Overview

AdGuard DNS filters DNS requests to block ads, trackers, phishing, and malicious domains across connected devices. It is best suited to households and teams that want configurable filtering and request visibility without running their own resolver. Its combination of encrypted DNS options and per-device controls is compelling, though the Personal and Team plans have custom pricing.

AdGuard says the service is open source and GDPR-compliant, collects only the minimum necessary data, and does not share it with third parties. It is based in Limassol, Cyprus, and offers technical support at support@adguard-dns.io.

AdGuard DNS is included in DNS Filtering Software and Internet Filtering Software.

Key features

Filtering and parental controls

Public DNS offers Default, Family, and Non-filtering modes. Family adds adult-content blocking and enables Safe Search and Safe Mode where possible; Non-filtering is useful when a device needs AdGuard's resolver without its filtering. Private DNS adds custom allow and block rules for individual devices or globally, plus parental controls that can block adult content and schedule restrictions on sites such as social media. That makes it more adaptable than a single household-wide filter, but teams needing distinct policies will need to manage those rules deliberately.

Request visibility and privacy controls

The dashboard breaks DNS request statistics down by date, country, or device and shows which requests were blocked. Advanced activity reports help administrators understand how filtering is working rather than relying on a blocklist alone. Enterprise DNS stores request logs for statistics, but users can disable logging in account settings—a useful control for organizations weighing operational visibility against data retention.

Encrypted DNS and integrity

Support for DNSCrypt, DNS-over-HTTPS, DNS-over-TLS, and DNS-over-QUIC gives builders several encrypted DNS protocols to fit their clients and network setup. DNSSEC verifies the authenticity of stored DNS records with digital signatures. These are meaningful security and compatibility options, although choosing a protocol still depends on what the connecting device or network supports.

Business integration and openness

Enterprise DNS provides a REST API for automation and integration with existing security control systems, and AdGuard says it integrates with AdGuard Ad Blocker and AdGuard VPN. Enterprise customers also receive priority support, technical documentation, setup guides, API documentation, and email support. The open-source code offers an additional inspection path for teams that value transparency, while the paid Enterprise tier is the one positioned for integration-heavy deployments.

Pricing

AdGuard DNS uses a freemium model, with a free plan and a 30-day trial. The free Starter plan costs 0.00 USD per free and is provided by default. A 20-device limit makes it a practical starting point for personal use, but a larger household or team may outgrow it.

Personal: Custom pricing, billed monthly, for personal use. It is the natural step beyond Starter for an individual who needs a paid plan, but its price and included limits are not established here.
Team: Custom pricing, billed monthly, for small businesses. It targets a business rather than an individual, but teams should confirm the cost and applicable limits before committing.
Enterprise: Flexible pricing through sales contact, with payment available annually per user or per 100M requests. It includes unlimited devices, servers, and DNS requests, making it the clearest fit for larger organizations with broad deployments; pricing requires a sales discussion.

A one-year subscription has a 30-day money-back guarantee; monthly subscriptions are non-refundable. That distinction matters for buyers who want a low-risk evaluation: the stated refund window applies to annual subscriptions, not monthly billing.

Platforms

AdGuard DNS supports Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, routers, and game consoles, alongside web, API, and self-hosted platform categories. The range suits mixed-device environments, from phones and computers to network-wide or console setups.

Who it's for

AdGuard DNS is a strong fit for individuals who want ad and threat filtering with device-level rules, parents who need scheduled restrictions, and small teams that want request reporting. Larger companies have a clearer case for Enterprise when they need unlimited capacity, API integration, or priority support. It is less suitable for buyers who need transparent Personal or Team pricing before evaluating a service.

Pros and cons

Pro: Four encrypted DNS protocols provide flexibility across client and network requirements.
Pro: Per-device rules, schedules, and request breakdowns support more controlled household or team deployments than a basic resolver.
Pro: Enterprise combines unlimited devices, servers, and requests with a REST API and priority support.
Con: Starter is capped at 20 devices, which can constrain larger homes or small organizations.
Con: Personal and Team use custom pricing, so buyers cannot compare their monthly cost upfront.
Con: Monthly subscriptions are non-refundable, unlike the 30-day money-back guarantee for a one-year subscription.

Alternatives

Consider CleanBrowsing if you want a freemium service whose Basic plan is 8.99 USD per month for up to 25 devices or 3.75 M requests/month, with 26+ custom filters and 20+ predefined platforms. Control D is another freemium option with a free plan and trial; its SMB plan is 2.00 USD per month on endpoint-based pricing, and it supports a broad mix of platforms including extensions.

NextDNS may suit buyers prioritizing a published free allowance: its free plan is 0.00 GBP per free for 300,000 queries/month, with unlimited devices, configurations, and all features. For teams that want to self-host a DNS server, Technitium DNS Server is a free, open-source option.

Infoblox Cloud Network Automation is a paid alternative with token-based licensing. EfficientIP SOLIDserver DDI is another paid option, offered as hardware and virtual appliances. ScoutDNS is paid, has a free trial, and lists EDU Plus at 2.50 USD per year per seat with a $300 annual minimum. For enterprise-scale query volumes, DigiCert UltraDNS offers a Premium plan through sales contact.

Verdict

Choose AdGuard DNS if you want filtering that extends from public DNS modes to per-device policies, backed by encrypted DNS options and useful request reporting. Its strongest case is a mixed-device household or organization that values control without operating its own resolver. Look elsewhere if you need clear Personal or Team pricing before you can assess the fit, or if the free plan's 20-device cap will not cover your deployment.

	AdGuard DNS	Smart DNS Proxy
Free plan	Yes	No
Free trial	Yes	Yes
Paid from	Free	$4.61/mo
Open source	No	No
Platforms	Android, api, iOS, Linux, macOS, self-hosted, Web, Windows	Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, Web, Windows
Free plan	Yes	No
Device limit	20 devices	—

AdGuard DNS vs Smart DNS Proxy

AdGuard DNS

Smart DNS Proxy