Best DNS Filtering Software (2026)
9 dns filtering tools ranked on real review data, live pricing and feature coverage — refreshed automatically.
DNSFilter
8.1/10Best for MSPs and SMBs wanting fast, transparently-priced DNS filtering with strong multi-tenancy.
The best dns filtering software in 2026 is DNSFilter — best for MSPs and SMBs wanting fast, transparently-priced DNS filtering with strong multi-tenancy. It scores 8.1/10 on our data-weighted ranking (4.6/5 (~239 G2 reviews)) and starts at $1/user/mo. Cisco Umbrella is the strongest runner-up. Full comparison table and per-tool breakdown below — all figures stamped with a data-as-of date and linked sources.
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Best for MSPs and SMBs wanting fast, transparently-priced DNS filtering with strong multi-tenancy.
- AI-driven DNS threat blocking
- Category + content filtering
- Roaming clients (Win/Mac/mobile)
Overview · Pricing · Review · Alternatives
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Best for Enterprises wanting DNS-layer security that scales up into a full secure internet gateway (SIG).
- DNS-layer threat blocking
- Intelligent proxy (Advantage)
- App discovery + control
Overview · Pricing · Review · Alternatives
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Best for MSPs and multi-site businesses wanting a focused, transparently-priced DNS filter with strong reporting.
- DNS-layer content + threat filtering
- 67 content categories + safe search
- Multi-site single-pane management
Overview · Pricing · Review · Alternatives
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Best for Teams wanting free DNS + web filtering on Cloudflare's edge, scaling into full SWG.
- DNS + HTTP filtering
- Edge-delivered on 330+ cities
- Category + security filtering
Overview · Pricing · Review · Alternatives
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Best for MSPs already running Webroot endpoint security wanting an integrated DNS-layer add-on.
- DNS-layer filtering + threat blocking
- Blocks DNS-over-HTTPS threats
- Policy enforcement by group
Overview · Pricing · Review · Alternatives
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Best for SMBs, schools and nonprofits wanting affordable, easy-to-deploy DNS web filtering.
- DNS-layer content + threat filtering
- 60+ content categories
- Per-user policies + DoH policy
Overview · Pricing · Review · Alternatives
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Best for SMBs and MSPs wanting flat, no-minimum DNS filtering with deep customization.
- Customizable DNS filtering
- Per-device + per-profile policies
- Malware + ad + tracker blocking
Overview · Pricing · Review · Alternatives
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Best for MSPs wanting patching bundled with a broader security suite.
- Automated patch & asset management
- DNS security
- EDR/XDR modules
Overview · Pricing · Review · Alternatives
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Best for Cost-sensitive SMBs and tech-savvy teams wanting cheap, configurable cloud DNS filtering with rich analytics.
- Cloud DNS filtering (ad/tracker/malware)
- Per-device + per-profile configs
- Real-time query analytics + logs
Overview · Pricing · Review · Alternatives
No products match these filters.
| Tool | Best for | Starting price | Free trial | Reviews | Our score /10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DNSFilter | MSPs and SMBs wanting fast, transparently-priced DNS filtering with strong multi-tenancy | $1/user/mo | 14 days | 4.6 (239) | 8.1 |
| Cisco Umbrella | Enterprises wanting DNS-layer security that scales up into a full secure internet gateway (SIG) | Custom quote | 14 days | 4.4 (274) | 8.0 |
| ScoutDNS | MSPs and multi-site businesses wanting a focused, transparently-priced DNS filter with strong reporting | $0.92/user/mo | 14 days | 4.9 (56) | 7.9 |
| Cloudflare Gateway | Teams wanting free DNS + web filtering on Cloudflare's edge, scaling into full SWG | $7/user/mo | Free tier | — | 7.7 |
| Webroot DNS Protection | MSPs already running Webroot endpoint security wanting an integrated DNS-layer add-on | Custom quote | 30 days | 4.4 (86) | 7.7 |
| SafeDNS | SMBs, schools and nonprofits wanting affordable, easy-to-deploy DNS web filtering | $0.9/user/mo | 14 days | 4.5 (18) | 7.6 |
| Control D | SMBs and MSPs wanting flat, no-minimum DNS filtering with deep customization | $2/endpoint/mo | Free tier | — | 7.5 |
| Heimdal | MSPs wanting patching bundled with a broader security suite | Custom quote | Free trial | 4.6 (200) | 7.5 |
| NextDNS | Cost-sensitive SMBs and tech-savvy teams wanting cheap, configurable cloud DNS filtering with rich analytics | $0.4/user/mo | Free tier | — | 7.1 |
DNS Filtering Leaders Matrix
Every tracked tool plotted by ability to deliver (our data-weighted score) against market presence (independent review volume). Top-right is a market leader — hover any logo. How this is scored →
- 1 DNSFilter 8.1
- 2
Cisco Umbrella 8.0 - 3
ScoutDNS 7.9 - 4
Cloudflare Gateway 7.7 - 5
Webroot DNS Protection 7.7 - 6
SafeDNS 7.6 - 7
Control D 7.5 - 8
Heimdal 7.5 - 9
NextDNS 7.1
How to choose
When choosing dns filtering software, weigh four things against your environment: pricing model (per-endpoint vs per-technician vs per-user — it changes total cost dramatically at scale), deployment and integration fit with your existing stack, breadth of automation, and independent review scores. The table above ranks every tracked option on the data we hold; use the per-tool notes to match capabilities to your use case.
Budgeting the whole stack? Use our MSP software cost calculator to estimate monthly and annual spend for dns filtering alongside the rest of your tools, using real published pricing.
Buyer's guide
How we ranked the best dns filtering software
We score every tool on a transparent 0–10 scale weighted from third-party review data (G2/Capterra, adjusted for review volume), published pricing, and verified feature breadth — never opinion alone. All figures were last checked June 2026 and every row links its source.
Pricing models in dns filtering software
Across the 9 tracked tools, billing runs on per user, quote, per device, per endpoint models — which changes total cost dramatically at scale, so compare on your endpoint or technician count, not headline price. NextDNS carries the lowest published entry price at $0.4/user/mo. Cloudflare Gateway, Control D, NextDNS offer a genuinely free tier; several others run free trials.
Who each is for
- DNSFilter — MSPs and SMBs wanting fast, transparently-priced DNS filtering with strong multi-tenancy. 8.1/10, from $1/user/mo (4.6/5 (~239 G2 reviews)).
- Cisco Umbrella — Enterprises wanting DNS-layer security that scales up into a full secure internet gateway (SIG). 8.0/10, from Custom quote (4.4/5 (~274 G2 reviews)).
- ScoutDNS — MSPs and multi-site businesses wanting a focused, transparently-priced DNS filter with strong reporting. 7.9/10, from $0.92/user/mo (4.9/5 (~56 G2 reviews)).
- Cloudflare Gateway — Teams wanting free DNS + web filtering on Cloudflare’s edge, scaling into full SWG. 7.7/10, from $7/user/mo (Not yet rated).
- Webroot DNS Protection — MSPs already running Webroot endpoint security wanting an integrated DNS-layer add-on. 7.7/10, from Custom quote (4.4/5 (~86 G2 reviews)).
- SafeDNS — SMBs, schools and nonprofits wanting affordable, easy-to-deploy DNS web filtering. 7.6/10, from $0.9/user/mo (4.5/5 (~18 G2 reviews)).
Our pick
On the data we hold, DNSFilter leads at 8.1/10. The transparent-pricing DNS filter MSPs love — quick deployment, strong multi-tenancy, and real published per-seat rates. Read the full DNSFilter review or compare it head-to-head below.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the best dns filtering software in 2026?
- DNSFilter ranks first in our data-weighted comparison (8.1/10, 4.6/5 (~239 G2 reviews)), starting at $1/user/mo.
- What is the cheapest dns filtering software?
- Among tracked options, NextDNS has the lowest published starting price at $0.4/user/mo. Pricing models differ, so compare per-endpoint vs per-technician costs for your fleet size.
- Is there a free dns filtering software option?
- Cloudflare Gateway offers a free tier. Several others provide free trials — see the pricing column in the table above.