My story begins with a quest for a reliable ad blocker for Safari. I used Wipr for years, but it started performing poorly. I tried AdGuard, but it required a root certificate for HTTPS traffic, which was a dealbreaker. PiHole seemed complex to configure, so I found NextDNS, a DNS-level content blocker promising effective ad and tracker filtering. I decided to try it.
NextDNS: The Game Changer
NextDNS turned out to be a game-changer for several reasons. First of all, it’s fairly cheap. The pro plan costs around $2 a month and the free plan is more than enough to try out this product. The setup couldn’t be easier. They offer a few different ways to set it up on all of your devices. The final thing is reliability. I’ve been using NextDNS on all of my personal devices for the past six months without encountering any issues. It almost sounds too good to be true.
For those of you who value community endorsements, NextDNS receive a seal of approval form the HackerNews crowd.
In short, NextDNS ticked all of the boxes for what I had been searching for in a content blocker.
Breaking Bad Habits
While I initially started using NextDNS as an ad blocker, it unexpectedly became a tool to help me break a bad habit. Until recently, I was compulsively browsing websites like LiveLeak just to kill time. It started affecting my productivity. NextDNS came to rescue with its parental control features.
With NextDNS, it’s possible to block specific websites or entire categories of sties, such as Dating or View Streaming. Now, you might wonder why I didn’t simply use Apple’s Screen Time for this purpose. The answer is friction. With Screen Time, it’s only a matter of two clicks before you can extend your limit by 15 minutes or turn it off completely for the day. For this use case, Screen Time is just too easy to disable.
I do use Screen Time for blocking apps. In order to keep myself accountable, I use Streaks App. You can read more about how I use Streaks here.
I’ve added friction to the process by blocking relevant sites, enabling 2FA, and storing recovery codes safely, just out of reach from my desk. It’s simple but effective. Thanks to NextDNS, I’ve successfully conquered a bothersome habit for 138 consecutive days!
Conclusion
NextDNS exceeded my expectations as a content blocker and helped me break a longstanding bad habit. Its affordability, user-friendliness, reliability, and bonus features make it a must-have for improving your online experience and taking control of digital habits. I highly recommend trying NextDNS!