The Best Internet Filtering Software in 2026
We researched internet filtering software through official websites, including pricing pages, plan tables, and product documentation. Rankings consider each product’s core filtering job, value for money, and verified features for managing online content across connected devices.
Our top picks
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Top ranked
Cloudflare Gateway#1 of 659.2/10A broad filtering gateway with strong policy controls and basic reporting.
Free plan
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Runner-up
Cisco Umbrella#2 of 659.1/10A mature enterprise filter with broad controls, integrations, and contact-sales pricing.
Pricing on request · 14-day trial
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Top-ranked free plan
Pi-hole#3 of 659.0/10Free, open-source network blocking for self-hosted administrators.
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 65 tools, best first · page 1 of 2
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Best forOrganizations needing filtering beyond DNS
A broad filtering gateway with strong policy controls and basic reporting.
- Filtering schedules
- Safe search controls
- Custom blocklists
9.2/10★★★★★Visit Cloudflare -
Best forMature enterprise network filtering
A mature enterprise filter with broad controls, integrations, and contact-sales pricing.
- Filtering schedules
- Safe search controls
- Custom blocklists
Pricing on request · 14-day trial Our Cisco Umbrella verdict → Visit Cisco UmbrellaFor vendors Sponsor this spot · #2 · $99/mo →9.1/10★★★★★Visit Cisco Umbrella -
Best forFree self-hosted network ad and content blocking
Free, open-source network blocking for self-hosted administrators.
- Custom blocklists
9.0/10★★★★☆Visit Pi-hole -
Best forApple- and education-focused device management
Education-focused filtering with Apple management integrations and threat prevention.
- Filtering schedules
- Safe search controls
- Custom blocklists
Pricing on request · 14-day trial Our Jamf Safe Internet verdict → Visit JamfFor vendors Sponsor this spot · #4 · $69/mo →8.9/10★★★★☆Visit Jamf -
Best forThreat-focused DNS protection
Centralized DNS protection with content controls, reporting and off-network coverage.
- Safe search controls
- Custom blocklists
8.8/10★★★★☆Visit CIRA -
Best forCheck Point security environments
A policy-rich web filter for organizations built around Check Point gateways.
- Safe search controls
- Custom blocklists
8.7/10★★★★☆Visit Check Point -
Best forSecure web gateway and content inspection
An enterprise gateway for deep web filtering, inspection, policy control, and data protection.
- Filtering schedules
8.6/10★★★★☆Visit Fortra -
Best forAd and tracker blocking on personal devices
A broad personal ad blocker with desktop, mobile, DNS, and privacy controls.
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit AdGuard -
Best forBasic DNS filtering for Windows networks
A focused DNS filtering service for WatchGuard networks and supported Windows devices.
- Safe search controls
- Custom blocklists
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit WatchGuard -
Best forFlexible filtering with low-cost paid controls
A low-cost DNS filtering platform with detailed controls, analytics, and broad platform support.
- Filtering schedules
- Safe search controls
- Custom blocklists
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit Control D -
Best forAffordable managed filtering with strong reporting
Affordable managed filtering with threat protection, reporting, and broad deployment options.
- Filtering schedules
- Safe search controls
- Custom blocklists
8.2/10★★★★☆Visit DNSFilter -
Best forBroad, free DNS filtering across many platforms
Broad DNS filtering with strong device coverage and a capable free plan.
- Filtering schedules
- Safe search controls
- Custom blocklists
8.1/10★★★★☆Visit AdGuard DNS -
Best forSchools filtering managed and BYOD traffic
A broad K-12 filtering stack spanning managed devices, BYOD, IoT, and off-network use.
- Filtering schedules
- Safe search controls
- Custom blocklists
8.0/10★★★★☆Visit Lightspeed -
Best forRoaming DNS protection for Windows devices
Windows-focused DNS protection with agent, network, roaming, and reporting controls.
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit Webroot -
Best forSchools needing AI-service and BYOD controls
Flexible school filtering with strong AI, BYOD, and reporting controls.
- Filtering schedules
- Safe search controls
- Custom blocklists
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit Securly -
Best forLow-cost category filtering with roaming support
A broad DNS filtering service with low-cost annual plans and roaming support.
- Filtering schedules
- Safe search controls
- Custom blocklists
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit SafeDNS -
Best forAdvanced free DNS controls and analytics
A flexible DNS filter with unusually broad controls, logs, and platform support.
- Filtering schedules
- Safe search controls
- Custom blocklists
7.6/10★★★★☆Visit NextDNS -
Best forSchools wanting monitoring alongside filtering
Blocksi pairs internet filtering with classroom monitoring, safety alerts, and parent controls.
- Filtering schedules
- Safe search controls
- Custom blocklists
7.5/10★★★★☆Visit Blocksi -
Best forHome networks needing basic free filtering
A free, network-level option for households seeking basic category filtering.
7.4/10★★★★☆Visit OpenDNS -
Best forSchools managing student web access
Education-focused filtering with granular controls, reporting, and off-campus coverage.
- Filtering schedules
- Safe search controls
- Custom blocklists
7.3/10★★★★☆Visit GoGuardian -
Best forEstablished business web filtering
A business-focused DNS filtering service with strong policy controls and reporting.
- Filtering schedules
- Safe search controls
- Custom blocklists
7.2/10★★★★☆Visit WebTitan -
Best forEndpoint filtering with security controls
A multi-platform endpoint filter that adds security, compliance, VPN, and device controls.
- Safe search controls
- Custom blocklists
7.1/10★★★★☆Visit Veltar -
Best forSchools filtering DNS across managed networks
A focused DNS filtering layer for schools managing networks, BYOD, and guest access.
7.0/10★★★★☆Visit GoGuardian -
Best forOrganizations prioritizing threat-domain blocking
A focused DNS security module for organizations that need threat-domain blocking and reporting.
- Custom blocklists
6.9/10★★★☆☆Visit ThreatDown -
Best forSchools needing hybrid filtering and SSL inspection
A school-focused filter combining cloud, on-premise, and device-based controls.
- Filtering schedules
- Safe search controls
- Custom blocklists
6.8/10★★★☆☆Visit Linewize -
Best forLow-cost DNS filtering with SIEM export
A low-cost DNS filtering platform with roaming protection and SIEM export.
6.7/10★★★☆☆Visit ScoutDNS -
Best forParents wanting monitoring beyond web filtering
A family safety service that combines web controls with broader content monitoring.
6.6/10★★★☆☆Visit Bark -
Best forFree protection against malicious domains
A free, broad-device DNS filter for malicious domains, with basic reporting and family protection.
6.5/10★★★☆☆Visit CIRA -
Best forManaged family and small-team DNS filtering
A flexible DNS filter with useful controls, but higher device tiers become costly.
- Filtering schedules
- Safe search controls
- Custom blocklists
6.4/10★★★☆☆Visit CleanBrowsing -
Best forFamilies needing detailed controls and alerts
A broad family-filtering toolkit with schedules, alerts, monitoring, and remote controls.
- Filtering schedules
- Safe search controls
- Custom blocklists
6.3/10★★★☆☆Visit Safe Surfer -
Best forMulti-tenant filtering with flexible deployment
Flexible, multi-tenant filtering with broad deployment options and contact-sales pricing.
- Filtering schedules
- Safe search controls
- Custom blocklists
6.2/10★★★☆☆Visit nFilter -
Best forFree DNS filtering with a simple paid upgrade
A capable free DNS filter with a focused annual upgrade for more profiles and requests.
- Filtering schedules
- Safe search controls
- Custom blocklists
6.1/10★★★☆☆Visit UnveilDNS -
Best forSelf-hosted filtering for networks and users
A self-hosted DNS filter with broad policy controls and optional categorization licenses.
- Filtering schedules
- Safe search controls
- Custom blocklists
6.0/10★★★☆☆Visit Jahastech -
Best forSelf-hosted HTTPS inspection and reporting
A self-hosted web filter with deep HTTPS controls and reporting.
- Filtering schedules
- Safe search controls
- Custom blocklists
5.9/10★★★☆☆Visit Diladele -
Best forSafeguarding-focused organization filtering
A policy-driven filtering and safeguarding service for UK schools and trusts.
- Filtering schedules
- Safe search controls
- Custom blocklists
5.8/10★★★☆☆Visit RM SafetyNet -
Best forExplainable open-source DNS policies
A free, open-source DNS filter with detailed policies, logs, reports, and integrations.
- Custom blocklists
5.7/10★★★☆☆Visit DNS Daddy -
Best forSchools needing real-time content analysis
A focused K-12 filter for schools that need real-time content analysis.
- Filtering schedules
- Custom blocklists
5.6/10★★★☆☆Visit Deledao -
Best forFree adult-content and threat blocking
A free family DNS filter with broad threat blocking but no controls for customization or reporting.
- Safe search controls
5.5/10★★★☆☆Visit DNS for Family -
Best forSchools needing basic monitored web access
A focused school safety tool with monitoring, reports, and optional filtering modules.
- Filtering schedules
- Safe search controls
5.4/10★★★☆☆Visit Saasyan -
Best forEnterprise filtering across managed and BYOD devices
Granular filtering, monitoring, and deployment controls for enterprise education environments.
5.3/10★★★☆☆Visit ContentKeeper -
Best forWindows-focused network restriction
A Windows-focused filter with detailed controls, centralized policies, and broad integrations.
- Filtering schedules
- Safe search controls
- Custom blocklists
5.2/10★★★☆☆Visit BrowseControl -
Best forSelf-hosted DNS administrators
A free, open-source DNS server with advanced filtering and network controls.
- Safe search controls
- Custom blocklists
5.1/10★★★☆☆Visit Technitium -
Best forFree security filtering with organizational deployment
A free protective DNS service with broad filtering modes and organizational deployment options.
- Custom blocklists
5.0/10★★☆☆☆Visit OpenBLD -
Best forLow-cost Linux proxy filtering
A low-cost, self-hosted filter for Linux networks running Squid and BIND.
- Filtering schedules
- Safe search controls
- Custom blocklists
4.9/10★★☆☆☆Visit ufdbGuard -
Best forBudget-conscious hosted DNS filtering
Affordable hosted DNS filtering with broad category coverage and basic reporting.
- Filtering schedules
- Custom blocklists
4.8/10★★☆☆☆Visit site -
Best forHome users wanting simple free DNS safety modes
A free DNS filter for households that want preset safety modes without administration tools.
- Safe search controls
4.7/10★★☆☆☆Visit Yandex DNS -
Best forSchools combining filtering with classroom controls
A broad school device-control suite that adds web filtering to classroom management.
4.6/10★★☆☆☆Visit Senso.cloud -
Best forFamily DNS analytics and live traffic views
A family-focused DNS filter with detailed analytics and live traffic views.
- Safe search controls
- Custom blocklists
4.5/10★★☆☆☆Visit ClearDNS -
Best forDNS filtering with reports and endpoint agents
A focused DNS filtering service with reports, endpoint agents, and network controls.
- Filtering schedules
- Safe search controls
- Custom blocklists
4.4/10★★☆☆☆Visit SkyDNS -
Best forEnterprise proxy filtering with directory support
A directory-aware proxy filter for organizations managing controlled web access.
- Filtering schedules
- Safe search controls
- Custom blocklists
4.3/10★★☆☆☆Visit ALSI
No tools match those filters.
Compare at a glance
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Custom blocklists | Safe search controls | Filtering schedules | Activity reports | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cloudflare Gateway | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Advanced | 9.2 | |
| 2 | Cisco Umbrella | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Advanced | 9.1 | |
| 3 | Pi-hole | Yes | Free | Yes | Advanced | 9.0 | ||
| 4 | Jamf Safe Internet | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Advanced | 8.9 | |
| 5 | CIRA DNS Firewall | No | Yes | Yes | Advanced | 8.8 | ||
| 6 | Check Point URL Filtering | Yes | Yes | Advanced | 8.7 | |||
| 7 | Fortra Secure Web Gateway | Yes | Advanced | 8.6 | ||||
| 8 | AdGuard | Yes | 8.5 | |||||
| 9 | WatchGuard DNSWatch | No | Yes | Yes | Advanced | 8.4 | ||
| 10 | Control D | Yes | $2/device/mo | Yes | Yes | Yes | Advanced | 8.3 |
| 11 | DNSFilter | No | $1/unit/mo | Yes | Yes | Yes | Advanced | 8.2 |
| 12 | AdGuard DNS | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Advanced | 8.1 | |
| 13 | Lightspeed Filter | Yes | Yes | Yes | Advanced | 8.0 | ||
| 14 | Webroot DNS Protection | No | 7.9 | |||||
| 15 | Securly Filter | Yes | Yes | Yes | Advanced | 7.8 | ||
| 16 | SafeDNS | No | $25.95/yr | Yes | Yes | Yes | Advanced | 7.7 |
| 17 | NextDNS | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Advanced | 7.6 | |
| 18 | Blocksi | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Advanced | 7.5 | |
| 19 | OpenDNS Home | Yes | Free | 7.4 | ||||
| 20 | GoGuardian Admin | Yes | Yes | Yes | Advanced | 7.3 | ||
| 21 | WebTitan Cloud | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Advanced | 7.2 | |
| 22 | Veltar | No | $3/device/mo | Yes | Yes | Advanced | 7.1 | |
| 23 | GoGuardian DNS | 7.0 | ||||||
| 24 | ThreatDown DNS Filtering | Yes | Advanced | 6.9 | ||||
| 25 | Linewize Filter | Yes | Yes | Yes | Advanced | 6.8 | ||
| 26 | ScoutDNS | No | $2.50/seat/yr | 6.7 | ||||
| 27 | Bark | No | $49/yr | 6.6 | ||||
| 28 | CIRA Canadian Shield | Yes | Free | Basic | 6.5 | |||
| 29 | CleanBrowsing | Yes | $75/yr | Yes | Yes | Yes | Advanced | 6.4 |
| 30 | Safe Surfer | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Advanced | 6.3 | |
| 31 | nFilter | Yes | Yes | Yes | Advanced | 6.2 | ||
| 32 | UnveilDNS | Yes | $99/yr | Yes | Yes | Yes | Advanced | 6.1 |
| 33 | NxFilter | Yes | $57/unit/yr | Yes | Yes | Yes | Advanced | 6.0 |
| 34 | Diladele Web Safety | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Advanced | 5.9 | |
| 35 | RM SafetyNet | Yes | Yes | Yes | Advanced | 5.8 | ||
| 36 | DNS Daddy | Yes | Free | Yes | No | Advanced | 5.7 | |
| 37 | Deledao ActiveScan | Yes | Yes | Advanced | 5.6 | |||
| 38 | DNS for Family | Yes | Free | Yes | None | 5.5 | ||
| 39 | Saasyan Assure Lite | Yes | Yes | Advanced | 5.4 | |||
| 40 | ContentKeeper | Advanced | 5.3 | |||||
| 41 | BrowseControl | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Basic | 5.2 | |
| 42 | Technitium DNS Server | Yes | Free | Yes | Yes | Basic | 5.1 | |
| 43 | OpenBLD | Yes | $15/mo | Yes | Advanced | 5.0 | ||
| 44 | ufdbGuard | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Advanced | 4.9 | |
| 45 | Echo.Cloud.Filter | No | Yes | No | Yes | Basic | 4.8 | |
| 46 | Yandex DNS | Yes | Free | Yes | 4.7 | |||
| 47 | Senso.cloud | No | £3/device/yr | 4.6 | ||||
| 48 | ClearDNS | No | $5.99/user/mo | Yes | Yes | Advanced | 4.5 | |
| 49 | SkyDNS | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Advanced | 4.4 | |
| 50 | InterSafe WebFilter | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Basic | 4.3 |
Head-to-head All 27 comparisons →
- Cloudflare Gateway vs Cisco Umbrella
- Cloudflare Gateway vs Pi-hole
- Cloudflare Gateway vs Jamf Safe Internet
- Cloudflare Gateway vs CIRA DNS Firewall
- Cloudflare Gateway vs Check Point URL Filtering
- Cloudflare Gateway vs Fortra Secure Web Gateway
- Cloudflare Gateway vs AdGuard
- Cisco Umbrella vs Pi-hole
- Cisco Umbrella vs Jamf Safe Internet
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How we rank internet 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