What is NextDNS?
NextDNS serves as a comprehensive DNS-based firewall, offering protection against malware, phishing, cryptojacking, and other online threats. It blocks ads and trackers across websites and apps, including native tracking at the operating system level. With robust parental controls, parents can filter content, enforce SafeSearch, and set usage schedules. The service provides detailed analytics and real-time logs, with configurable log retention and data residency options. It supports encrypted DNS protocols (DNS-over-HTTPS and DNS-over-TLS) and requires no software installation, having zero impact on system resources.
Features
- Security: Protects against malware, phishing, cryptojacking, DNS rebinding, IDN homographs, typosquatting, DGAs, newly registered domains, parked domains, TLDs, and CSAM.
- Privacy: Blocks ads and trackers using popular blocklists, native tracking protection, and first-party circumvention detection.
- Parental Control: Blocks porn, violence, piracy; enforces SafeSearch and YouTube Restricted Mode; blocks specific websites/apps; Recreation Time scheduling.
- Analytics & Logs: In-depth analytics, real-time logs, configurable retention (1 hour to 2 years), data residency choice (US, EU, UK, Switzerland), Tracker Insights.
- Setup: Natively supported on all major platforms; DNS-over-HTTPS and DNS-over-TLS; covers all networks; zero impact on CPU, memory, or battery.
- Unlimited Configurations: Create multiple configurations with individual settings.
- Custom Denylist/Allowlist: Manually block or allow unlimited domains.
- Customizable Block Page: Optional customizable block page.
- Rewrites: Set or override DNS responses for any domain.
- DNSSEC: Automatic validation of DNS answers authenticity.
- Ultra-Low Latency Network: Embedded in carrier networks; 132 server locations.
Use Cases
- Protect home network from malware and phishing.
- Block ads and trackers on all devices.
- Monitor and control children's Internet usage.
- Secure public Wi-Fi connections.
- Comply with data residency requirements.
- Gain insights into tracking activities.
FAQs
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Is there a free version of NextDNS?
Yes, NextDNS offers a free plan with 300,000 queries per month, unlimited devices and configurations, and access to all features. -
What happens if I exceed the free monthly quota?
When exceeding the free monthly quota, NextDNS will continue to answer DNS queries like a classic non-blocking DNS service. -
Does NextDNS support DNS-over-HTTPS and DNS-over-TLS?
Yes, NextDNS supports DNS-over-HTTPS and DNS-over-TLS for encrypted DNS queries. -
Can I choose where my logs are stored?
Yes, you can choose data residency from United States, European Union, United Kingdom, or Switzerland. -
Does NextDNS have a parental control feature?
Yes, it includes parental controls to block adult content, enforce SafeSearch, and set recreation time schedules.
