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Head-to-head · Internet Filtering Software

Cloudflare Gateway vs Safe Surfer

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 4 checks side by side
Higher score Cloudflare Gateway #1 in Internet Filtering Software 9.2/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 3 features Visit Cloudflare
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

Cloudflare Gateway leads on 0 checks, Safe Surfer on 0, and 4 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 4 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 · 9.2/10
  • Free planboth
  • Free trialonly Safe Surfer

Cloudflare Gateway scores higher on our rubric for internet filtering software: 9.2 against 6.3 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #30.

Cloudflare Gateway is the better fit for organizations needing filtering beyond DNS. Safe Surfer is the better fit for families needing detailed controls and alerts.

  • Cloudflare Gateway fits best

    Organizations needing filtering beyond DNS

  • Safe Surfer fits best

    Families needing detailed controls and alerts

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Side by side

Feature Cloudflare Gateway 9.2/10 Visit ↗ Safe Surfer 6.3/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.2 6.3
Ranking #1 in Internet Filtering Software #30 in Internet Filtering Software
Best for Organizations needing filtering beyond DNS Families needing detailed controls and alerts
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free plan + paid
Starting price — —
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — 7 days
Deployment Cloud, Mobile Cloud, Desktop, Mobile
Platforms Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android
Support Community, Live chat, Tickets, Phone Email, Live chat, Docs
Integrations 6 integrations 7 integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Cloudflare Gateway 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 macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, PAC files, DNS locations, Cloudflare WAN, Cloudflare Mesh, HTML5 browsers Android, iOS/iPadOS, Windows, macOS, Wi-Fi/network routers
Our review
Pros
  • Filters DNS, HTTP/HTTPS, network traffic, and custom lists
  • Supports identity controls, SafeSearch, scheduling, and activity logs
  • Runs across Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, network DNS, and API
  • 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
  • Activity reporting is basic
  • Free log retention is limited to up to 24 hours
  • Contract plan pricing is custom
  • 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

Cloudflare Gateway is a cloud-delivered secure web gateway for organizations that need to control more than DNS requests. Administrators can filter DNS, HTTP and HTTPS requests, network traffic, packets, ports, and protocols. Policies can…

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 →
  1. Cloudflare GatewayInternet Filtering Software 9.2Free plan
  2. Safe SurferInternet Filtering Software 6.3Free plan · 7-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Cloudflare Gateway — where it wins

    • Filters DNS, HTTP/HTTPS, network traffic, and custom lists
    • Supports identity controls, SafeSearch, scheduling, and activity logs
    • Runs across Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, network DNS, and API

    Where it doesn't

    • Activity reporting is basic
    • Free log retention is limited to up to 24 hours
    • Contract plan pricing is custom

  • 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

More comparisons

All internet filtering software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update