Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

RethinkDNS VS AFWall+

Compare RethinkDNS VS AFWall+ and see what are their differences

RethinkDNS logo RethinkDNS

2B+ Android users deserve access to a safer and open Internet.

AFWall+ logo AFWall+

AFWall+ (Android Firewall +) - iptables based firewall for Android
  • RethinkDNS Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-12-19
  • AFWall+ Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-02

RethinkDNS features and specs

  • Privacy Protection
    RethinkDNS aims to enhance user privacy by blocking trackers, ads, and malicious domains, helping to ensure that user data remains secure and private.
  • Customizability
    Users can highly customize RethinkDNS by creating their own DNS rules, which allows for tailored protection and control over the types of content that are blocked.
  • Open Source
    The RethinkDNS project is open-source, meaning that its code is transparent and can be reviewed and improved by the community. This adds a layer of trust and security as users can see exactly what the software is doing.
  • Cross-Platform Support
    RethinkDNS offers support for multiple platforms, including Android and potentially other operating systems, providing flexibility for users with different devices.
  • Regular Updates
    The service is frequently updated with new rules and features, ensuring that users are protected against emerging threats and have access to the latest functionalities.

Possible disadvantages of RethinkDNS

  • Complexity for New Users
    The high level of customizability can be daunting for users who are not tech-savvy, potentially resulting in confusion or improper setup.
  • Performance Impact
    Depending on the configuration and the number of rules applied, users might experience a slight decrease in browsing speed due to the time required to process DNS queries.
  • Limited Support
    As an open-source project, RethinkDNS might not offer the same level of official customer support as commercial products, which can be challenging for users needing help.
  • Platform Availability
    While it supports multiple platforms, comprehensive support might not be available for all operating systems or devices, limiting its usability for some users.
  • Learning Curve
    Users may need to invest time in learning how to effectively use and customize RethinkDNS, which can be a barrier to entry for those looking for an out-of-the-box solution.

AFWall+ features and specs

  • Enhanced Privacy
    AFWall+ provides users with the ability to restrict internet access for individual apps, ensuring that no unnecessary data is sent out without the user's consent.
  • User Control
    It allows users to have full control over which apps can access Wi-Fi, mobile data, or both, enhancing overall control over data consumption.
  • Open Source
    Being open-source software, AFWall+ is transparent about its functionality, enabling users and developers to review the code for security and trustworthiness.
  • Customizability
    The app offers extensive customization options, allowing advanced users to tailor their firewall configurations to their specific needs.
  • Battery Saving
    By controlling which apps can use data and when, AFWall+ can contribute to reduced background data usage and improved battery life.

Possible disadvantages of AFWall+

  • Root Requirement
    AFWall+ requires root access on the device, which can discourage non-technical users and potentially void device warranties.
  • Complexity
    The app can be complex for non-technical users to configure properly, potentially leading to misconfigurations that could block essential app functions.
  • Potential for Misconfiguration
    Incorrectly setting app permissions could result in apps losing necessary connectivity, impacting their functionality and user experience.
  • OS Compatibility
    AFWall+ may face compatibility issues with certain Android versions or custom ROMs, limiting its usability for some users.
  • Lack of Mainstream Support
    As a third-party app, it may not receive the same level of support or frequent updates as more mainstream solutions.

Analysis of RethinkDNS

Overall verdict

  • RethinkDNS is a strong choice for users who prioritize privacy, security, and control over their internet experience. Its robust feature set and commitment to transparency make it a recommended option.

Why this product is good

  • RethinkDNS is considered good because it offers advanced privacy features, blocking unwanted ads and trackers, and providing secure DNS resolutions. It also emphasizes user control and customization, enabling users to choose from a variety of configurations and filters. Moreover, its open-source nature allows for transparency and community contributions.

Recommended for

  • Privacy-conscious individuals who want to safeguard their online activities
  • Users looking to block ads and trackers efficiently
  • Tech-savvy individuals who prefer open-source software
  • Anyone seeking customizable DNS and firewall solutions

RethinkDNS videos

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AFWall+ videos

Optimize Your Android - Control app connectivity with AFWall+

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to RethinkDNS and AFWall+)
Security & Privacy
78 78%
22% 22
Monitoring Tools
58 58%
42% 42
Ad Blockers
100 100%
0% 0
Cyber Security
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare RethinkDNS and AFWall+

RethinkDNS Reviews

Best AD Blockers for Android [ 2022 ]
RethinkDNS has a very active community with a telegram channel so that you can ask for help.

AFWall+ Reviews

We have no reviews of AFWall+ yet.
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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, RethinkDNS should be more popular than AFWall+. It has been mentiond 22 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

RethinkDNS mentions (22)

  • Show HN: WalledGarden – A SIM You Control (RBI/GeoAuth/VPN/NGFW/Socks/Pcap/SDX)
    [2] https://rethinkdns.com - if this is something our users value, and given https://archive.md/slpZ9, we'll donate to support them. - Source: Hacker News / 6 months ago
  • Thoughts on RethinkDNS. Firewall, Privacy, Ads, all-in-one app for privacy.
    Hi, I've been using RethinkDNS https://rethinkdns.com/ for a few days, and for now it's something quite good for what I've seen so far. Source: about 2 years ago
  • blitz down?
    I changed this to rethinkdns.com they are reliable and also they care on privacy..//. Source: over 2 years ago
  • NextDNS vs Control D as compared by Control D owner
    If only https://rethinkdns.com was compared too. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Best way to use Facebook Messenger?
    You might want to look at Frost and SlimSocial, and aside from that maybe run some custom DNS to filter out anything that doesn't break functionality using hosts lists. There are several options there, one is Rethink DNS. Source: over 2 years ago
View more

AFWall+ mentions (7)

  • F-Droid, Keyboard Libraries, and Choosing a Browser
    I considered what many others have done: installing Gboard and using Graphene's settings to deny it network access, potentially even going the extra step of using a root firewall like AFWall (something I plan on looking into later regardless) but I was curious to see if I could do without. - Source: dev.to / over 1 year ago
  • Is it possible to route all traffic through tor on LineageOS?
    AFWall+ can also do that. It needs root though. Source: over 2 years ago
  • AfWall needs new developer. Someone please fork it.
    Https://github.com/ukanth/afwall/ It is a IPtables frontend but it is not updated often, last update was on May 21, 2021. Source: about 3 years ago
  • PrivacyGuides on Afwall+ and rooting.
    "Android Firewall+ (AFWall+) is an advanced iptables editor (GUI) for Android. It provides fine-grained control over which Android apps are Allowed to access the network." https://github.com/ukanth/afwall. Source: over 3 years ago
  • How to block a (local) IP address?
    Can I block using iptables on Android (I'm rooted)? Source: over 3 years ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing RethinkDNS and AFWall+, you can also consider the following products

NextDNS - Block ads, trackers and malicious websites on all your devices.

NetGuard - NetGuard

AdGuard - Surf the Web Ad-Free and Safely. Shield up!

NoRoot Firewall - Firewall WITHOUT ROOT.

Blokada - The best ad blocker for Android. Free and open source.

GlassWire - Visualize network activity in detail, get notified when new apps access the network, look out for...