Cisco Umbrella vs SafeDNS

Cisco Umbrella8.8Visit SafeDNS8.4Visit

Higher score Cisco Umbrella #5 in DNS Filtering Software 8.8/10 Pricing on request · 14-day trial Free trial✓ 0 of 4 features Visit Cisco Umbrella

vs

SafeDNS #8 in DNS Filtering Software 8.4/10 15-day trial Free trial✓ 0 of 4 features Visit SafeDNS

• Cisco Umbrella fits best

  Large organizations using Cisco infrastructure

• SafeDNS fits best

  Families and organizations wanting detailed controls

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Side by side

Feature	Cisco Umbrella 8.8/10 Visit ↗	SafeDNS 8.4/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.8	8.4
Ranking	#5 in DNS Filtering Software	#8 in DNS Filtering Software
Best for	Large organizations using Cisco infrastructure	Families and organizations wanting detailed controls
Pricing model	Paid	Paid
Starting price	Pricing on request · 14-day trial	$25.95/yr
Free plan	—	—
Free trial	14 days	15 days
Free trial length	14 days	15 days
Deployment	Cloud, Mobile	Cloud, Desktop, Mobile
Platforms	Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android	Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Support	Tickets, Phone, Docs	Email, Phone, Live chat, Docs · 24/7
Integrations	6 integrations	6 integrations
Built for	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Cisco Umbrella 0/4 · SafeDNS 0/4
Category filtering	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Custom domain policies	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Roaming protection	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Activity reports	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Specs
Deployment modes	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Device limit	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Encrypted DNS support	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Our review
Pros	Blocks malware, phishing, botnets, ransomware, and unwanted categories Supports identity-based policies, schedules, SafeSearch, and custom lists Connects with Cisco infrastructure plus APIs, exports, and AWS S3	Filters across 66 content categories with custom allowlists and denylists Adds AppBlocker, schedules, per-user policies, and Safe Search Supports routers, roaming clients, OpenWRT, and major desktop and mobile platforms
Cons	Pricing requires contacting sales, with no free plan Umbrella is transitioning toward Cisco Secure Access Scheduling is documented for SIG policies, not necessarily DNS-only policies	No free plan is available Advanced business controls are distributed across higher paid tiers Deployment requires choosing among router, DNS, or agent-based approaches
Our verdict	Cisco Umbrella is a cloud-delivered security service for organizations that need to control access to malicious or unwanted internet destinations. It combines DNS-layer threat blocking with category-based web filtering, custom allow and… Read the review →	SafeDNS is a cloud-based DNS security and internet-filtering service for households, schools, small and midsize businesses, enterprises, managed service providers, internet service providers, and Wi-Fi providers. It filters traffic at the… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Cisco Umbrella — where it wins

  • Blocks malware, phishing, botnets, ransomware, and unwanted categories
  • Supports identity-based policies, schedules, SafeSearch, and custom lists
  • Connects with Cisco infrastructure plus APIs, exports, and AWS S3

  Where it doesn't

  • Pricing requires contacting sales, with no free plan
  • Umbrella is transitioning toward Cisco Secure Access
  • Scheduling is documented for SIG policies, not necessarily DNS-only policies

• SafeDNS — where it wins

  • Filters across 66 content categories with custom allowlists and denylists
  • Adds AppBlocker, schedules, per-user policies, and Safe Search
  • Supports routers, roaming clients, OpenWRT, and major desktop and mobile platforms

  Where it doesn't

  • No free plan is available
  • Advanced business controls are distributed across higher paid tiers
  • Deployment requires choosing among router, DNS, or agent-based approaches

• Cisco Umbrella8.8/10 · Pricing on request · 14-day trial

  Broad DNS, web, identity, and reporting controls for Cisco-centered enterprises.

  Visit Cisco UmbrellaFull verdict →
• SafeDNS8.4/10 · 15-day trial

  Detailed DNS controls for households and organizations, with paid plans for broader management.

  Visit SafeDNSFull verdict →