Software Alternatives & Startups

RethinkDNS VS ShellNewHandler

Compare RethinkDNS VS ShellNewHandler and see what are their differences

RethinkDNS

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

Rating
0 reviews
Pricing
Open source
ShellNewHandler

SourceForge.net: ShellNewHandler details page

Rating
0 reviews

Which is more popular?

Based on our record, RethinkDNS seems to be a lot more popular than ShellNewHandler. While we know about 24 links to RethinkDNS, we've tracked only 2 mentions of ShellNewHandler.

social mentions
24 vs 2
Security & Privacy popularity
100% vs 0%

Base details

Website, pricing, platforms and company facts side by side.

RethinkDNS
ShellNewHandler
Website rethinkdns.com sourceforge.net
Pricing
Open source
—
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

RethinkDNS 5 features
ShellNewHandler 0 features
  • 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

  • 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.

No features have been listed yet.

Analysis

An editorial look at what each product does well and who it suits.

RethinkDNS
ShellNewHandler

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

Overall verdict

  • ShellNewHandler is a niche, lightweight utility hosted on SourceForge designed to give users more control over the Windows 'New' context menu (the ShellNew menu). It can be considered good for its specific narrow use case, but it is an older, minimally maintained tool that may not suit all users, especially those on modern Windows versions.

Why this product is good

  • Provides direct control over customizing the Windows right-click 'New' menu, allowing users to add or remove file type entries
  • Lightweight and free, without bundled bloatware typical of some other free utilities
  • Simple and focused in scope, making it easy to understand for its specific purpose
  • Open distribution via SourceForge allows transparency and no-cost access

Recommended for

  • Power users who want to declutter or customize the Windows New context menu
  • IT administrators managing standardized desktop environments across multiple machines
  • Users comfortable with older utility-style tools and Windows registry-related tweaks
  • Not recommended for casual users seeking modern, actively supported software with regular updates

Category popularity

How often each product is chosen within a category, 0–100% relative to the other.

Score bands 0–20 21–40 41–50 51–60 61–100
RethinkDNS
ShellNewHandler
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%

User comments

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Reviews and articles

External articles and on-site reviews we used to compare the two products.

RethinkDNS no reviews yet
ShellNewHandler no reviews yet

We have no reviews of ShellNewHandler yet. Be the first one to post

Social recommendations and mentions

Recommendations tracked on public social media and blogs since March 2021.

RethinkDNS 24 mentions
ShellNewHandler 2 mentions
  • System-level ad-blocking in Android
    Sigh, that's a lot of words to describe DNS based adblocking. In Android you can either set your DNS server in the system settings or via the VPN API. They both do the same thing. There a local device only resolver apps like... - Source: Hacker News / about 1 month ago
  • Android now stops you sharing your location in photos
    Rethink DNS can block internet access of an app (besides doing DNS-based blocking, etc.): https://rethinkdns.com It uses the VPN functionality, but you can stack a Wireguard VPN on top of it. - Source: Hacker News / 7 months ago
  • 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 / almost 2 years ago

View more

  • I recently got libreoffice, but now the new option in right click looks like a mess. Can someone help me get rid of them please?
    Use Shell New Handler. Run the portable app and simply untick the items you don't want to appear in your new context menu. Source: about 4 years ago
  • This menu should be easy to add/remove programs to... Who is really creating Access Databases from this menu often enough to keep it here? (Not me!) Is there an easy way to edit this?
    I've always used ShellNewHandler for this. It's a really simple portable utility that allows you to remove most of the items from that menu. Tested it out on Windows 11 and it's still compatible. Source: over 5 years ago

Alternatives to RethinkDNS and ShellNewHandler

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