses.
Queries, Devices & Configurations: Unlimited in all these aspects.
Features: Full access to all NextDNS features.
Support: This plan offers email support, ensuring quicker responses to business-related queries.
Education Plan
Pricing Structure: The plan is priced at $19.90 per month or $199 annually (with a 17% discount on the yearly subscription). The pricing is structured for every 250 students.
Target Audience: Specifically designed for educational institutions like schools and universities.
Queries, Devices & Configurations: Unlimited.
Features & Support: Full feature access with the added benefit of email support.
All the plans are priced in USD, and multiple payment methods, including cards, PayPal, and cryptocurrencies, are accepted.
NextDNS offers a comprehensive suite of features designed to enhance online security, privacy, and user experience. From robust threat protection to parental controls and in-depth analytics, the platform ensures a safer and more controlled internet environment.
Privacy
The software blocks ads and trackers on websites and apps, even the most cunning ones. It employs popular ads and trackers blocklists, which are updated in real-time.
The native tracking protection feature blocks broad-spectrum trackers that monitor user activity at the operating system level. It can also detect and block third-party trackers that pretend to be first-party to bypass browser privacy measures.
Security
NextDNS offers robust protection against various online threats, including malware, phishing attacks, and cryptojacking. Users can fine-tune their security by enabling over ten different types of protections.
The platform utilizes trusted threat intelligence feeds that contain millions of malicious domains, updated in real-time.
It goes beyond just domain-level analysis, examining DNS queries in nanoseconds to detect and block malicious behavior. The system is designed to identify malicious domains faster than traditional security solutions.
NextDNS provides tools to ensure a safe online environment for children. Parents can block websites containing inappropriate content like porn, violence, or piracy.
Features like SafeSearch filter explicit results across all search engines, and YouTube Restricted Mode filters mature content on YouTube and similar platforms. Parents can also block specific websites, apps, and games and set access times for certain online resources.
Analytics & Logs
Users can gain insights into their device activities through in-depth analytics and real-time logs. This feature helps measure the effectiveness of security, privacy, and parental control strategies.
Users can decide the duration for which logs are retained, ranging from an hour to two years, or opt for a no-logs experience. The software also offers tracker insights, showing who is tracking the user and the extent of the tracking.
Setup
NextDNS is designed for easy setup across all major platforms. It supports modern encrypted DNS protocols like DNS-over-HTTPS and DNS-over-TLS. The software covers all networks, including home, cellular, work, and public Wi-Fi, without impacting device performance.
More Features
Unlimited Configurations: Users can create multiple configurations in their account, each with distinct settings.
Custom Denylist/Allowlist: Allows manual blocking or permitting of unlimited domains.
Customizable Block Page: Users can personalize the page displayed when a domain is blocked.
Rewrites: This feature lets users set or override the DNS response for any domain.
DNSSEC: Validates the authenticity of DNS answers automatically.
Handshake: An experimental peer-to-peer root naming system.
Ultra-Low Latency Network
NextDNS is embedded within carriers’ networks in major cities, ensuring minimal hops and low latency. The system handles billions of queries each month, with a significant number of them being blocked. The platform boasts a vast server network spread across various locations.
It serves as a DNS resolver, ensuring domain name resolution and assisting users in accessing the websites they seek. The service boasts a faster DNS server speed, allowing users to filter out undesired content.
Reviews highlight the ability to monitor and analyze network activity, providing a clearer understanding of what’s transpiring within one’s network.
The overarching goal of NextDNS is to bolster online safety by shielding users from potential threats, thereby enhancing their browsing privacy and security.
Pros :
Easy Setup and Use: NextDNS can be effortlessly configured across various devices and operating systems. No additional software installation is required.
Comprehensive Protection: The service employs multiple layers of defense, including real-time domain analysis, reputation checks, and machine learning algorithms to pinpoint and block malicious domains.
Customization: Users can tailor their protection settings, create custom block lists, and allow lists.
Performance Optimization: By blocking ads and tracking domains, NextDNS claims to enhance the performance of internet connections, reducing device and network load.
Cons :
Subscription-Based: While NextDNS offers a free version, to access its full suite of features, users must opt for one of its paid plans.
Limited Mobile Protection: On mobile devices, the protection is somewhat limited compared to desktops due to mobile operating system constraints.
Dependence on DNS: NextDNS operates by rerouting DNS requests to its servers. This means it only offers protection when DNS resolution functions correctly. In the event of DNS-related issues or attacks, its protective capabilities might be compromised.