1.1.1.1 + WARP by Cloudflare wraps a public DNS resolver in a transport-encrypted tunnel and ships it as a free Android app. It's fast, simple, and has 330 million-plus installs to its name. Two problems are pushing users to look elsewhere: the Cloudflare One Zero Trust login feature is being removed from the 1.1.1.1 app in May 2026 and split into a separate Cloudflare One Agent app, and the consumer side is light on ad-blocking and content filtering compared to dedicated DNS-filtering services. These 1.1.1.1 + WARP alternatives cover the same DNS privacy and lightweight tunneling jobs with stronger blocking, full-VPN security, or more configurable resolver rules.
We picked seven, mixing dedicated filtering DNS services, full VPN providers, an ad-blocker DNS app, and an open-source firewall.
Quick comparison
| App | Best for | Free tier |
|---|---|---|
| AdGuard | System-wide ad and tracker blocking | Free DNS, paid Premium |
| NextDNS | Configurable DNS with per-device profiles | 300K queries/mo free |
| Mullvad VPN | Anonymous full-tunnel VPN with no email signup | 14-day trial |
| Proton VPN | Free unlimited-data full VPN with audited no-logs | Yes, unlimited data |
| Blokada | Local DNS-level ad blocking, open-source | Yes (Blokada 5) |
| Rethink DNS + Firewall + VPN | Per-app firewall plus DNS | Yes, fully free |
| Quad9 Connect | Threat-blocking DNS run by a nonprofit | Yes |
Why people leave 1.1.1.1 + WARP
The Cloudflare One Zero Trust split. The 1.1.1.1 app's Cloudflare One login flow shuts down in May 2026, moving Zero Trust users to a separate Cloudflare One Agent app. Anyone relying on 1.1.1.1 for work access has to migrate.
Ad and tracker blocking is shallow. The 1.1.1.1 for Families variant blocks malware and adult content, but not the ad and tracker firehose that dedicated services handle. AdGuard and NextDNS go much further.
No per-app routing. WARP tunnels everything or nothing. Users who want to send banking through their carrier and everything else through WARP have to toggle the connection by hand.
WARP is not a true VPN. The tunnel encrypts the path to Cloudflare but doesn't give an exit IP suitable for geo-shifting or streaming. Users who want a real VPN feature set move to Proton, Mullvad, or similar.
Cloudflare visibility. Even with no-logs claims, all traffic flows through Cloudflare's edge. Users who prefer to distribute DNS, firewall, and VPN trust across multiple providers move to a split stack.
The best 1.1.1.1 + WARP alternatives on Android
1. AdGuard, best for system-wide ad and tracker blocking
AdGuard ships a local DNS-based ad and tracker blocker for Android. The free version covers a sizable filter list out of the box; AdGuard Premium adds HTTPS filtering, app-by-app rules, and the AdGuard DNS upstream. The block list quality is the category's strongest, with custom user rules supported.
Where it falls short: the deepest blocking modes require AdGuard Premium. The setup wizard asks for VPN permission, which uses the local-VPN trick to redirect DNS; on aggressive battery-saving Android skins, the connection can drop.
Switching from 1.1.1.1: install AdGuard, complete the setup wizard, and the local VPN replaces the WARP tunnel. DNS-over-HTTPS is supported with AdGuard's own resolvers.
Bottom line: the right pick when ad and tracker blocking depth matters more than tunnel encryption.
2. NextDNS, best for per-device configurable DNS
NextDNS runs configurable DNS profiles in the cloud. The web dashboard tunes block lists, parental controls, content filtering, allowlists, and log retention; the Android app applies the profile to your device. The free tier covers 300,000 queries per month, which is enough for a single phone in light use.
Where it falls short: heavy users blow through 300,000 queries quickly. The paid plan is reasonable but it's a real subscription.
Switching from 1.1.1.1: sign up at nextdns.io, copy your config ID, install the NextDNS Android app, paste the ID. The local VPN flow is the same one WARP uses.
Bottom line: the right call when you want fine-grained, per-device DNS rules with a UI that respects power users.
3. Mullvad VPN, best for anonymous full-tunnel VPN
Mullvad VPN doesn't ask for an email address; you get a 16-digit account number at signup and pay flat-rate by month, including cash payment options. The Android app is open-source, the no-logs policy has been independently audited, and the WireGuard configuration is fast.
Where it falls short: no free tier, only a paid subscription and a 14-day trial. The interface is intentionally spartan; users wanting one-tap "auto-select best server" features have less to click.
Switching from 1.1.1.1: install Mullvad, generate an account number, redeem credit, and the app's tunnel replaces WARP. DNS-over-the-tunnel is on by default.
Bottom line: the right pick when anonymity at signup and a flat-rate price model matter more than a free tier.
4. Proton VPN, best for free unlimited-data VPN with audited no-logs
Proton VPN ships a genuinely free tier with unlimited data and no advertising, backed by Proton's Swiss legal jurisdiction. The free servers are slower than Plus, but the privacy model is the same. The open-source apps and independent audits land on the trust-by-default side.
Where it falls short: free servers are limited in country count, with congestion during peak hours. Streaming-grade exit nodes are paid-tier only.
Switching from 1.1.1.1: create a Proton account, install Proton VPN, pick a free server. The tunnel replaces WARP's encryption layer with a real VPN exit IP.
Bottom line: the right call for a free VPN with credible no-logs claims and no ad model.
5. Blokada, best for local DNS-level ad blocking on open-source code
Blokada blocks ads and trackers locally on Android using the same local-VPN technique as AdGuard, but with an open-source codebase and a low-friction free tier. Blokada 5 ships in the Play Store with the local engine; Blokada Plus adds a paid hosted VPN exit.
Where it falls short: the Play-Store build of Blokada has fewer features than the F-Droid build for compliance reasons. Setup occasionally needs a battery optimization whitelist on heavy-saving skins.
Switching from 1.1.1.1: install Blokada, allow the local VPN, and the engine starts filtering immediately. DNS-over-HTTPS supported.
Bottom line: the right pick when an open-source local blocker beats a hosted privacy service.
6. Rethink DNS + Firewall + VPN, best for per-app firewall plus DNS
Rethink DNS + Firewall + VPN stacks DNS resolution, per-app firewall, and an optional VPN exit into one open-source app. The per-app rules let you block specific apps from background data entirely, force them through DNS-over-HTTPS, or block specific domains for one app and not others.
Where it falls short: the UI density is high; new users need 20 minutes to understand the modes. Server-side hosted features still depend on the project's funding.
Switching from 1.1.1.1: install Rethink, allow the local VPN, pick a DNS upstream (1.1.1.1, Quad9, NextDNS, or custom). Per-app rules build from defaults.
Bottom line: the right call when you want per-app firewall control on top of DNS privacy.
7. Quad9 Connect, best for threat-blocking DNS run by a nonprofit
Quad9 Connect is the official client for the Quad9 public DNS resolver, run by a Swiss-based nonprofit. The resolver blocks known malware and phishing domains by default, with no logging of personal data, and is funded by member organizations rather than ad-tech.
Where it falls short: the blocklist is conservative; Quad9 deliberately doesn't block ads to avoid breaking websites. The Android app is minimal.
Switching from 1.1.1.1: install Quad9 Connect, allow the local VPN, and DNS-over-HTTPS to Quad9's network starts. No account required.
Bottom line: the right pick when nonprofit governance and threat blocking matter more than ad filtering.
How to choose
Pick AdGuard when ad and tracker blocking depth is the top priority. Pick NextDNS for per-device configurable DNS with a fine-grained dashboard. Pick Mullvad VPN for anonymous signup and flat-rate billing.
Pick Proton VPN when a free, no-ads, no-logs full VPN matters. Pick Blokada for an open-source local ad blocker. Pick Rethink when per-app firewall control matters as much as DNS privacy. Pick Quad9 Connect for nonprofit-run threat blocking.
Stay on 1.1.1.1 + WARP when you want the simplest one-tap privacy upgrade on a free tier, you don't need ad blocking beyond Cloudflare for Families, and you can plan around the May 2026 Zero Trust split. WARP is still the fastest DNS-over-HTTPS resolver to install on a non-technical user's phone.
FAQ
Is 1.1.1.1 + WARP a real VPN? WARP encrypts the path from your device to Cloudflare's edge, which is similar to a VPN tunnel but not a full geo-shifting VPN. It does not give you a different country's exit IP for streaming. Mullvad and Proton VPN do.
What happens to Cloudflare One Zero Trust login after May 2026? The 1.1.1.1 app removes Zero Trust login support in May 2026. Users on Cloudflare One have to install the separate Cloudflare One Agent app to keep access.
Which DNS app blocks the most ads on Android? AdGuard and NextDNS lead the category on block depth, followed by Blokada. 1.1.1.1 for Families blocks malware and adult content but not ads.
Are these DNS apps battery-efficient? The local-VPN technique (used by AdGuard, Blokada, NextDNS, Rethink, Quad9 Connect) adds modest battery overhead. Aggressive battery optimization on MIUI, ColorOS, and One UI can sleep the local VPN; whitelisting the app from optimization fixes it.
Can I use a DNS service and a VPN at the same time? On Android, only one app can hold the VPN socket at a time. You have to chain them: pick a VPN whose DNS routes to your preferred resolver, or use a DNS service with its own VPN profile that includes a custom upstream.
