Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

RethinkDNS VS NetGuard

Compare RethinkDNS VS NetGuard and see what are their differences

RethinkDNS logo RethinkDNS

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

NetGuard logo NetGuard

NetGuard
  • RethinkDNS Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-12-19
  • NetGuard Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-09-27

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.

NetGuard features and specs

  • Privacy Enhancement
    NetGuard helps in enhancing user privacy by blocking unwanted internet traffic, preventing personal data from being sent without the user's consent.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    The application has a straightforward and intuitive interface, making it easy for users to configure and manage their network settings.
  • No Root Required
    NetGuard does not require root access to function, making it accessible to a broader range of Android users who may not want to root their device.
  • Battery Efficiency
    The app is designed to use minimal battery power, ensuring that it does not significantly impact device battery life.
  • Open Source
    NetGuard is open-source software, which allows users to inspect the code for transparency and potentially contribute to its development.

Possible disadvantages of NetGuard

  • Limited to Android
    NetGuard is currently only available for Android devices, which limits its usefulness for users of other operating systems.
  • Paid Features
    While the basic functionality is free, some advanced features require a purchase, which could be a barrier for some users.
  • Network Performance
    In some cases, users may experience a decrease in network performance due to the filtering process used by NetGuard.
  • Complexity for Novices
    Despite a generally user-friendly interface, users unfamiliar with network configuration may find it challenging to fully utilize the application's capabilities.
  • Limited Customer Support
    As an open-source project, NetGuard might not offer as robust customer support as commercial alternatives, which could be a drawback for some users.

RethinkDNS videos

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NetGuard videos

How to Block Android Apps in connecting to Internet with NetGuard

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to RethinkDNS and NetGuard)
Security & Privacy
62 62%
38% 38
Monitoring Tools
38 38%
62% 62
Ad Blockers
60 60%
40% 40
Threat Detection And Prevention

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 NetGuard

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.

NetGuard Reviews

We have no reviews of NetGuard yet.
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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, NetGuard should be more popular than RethinkDNS. It has been mentiond 48 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 / 5 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: almost 2 years ago
  • blitz down?
    I changed this to rethinkdns.com they are reliable and also they care on privacy..//. Source: about 2 years ago
  • NextDNS vs Control D as compared by Control D owner
    If only https://rethinkdns.com was compared too. Source: about 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

NetGuard mentions (48)

  • Sniffnet – monitor your Internet traffic
    There is OpenSnitch [0] on Linux, but it us a bit clumsy to setup. I tried it once and didn't get far, but have it again on my todo list. Not aware of something similar on Linux. On Android there is NetGuard [1] which is awesome (not affiliated, just a happy customer). [0] https://github.com/evilsocket/opensnitch. - Source: Hacker News / 3 months ago
  • Little Snitch: Network Monitor and Application Firewall for macOS
    Netguard if you want to use it on Android https://netguard.me/. - Source: Hacker News / 4 months ago
  • The Global Surveillance Free-for-All in Mobile Ad Data
    Additionally to an OpenWRT [1] Wi-Fi router or Adguard Home [2] server that you can run for yourself, there's also this excellent project called NetGuard [3]. The developer got kicked out of the Play Store for bogus reasons, and had to continue to develop it as an externally funded effort. Support him, buy a pay what you want license, and give him a couple bucks for it if you value open source software like this.... - Source: Hacker News / 6 months ago
  • OpenSnitch is a GNU/Linux interactive application firewall
    There's netguard[1], although most of the convenience features are behind a small payment. [1] https://netguard.me. - Source: Hacker News / 9 months ago
  • Ash HN: My country is undergoing a coup, which encryption software should I use?
    Use briar. Use LineageOS without gapps (aka without Google Play Services). Obviously don't use Meta or Google apps, because that's where the backdoors are for governments. Use AppWarden to enable/disable/verify the usage of known trackers in your apps. Use NetGuard as an Android firewall. [1] https://briarproject.org/ [2] https://wiki.lineageos.org/devices [3] https://gitlab.com/AuroraOSS/AppWarden [4]... - Source: Hacker News / almost 2 years ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

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

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

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

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

AFWall+ - AFWall+ (Android Firewall +) - iptables based firewall for Android

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

AdBlock - Ad blocker for Chrome, Safari and Opera on desktop and Safari for iOS devices.