Cisco Umbrella

Paid#2 of 65 in Internet Filtering SoftwareUser Threat Prevention SoftwareDNS Filtering SoftwareSecurity Service Edge Software+3 more

Cisco Umbrella: A mature enterprise filter with broad controls, integrations, and contact-sales pricing. Ranked #2 of 65 in Internet Filtering Software by our editors (9.1/10); pricing: Pricing on request · 14-day trial; best for mature enterprise network filtering.

9.1/10★★★★★Editor score

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At a glance

• Editor score
  9.1 / 10
• Pricing
  Pricing on request · 14-day trial
• Best for
  Mature enterprise network filtering
• Free plan
  No
• Custom blocklists
  Yes
• Founded
  1984 · San Jose, California, United States
• Facts checked
  22 Sep 2026

• Where it wins

  • DNS and category filtering with custom allow and block lists
  • Identity, device, network, schedule, and application-based policies
  • Cisco integrations, reporting APIs, and log exports

• Where it doesn't

  • No free plan for smaller teams evaluating long term
  • Pricing requires contacting sales
  • Planned end-of-sale and end-of-life transition

Our verdict on Cisco Umbrella

Cisco Umbrella is a cloud-delivered DNS and web security service for organizations that need to control internet access across users, devices, and networks. It combines DNS-layer blocking for malware, phishing, botnets, ransomware, and other threats with category-based filtering, application controls, SafeSearch enforcement, custom domain lists, and policy-based access rules. Support spans web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, network DNS forwarding, a web console, and a reporting API, making it suited to mature IT environments rather than casual household filtering.

Its strongest fit is the Cisco ecosystem. Umbrella integrates with Cisco Secure Client, Cisco Meraki MR and MX, Cisco SD-WAN, Cisco ISR, Cisco Wireless LAN Controller, Cisco ASA, Cisco Secure Firewall, and Cisco Catalyst Routing and Switching. Administrators can apply policies by network, device, user, or identity, then review activity through reporting, Activity Search, log exports, and APIs. Customizable block pages, bypass options, bulk-uploaded domain lists, and time/day schedules for Secure Internet Gateway rule-based policies add operational control. The published features support both on-network DNS forwarding and off-network protection through client software.

The plan structure covers four levels. DNS Essentials includes DNS-layer threat blocking, domain and category filtering, roaming DNS protection, real-time activity search, and API access. DNS Advantage adds expanded threat intelligence and investigation capabilities. SIG Essentials adds a secure web gateway, cloud application visibility, and firewall and web access controls, while SIG Advantage adds cloud application controls, data loss prevention, and advanced firewall capabilities. Cisco offers a 14-day free trial, but there is no free plan and pricing requires contacting sales. Cisco also states that Umbrella is entering a planned end-of-sale and end-of-life transition as it evolves to Cisco Secure Access. Choose it for Cisco-centered enterprise filtering and layered policy control; consider alternatives if transparent self-service pricing or a long-term standalone product direction is the priority.

Your product? Our editors can test Cisco Umbrella in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →

Cisco Umbrella pricing

Cisco Umbrella fact sheet

Cisco Umbrella integrations

Cisco Umbrella lists 6 integrations on its own site.

• Cisco SD-WAN
• Cisco Meraki MR and MX
• Cisco ISR
• Cisco Wireless LAN Controller
• Cisco ASA
• Cisco Security Connector

See all Cisco Umbrella integrations →

Alternatives to Cisco Umbrella

• Cloudflare GatewayA broad filtering gateway with strong policy controls and basic reporting.9.2
• Pi-holeFree, open-source network blocking for self-hosted administrators.9.0
• Jamf Safe InternetEducation-focused filtering with Apple management integrations and threat prevention.8.9

See all Cisco Umbrella alternatives →

Cisco Umbrella vs the competition

• Cisco Umbrella vs Cloudflare Gateway
• Cisco Umbrella vs Pi-hole
• Cisco Umbrella vs Jamf Safe Internet
• Cisco Umbrella vs CIRA DNS Firewall
• CPCisco Umbrella vs Check Point URL Filtering
• FSCisco Umbrella vs Fortra Secure Web Gateway

Compare Cisco Umbrella with any tool side by side →

Featured on iTechGuides

Cisco Umbrella is listed in our Internet Filtering Software directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.

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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

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Last updated 7 Oct 2026 · How we research and update