Self-Hosted Alternatives to NextDNS
Why Replace NextDNS?
NextDNS is a solid cloud DNS service — ad blocking, analytics, per-device rules, encrypted DNS. At $1.99/month (or free with a 300K query/month limit), it’s affordable. So why replace it?
Privacy. NextDNS sees every DNS query from every device on your network. Their privacy policy is better than Google’s or Cloudflare’s, but you’re still sending your complete browsing history to a third party. A self-hosted DNS server keeps all query data on your hardware.
No query limits. The free tier caps you at 300,000 queries/month. A household with smart TVs, IoT devices, and multiple users can exceed this easily. Self-hosted has no limits.
Full control. NextDNS decides which blocklists to offer, how frequently they update, and what features exist. Self-hosted DNS gives you complete control over every aspect of your DNS resolution.
Cost over time. At $19.90/year, NextDNS costs $100 over five years. A self-hosted DNS server running on hardware you already own costs nothing.
Best Alternatives
AdGuard Home — Best Overall Replacement
AdGuard Home is the closest self-hosted equivalent to NextDNS. It has a web UI with per-client rules, query logs, blocklist management, encrypted DNS (DoH/DoT/DoQ), DHCP, and parental controls. If you like NextDNS’s interface, you’ll feel at home with AdGuard Home.
Why it wins: Most NextDNS features have direct equivalents in AdGuard Home — per-device rules, blocklist management, query analytics, encrypted DNS protocols.
Read our full guide: How to Self-Host AdGuard Home
Pi-hole — Best Community
Pi-hole is the most popular self-hosted DNS ad blocker. While it doesn’t match NextDNS’s encrypted DNS features out of the box (you need add-ons like Unbound or cloudflared), it has the largest community, the most blocklists, and the most integrations.
Best for: Users who want the biggest support community and don’t mind adding Unbound for encrypted DNS.
Read our full guide: How to Self-Host Pi-hole
Blocky — Best Lightweight
Blocky is a YAML-configured DNS proxy with native DoH/DoT support. No web UI, but it covers NextDNS’s core functionality (ad blocking, encrypted upstream DNS, per-client rules) in a 15 MB container using 30 MB of RAM.
Best for: Infrastructure-as-code setups, resource-constrained hardware, users who prefer config files over web UIs.
Read our full guide: How to Self-Host Blocky
Technitium DNS — Best Full DNS Server
Technitium DNS goes beyond ad blocking — it’s a complete DNS server. If you want to host your own zones, run recursive DNS without forwarding, or manage advanced DNS infrastructure, Technitium covers it all with a comprehensive web UI.
Best for: Users who want more than ad blocking — full DNS server capabilities with zones, DNSSEC, and clustering.
Read our full guide: How to Self-Host Technitium DNS
Migration Guide
From NextDNS to Self-Hosted
- Deploy your chosen DNS server — see individual guides linked above
- Replicate your NextDNS blocklists — NextDNS uses standard blocklists (Steven Black, OISD, Hagezi). Add the same list URLs to your self-hosted DNS server.
- Replicate per-device rules (if using them) — set up client-specific configurations in AdGuard Home or Blocky
- Replicate allowlists — any domains you allowlisted in NextDNS should be added to your self-hosted server
- Switch your devices — update DNS settings on your router or individual devices to point to your self-hosted server
- Verify blocking — test that ads are blocked and legitimate sites work
- Cancel NextDNS — after confirming everything works
NextDNS Feature → Self-Hosted Equivalent
| NextDNS Feature | AdGuard Home | Pi-hole | Blocky |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ad blocking | Built-in | Built-in | Built-in |
| Per-device rules | Built-in | Groups | YAML config |
| Query log | Built-in | Built-in | Grafana + Prometheus |
| Encrypted DNS (DoH) | Built-in | cloudflared add-on | Built-in |
| Encrypted DNS (DoT) | Built-in | Unbound add-on | Built-in |
| Parental controls | Built-in | Blocklist-based | Blocklist-based |
| Safe Search | Built-in | Not available | Not available |
| Analytics dashboard | Built-in | Built-in | Grafana |
| Blocklist management | Web UI | Web UI | YAML config |
| DHCP | Built-in | Built-in | Not available |
Cost Comparison
| NextDNS Free | NextDNS Pro | Self-Hosted | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | Free | $1.99/month | $0 |
| Annual cost | Free | $19.90/year | $0 |
| 5-year cost | Free | $99.50 | $0 |
| Query limit | 300K/month | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Privacy | Queries go to NextDNS | Queries go to NextDNS | Queries stay local |
| Per-device rules | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Encrypted DNS | Yes | Yes | Yes (built-in or add-on) |
| Maintenance | Zero | Zero | Minimal (updates) |
What You Give Up
- Zero maintenance. NextDNS is a managed service. Self-hosted requires occasional updates and monitoring.
- Global anycast. NextDNS servers are worldwide. Your self-hosted DNS is on your network. Remote devices need VPN access to use it (or you expose it to the internet, which isn’t recommended).
- Mobile profiles. NextDNS provides iOS/Android configuration profiles for easy device setup. With self-hosted, you configure DNS manually on each device or use your router.
- Setup wizard. NextDNS’s onboarding is excellent. Self-hosted DNS has a steeper initial setup.
The remote access problem: NextDNS works everywhere — home, office, coffee shop. A self-hosted DNS server only works on your local network unless you set up a VPN. Use Tailscale or WireGuard to route DNS queries through your home network from anywhere.
FAQ
Is self-hosted DNS as good as NextDNS at blocking ads?
Yes. NextDNS uses standard blocklists that you can add to any self-hosted DNS server. The blocking is identical with the same lists.
Can I use self-hosted DNS on my phone when I’m not home?
Not directly. Self-hosted DNS only works on your local network. To use it remotely, set up a VPN like Tailscale or WireGuard to route your DNS through your home network.
How much maintenance does self-hosted DNS need?
Minimal. After initial setup, it runs unattended. Blocklists update automatically. You’ll want to update the Docker image every few months for security patches. Total time: ~10 minutes per month.
Can I run this on a Raspberry Pi?
Absolutely. All four options run on a Pi 4 or Pi 5. Pi-hole was designed for it. AdGuard Home, Blocky, and Technitium all run comfortably on Pi hardware.
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