Control D vs DNSFilter

Control D9.3Visit DNSFilter8.9Visit

Higher score Control D #2 in DNS Filtering Software 9.3/10 Free plan · 14-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 0 of 4 features Visit Control D

vs

DNSFilter #4 in DNS Filtering Software 8.9/10 14-day trial Free trial✓ 0 of 4 features Visit DNSFilter

• Control D fits best

  Affordable, highly configurable DNS filtering

• DNSFilter fits best

  Low-cost managed filtering for organizations

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 9.3/10 Visit ↗	DNSFilter 8.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.3	8.9
Ranking	#2 in DNS Filtering Software	#4 in DNS Filtering Software
Best for	Affordable, highly configurable DNS filtering	Low-cost managed filtering for organizations
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Paid
Starting price	$2/device/mo	$1/unit/mo
Free plan	✓ (best)	—
Free trial	14 days	14 days
Free trial length	14 days · no card needed	14 days
Deployment	Cloud, Desktop, Mobile	Cloud, Desktop, Mobile
Platforms	Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android	Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android
Support	Email, Community, Docs	Email, Live chat, Phone, Tickets, Docs
Compliance	SOC 2, ISO 27001	SOC 2, 2FA
Integrations	20 integrations	3,000+ integrations
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Control D 0/4 · DNSFilter 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	Custom block, bypass, redirect, and wildcard domain rules Profiles, schedules, Safe Search, and detailed DNS analytics Supports major platforms, browsers, APIs, self-hosting, and routers	DNS-layer protection with malware, phishing, and botnet blocking Roaming protection for Windows and macOS devices Reporting, exports, schedules, and AppAware application blocking
Cons	Personal paid plans cost $3 or $6 per month Traffic redirection requires the Full Control plan SMB billing is based on endpoints rather than a flat fee	No free plan is available Core and Plus rates shown are based on annual billing Enterprise requires custom pricing
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… Read the review →	DNSFilter is a cloud-based internet filtering and protective DNS service for businesses, schools, managed service providers, and public Wi-Fi operators. It applies DNS policies to block malicious domains, unwanted content, and applications… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Control D — where it wins

  • Custom block, bypass, redirect, and wildcard domain rules
  • Profiles, schedules, Safe Search, and detailed DNS analytics
  • Supports major platforms, browsers, APIs, self-hosting, and routers

  Where it doesn't

  • Personal paid plans cost $3 or $6 per month
  • Traffic redirection requires the Full Control plan
  • SMB billing is based on endpoints rather than a flat fee

• DNSFilter — where it wins

  • DNS-layer protection with malware, phishing, and botnet blocking
  • Roaming protection for Windows and macOS devices
  • Reporting, exports, schedules, and AppAware application blocking

  Where it doesn't

  • No free plan is available
  • Core and Plus rates shown are based on annual billing
  • Enterprise requires custom pricing

• Control D9.3/10 · Free plan · 14-day trial

  A broad DNS filtering platform with free access, detailed controls, and flexible deployment.

  Visit Control DFull verdict →
• DNSFilter8.9/10 · 14-day trial

  Managed DNS filtering with roaming protection, reporting, and identity integrations.

  Visit DNSFilterFull verdict →