#1
KeepSolid SmartDNS
Cheapest serious standalone Smart DNS - $29.99/year with apps for TV and mobile.
7-day free trial (no card)
from $2.50/mo 7-day free trial, no card
Budget Smart DNS
A full year of Smart DNS for about forty dollars or less - ranked on real annual prices.
Short answer: KeepSolid SmartDNS is our top-rated budget Smart DNS as of 2026-09-23 (7.3/10), from $2.50/mo, 7-day free trial without a card.
#2
dns4me
The power-user pick: custom URL overrides, 3 locations, dynamic DNS, DoH/DoT - at $35.88/year.
3-day free trial (no card) multiple locations DoH/DoT
from $2.99/mo 3-day free trial, no card
#3
TrickByte
Cheap Estonian DNS+VPN bundle with a 14-day no-card trial.
14-day free trial (no card) VPN included
from $2.08/mo 14-day free trial, no card
// FAQ
What does Smart DNS cost per year?
The 2026 corridor for standalone services is roughly $30-55 a year, with budget plans near $30. VPN-bundled Smart DNS adds $0 on top of the VPN. Lifetime deals run $149-200.
Are cheap Smart DNS services worse?
Not necessarily - price mostly reflects company size, not unblocking quality. Check the documented service list and trial instead of assuming the big brand is better.
Are annual plans risky?
Less so with a money-back guarantee or a no-card trial first. Test in the first days, decide within the refund window, and prefer "rates locked" providers if you plan to stay.