AdGuard DNS

AdGuard DNS

AdGuard DNS is a free alternative to paid ad blocking services. It uses DNS filtering to block ads and tracking on devices and networks. Easy to set up with no downloads required.
AdGuard DNS image
ad-blocking privacy dns-filtering

AdGuard DNS: Free Ad Blocking Service

AdGuard DNS is a free alternative to paid ad blocking services. It uses DNS filtering to block ads and tracking on devices and networks. Easy to set up with no downloads required.

What is AdGuard DNS?

AdGuard DNS is a free, open source ad blocking service that uses DNS filtering to block ads, tracking, malware and phishing on devices and networks. It works by rerouting DNS requests through AdGuard's servers which filter out unwanted and harmful traffic.

Some key benefits of AdGuard DNS include:

  • No software downloads or installations required. All filtering happens at the network layer.
  • Works across all web browsers and devices connected to a network.
  • Easy to set up on most routers, computers, smartphones and other devices in a few minutes.
  • Completely free and non-commercial.
  • Claims to block over 1 million dangerous and inappropriate sites and over 200,000 ads.
  • Very customizable - allows whitelisting sites or manually blocking any domain.
  • Uses very little data, bandwidth and resources compared to browser extensions.
  • Constantly updated threat database from their research team.
  • Provides encrypted DNS options for extra privacy and security.

Overall, AdGuard DNS aims to provide free, powerful and customizable ad blocking for entire networks. Its simple setup and performance makes it a compelling alternative for individuals and businesses looking to cut down ads and tracking.

AdGuard DNS Features

Features

  1. Blocks ads and tracking via DNS filtering
  2. Easy to set up with no downloads required
  3. Works across devices and networks
  4. Open source and transparent
  5. Custom blocklists can be added
  6. Provides parental controls

Pricing

  • Free
  • Open Source

Pros

Free to use

Effective at blocking ads and protecting privacy

Lightweight and requires no installed software

Compatible with most devices and platforms

Customizable blocklists for advanced control

Actively developed and maintained

Cons

DNS-level blocking can be less granular than browser extensions

Requires changing DNS settings which may not be possible on some networks

Blocking is limited to DNS queries rather than all web traffic

Not as full-featured as some paid ad blockers

Requires a bit more technical know-how to set up


The Best AdGuard DNS Alternatives

Top Security & Privacy and Ad Blockers and other similar apps like AdGuard DNS


1.1.1.1 icon

1.1.1.1

1.1.1.1 is a free Domain Name System (DNS) resolution service offered by Cloudflare that provides users with fast connection speeds, improved security, and privacy protection. It works by routing DNS queries through Cloudflare's Anycast network of DNS servers instead of using your Internet Service Provider's default DNS servers.Some key benefits...
1.1.1.1 image
Blokada icon

Blokada

Blokada is a free and open source ad blocker and privacy protection app for Android devices. It works by creating a VPN to filter out advertising, tracking, malware and other unwanted content from websites, apps and more.One of the key benefits of Blokada is that it is highly configurable. Users...
Blokada image
Control D icon

Control D

Control D is an all-in-one Internet privacy and security service that provides ad blocking, tracker blocking, and a private DNS service. It aims to deliver a faster, safer, and ad-free browsing experience.As an ad blocker, Control D removes intrusive ads from websites to provide a cleaner browsing experience and faster...
Control D image
NextDNS icon

NextDNS

NextDNS is a customizable DNS service that focuses on improving privacy, security, performance, and parental controls when browsing the internet. Unlike your standard ISP DNS server that just converts domain names to IP addresses, NextDNS acts as a middleman between your device and websites you visit.Some key features of NextDNS...
NextDNS image
Cisco Umbrella icon

Cisco Umbrella

Cisco Umbrella is a cloud-native platform that provides the first line of defense against threats on the internet. It works by analyzing domain name requests, IPs, URLs and file hashes against an evolving global network that spans across Cisco security infrastructure, customers, partners and threat intelligence sources.When users make DNS...
Cisco Umbrella image
Google Public DNS icon

Google Public DNS

Google Public DNS is a free Domain Name System (DNS) service offered by Google. It provides alternative DNS server addresses that can be configured in home networking routers, devices, and operating systems.The aim of Google Public DNS is to provide a faster, more reliable, and more secure way for devices...
Google Public DNS image
UncensoredDNS icon

UncensoredDNS

UncensoredDNS is an open-source Domain Name System (DNS) server designed to circumvent internet censorship and access websites blocked by restrictive governments or internet service providers (ISPs). It works by routing DNS requests through uncensored DNS servers instead of those provided by the ISP.When you try to access a website, your...
UncensoredDNS image
NixNet DNS icon

NixNet DNS

NixNet DNS is an open source recursive DNS server with a focus on security, privacy, and performance. Some key features include:Support for encrypted DNS protocols like DNS-over-HTTPS (DoH) and DNS-over-TLS (DoT) to prevent eavesdropping and manipulation of DNS data.Built-in anonymization capabilities like DNS proxying and spoofing to hide client IP...
NixNet DNS image
DnsWarden icon

DnsWarden

DnsWarden is a powerful DNS firewall designed to protect organizations against advanced cyber threats that abuse the DNS protocol. It works by analyzing and blocking malicious DNS requests, preventing compromised devices on your network from connecting to dangerous domains that host malware, phishing attacks, botnet C2 servers and other threats.Key...
DnsWarden image
NextDNS Manager icon

NextDNS Manager

NextDNS Manager is a cloud-based DNS management service that provides extensive control and visibility over all DNS traffic on your network. It acts as a recursive DNS resolver that filters, blocks, caches, and analyzes domain name requests before forwarding them to upstream DNS servers.Some key features of NextDNS Manager include:Custom...
NextDNS Manager image
Yandex.DNS icon

Yandex.DNS

Yandex.DNS is a free Domain Name System (DNS) recursive resolver service provided by the Russian technology company Yandex. It offers a fast and reliable alternative to using your internet service provider's default DNS servers or public DNS services like Google DNS or Cloudflare.Some key features of Yandex.DNS include:Enhanced performance -...
Yandex.DNS image
Comodo Secure DNS icon

Comodo Secure DNS

Comodo Secure DNS is a free Domain Name System (DNS) service offered by Comodo. It provides the core functionality of a DNS service - converting website names into IP addresses to connect your devices to internet services. However, Comodo Secure DNS routes your DNS queries through Comodo's proprietary Secure DNS...
Comodo Secure DNS image
Quad9 icon

Quad9

Quad9 is a free, recursive, anycast DNS platform that provides endpoint protection, as well as DNS resolution. Quad9 blocks against known malicious domains to prevent users from accessing phishing, malware, ransomware and other types of malicious sites. The service is operated by the Packet Clearing House, the Global Cyber Alliance,...
Quad9 image
OpenNIC icon

OpenNIC

OpenNIC is a non-profit organization that maintains an alternative Domain Name System (DNS) root server network outside the control of ICANN. The OpenNIC DNS allows internet users to voluntarily select an alternative set of root servers for DNS resolution and registration services.Some key benefits and features of the OpenNIC DNS...
OpenNIC image
SafeDNS icon

SafeDNS

SafeDNS is a DNS filtering and security service designed for home networks and families. It works by rerouting DNS requests through SafeDNS's servers, which contain a regularly updated database of websites categorized as inappropriate or dangerous.When enabled, SafeDNS will block access to sites containing content such as pornography, violence, gambling,...
SafeDNS image
AhaDNS icon

AhaDNS

AhaDNS is a free, open-source DNS service launched in 2020 that puts privacy protection and ad blocking at the forefront. It routes DNS requests through its own Anycast network of DNS servers instead of using your ISP's servers. This prevents DNS hijacking and protects your privacy.Some key features of AhaDNS...
AhaDNS image
BlahDNS icon

BlahDNS

BlahDNS is an open-source alternative to commercial DNS services like OpenDNS and Google Public DNS. It gives you more control, security, and privacy over your DNS data.As a self-hosted DNS server, BlahDNS lets you block ads, malware sites, and other unwanted content before it reaches your network. You can also...
BlahDNS image
DNS.Watch icon

DNS.Watch

DNS.Watch is a robust DNS monitoring and analytics platform designed to provide complete visibility into your DNS infrastructure and performance. It goes beyond traditional DNS monitoring to give you deep insights into the configuration, health, and security of your DNS environment.Key features include:Global DNS node monitoring - Monitor resolution times...
DNS.Watch image
Trust DNS icon

Trust DNS

Trust DNS is an open source DNS server developed by Cisco that focuses on user privacy and security. Unlike traditional DNS servers, Trust DNS supports encrypting DNS queries through protocols like DNS-over-TLS (DoT) and DNS-over-HTTPS (DoH). This prevents eavesdropping and manipulation of DNS data by third parties.Some key features of...
Trust DNS image
Stubby icon

Stubby

Stubby is an open-source tool used for testing and mocking HTTP and HTTPS services. It allows developers to quickly mock up APIs, web services, or back-end systems that don't exist yet or are being developed in parallel. Stubby sits as a proxy between clients like web browsers or mobile apps,...
Stubby image
DNSX3 icon

DNSX3

DNSX3 is a feature-rich domain name system (DNS) server software developed by ThreatSTOP. It goes beyond traditional DNS servers by incorporating next-generation security, performance, and reliability capabilities.Key features of DNSX3 include:DNS load balancing and global server load balancing (GSLB) to distribute traffic across multiple DNS servers for faster performance and...
DNSX3 image
SmartViper Public DNS icon

SmartViper Public DNS

SmartViper Public DNS is a free, recursive Domain Name System (DNS) resolver service offered by Viper Services. It serves as an alternative to using your Internet Service Provider's default DNS servers or other public DNS services like Google Public DNS or OpenDNS.Some key features of SmartViper Public DNS include:Ad blocking...
SmartViper Public DNS image