Control D

Name: Control D
Rating: 4.33 (12 reviews)

Stop thinking about DNS

4.3•12 reviews•

33 followers

Stop thinking about DNS

4.3•12 reviews•

33 followers

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Safety and Privacy platforms

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Security software

Control D is a customizable DNS filtering and traffic redirection platform that leverages Secure DNS protocols like DNS-over-HTTPS, DNS-over-TLS and DNS-over-QUIC, with support for Legacy DNS. - Block malicious threats - Block unwanted types of content network wide (ads & trackers, IoT telemetry, adult content, socials, and more) - Gain visibility on network events and usage patterns, with client level granularity - Re-route traffic via proxies (through DNS) for improved privacy and security

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Launch tags:Productivity•Internet of Things

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I always wonder why boring, borderline useless, overpriced and recycled ideas like various growth hacks, random side projects, icons, css frameworks, micro SaaSes, electron apps, et cetera get way more traction on PH than true gems like this one. I truly don't get it. Maybe this lacks unicorns and rainbows? Who knows. Anyway, I find this to be an exciting service. At least from a UX perspective. It handles 90% of the common VPN use cases (encrypted dns-queries, per-service geo-bypassing and custom content/domain filtering) while being lighter than a Wireguard tunnel. And it does not throttle your internet or introduce added latency. Sure, you don't get to hide your IP-address or bypass router NAT issues, but in exchange you get almost universal device compatibility and superior network performance. I call that a no-brainer.

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5yr ago

@oimeit If you use Global Proxy feature it totally hides your IP address for all HTTP traffic that uses DNS. Some rare sites may fetch resources directly from an IP address, but that's very rare.

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5yr ago

I'm one of the makers of Controld. Would be happy to answer any questions. ControlD's unique feature is not just blocking, but also unblocking. There is no other platform like it out there.

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5yr ago

There are 4 things about ControlD that makes it better than other DNS solution. A. It can work and run alongside a VPN on most devices. B. You can create redirect websites and applications (e.g. Netflix) to another country to unblock it, while still connected to a VPN. C. It can block ads, trackers and many more with category block lists. You can create custom rules to block or bypass certain domains. D. The support is really fast and even the CEO answers the user inquiries directly on multiple platforms (e.g. Reddit, their Feedback page, etc). That's hands-on dedication you can't find on any service.

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5yr ago

One of the makers here, hope everyone enjoys the product! If you have any feedback please post here https://feedback.controld.com

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5yr ago

Paint the Cameras Dead

Oh, this is so great! This service allows you to create your own DNS with all the rules you would like to apply. Don't use it to control your children, but to maintain your privacy!

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5yr ago

How does it compare with NextDNS? In terms of features, locations, etc.

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5yr ago

@leech I think I could answer this on the user perspective. ControlD and NextDNS is quite the same actually with few but major key differences. [ Similarities ] - Both blocks ads, trackers and others on the DNS level - Both offer legacy DNS, DoH and DoT configurations. - Both can allow users to create their custom list of allowed and blocked domains. [ Differences ] 1. ControlD on its default configuration can block more than NextDNS default configuration 2. NextDNS has DNS performance settings you can enable such as Anonymized EDNS Client Subnet, Cache Boost, and CNAME Flattening. Though technically this not really give any major difference in general browsing experience if your internet connection speed is already fast to begin with. 3. There is an analytics feature for NextDNS while ControlD doesn't have one. ControlD is thinking whether to introduce the same optional analytics and logging or not. 4. ControlD doesn't have any apps (except for iOS) while NextDNS has an app for all the major platforms. Though it's not a big issue though since DoT and DoH configuration is universally available on most devices. 5. ControlD doesn't have IPv6 legacy DNS configuration available. While NextDNS has one. 6. ControlD has DNS proxy feature wherein you can redirect certain websites (e.g. Netflix) to another country to bypass geo-restriction. NextDNS doesn't have this feature. Two use case of this are: A. By enabling Global Proxy and Redirect Proxy functionality of ControlD to act as the "VPN" of your devices. You can make the majority of the websites you visit think you are in London IP Address for example while Netflix gets US IP address in order to stream US content. B. If you already have a VPN, you can enable only the Redirect proxy function so that while you're still connected to your VPN, you can redirect certain websites to connect to another location. 7. NextDNS has more DNS servers but ControlD will catch up soon (since it's just recently launched). 8. ControlD has a more refined productivity schedule user can configure to block access to distracting services like Social Media and games while you work or study. 9. ControlD is more open to suggestions and feedbacks (based on my own opinion and experience as customer of both NextDNS and ControlD) 10. NextDNS has better tutorial for setting up their DNS on different types of devices and device configuration (e.g. Stubby, dnsmasq for Routers) 11. NextDNS has DNS-over-QUIC, ControlD doesn't have one yet. 12. NextDNS has User Profiles configuration for device specific setups. ControlD doesn't have one yet, but they're planning to add it as a feature soon.

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5yr ago

@leech to summarize. I switched to ControlD from NextDNS because of two major reasons. 1. Unblocking geo-restricted websites/apps - I use VPN and I prefer my browsing, download and upload speed as close to my original connection speed however if you want to unblock let say US Netflix, and you're far from US. All 3 speed criteria will slow down significantly. That's where ControlD's DNS redirect proxy comes into play wherein I connect to a VPN server close to my real location to get the best browsing, download and upload speed possible. While I have ControlD to redirect Netflix and other streaming platforms to US so that I can watch US content from time to time in all my devices ControlD is enabled. Note, ControlD can function alongside with the majority of the VPN solutions in the market. 2. Productivity - I need a procrastination blocker that can help me block time-consuming websites in all my devices on certain time periods on weekdays.

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5yr ago

@x1 Awesome! Thank you for your extensive responses! I really like NextDNS, haven't tried ControlD yet, but the two things you mention are really interesting. And feedback/support sounds good, I'm still waiting for +2 weeks support requests on NextDNS.

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5yr ago

@leech you can get 1 month free trial to extensively test ControlD so that you can have an informed decision which one to keep if you sign up during the current closed beta.

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5yr ago

GitNoter

This is good. I will try this app

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5yr ago

4.3

Based on 12 reviews

Review Control D?

Reviewers largely see Control D as a flexible, powerful DNS service that works well for ad, tracker, malware, and content blocking, with many saying it replaced Pi-hole or other DNS filters and works smoothly on a router for whole-home or business use. Speed, customization, and geo-redirection are recurring strengths, though several users note a learning curve, especially around redirection and advanced router setup. A minority report serious problems, including slow page loads, poor support, or setup failures, so sentiment is strong overall but not unanimous.

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