Quad9 vs NextDNS
A detailed comparison to help you choose between Quad9 and NextDNS.
Quad9 Non-profit DNS resolver with threat blocking (9.9.9.9). | NextDNS DNS-based privacy and security | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.5 (432 reviews) | 4.5 (12000 reviews) |
| Pricing Model | free | freemium |
| Starting Price | Free | From $0/mo |
| Best For | Best for users wanting private and fast DNS resolution | Best DNS-based ad blocking |
| Free Tier | ||
| API Access | ||
| Team Features | ||
| Open Source | ||
| Tags | — | — |
Quad9
Pros
- + Free resolver; no account or sign-up required
- + Threat-blocking option for malicious domains
- + Supports DoT, DoH, DNSCrypt, DoH3, DoQ
- + States it does not store client IP addresses
- + Opt-in ECS endpoint for better CDN geolocation
- + Transparent block behavior and tester guidance
Cons
- - Not a VPN; websites still see your IP
- - ECS mode leaks partial client network info
- - NXDOMAIN blocking can confuse troubleshooting
- - No independent no-logs audit confirmed in sources
NextDNS
Pros
- + Supports DoH, DoT, DoQ, and DoH3
- + Configurable logging, retention, and data residency
- + Open-source MIT-licensed CLI client
- + Free tier up to 300,000 queries/month
- + Graceful fallback to basic DNS after quota
Cons
- - Free tier filtering stops after 300k queries
- - No independent no-logs audit found in sources
- - Not a VPN; doesn’t hide your IP address
- - GUI apps not confirmed open-source
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