The Best DNS Filtering Software in 2026
We researched DNS filtering software through official websites, including pricing pages, plan tables, and product documentation. Products are ranked on the category’s core job, value for money, and verified features such as domain controls, policy management, device coverage, and reporting for security, privacy, or parental control.
Our top picks
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Top ranked
AdGuard DNS#1 of 289.4/10A broad DNS filtering service for families, organizations, and connected devices.
Free plan · 30-day trial
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Runner-up
Control D#2 of 289.3/10A broad DNS filtering platform with free access, detailed controls, and flexible deployment.
Free plan · 14-day trial
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Top-ranked free plan
NextDNS#3 of 289.2/10Flexible DNS filtering for families, personal privacy, schools, and businesses.
Free plan
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
The full ranking 28 tools, best first
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Best forBroad DNS filtering across home and business devices
A broad DNS filtering service for families, organizations, and connected devices.
Free plan · 30-day trial Our AdGuard DNS verdict → Visit AdGuard DNSFor vendors Sponsor this spot · #1 · $149/mo →9.4/10★★★★★Visit AdGuard DNS -
Best forAffordable, highly configurable DNS filtering
A broad DNS filtering platform with free access, detailed controls, and flexible deployment.
Free plan · 14-day trial Our Control D verdict → Visit Control DFor vendors Sponsor this spot · #2 · $99/mo →9.3/10★★★★★Visit Control D -
Best forPrivacy-focused personal and family filtering
Flexible DNS filtering for families, personal privacy, schools, and businesses.
9.2/10★★★★★Visit NextDNS -
Best forLow-cost managed filtering for organizations
Managed DNS filtering with roaming protection, reporting, and identity integrations.
8.9/10★★★★☆Visit DNSFilter -
Best forLarge organizations using Cisco infrastructure
Broad DNS, web, identity, and reporting controls for Cisco-centered enterprises.
Pricing on request · 14-day trial Our Cisco Umbrella verdict → Visit Cisco UmbrellaFor vendors Sponsor this spot · #5 · $59/mo →8.8/10★★★★☆Visit Cisco Umbrella -
Best forSelf-hosted network-wide ad blocking
A free, open-source choice for self-hosted network-wide ad blocking.
8.6/10★★★★☆Visit Pi-hole -
Best forFamilies and small networks needing profiles
A flexible DNS filter for families and small networks that need profiles and schedules.
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit CleanBrowsing -
Best forFamilies and organizations wanting detailed controls
Detailed DNS controls for households and organizations, with paid plans for broader management.
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit SafeDNS -
Best forSelf-hosted DNS administrators needing flexibility
A broad self-hosted DNS toolkit for administrators who want control over filtering and resolution.
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit Technitium -
Best forLow-cost education and small-business filtering
Affordable DNS filtering for schools and small businesses that need roaming and directory policies.
- Roaming protection
- Category filtering
- Custom domain policies
8.1/10★★★★☆Visit ScoutDNS -
Best forManaged business filtering with identity policies
A policy-focused DNS filtering service for managed business and education environments.
8.0/10★★★★☆Visit WebTitan -
Best forEnterprise threat-focused DNS protection
Enterprise DNS protection with deep threat controls, roaming coverage, and SIEM connectivity.
- Roaming protection
- Category filtering
- Custom domain policies
Pricing on request · 60-day trial Our Akamai Secure Internet Access Enterprise verdict → Visit Akamai7.9/10★★★★☆Visit Akamai -
Best forEnterprise threat intelligence and DNS analytics
A strong enterprise choice for predictive DNS threat intelligence and analytics.
- Roaming protection
- Category filtering
- Custom domain policies
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit Infoblox -
Best forSecurity teams protecting DNS infrastructure
A focused DNS security appliance for teams managing complex DNS infrastructure.
- Category filtering
- Custom domain policies
- Activity reports
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit EfficientIP -
Best forEnterprise DNS infrastructure and analytics
A broad enterprise DNS control layer with analytics, security policies, and cloud discovery.
- Custom domain policies
- Activity reports
7.6/10★★★★☆Visit BlueCat Edge -
Best forSchools and networks needing user policies
A flexible self-hosted DNS filter with strong policy controls and optional categorization licenses.
7.5/10★★★★☆Visit NxFilter -
Best forSecurity operations teams needing DNS telemetry
A DNS security service for threat blocking, filtering, telemetry, and response integrations.
- Roaming protection
- Category filtering
- Custom domain policies
7.4/10★★★★☆Visit UltraDDR -
Best forSchools needing network and BYOD filtering
A network-focused DNS filter for schools managing BYOD, guests, and district groups.
- Category filtering
- Custom domain policies
- Activity reports
7.3/10★★★★☆Visit GoGuardian DNS -
Best forAndroid users wanting privacy and app controls
A free, open-source Android privacy tool with filtering, firewall rules, and network activity reports.
- Category filtering
- Custom domain policies
- Activity reports
7.2/10★★★★☆Visit RethinkDNS -
Best forTechnical teams running self-hosted DNS
A powerful open-source DNS filter for teams comfortable managing their own infrastructure.
- Category filtering
- Custom domain policies
- Activity reports
7.1/10★★★★☆Visit Blocky -
Best forFree malicious-domain protection without administration
A free DNS resolver for blocking malicious domains without accounts or administration.
- Roaming protection
- Activity reports
7.0/10★★★★☆Visit Quad9 -
Best forPaid family filtering with tamper resistance
Paid DNS filtering with broad deployment options and tamper-resistance controls.
- Roaming protection
- Category filtering
- Custom domain policies
6.9/10★★★☆☆Visit CloudVeil -
Best forRoaming DNS protection for endpoint users
A flexible DNS protection service for roaming Windows endpoints and managed networks.
- Roaming protection
- Category filtering
- Custom domain policies
6.8/10★★★☆☆Visit Webroot -
Best forHomes wanting simple free adult-content blocking
A simple, no-sign-up DNS service for basic adult-content and phishing protection.
- Category filtering
6.7/10★★★☆☆Visit OpenDNS -
Best forFree basic malicious-domain DNS blocking
A no-install public DNS resolver for basic malicious-domain blocking.
6.6/10★★★☆☆Visit Comodo -
Best forUsers seeking Smart DNS and streaming access
A connectivity-focused Smart DNS and VPN service for streaming access across devices and routers.
6.1/10★★★☆☆Try Smart DNS Proxy -
Best forIndividuals wanting browser and app ad blocking
A broad ad-blocking suite with DNS protection, custom rules, and device coverage.
6.0/10★★★☆☆Visit AdGuard -
Best forGeneral endpoint security with browser protection
A free-to-start endpoint security suite with browser and ransomware protection.
6.0/10★★★☆☆Visit RAV Endpoint
No tools match those filters.
Compare at a glance
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | AdGuard DNS | Yes | 9.4 | |
| 2 | Control D | Yes | $2/device/mo | 9.3 |
| 3 | NextDNS | Yes | 9.2 | |
| 4 | DNSFilter | No | $1/unit/mo | 8.9 |
| 5 | Cisco Umbrella | No | 8.8 | |
| 6 | Pi-hole | Yes | Free | 8.6 |
| 7 | CleanBrowsing | Yes | $75/yr | 8.5 |
| 8 | SafeDNS | No | $25.95/yr | 8.4 |
| 9 | Technitium DNS Server | Yes | Free | 8.3 |
| 10 | ScoutDNS | No | $2.50/seat/yr | 8.1 |
| 11 | WebTitan Cloud | No | 8.0 | |
| 12 | Akamai Secure Internet Access Enterprise | 7.9 | ||
| 13 | Infoblox Threat Defense | No | 7.8 | |
| 14 | EfficientIP DNS Guardian | 7.7 | ||
| 15 | BlueCat Edge | 7.6 | ||
| 16 | NxFilter | Yes | $57/unit/yr | 7.5 |
| 17 | UltraDDR | 7.4 | ||
| 18 | GoGuardian DNS | 7.3 | ||
| 19 | RethinkDNS | Yes | 7.2 | |
| 20 | Blocky | Free | 7.1 | |
| 21 | Quad9 | Yes | Free | 7.0 |
| 22 | CloudVeil | No | $40/device/yr | 6.9 |
| 23 | Webroot DNS Protection | No | 6.8 | |
| 24 | OpenDNS FamilyShield | Yes | Free | 6.7 |
| 25 | Comodo Secure DNS | Yes | Free | 6.6 |
| 26 | Smart DNS Proxy | No | 6.1 | |
| 27 | AdGuard | Yes | 6.0 | |
| 28 | RAV Endpoint Protection | Yes | 6.0 |
Head-to-head All 21 comparisons →
- AdGuard DNS vs DNSFilter
- AdGuard DNS vs Cisco Umbrella
- AdGuard DNS vs Pi-hole
- AdGuard DNS vs SafeDNS
- Control D vs DNSFilter
- Control D vs Cisco Umbrella
- Control D vs Pi-hole
- Control D vs SafeDNS
- NextDNS vs DNSFilter
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How we rank DNS filtering software
Every tool on this page was researched by iTechGuides Editors from its official website — pricing pages, plan tables and product documentation. We rank on how well each one does this category's core job, what the free or entry plan includes, and where it falls short. Where we have enough verified facts, the score out of 10 is a rubric — job fit, value and how much we could verify — shown with its breakdown on every tool's page; a tool we have not verified enough to score yet shows its rank without a number. Scores are re-checked when a product changes its plans. Read the full editorial policy, or submit a tool we missed.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update