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Head-to-head · DNS Filtering Services

AdGuard DNS vs Cloudflare Gateway

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 2 checks side by side
Higher score AdGuard DNS #1 in DNS Filtering Services 9.4/10 Free plan · 30-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 1 of 7 features Visit AdGuard DNS
Cloudflare Gateway #5 in DNS Filtering Services 9.0/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 7 features Visit Cloudflare

AdGuard DNS leads on 0 checks, Cloudflare Gateway on 0, and 2 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 2 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreAdGuard DNS · 9.4/10
  • Free planboth
  • Free trialonly AdGuard DNS

AdGuard DNS scores higher on our rubric for dns filtering services: 9.4 against 9.0 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #5.

AdGuard DNS is the better fit for broad consumer and family DNS protection. Cloudflare Gateway is the better fit for organizations needing DNS plus network filtering.

  • AdGuard DNS fits best

    Broad consumer and family DNS protection

  • Cloudflare Gateway fits best

    Organizations needing DNS plus network filtering

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.

Side by side

Feature AdGuard DNS 9.4/10 Visit ↗ Cloudflare Gateway 9.0/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.4 9.0
Ranking #1 in DNS Filtering Services #5 in DNS Filtering Services
Best for Broad consumer and family DNS protection Organizations needing DNS plus network filtering
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free plan + paid
Starting price — —
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial 30 days —
Deployment Cloud, Browser extension Cloud, Mobile
Platforms Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Support Email, Docs Community, Live chat, Tickets, Phone
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features AdGuard DNS 1/7 · Cloudflare Gateway 1/7
Malware blocking Not checked yet Not checked yet
Ad blocking Not checked yet Not checked yet
Adult content filtering Not checked yet Not checked yet
Per-device policies Not checked yet Not checked yet
Activity logs Not checked yet Not checked yet
Analytics dashboard Not checked yet Not checked yet
Custom blocklists ✓ ✓
Our review
Pros
  • Free Starter plan includes filtering, controls, schedules, logs, and encrypted DNS.
  • Supports computers, mobile devices, routers, smart TVs, consoles, and IoT devices.
  • REST API, custom rules, and multiple encrypted DNS protocols support advanced setups.
  • Free plan includes DNS filtering, SafeSearch, schedules, identity policies, and logs
  • Supports DNS, HTTP/HTTPS, packet, port, and protocol policies
  • Works across Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, network DNS, and API
Cons
  • Paid plan prices are not shown here.
  • Advanced controls may exceed the needs of simple ad blocking.
  • Enterprise administration is reserved for the Enterprise offering.
  • Free plan is intended for teams under 50 users or proof-of-concept tests
  • Free plan includes up to 24 hours of standard log retention
  • Contract pricing is custom, so costs require a tailored quote
Our verdict

AdGuard DNS is a DNS resolver and network-level filtering service for individuals, families, organizations, and connected devices. It blocks ads, trackers, phishing, malware, and adult content at the DNS level, while adding parental…

Read the review →

Cloudflare Gateway is a cloud-delivered secure web gateway for organizations that need more than domain blocking. It filters DNS, network, and HTTP traffic, with policies for malware, phishing, content categories, applications, hostnames,…

Read the review →
  1. AdGuard DNSDNS Filtering Services 9.4Free plan · 30-day trial
  2. Cloudflare GatewayDNS Filtering Services 9.0Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • AdGuard DNS — where it wins

    • Free Starter plan includes filtering, controls, schedules, logs, and encrypted DNS.
    • Supports computers, mobile devices, routers, smart TVs, consoles, and IoT devices.
    • REST API, custom rules, and multiple encrypted DNS protocols support advanced setups.

    Where it doesn't

    • Paid plan prices are not shown here.
    • Advanced controls may exceed the needs of simple ad blocking.
    • Enterprise administration is reserved for the Enterprise offering.

  • Cloudflare Gateway — where it wins

    • Free plan includes DNS filtering, SafeSearch, schedules, identity policies, and logs
    • Supports DNS, HTTP/HTTPS, packet, port, and protocol policies
    • Works across Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, network DNS, and API

    Where it doesn't

    • Free plan is intended for teams under 50 users or proof-of-concept tests
    • Free plan includes up to 24 hours of standard log retention
    • Contract pricing is custom, so costs require a tailored quote
  • AdGuard DNS9.4/10 · Free plan · 30-day trial

    Broad DNS protection with strong family controls, encrypted protocols, and wide device coverage.

    Visit AdGuard DNSFull verdict →
  • Cloudflare Gateway9.0/10 · Free plan

    A flexible DNS and network filtering service with HTTP inspection from $7 per user monthly.

    Visit CloudflareFull verdict →

More comparisons

All DNS filtering services comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update