Cisco Umbrella vs Safe Surfer

Cisco Umbrella9.1Visit Safe Surfer6.3Visit

Higher score Cisco Umbrella #2 in Internet Filtering Software 9.1/10 Pricing on request · 14-day trial Free trial✓ 3 of 3 features Visit Cisco Umbrella

vs

Safe Surfer #30 in Internet Filtering Software 6.3/10 Free plan · 7-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 3 of 3 features Visit Safe Surfer

• Cisco Umbrella fits best

  Mature enterprise network filtering

• Safe Surfer fits best

  Families needing detailed controls and alerts

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Side by side

Feature	Cisco Umbrella 9.1/10 Visit ↗	Safe Surfer 6.3/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.1	6.3
Ranking	#2 in Internet Filtering Software	#30 in Internet Filtering Software
Best for	Mature enterprise network filtering	Families needing detailed controls and alerts
Pricing model	Paid	Free plan + paid
Starting price	Pricing on request · 14-day trial	—
Free plan	—	✓ (best)
Free trial	14 days	7 days
Free trial length	14 days	7 days
Deployment	Cloud, Mobile	Cloud, Desktop, Mobile
Platforms	Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android	Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android
Support	Tickets, Phone, Docs	Email, Live chat, Docs
Integrations	6 integrations	7 integrations
Built for	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Cisco Umbrella 3/3 · Safe Surfer 3/3
Custom blocklists	✓	✓
Safe search controls	✓	✓
Filtering schedules	✓	✓
Specs
Device limit	Not checked yet	5 devices
Activity reports	Advanced	Advanced
Platform support	Windows, macOS, Chrome OS, iOS, Android, DNS networks, Cisco network devices	Android, iOS/iPadOS, Windows, macOS, Wi-Fi/network routers
Our review
Pros	DNS and category filtering with custom allow and block lists Identity, device, network, schedule, and application-based policies Cisco integrations, reporting APIs, and log exports	Blocks 50+ categories with custom website and domain rules Offers schedules, timers, history, alerts, and remote management Supports web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, routers, and DNS
Cons	No free plan for smaller teams evaluating long term Pricing requires contacting sales Planned end-of-sale and end-of-life transition	Paid plans include up to five devices Some monitoring and nudity detection features depend on supported devices Filtering depends on supported browsers, search engines, and platforms
Our verdict	Cisco Umbrella is a cloud-delivered DNS and web security service for organizations that need to control internet access across users, devices, and networks. It combines DNS-layer blocking for malware, phishing, botnets, ransomware, and… Read the review →	Safe Surfer is internet-filtering and parental-control software for individuals, families, schools, and organizations. It combines category blocking with custom allowlists and blocklists, SafeSearch controls, YouTube filtering, screen-time… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Cisco Umbrella — where it wins

  • DNS and category filtering with custom allow and block lists
  • Identity, device, network, schedule, and application-based policies
  • Cisco integrations, reporting APIs, and log exports

  Where it doesn't

  • No free plan for smaller teams evaluating long term
  • Pricing requires contacting sales
  • Planned end-of-sale and end-of-life transition

• Safe Surfer — where it wins

  • Blocks 50+ categories with custom website and domain rules
  • Offers schedules, timers, history, alerts, and remote management
  • Supports web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, routers, and DNS

  Where it doesn't

  • Paid plans include up to five devices
  • Some monitoring and nudity detection features depend on supported devices
  • Filtering depends on supported browsers, search engines, and platforms

• Cisco Umbrella9.1/10 · Pricing on request · 14-day trial

  A mature enterprise filter with broad controls, integrations, and contact-sales pricing.

  Visit Cisco UmbrellaFull verdict →
• Safe Surfer6.3/10 · Free plan · 7-day trial

  A broad family-filtering toolkit with schedules, alerts, monitoring, and remote controls.

  Visit Safe SurferFull verdict →