Best DNS Filtering Software in 2026
Updated
In short: AdGuard DNS is ranked #1 of 28 as of 4 October 2026, ahead of Control D and Quad9. The best-ranked option with a free plan is Quad9. The lowest first paid tier on this page is ScoutDNS at $0.21/mo.
DNS filtering tools let you compare approaches to setting domain rules for devices and networks. The ranked entries start with AdGuard DNS, Control D, and NextDNS. Compare category filtering and custom domain policies for the controls available, and check deployment modes and roaming protection to understand where filtering can apply. Activity reports, encrypted DNS support, and device limits offer further points of comparison. Free-plan availability and paid-from pricing can help you weigh ways to begin against ongoing cost. The ranking covers 22 products, giving you a structured way to consider which features align with the devices and policy needs you have.
28 DNS filtering software ranked on what their makers publish — plans and prices, free tiers, platforms and the facts on their own pages.
DNS Filtering Software, ranked on how quickly a newcomer can get going. 13 of the 25 on this page can be tried for free.
- 1 AdGuard DNSFree plan
- Free to practise on: yes
- Free trial: yes
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: yes
- 2 Control DPaid from $2/mo
- Free to practise on: not on record
- Free trial: yes
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: yes
- 3 Quad9Free plan
- Free to practise on: yes
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: yes
- 4 NextDNSPaid from £1.79/mo
- Free to practise on: yes
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: yes
- 5 SafeDNSPaid from $1.20/mo
- Free to practise on: not on record
- Free trial: yes
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: yes
- 6 Smart DNS ProxyPaid from $4.61/mo
- Free to practise on: not on record
- Free trial: yes
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: yes
- 7 Cisco Secure Access
- Free to practise on: not on record
- Free trial: yes
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: yes
- 8 DNSFilter
- Free to practise on: not on record
- Free trial: yes
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: yes
- 9 Webroot DNS Protection
- Free to practise on: not on record
- Free trial: yes
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: yes
- 10 AdGuard
- Free to practise on: not on record
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: yes
- 11 BlueCat Horizon
- Free to practise on: not on record
- Free trial: yes
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: yes
- 12 ScoutDNSPaid from $0.21/mo
- Free to practise on: not on record
- Free trial: yes
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: yes
- 13 Technitium DNS ServerFree plan
- Free to practise on: yes
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: yes
- 14 CleanBrowsingPaid from $6.25/mo
- Free to practise on: not on record
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: yes
- 15 GoGuardian DNS
- Free to practise on: not on record
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: yes
- 16 Infoblox Cloud Network Automation
- Free to practise on: not on record
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: yes
- 17 DigiCert UltraDNS
- Free to practise on: not on record
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: yes
- 18 EfficientIP SOLIDserver DDI
- Free to practise on: not on record
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: not on record
- 19 FamilyKeeper
- Free to practise on: not on record
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: yes
- 20 RAV Endpoint Protection
- Free to practise on: not on record
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: not on record
- 21 RethinkDNS
- Free to practise on: not on record
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: not on record
- Runs where you work: not on record
- 22 CloudVeil
- Free to practise on: not on record
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: not on record
- Runs where you work: yes
- 23 NxFilter
- Free to practise on: not on record
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: not on record
- Runs where you work: yes
- 24 BlockyFree plan
- Free to practise on: not on record
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: not on record
- Runs where you work: not on record
- 25 Comodo Secure DNS
- Free to practise on: not on record
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: not on record
- Runs where you work: not on record
Is your platform on this list?
Numbered spots on this list can be sponsored. They are labelled, and the editorial order and scores never change for payment.
Questions about this list
Which DNS filtering software is ranked first on The Geeks Club?
AdGuard DNS is ranked #1 of 28 with a score of 8.1. Control D is second and Quad9 third.
How many of these have a free plan?
5 of the 25 on this page publish a free plan on their own pricing pages.
Which is the cheapest paid option?
On this page, ScoutDNS has the lowest first paid tier we found: $0.21/mo.
How is this list ranked?
Ranked on how quickly a newcomer can get going: documentation depth, a free tier or trial, and the platforms it runs on. Paid placements never change a rank.