Why Use a Cloud DNS Filtering Service?
Self-hosted solutions like Pi-hole and AdGuard Home are powerful but require a server you manage, a device that stays on 24/7, and ongoing maintenance. Cloud DNS filtering services offer a different trade-off: configuration happens in a web dashboard, the service runs on someone else's infrastructure, and your devices are protected wherever they are — at home, on mobile, at coffee shops.
NextDNS and Control D are two of the most capable cloud DNS services available today. Both offer ad blocking, privacy protection, and custom filtering rules. They differ meaningfully in their approach, pricing, and advanced features.
NextDNS: Privacy-First Simplicity
NextDNS launched in 2019 with a clear mission: make DNS filtering as easy as possible while taking privacy seriously. Its free tier is genuinely useful, and the paid plan is affordable for individuals and families.
What NextDNS Does Well
- Extensive filter list library: One-click activation of popular blocklists (EasyList, AdGuard, OISD, Steven Black's Hosts, and dozens more)
- Privacy settings: Block CNAME cloaking, disable DNS rebinding protection bypass, block newly registered domains
- Analytics: Detailed per-device query logs and statistics (can be fully disabled for privacy)
- Parental controls: Block adult content, enforce safe search, set per-device schedules
- Protocol support: DoH, DoT, DoQ, DNS-over-HTTPS/3
- Pricing: Free up to 300,000 queries/month; paid plan is a flat annual fee for unlimited queries
NextDNS Limitations
- Free tier has a monthly query limit (300,000 is enough for small households, less so for large ones)
- Less granular traffic routing compared to Control D
Control D: The Power User's DNS Service
Control D, built by the team behind Windscribe VPN, approaches DNS filtering from a network control angle. It is more complex to configure but offers capabilities that go well beyond what NextDNS provides — particularly around traffic redirection and custom resolvers.
What Control D Does Well
- Custom resolvers: Route specific domains through different DNS resolvers or even VPN exit nodes
- Redirect rules: Send traffic for certain services to geo-specific endpoints
- Bypass rules: Exclude specific devices or services from filtering
- Filter profiles: Multiple blocking profiles for different devices or scenarios
- Native app: Dedicated apps for Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android handle configuration automatically
- Free tier: Basic ad and malware blocking with limited customization
Control D Limitations
- Steeper learning curve — the interface rewards users who understand DNS concepts
- Advanced features require a paid plan
- Fewer pre-built blocklist options compared to NextDNS
Feature Comparison
| Feature | NextDNS | Control D |
|---|---|---|
| Free tier | Yes (300K queries/mo) | Yes (basic features) |
| Blocklist library | Extensive | Moderate |
| Custom traffic routing | Limited | Excellent |
| Per-device profiles | Yes | Yes |
| Native apps | iOS, Android, macOS | All major platforms |
| Ease of setup | Very easy | Moderate |
| Query logs | Yes (can disable) | Yes (can disable) |
Which Should You Choose?
Choose NextDNS if you want the quickest setup, the broadest selection of pre-built blocklists, and a straightforward privacy-focused experience. It is ideal for families and users who want protection across all devices without complexity.
Choose Control D if you need granular traffic control, want to route specific services through different resolvers, or are already comfortable thinking about DNS infrastructure. Its power-user feature set has no real equivalent in NextDNS.
Both services offer free tiers — it is worth testing each on your primary device before committing to a paid plan.