ClearDNS review
A family-focused DNS filter with detailed analytics and live traffic views.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
ClearDNS is a DNS-layer internet filtering service for families, teams, and organizations. It blocks ads, trackers, malware, phishing, adult content, gambling, piracy, and other unwanted categories across connected devices. Administrators can configure 13 filtering categories, create custom allow and block lists, enforce SafeSearch on Google, YouTube, Bing, and DuckDuckGo, and share family policies through QR codes or links. The service supports web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Wi-Fi, and mobile data networks, with a device limit of 5.
Pricing is organized around monitoring depth. Essential costs $5.99 per user per month and includes the core filtering controls, Smart SafeSearch, family sharing, and DoH and DoT support. Analyze costs $9.99 per user per month and adds 90-day log keeping, historical analytics, trend analysis, and detailed reporting. Stream costs $10.99 per user per month and adds instant logs, a live traffic map, real-time traffic visualization, and per-device activity views. Full costs $14.99 per user per month and combines the analytics and live monitoring features. The published offer also shows a free 24-hour trial with no payment details required.
ClearDNS fits buyers who want policy-based filtering with visibility into browsing activity, particularly families that value historical reports or live traffic views. Its encrypted DNS options use DNS-over-HTTPS and DNS-over-TLS, while the account model operates without requiring a conventional name, email, username, or password account. Buyers who need scheduling or integrations should consider a different fit, since those capabilities are not verified here. Choose Essential for filtering controls, Analyze for historical insight, Stream for live monitoring, or Full when both reporting modes matter.
ClearDNS pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Live traffic maps and per-device activity views
- 13 filtering categories with custom allow/block lists
- Encrypted DNS plus SafeSearch across major search services
- Where it doesn't
- No perpetual free plan
- Scheduling and integrations are not verified
- Paid plans are priced per user per month
ClearDNS fact sheet, pricing and score →
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