Top 3 DNS Privacy Alternatives to VPN in 2026
VPN apps are popular among those who want to keep their online activities private. While they do serve this purpose, VPNs have some limitations, such as slower speeds, higher fees, and no option for content filtering.
The good news is that you can run a DNS tool alongside your VPN to ensure both traffic privacy and content filtering. A new group of DNS solutions carries the same advantages, such as traffic redirection and filtering out threats.
And if you have found yourself searching for DNS privacy alternatives to VPN, we have covered the top 3 options, with features and pricing included.
| Best for | Features | Pricing | |
| 1. Control D | Power users, homes, parents, schools, non-profit organizations, SMBs, and large enterprises. |
|
$2/endpoint/mo for SMBs. $3/month for consumers. A 14-day free trial is available. |
| 2. SafeDNS | Individual users, businesses, and educational institutions |
|
Separate pricing plans for businesses, educational institutions, wifi hotspots, and homes.
The pricing for businesses starts at $1.4 per user/per month. |
| 3. ScoutDNS | IT teams, enterprises, educational institutions, non-profits, and small businesses |
|
Separate pricing plans for separate industries.
For non-profits, the pricing starts at $0.83 per seat/month. |
VPN vs DNS: What They Are and How They Work
A VPN (Virtual Private Network) is a locked and encrypted tunnel between a device and a VPN service provider. It masks your traffic, making it look like it is coming from that VPN server (like other countries) rather than your actual location or network.
So, the main reason people choose to use a VPN is to:
- Privacy/security on public networks (like public Wi-Fi)
- Accessing geo-restricted content
- Getting around network or regional blocks/censorship
A DNS (Domain Name System), on the other hand, is a naming system that transforms domain names into IP addresses, allowing devices to be identified on a network and enabling access to websites.
DNS is used mainly for:
- Blocking malware content, ads, and trackers
- Setting custom rules and access for specific domains (especially helpful for parental control)
- Controlling device logs and domain lookups
But there are also a few tradeoffs pushing people to also look for DNS privacy services along with a VPN.
Let’s discuss them below.
Why Look for VPN Alternatives?
While VPN is perfect for re-routing the network through a secure connection, there are several reasons making people also consider DNS services:
- Security: Most VPNs are directed at hiding your network connection without filtering content. Only some VPNs with more advanced features at a higher cost can also help with content filtering. Meanwhile, DNS services are specifically directed at malware and ad blocking, making the connection more secure.
- Cost: VPNs usually require downloading an app or setting up complex configurations, which usually cost more than a DNS.
- Speed: Since VPNs route all device traffic, this can result in low speed or heavy loading. Meanwhile, DNS only handles the domain lookups, so browsing is usually much faster.
Now that you have a solid understanding of VPN and DNS services, and hopefully we have also convinced you to consider VPN alternatives, here are the top 3 alternatives worth exploring.
DNS Privacy: 3 Best Alternatives to VPN
1. Control D
Control D is a leading DNS filtering platform. Apart from a standard DNS feature of translating domain names into IP addresses, it also helps individuals, SMBs, and enterprises block unwanted content such as phishing, malware, intrusive ads, and trackers.
Control D key features:
- AI-powered malware blocking
- Web filtering
- Custom filtering
- DNS filtering
- Data streaming (SIEM)
- Admin logs
- Integrations
- Full modern protocol support
- Service filtering
- Content filtering
- Multi-tenancy
- Analytics
- Traffic redirection
This last feature of traffic redirection can eliminate the need for a VPN setup, making Control D a solid Control D a solid DNS privacy alternative to VPN. With this feature, users can redirect traffic through over 100 globally distributed proxies and enhance their overall control over DNS traffic.
It is also compatible with modern VPN, ZTNA, and endpoint security tools.
Pricing plans:
Pricing is listed at $2/endpoint/month for SMBs, and starts at $3/month for individuals. There are flexible plans for schools, non-profits, SMBs, and enterprises, and you can also test Control D’s features with a 14-day free trial.
Best for: Individuals, homes, parents, schools, non-profit organizations, SMBs, and large enterprises.
2. SafeDNS
SafeDNS is a cloud-based DNS filtering service that helps provide safe browsing experiences through AI and ML solutions. Its advanced features help to identify vulnerabilities and unknown threats, block malware and unwanted content, as well asl as provide real-time security insights and analytics.
SafeDNS key features:
- DNS Security
- APP Blocker
- Content Filtering
- Reports & Analytics
- Roaming Clients
- AI-Powered Categorization
- Compliance
- Anycast network
- Schedule
- Checkwebsite
Pricing plans:
SafeDNS offers separate pricing plans for businesses, educational institutions, wifi hotspots, and homes.
- The pricing for businesses, for example, starts at $1.4 per user/per month.
Best for: Individual users, businesses, and educational institutions
3. ScoutDNS
ScoutDNS is a protective DNS filtering platform that works at the DNS layer to block malware, phishing, and unwanted content, giving IT teams an easy way to filter content and protect devices, including ones that roam outside the main network.
ScoutDNS key features:
- Threat protection
- Content filtering
- Device protection
- Network visibility
- Reporting and Insights
Pricing plans
ScoutDNS also has separate pricing plans for separate industries. For non-profits, for example, the pricing starts at $0.83 per seat/month.
Best for: IT teams, enterprises, educational institutions, non-profits, and small businesses
Which One to Choose?
As you’ve seen, all three options offer advanced features suited for a range of industries, including enterprises, educational institutions, and nonprofits. So, to find the DNS tool that fits you best, it’s worth testing them out for yourself.
Luckily, all three offer free trials to help you compare and decide faster.
Control D leads with an advanced traffic redirection feature that masks your source IP without needing a VPN. SafeDNS brings strong AI and machine learning capabilities, while ScoutDNS distinguishes itself through compatibility with modern VPN and endpoint security tools.
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