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Head-to-head · DNS Filtering Services

Cloudflare Gateway vs CleanBrowsing

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 2 checks side by side
Higher score Cloudflare Gateway #5 in DNS Filtering Services 9.0/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 7 features Visit Cloudflare
CleanBrowsing #8 in DNS Filtering Services 8.7/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 7 features Visit CleanBrowsing

Cloudflare Gateway leads on 0 checks, CleanBrowsing 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 scoreCloudflare Gateway · 9.0/10
  • Free planboth

Cloudflare Gateway scores higher on our rubric for dns filtering services: 9.0 against 8.7 out of 10; our editors rank them #5 and #8.

Cloudflare Gateway is the better fit for organizations needing DNS plus network filtering. CleanBrowsing is the better fit for families managing up to 25 devices.

  • Cloudflare Gateway fits best

    Organizations needing DNS plus network filtering

  • CleanBrowsing fits best

    Families managing up to 25 devices

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Side by side

Feature Cloudflare Gateway 9.0/10 Visit ↗ CleanBrowsing 8.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.0 8.7
Ranking #5 in DNS Filtering Services #8 in DNS Filtering Services
Best for Organizations needing DNS plus network filtering Families managing up to 25 devices
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free plan + paid
Starting price — $75/yr
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Mobile Cloud, Desktop, Mobile
Platforms Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Support Community, Live chat, Tickets, Phone Email, Docs
Integrations 6 integrations 6 integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Cloudflare Gateway 1/7 · CleanBrowsing 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 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
  • Profiles, custom lists, SafeSearch, schedules, and activity logging
  • Encrypted DNS through DNS-over-HTTPS, DNS-over-TLS, and DNSCrypt
  • Supports major operating systems, routers, browsers, and API access
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
  • Paid self-service plans do not include a trial
  • Basic plans limit coverage to 25 devices and 3 profiles
  • API access is limited to the Pro 100 plan
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 →

CleanBrowsing is a DNS-based internet filtering service for families, schools, businesses, public Wi-Fi providers, and other organizations. It applies predefined content and platform filters to domain requests, while supporting custom…

Read the review →
  1. Cloudflare GatewayDNS Filtering Services 9.0Free plan
  2. CleanBrowsingDNS Filtering Services 8.7Free plan

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

  • CleanBrowsing — where it wins

    • Profiles, custom lists, SafeSearch, schedules, and activity logging
    • Encrypted DNS through DNS-over-HTTPS, DNS-over-TLS, and DNSCrypt
    • Supports major operating systems, routers, browsers, and API access

    Where it doesn't

    • Paid self-service plans do not include a trial
    • Basic plans limit coverage to 25 devices and 3 profiles
    • API access is limited to the Pro 100 plan

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