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Head-to-head · DNS Filtering Services

Cloudflare Gateway vs ArmorDNS

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 8 checks side by side
Higher score Cloudflare Gateway #5 in DNS Filtering Services 9.0/10 Free plan · paid from $7/user/mo Free plan✓ 1 of 7 features Visit Cloudflare
ArmorDNS #10 in DNS Filtering Services 8.5/10 From $5/mo · 7-day trial ✓ 7 of 7 features Visit ArmorDNS

Cloudflare Gateway leads on 1 check, ArmorDNS on 6, and 1 is even. Who comes out ahead on the 8 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreCloudflare Gateway · 9.0/10
  • Free planonly Cloudflare Gateway
  • Most featuresArmorDNS · 7 of 7

Cloudflare Gateway scores higher on our rubric for dns filtering services: 9.0 against 8.5 out of 10; our editors rank them #5 and #10.

Cloudflare Gateway offers free plan; ArmorDNS doesn't. ArmorDNS offers malware blocking; Cloudflare Gateway doesn't publish it. ArmorDNS offers ad blocking; Cloudflare Gateway doesn't publish it. ArmorDNS offers adult content filtering; Cloudflare Gateway doesn't publish it. ArmorDNS offers per-device policies; Cloudflare Gateway doesn't publish it.

Cloudflare Gateway is the better fit for organizations needing DNS plus network filtering. ArmorDNS is the better fit for families wanting paid per-device DNS policies.

  • Cloudflare Gateway fits best

    Organizations needing DNS plus network filtering

  • ArmorDNS fits best

    Families wanting paid per-device DNS policies

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. We may earn a commission when you click some links. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Cloudflare Gateway 9.0/10 Visit ↗ ArmorDNS 8.5/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.0 8.5
Ranking #5 in DNS Filtering Services #10 in DNS Filtering Services
Best for Organizations needing DNS plus network filtering Families wanting paid per-device DNS policies
Pricing model Free plan + paid Paid
Starting price $7/user/mo Not published
Free plan ✓ (best) —
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Mobile Cloud
Platforms Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Support Community, Live chat, Tickets, Phone Email, Docs
Integrations 6 integrations 3 integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market
Features Cloudflare Gateway 1/7 · ArmorDNS 7/7
Malware blocking Not published ✓ (best)
Ad blocking Not published ✓ (best)
Adult content filtering Not published ✓ (best)
Per-device policies Not published ✓ (best)
Activity logs Not published ✓ (best)
Analytics dashboard Not published ✓ (best)
Custom blocklists ✓ ✓
Our review
Pros
  • 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
  • Per-device policies with managed and unmanaged device modes
  • Real-time query logs with search and device filtering
  • Encrypted DNS over TLS, DNS over HTTPS, and DNSSEC validation
Cons
  • 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
  • No free plan is available
  • The Organization tier costs $20 per month or $200 per year
  • No AI features are included
Our verdict

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 →

ArmorDNS is a DNS-based filtering service for families, churches, ministries, and small organizations. It blocks ads, trackers, malware, phishing, adult content, gambling, and other domain categories before connections are established.…

Read the review →
  1. Cloudflare GatewayDNS Filtering Services 9.0Free plan · paid from $7/user/mo
  2. ArmorDNSDNS Filtering Services 8.5From $5/mo · 7-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • 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
  • ArmorDNS — where it wins

    • Per-device policies with managed and unmanaged device modes
    • Real-time query logs with search and device filtering
    • Encrypted DNS over TLS, DNS over HTTPS, and DNSSEC validation

    Where it doesn't

    • No free plan is available
    • The Organization tier costs $20 per month or $200 per year
    • No AI features are included
  • Cloudflare Gateway9.0/10 · Free plan · paid from $7/user/mo

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

    Visit CloudflareFull verdict →
  • ArmorDNS8.5/10 · From $5/mo · 7-day trial

    Paid DNS filtering with per-device controls, logs, schedules, and encrypted DNS.

    Visit ArmorDNSFull verdict →

More comparisons

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update