Best Cisco Umbrella Alternatives in 2026
The top Cisco Umbrella alternatives are Cloudflare Gateway, Pi-hole and Jamf Safe Internet: 15 internet filtering software our editors would look at instead of Cisco Umbrella, in our ranking order.
Cisco Umbrella: A mature enterprise filter with broad controls, integrations, and contact-sales pricing. Where it falls short: no free plan for smaller teams evaluating long term.
Switching from Cisco Umbrella? For most internet filtering software buyers the best Cisco Umbrella alternative is Cloudflare Gateway, built for organizations needing filtering beyond DNS. On a budget, Control D starts at $2/device/mo. AdGuard DNS offers the most device limit (20 devices).
Why People Look for a Cisco Umbrella Alternative
- No free plan for smaller teams evaluating long term
- Pricing requires contacting sales
- Planned end-of-sale and end-of-life transition
- No free plan — 5 of the alternatives below have it
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallCloudflare Gateway9.2
Organizations needing filtering beyond DNS
Visit Cloudflare Gateway - Lowest priceControl D8.3
Paid plans from $2/device/mo
Visit Control D - Best free optionCloudflare Gateway9.2
Has a free plan (Cisco Umbrella has none)
Visit Cloudflare Gateway - Most device limitAdGuard DNS8.1
20 devices
Visit AdGuard DNS
All 15 Cisco Umbrella Alternatives, Ranked
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.
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Best forOrganizations needing filtering beyond DNS
- Better than Cisco Umbrella:
- Free plan
- Editor score 9.2 vs 9.1
A broad filtering gateway with strong policy controls and basic reporting.
- Filtering schedules
- Safe search controls
- Custom blocklists
9.2/10★★★★★Visit Cloudflare -
Best forFree self-hosted network ad and content blocking
- Better than Cisco Umbrella:
- Free plan
Free, open-source network blocking for self-hosted administrators.
- Custom blocklists
9.0/10★★★★☆Visit Pi-hole -
Best forApple- and education-focused device management
Education-focused filtering with Apple management integrations and threat prevention.
- Filtering schedules
- Safe search controls
- Custom blocklists
8.9/10★★★★☆Visit Jamf -
Best forThreat-focused DNS protection
Centralized DNS protection with content controls, reporting and off-network coverage.
- Safe search controls
- Custom blocklists
8.8/10★★★★☆Visit CIRA -
Best forCheck Point security environments
A policy-rich web filter for organizations built around Check Point gateways.
- Safe search controls
- Custom blocklists
8.7/10★★★★☆Visit Check Point -
Best forSecure web gateway and content inspection
An enterprise gateway for deep web filtering, inspection, policy control, and data protection.
- Filtering schedules
8.6/10★★★★☆Visit Fortra -
Best forAd and tracker blocking on personal devices
- Better than Cisco Umbrella:
- Free plan
A broad personal ad blocker with desktop, mobile, DNS, and privacy controls.
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit AdGuard -
Best forBasic DNS filtering for Windows networks
A focused DNS filtering service for WatchGuard networks and supported Windows devices.
- Safe search controls
- Custom blocklists
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit WatchGuard -
Best forFlexible filtering with low-cost paid controls
- Better than Cisco Umbrella:
- Free plan
A low-cost DNS filtering platform with detailed controls, analytics, and broad platform support.
- Filtering schedules
- Safe search controls
- Custom blocklists
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit Control D -
Best forAffordable managed filtering with strong reporting
Affordable managed filtering with threat protection, reporting, and broad deployment options.
- Filtering schedules
- Safe search controls
- Custom blocklists
8.2/10★★★★☆Visit DNSFilter -
Best forBroad, free DNS filtering across many platforms
- Better than Cisco Umbrella:
- Free plan
Broad DNS filtering with strong device coverage and a capable free plan.
- Filtering schedules
- Safe search controls
- Custom blocklists
8.1/10★★★★☆Visit AdGuard DNS -
Best forSchools filtering managed and BYOD traffic
A broad K-12 filtering stack spanning managed devices, BYOD, IoT, and off-network use.
- Filtering schedules
- Safe search controls
- Custom blocklists
8.0/10★★★★☆Visit Lightspeed -
Best forRoaming DNS protection for Windows devices
Windows-focused DNS protection with agent, network, roaming, and reporting controls.
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit Webroot -
Best forSchools needing AI-service and BYOD controls
Flexible school filtering with strong AI, BYOD, and reporting controls.
- Filtering schedules
- Safe search controls
- Custom blocklists
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit Securly -
Best forLow-cost category filtering with roaming support
A broad DNS filtering service with low-cost annual plans and roaming support.
- Filtering schedules
- Safe search controls
- Custom blocklists
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit SafeDNS
Cisco Umbrella Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to Cisco Umbrella?
Cloudflare Gateway: #1 in our Internet Filtering Software ranking, with an editor score of 9.2 out of 10. A broad filtering gateway with strong policy controls and basic reporting.
Is there a free alternative to Cisco Umbrella?
Yes. Cloudflare Gateway, Pi-hole, AdGuard, Control D and AdGuard DNS have a free plan or a free tier.
Why do people look for Cisco Umbrella alternatives?
No free plan for smaller teams evaluating long term; Pricing requires contacting sales; Planned end-of-sale and end-of-life transition.
Which Cisco Umbrella alternative has the most device limit?
AdGuard DNS, with 20 devices.
How do I switch from Cisco Umbrella?
Export your data from Cisco Umbrella (most tools have an export in their settings). Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one. Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on. Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel Cisco Umbrella.
How to Switch from Cisco Umbrella
- Export your data from Cisco Umbrella (most tools have an export in their settings).
- Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one.
- Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on.
- Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel Cisco Umbrella.
Cisco Umbrella vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Custom blocklists | Safe search controls | Filtering schedules | Activity reports | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Cisco Umbrella | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Advanced | 9.1 | |
| 1 | Cloudflare Gateway | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Advanced | 9.2 | |
| 2 | Pi-hole | Yes | Free | Yes | Advanced | 9.0 | ||
| 3 | Jamf Safe Internet | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Advanced | 8.9 | |
| 4 | CIRA DNS Firewall | No | Yes | Yes | Advanced | 8.8 | ||
| 5 | Check Point URL Filtering | Yes | Yes | Advanced | 8.7 | |||
| 6 | Fortra Secure Web Gateway | Yes | Advanced | 8.6 | ||||
| 7 | AdGuard | Yes | 8.5 | |||||
| 8 | WatchGuard DNSWatch | No | Yes | Yes | Advanced | 8.4 | ||
| 9 | Control D | Yes | $2/device/mo | Yes | Yes | Yes | Advanced | 8.3 |
| 10 | DNSFilter | No | $1/unit/mo | Yes | Yes | Yes | Advanced | 8.2 |
| 11 | AdGuard DNS | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Advanced | 8.1 | |
| 12 | Lightspeed Filter | Yes | Yes | Yes | Advanced | 8.0 | ||
| 13 | Webroot DNS Protection | No | 7.9 | |||||
| 14 | Securly Filter | Yes | Yes | Yes | Advanced | 7.8 | ||
| 15 | SafeDNS | No | $25.95/yr | Yes | Yes | Yes | Advanced | 7.7 |
Head-to-Head
- Cisco Umbrella vs Cloudflare Gateway
- Cisco Umbrella vs Pi-hole
- Cisco Umbrella vs Jamf Safe Internet
- Cisco Umbrella vs CIRA DNS Firewall
- Cisco Umbrella vs Check Point URL Filtering
- Cisco Umbrella vs Fortra Secure Web Gateway
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update