Battle Which filtering DNS would you choose?

[TedCruz]

I used to run PiHole but with larger filtering List and 2.5Gb fibre the pihole could not keep up. So I switched to NextDNS and I have been running that for a year now. I like it, but I don't like the fact that I can't tell what devices are being blocked...yes, I understand that I can install the NextDNS app on my phone and PC, but that's the limit. How about my Smart TV? How about my Alexas? My Cameras etc. etc. I basically want to block ads, increase privacy and be able to control the times my kids are using the net.

Thank You

 

[ScandinavianFish]

NextDNS is without an doubt the best overall.

 

[ForgottenSeer 94943]

Second vote for NextDNS

 

[Sunshine-boy]

NextDNS has more security features but Adguard is more privacy friendly.

 

[Scirious]

I'm using Control D and I'm very satisfied with it. Great performance, very good blocking capabilities and the possibility to use as a proxy for geo blocked content. I have never used NextDNS, though, so I can't compare.

 

[ProblematicPions]

Interesting, will be following.

I use Adguard DNS on my router but that is just as an extra layer for those devices I can't use VPN, uBlock Origin or Brave on. In reality I'm not sure how much it does but as it doesn't affect my transfer speed or browsing in any negative way, I'll leave it there ... unless, this thread comes to the conclusion that something else is better

 

[TedCruz]

I'm using Control D and I'm very satisfied with it. Great performance, very good blocking capabilities and the possibility to use as a proxy for geo blocked content. I have never used NextDNS, though, so I can't compare.

I am currently trying Control D, but I can't find any metrics in terms of who blocked what and how many blocked. Am I missing something? I have logging enabled. I am a data person so I love seeing data.

 

[Scirious]

I am currently trying Control D, but I can't find any metrics in terms of who blocked what and how many blocked. Am I missing something? I have logging enabled. I am a data person so I love seeing data.

I cant answer that, as I just see the blocks on the pages I visit. Perhaps @windscribe can provide a better answer.

 

[Brahman]

How about my Smart TV? How about my Alexas? My Cameras etc. etc.

You can utilize a router that can support DOH/DOT and secure your entire home network ( some thing like am using..a mikrotik one) Oh and there is a new one out with wifi 6 and wpa3 support.

and you can force every port 53 ( both tcp and udp) dns traffic to port 443 and nothing will circumvent your rule. Then you can enable " block bypass methods" under the tab " parental control" in next dns to prevent users from using other dns/vpn services.

but you may not be able to identify the devices based on its query. You can name a device only if it supports doh/ dot protocol.

 

[Mystic]

For some reason, Adguard DNS does not connect on my Android device (DNS over TLS). It seems that my ISP is blocking it? NextDNS is working fine with no issues at all.

 

[ItsReallyMe]

NextDNS! Using for like 6 months.

 

[monkeylove]

Depending on your region and ISP, if some are slower than others, then you'll probably use what's fastest.

 

[ddave]

NextDNS with yogaDNS

 

[bayasdev]

I run an Adguard Home instance behind Traefik on a VPS

Public DoH / DoT Server

Thoughts from a software engineering student, code tips, Linux tutorials, open source projects and more.

bayas.dev

 

[TairikuOkami]

NextDNS and I have recently started to block all TLDs except the most commonly used. My main browser is blocking 45% requests.

 

[ddave]

Due to the reach of the 300k queries per month i'm looking for an alternative to nextdns.
I'm undecided between control d and ahadns.
Which of the two do you recommend?
Do you have other recommendation?

 

[Back3]

Have been using NextDNS for over a year now. On my Apple device, the app has not been updated since I installed it. Still running great though!

 

[n8chavez]

Due to the reach of the 300k queries per month i'm looking for an alternative to nextdns.
I'm undecided between control d and ahadns.
Which of the two do you recommend?
Do you have other recommendation?

Honestly, NextDNS is just plain the best right now. NextDNS > Control D > AdGuard Home. If I were you I'd stick with NextDNS, and even get the paid version. It's very much worth the $20/year.

NextDNS and I have recently started to block all TLDs except the most commonly used. My main browser is blocking 45% requests.

What TDLs are you blocking?

 

[ForgottenSeer 97327]

I used to run PiHole but with larger filtering List and 2.5Gb fibre the pihole could not keep up. So I switched to NextDNS and I have been running that for a year now. I like it, but I don't like the fact that I can't tell what devices are being blocked...yes, I understand that I can install the NextDNS app on my phone and PC, but that's the limit. How about my Smart TV? How about my Alexas? My Cameras etc. etc. I basically want to block ads, increase privacy and be able to control the times my kids are using the net.

Thank You

When you enable IP-address in the Next DNS logs, you can see what is blocked for which IP. When your router supports DHCP reservation, you can assign the same IP-addresses to specified MAC-addresses. MAC addresses are devices related (and unique). With DHCP reservation you have the flexibility of DHCP with the (control) benefits of fixed IP-addresses. This way you can see (even in Next DNS free) which devices are blocked by NextDNS (because a device always gets the same IP-addres). Here is a link explaining it all (lifehacker post)

Most Routers also offer IP/MAC-address based parental control, so you can limit the time devices can acces the internet (when you assign the IP address to a device specific MAC address in your router).

 

[TairikuOkami]

What TDLs are you blocking?

All except .com, .eu, .net, .org, .uk.