DNSFilter
8.1/10
MSP Compared score
- Starting price
- $1/user/mo
- Reviews
- 4.6/5 (~239 G2 reviews)
- Free trial
- 14 days
- Deployment
- Cloud
- Best for
- MSPs and SMBs wanting fast, transparently-priced DNS filtering with strong multi-tenancy
Best DNS Filtering Software · 2026
DNSFilter vs 
NextDNS DNSFilter vs NextDNS: on our data-weighted scoring, DNSFilter edges ahead (8.1 vs 7.1/10). DNSFilter starts at $1/user/mo and is best for MSPs and SMBs wanting fast, transparently-priced DNS filtering with strong multi-tenancy; NextDNS starts at $0.4/user/mo and is best for cost-sensitive SMBs and tech-savvy teams wanting cheap, configurable cloud DNS filtering with rich analytics. Choose DNSFilter for the stronger overall track record; consider NextDNS if its pricing model or fit matches your environment better. Side-by-side table below.
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NextDNS
7.1/10
MSP Compared score
- Starting price
- $0.4/user/mo
- Reviews
- Not yet rated
- Free trial
- Free tier
- Deployment
- Cloud
- Best for
- Cost-sensitive SMBs and tech-savvy teams wanting cheap, configurable cloud DNS filtering with rich analytics
Strengths at a glance
Six criteria, each scored 0–10 on the same scale from real review data, public pricing and feature coverage. See our methodology →
| Criterion | DNSFilter | NextDNS |
|---|---|---|
| Editorial | 8.1 | 7.1 |
| User reviews | 9.2 | 7.0 |
| Adoption | 6.3 | 0.0 |
| Affordability | 9.4 | 9.5 |
| Feature breadth | 6.0 | 6.0 |
| Ease of trial | 6.0 | 7.0 |
DNSFilter vs NextDNS: head-to-head
| DNSFilter | NextDNS | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $1/user/mo | $0.4/user/mo |
| Pricing model | per user | per user |
| Free trial / tier | 14 days | Free tier |
| Best for | MSPs and SMBs wanting fast, transparently-priced DNS filtering with strong multi-tenancy | Cost-sensitive SMBs and tech-savvy teams wanting cheap, configurable cloud DNS filtering with rich analytics |
| Deployment | Cloud | Cloud |
| G2 rating | 4.6/5 (239) | — |
| Capterra rating | — | — |
| Our score | 8.1 | 7.1 |
Choose DNSFilter if…
You need msps and smbs wanting fast, transparently-priced dns filtering with strong multi-tenancy.
✓ Pros
- Transparent public pricing
- Strong MSP multi-tenancy + white-label
- Fast
- accurate filtering
✕ Cons
- Monthly minimums per plan
- Advanced features need higher tiers
- No free tier
Choose NextDNS if…
You need cost-sensitive smbs and tech-savvy teams wanting cheap, configurable cloud dns filtering with rich analytics.
✓ Pros
- Extremely low cost
- Rich real-time analytics + logging
- Highly configurable encrypted DNS
✕ Cons
- Business plan billed in 50-employee blocks
- Limited MSP multi-tenancy + white-label
- No public status page
In depth
Pricing: DNSFilter vs NextDNS
DNSFilter bills on a per user model from $1/user/mo (14 days trial), while NextDNS uses a per user model from $0.4/user/mo (free tier available). Because the models differ, the cheaper option flips depending on your fleet size — model both at your seat/endpoint count.
Features & deployment
DNSFilter ships 6 headline capabilities (AI-driven DNS threat blocking, Category + content filtering, Roaming clients (Win/Mac/mobile), Multi-tenant MSP console) and deploys Cloud. NextDNS ships 6 (Cloud DNS filtering (ad/tracker/malware), Per-device + per-profile configs, Real-time query analytics + logs, Time-based + custom rules), deploying Cloud.
Ratings & verdict
DNSFilter holds 4.6/5 (~239 G2 reviews); NextDNS holds Not yet rated. On our data-weighted score, DNSFilter edges ahead (8.1 vs 7.1/10). Pick NextDNS instead when cost-sensitive smbs and tech-savvy teams wanting cheap, configurable cloud dns filtering with rich analytics. See DNSFilter alternatives or NextDNS alternatives.
Frequently asked questions
- DNSFilter vs NextDNS: which is better?
- DNSFilter vs NextDNS: on our data-weighted scoring, DNSFilter edges ahead (8.1 vs 7.1/10). DNSFilter starts at $1/user/mo and is best for MSPs and SMBs wanting fast, transparently-priced DNS filtering with strong multi-tenancy; NextDNS starts at $0.4/user/mo and is best for cost-sensitive SMBs and tech-savvy teams wanting cheap, configurable cloud DNS filtering with rich analytics.
- Is DNSFilter cheaper than NextDNS?
- DNSFilter starts at $1/user/mo and NextDNS starts at $0.4/user/mo (see the pricing rows for models and limits).
Data as of September 17, 2026. Sources: dnsfilter.com, nextdns.io. Figures are pulled from public vendor and security data and refreshed automatically.