As a tech enthusiast who has experimented with kernel tuning and network security, you know that the “best” choice depends on whether you want a “set-and-forget” cloud solution or a “tinker-friendly” local server.

Here is a deep dive into NextDNS and how it stacks up against the self-hosted giants.

What is NextDNS?

Think of NextDNS as a “Firewall in the Cloud.” It provides the same ad-blocking and tracking protection as a Pi-hole, but instead of running on a Raspberry Pi in your living room, it runs on a global network of high-performance servers.

The Key Advantages of NextDNS

1. Zero Hardware Required: You don’t need to buy a Raspberry Pi or keep a server running 24/7.
2. Protection Everywhere: Because it’s cloud-based, you can use it on your phone’s 5G connection, at a coffee shop, or at work—not just on your home Wi-Fi.
3. Modern Encryption: It natively supports DNS-over-HTTPS (DoH) and DNS-over-TLS (DoT).
4. Security Feeds: It uses professional threat intelligence feeds to block malware, phishing, and “Newly Registered Domains” (often used for scams) in real-time.
5. Parental Controls: Includes one-click toggles to block apps (TikTok, Roblox, Tinder), enforce SafeSearch, and even set “Recreation Time” schedules.

NextDNS vs. Pi-hole vs. AdGuard Home

While all three do essentially the same job—blocking domains at the DNS level—their “philosophies” are very different.

1. The Pi-hole Perspective

Pi-hole is the original king of network-wide ad blocking.

• Why choose it? If you are a privacy purist. Since it lives on your local network, your DNS queries never leave your house in an identifiable way.
• The Downside: If your Raspberry Pi crashes, your entire house loses internet. Also, keeping it working when you leave the house requires setting up a VPN like Wireguard.

2. The AdGuard Home Perspective

AdGuard Home is often seen as the “modern” Pi-hole.

• Why choose it? It has a much more modern web interface and, unlike Pi-hole, it handles encrypted DNS (DoH/DoT) natively without needing extra software. It also has better built-in client management.
• The Downside: Like Pi-hole, it still requires hardware and local maintenance.

3. The NextDNS Perspective

NextDNS bridges the gap between the two.

• Why choose it? If you want “enterprise-grade” features without the maintenance. It offers multiple “Profiles”—so you can have a strict profile for the kids’ iPads, a performance profile for your gaming PC, and a standard one for your phone.
• The Downside: Once you hit 300,000 queries per month, the filtering stops (unless you pay roughly $20/year).

Verdict: Which should you use?

• Use NextDNS if: You want a professional, multi-device setup that works on 5G/LTE just as well as home Wi-Fi, and you don’t want to manage hardware. It is the best choice for 90% of users.
• Use AdGuard Home if: You want to self-host and enjoy a beautiful UI with native encryption support on your local network.
• Use Pi-hole if: You are a dedicated “Homelab” enthusiast who wants the most lightweight, open-source, and privacy-focused setup possible.

Pro-Tip: You can actually use NextDNS CLI on your server. It acts as a local proxy that encrypts your traffic before sending it to the cloud, giving you the best of both worlds, local caching speed and cloud-based management!

The post What is NextDNS? appeared on Hamradio.my - Amateur Radio, Tech Insights and Product Reviews by 9M2PJU.

So the question is: Which subnet is right for a home network? /24 or /28?

What Do /24 and /28 Even Mean?

These are CIDR notations (Classless Inter-Domain Routing), and they define how many IP addresses are available in a network.

• /24 means 256 total addresses (usually 254 usable).
• /28 means 16 total addresses (14 usable).

Every device connected to your network—phone, laptop, smart TV, printer, camera—needs an IP. So, the smaller the subnet, the fewer devices you can connect.

When to Use /28 at Home

A /28 subnet gives you 14 usable IP addresses. That’s perfect for:

• A small home with just a few key devices.
• People who like strict control over IP allocation.
• Home labs simulating enterprise setups.
• Isolated VLANs or testing environments.

It forces you to keep your network lean, which can be a good thing if you’re security-conscious or just like having everything well-organized.

Example Devices:

• Router
• 2 smartphones
• 1 PC
• 1 printer
• 1 smart TV
• 1 tablet

That’s already 7 IPs used. Throw in a NAS, a few smart lights, or a guest phone and you’re bumping into the limit fast.

When /24 Makes More Sense

A /24 subnet gives you 254 usable IPs. That may sound like overkill, but in modern homes, it’s surprisingly easy to fill up space over time:

• Smart bulbs, thermostats, plugs, and security cameras
• Gaming consoles, smart speakers, tablets, laptops
• IoT devices, home servers, development boards like Raspberry Pi
• Guest network users

If you plan on expanding, or just don’t want to stress about running out of IPs, a /24 is the safer bet.

Use /24 if you:

• Have 15+ devices (or will soon).
• Want to set static IPs without worrying about clashes.
• Plan to run a homelab or host services (NAS, VPN, Docker).
• Use VLANs and may subnet different ranges in the future.

Does Subnet Size Affect Network Speed?

This is a common question, and the answer is:

No, subnet size doesn’t directly impact your internet or local network speed.

The size of your subnet—whether it’s /28, /24, or something else—only determines how many IP addresses are available. It doesn’t affect:

• Download or upload speeds
• Ping or latency
• File transfer speeds
• Internet responsiveness

Those are controlled by:

• Your ISP speed
• Router performance
• Network congestion
• Wired vs. wireless connections

But There Are Some Indirect Factors:

• Broadcast traffic: Larger subnets like /24 may have slightly more broadcast traffic (like ARP or DHCP), but for home use, it’s negligible.
• Segmentation and isolation: Smaller subnets can help isolate devices in advanced setups (VLANs, guest networks), which might lead to smoother performance.
• Security and simplicity: Smaller subnets limit accidental overuse and are easier to manage in tightly controlled environments.

But unless you’re running 100+ devices or complex routing rules, you likely won’t notice any difference in speed between /24 and /28.

Real-World Use: Home Labs and Amateur Radio

If you’re into amateur radio or running a home lab, a /24 subnet gives you a comfortable space to play.

It also makes things easier when testing services like Pi-hole, WireGuard, or self-hosted apps, where fixed IPs are helpful.

Final Thoughts

While /28 might be enough for small or tightly controlled setups, most home users will benefit from the flexibility of /24. It keeps things simple, scalable, and headache-free.

TL;DR:

• Use /28 if you’re experimenting, want tight control, or only need <15 devices.
• Use /24 for everyday home networks, smart home setups, and homelabs.
• Subnet size doesn’t affect network speed — but smart planning does.

Still not sure which one’s right for you? Start with /24. You can always subnet it later if needed. And if you’re the type who’s reading this—chances are you’ll be adding more gear soon anyway.

The post Should You Use /24 or /28 for Your Home Network? appeared on Hamradio.my - Amateur Radio, Tech Insights and Product Reviews by 9M2PJU.