Most Android Authority readers still haven't tried NextDNS for ad and tracker blocking

At a glance:

• A poll of nearly 4,000 Android Authority readers shows that about 60% don't use NextDNS, with 35.4% still only considering it and 26% having no interest at all.
• 22% of respondents already use NextDNS, while 16.3% opt for alternative managed DNS services such as ControlD or AdGuard.
• Commenters praise NextDNS for DNS rebinding protection — a feature that prevents browsers from accessing private local networks via manipulated DNS responses.

The poll results and what they reveal

Andy Walker, a writer for Android Authority, ran a poll on a feature article about NextDNS to find out how many of the publication's readers actually use the self-managed Private DNS service. The results, drawn from nearly 4,000 votes, paint a picture of a tool that still has a long runway before mainstream adoption on Android. While 22% of respondents reported using NextDNS, the combined group of those "considering it" (35.4%) and those who don't use it at all or have no interest (26%) accounts for more than 60% of all voters. That means more than three in every five respondents haven't adopted the service.

The poll numbers are striking given that NextDNS was originally recommended by readers in the first place. Walker notes that the large "considering it" cohort suggests many users experience decision inertia — they hear about a product, recognize its value, but simply haven't taken the step to set it up. The comment thread reinforces this reading: a reader named krisbmeyer explains why they use NextDNS, highlighting a feature that goes beyond standard ad blocking.

Why NextDNS stands out for power users

NextDNS is a self-managed Private DNS solution that lets users block ads and trackers across phones, routers, and any other connected devices from a single dashboard. Walker describes it as a must-use that has "completely transformed" how he handles unwanted content on his devices, to the point that he has largely dropped dedicated ad-blocking apps he previously relied on. The service offers customizable blocklists and, according to krisbmeyer, DNS rebinding protection that "prevents web browsers from accessing private, local networks through maliciously manipulated DNS responses" — a capability the commenter says is hard to find elsewhere.

That DNS rebinding protection is a meaningful differentiator. It stops attackers from coercing a browser into reaching internal services by spoofing DNS answers, effectively shielding private IP addresses from leaking out through the web. For readers who manage their own network infrastructure or who are concerned about lateral movement inside their home network, this is a tangible security benefit that goes beyond simple ad filtering.

The competitive landscape: ControlD, AdGuard, and Blokada

NextDNS isn't the only managed DNS option on the market. In the comment thread, ControlD and AdGuard emerge as the two most commonly mentioned rivals. Both offer the standard suite of managed DNS features, including customizable blocklists. AdGuard distinguishes itself by also providing a dedicated Android app, which gives users more granular control over blocked content directly on their phone. ControlD, meanwhile, is known for its straightforward pricing and broad device support.

For readers who prefer a local app rather than a DNS-level solution, Blokada remains a popular choice. Walker calls it his "previous favorite solution" that he still uses from time to time. Blokada runs as an Android app and gives users direct control over what gets blocked on their device — a useful fallback when managed DNS services experience downtime. The existence of these alternatives helps explain why 16.3% of poll respondents chose other services over NextDNS.

What this means for ad-blocking on Android

The fact that a reader-recommended tool still hasn't crossed the adoption threshold for the majority of voters underscores how fragmented the Android ad-blocking ecosystem remains. Users face a decision tree: managed DNS (NextDNS, ControlD, AdGuard) versus local apps (Blokada, AdGuard's app) versus system-level tweaks. Each option has trade-offs in terms of setup complexity, device coverage, and resilience when a service goes down.

Walker encourages readers to keep sharing the apps they love in the comments, noting that community recommendations have been a reliable source of discovery. For the roughly 60% who haven't tried NextDNS yet, he recommends setting up ad and tracker blocking as one of the first things to do on a new phone — "even before you touch any other settings." That advice reflects a broader shift in how privacy-conscious Android users think about their devices: DNS-level protection is increasingly seen as foundational rather than optional.

Tags and takeaway

• nextdns
• android ad blocking
• managed dns
• blokada
• control d
• adguard
• privacy tools