NextDNS Alternatives (2026)
- Starting price
- $0.4/user/mo
- Free trial
- Free tier
- Deployment
- Cloud
- Best for
- Cost-sensitive SMBs and tech-savvy teams wanting cheap, configurable cloud DNS filtering with rich analytics
Our verdict
The top alternatives to NextDNS are DNSFilter, Cisco Umbrella, ScoutDNS. DNSFilter is the closest like-for-like option (4.6/5 (~239 G2 reviews), from $1/user/mo). People typically switch from NextDNS over pricing model, complexity, or a missing capability — the table compares each alternative on exactly those axes.
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Best for MSPs and SMBs wanting fast, transparently-priced DNS filtering with strong multi-tenancy.
- AI-driven DNS threat blocking
- Category + content filtering
- Roaming clients (Win/Mac/mobile)
Free trial Free version -
Best for Enterprises wanting DNS-layer security that scales up into a full secure internet gateway (SIG).
- DNS-layer threat blocking
- Intelligent proxy (Advantage)
- App discovery + control
Free trial Free version -
Best for MSPs and multi-site businesses wanting a focused, transparently-priced DNS filter with strong reporting.
- DNS-layer content + threat filtering
- 67 content categories + safe search
- Multi-site single-pane management
Free trial Free version -
Best for Teams wanting free DNS + web filtering on Cloudflare's edge, scaling into full SWG.
- DNS + HTTP filtering
- Edge-delivered on 330+ cities
- Category + security filtering
Free trial Free version - 5
Webroot DNS Protection
Best for MSPs already running Webroot endpoint security wanting an integrated DNS-layer add-on.
- DNS-layer filtering + threat blocking
- Blocks DNS-over-HTTPS threats
- Policy enforcement by group
Free trial Free version -
Best for SMBs, schools and nonprofits wanting affordable, easy-to-deploy DNS web filtering.
- DNS-layer content + threat filtering
- 60+ content categories
- Per-user policies + DoH policy
Free trial Free version -
Best for SMBs and MSPs wanting flat, no-minimum DNS filtering with deep customization.
- Customizable DNS filtering
- Per-device + per-profile policies
- Malware + ad + tracker blocking
Free trial Free version
More alternatives detail
Teams usually move off NextDNS for one of three reasons: pricing model, complexity, or a missing capability. The closest like-for-like options on the data we track are DNSFilter, Cisco Umbrella, ScoutDNS.
- DNSFilter — MSPs and SMBs wanting fast, transparently-priced DNS filtering with strong multi-tenancy; from $1/user/mo (4.6/5 (~239 G2 reviews)). Compare directly: NextDNS vs DNSFilter.
- Cisco Umbrella — Enterprises wanting DNS-layer security that scales up into a full secure internet gateway (SIG); from Custom quote (4.4/5 (~274 G2 reviews)). Compare directly: NextDNS vs Cisco Umbrella.
- ScoutDNS — MSPs and multi-site businesses wanting a focused, transparently-priced DNS filter with strong reporting; from $0.92/user/mo (4.9/5 (~56 G2 reviews)). Compare directly: NextDNS vs ScoutDNS.
- Cloudflare Gateway — Teams wanting free DNS + web filtering on Cloudflare’s edge, scaling into full SWG; from $7/user/mo (Not yet rated). Compare directly: NextDNS vs Cloudflare Gateway.
- Webroot DNS Protection — MSPs already running Webroot endpoint security wanting an integrated DNS-layer add-on; from Custom quote (4.4/5 (~86 G2 reviews)). Compare directly: NextDNS vs Webroot DNS Protection.
- SafeDNS — SMBs, schools and nonprofits wanting affordable, easy-to-deploy DNS web filtering; from $0.9/user/mo (4.5/5 (~18 G2 reviews)). Compare directly: NextDNS vs SafeDNS.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the best alternative to NextDNS?
- DNSFilter is the top-rated alternative in our data-weighted ranking (from $1/user/mo).
- Why do people switch from NextDNS?
- Usually pricing model, complexity, or a missing capability. The table compares each alternative on exactly those axes.