Third-party DNS service

The domain name system, or DNS, is a service that directs you to your requested site whenever you attempt to visit a certain web page. Usually, your network provider also acts as your DNS provider. However, you can use alternative services to get more secure, faster, and more reliable results. NextDNS is one of those alternatives. This app not only makes your browsing faster but also beefs up your security. 

What NextDNS offers

Like other DNS servers, NextDNS protects your online data from all common security threats. It is a cloud-hosted service that lets you block, analyze, and filter activities across your network and devices. It comes with a pre-defined content filtering list and blocklists, which protect you from malicious websites. You can enable several security lists against threats, such as phishing and typosquatting. It also comes with parental control features that block individual websites, online apps, and content categories. 

The app even lets you sanitize your internet by toggling SafeSearch for your search engines. With this, you can put websites, like YouTube, into a restricted mode with a single click. You can also use the toggle to block access to whatever bypasses restrictions, such as VPNs and proxies. The service can create custom filtering policies for different devices. This means you can set a hardened policy for kids’ devices and a more lenient one for you. 

This is one of the easiest DNS services. It offers more control over your DNS configurations. You can easily create configurations, even through your web browser. Moreover, the app allows you to create as many configurations as you want. It saves those for a week, so you can get back to them for modifications. If you want to use the app in the long-term, however, you need to create an account. 

Easy-to-use DNS

NextDNS is a fine choice if you are looking for an alternative DNS service. The app comes with all the security, privacy, and filtering features that you need from a DNS service. It comes with a modern and intuitive UI that lets you configure policies as much as you want. The free version may be limited in some areas, but it is good for your home network’s firewall.