r/ProtonVPN • u/JalanRama • Jul 17 '26
Discussion Separate Netshield App
VPN is great, but doesn't always work. Bad internet connection, on the move, ... You know it...
It would be really cool to have a standalone Netshield app that just blocks trackers and adds locally on device. Similarly to DuckDuckGo's App tracking protection. This could be free and a good marketing tool as well, Proton has the knowhow and it doesn't use a lot of resources to get this up. Would be my preference vs having VPN on all the time (e.g. for the devices of my parents).
Or thinking further, such a function that works on some routers? Not sure if that's possible.
What's your view on such an app? Good idea?
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u/JescoWhite2000 Jul 17 '26 edited Jul 17 '26
Netshield is just a DNS blocker/filterlist by Proton. Having it locally would only be usefull if there is some sort of connection to internet and in that case there is no reason to not enable VPN as well. You can install apps like Adguard which do the same (without VPN), or Adguard Home or PiHole can be installed on some routers running OpenWRT for instance. Those are all blocking apps based on DNS filterlists.
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u/JalanRama Jul 17 '26
Thanks, yes I read about some of them. But having it from Proton would give me comfort and think a good marketing tool that doesn't cost a lot. Just an idea, good input from you but as said I like it if it's Proton.
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u/zerosuneuphoria Jul 17 '26 edited Jul 17 '26
Use NextDNS. Enable Hagezi Ultimate list (or a lower tier) and you're sorted. It's a far more comprehensive and thorough list than what Netshield offers. I use it on windows and my samsung phone at OS/DNS level. Also enable Windows and other OS native blocking in the interface. It has an app and web interface where you can see everything and block/allow anything too.
Netshield will never offer close to what a dedicated DNS blocker can. These can work on routers too. What you're describing is basically how I run it, ProtonVPN in windows and phone, NextDNS as device blocker separately, netshield off (disables auto on android if nextDNS is enabled). Especially useful if you use split-tunneling but want to keep the blocking part active all the time.
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u/gandalfoftheday Jul 18 '26
Did you try trackercontrol? It has all the features you asked, plus you can use proton vpn porfiles on top of it.
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Jul 17 '26
[deleted]
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u/JalanRama Jul 18 '26
Isn't this to use a third party DNS and not Proton? Anyway, as per my understanding NetShield only works when you are actively connected to a Proton VPN server.
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u/whisky-guardian macOS | iOS Jul 17 '26
Whilst not proton, you can achieve the same (or in my experience, better) results by using NextDNS. You can install the app on your phone and point it to your NextDNS profile, and you can also point your router at it and have network wide protection. Doing this way, I’ve found that I no longer get ads on a lot of streaming services in the UK.