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Head-to-head · DNS Filtering Services

Control D vs Cloudflare Gateway

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 2 checks side by side
Higher score Control D #3 in DNS Filtering Services 9.2/10 Free plan · 14-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 1 of 7 features Visit Control D
Cloudflare Gateway #5 in DNS Filtering Services 9.0/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 7 features Visit Cloudflare

Control D leads on 0 checks, Cloudflare Gateway 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 scoreControl D · 9.2/10
  • Free planboth
  • Free trialonly Control D

Control D scores higher on our rubric for dns filtering services: 9.2 against 9.0 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #5.

Control D is the better fit for power users wanting flexible DNS policies. Cloudflare Gateway is the better fit for organizations needing DNS plus network filtering.

  • Control D fits best

    Power users wanting flexible DNS policies

  • Cloudflare Gateway fits best

    Organizations needing DNS plus network filtering

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Control D 9.2/10 Visit ↗ Cloudflare Gateway 9.0/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.2 9.0
Ranking #3 in DNS Filtering Services #5 in DNS Filtering Services
Best for Power users wanting flexible DNS policies Organizations needing DNS plus network filtering
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free plan + paid
Starting price $2/device/mo —
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial 14 days —
Deployment Cloud, Desktop, Mobile Cloud, Mobile
Platforms Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Support Email, Community, Docs Community, Live chat, Tickets, Phone
Integrations 20 integrations 6 integrations
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Control D 1/7 · Cloudflare Gateway 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
  • Custom rules support block, bypass, redirect, and wildcard actions
  • Schedules, profiles, Safe Search, and analytics support detailed control
  • DoH, DoT, DoQ, DoH3, and router deployment broaden compatibility
  • 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
Cons
  • Some advanced features require paid plans
  • Traffic redirection is limited to the Full Control plan
  • Personal and SMB pricing uses different plan structures
  • 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
Our verdict

Control D is a cloud-based DNS filtering and security platform for individuals, families, businesses, and organizations. It blocks malware, phishing, ads, trackers, unwanted content, and selected services at the DNS level. Users can create…

Read the review →

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 →
  1. Control DDNS Filtering Services 9.2Free plan · 14-day trial
  2. Cloudflare GatewayDNS Filtering Services 9.0Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Control D — where it wins

    • Custom rules support block, bypass, redirect, and wildcard actions
    • Schedules, profiles, Safe Search, and analytics support detailed control
    • DoH, DoT, DoQ, DoH3, and router deployment broaden compatibility

    Where it doesn't

    • Some advanced features require paid plans
    • Traffic redirection is limited to the Full Control plan
    • Personal and SMB pricing uses different plan structures

  • 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
  • Control D9.2/10 · Free plan · 14-day trial

    A flexible DNS platform with detailed policies, schedules, analytics, and router deployment.

    Visit Control DFull verdict →
  • Cloudflare Gateway9.0/10 · Free plan

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

    Visit CloudflareFull verdict →

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