Control D
Control D: A low-cost DNS filtering platform with detailed controls, analytics, and broad platform support. Ranked #10 of 65 in Internet Filtering Software by our editors (8.3/10); pricing: Free plan · 14-day trial; best for flexible filtering with low-cost paid controls.
At a glance
- Editor score8.3 / 10
- PricingFree plan · 14-day trial
- Best forFlexible filtering with low-cost paid controls
- Free planYes
- Paid from$2/device/mo
- Custom blocklistsYes
- Founded2021 · Toronto, Canada
- Facts checked22 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Free DNS filtering with encrypted protocols and no account requirement
- Custom rules, profiles, schedules, Safe Search, and analytics
- Supports endpoints, browsers, routers, APIs, and self-hosted deployment
Where it doesn't
- Traffic redirection and proxy locations require the Full Control plan
- Personal and SMB pricing use different plan structures
- Some advanced controls require paid plans
Our verdict on Control D
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 apply category and service filtering, enforce Safe Search on supported search engines, create per-device profiles, and schedule filtering by time and day. Its platform coverage includes web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, browser extensions, APIs, routers, and self-hosted deployment.
Pricing is split between personal and SMB plans. Free DNS costs $0 per month and includes preset filtering resolvers, encrypted DNS protocols, no account requirement, and no individual query logging. Some Control costs $3 per month and adds custom rules, per-device profiles, more than 1,000 blockable services, analytics, and 20 content filter categories. Full Control costs $6 per month, includes Some Control features, and adds traffic redirection with proxy locations in more than 60 countries. SMB costs $2 per endpoint per month with self-serve deployment, endpoint-based billing, and real-time analytics. A 14-day free trial is also available.
The standout feature is the depth of DNS-level control. Custom rules can block, bypass, redirect, or use wildcard matching for domains, while encrypted DNS is supported through DoH, DoT, DoQ, and DoH3. Router deployment through the ctrld daemon extends filtering beyond individual applications, and historical and real-time DNS analytics provide visibility when logging is enabled. Control D suits buyers who want flexible filtering across mixed platforms without starting with a high subscription cost. Buyers seeking traffic redirection must choose Full Control, while organizations should compare the SMB endpoint model with the personal plans before selecting a tier.
Your product? Our editors can test Control D in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →
Control D pricing
All 6 Control D plans and prices →
Control D fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | $2/device/mo |
| Device limit | Not verified |
| Custom blocklists | Yes |
| Safe search controls | Yes |
| Filtering schedules | Yes |
| Activity reports | Advanced |
| Platform support | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, browsers, routers |
| Free trial | 14 days · no card needed |
| Deployment | Cloud, Desktop, Mobile |
| Platforms | Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android |
| Compliance & security | SOC 2, ISO 27001 |
| Support | Email, Community, Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate) |
| Integrations | 20 integrations: Asus Merlin, DD-WRT, Firewalla, FreshTomato, OpenWRT, Gargoyle … See all → |
| Pricing | Free plan · 14-day trial (source) |
| Website | controld.com |
| Facts checked | 22 Sep 2026 |
Control D integrations
Control D lists 20 integrations on its own site.
- Asus Merlin
- DD-WRT
- Firewalla
- FreshTomato
- OpenWRT
- Gargoyle
- pfSense
- OPNsense
- VyOS
- MikroTik RouterOS
- EdgeOS
- Synology
- NinjaRMM
- SolarWinds N-central
- ConnectWise Automate
- Atera
- Datto RMM
- Kaseya VSA
- ManageEngine Desktop Central
- LogMeIn Central
See all Control D integrations →
Alternatives to Control D
- Cloudflare GatewayA broad filtering gateway with strong policy controls and basic reporting.9.2
- Cisco UmbrellaA mature enterprise filter with broad controls, integrations, and contact-sales pricing.9.1
- Pi-holeFree, open-source network blocking for self-hosted administrators.9.0
See all Control D alternatives →
Also Ranked In
Control D is ranked in 3 of our directories.
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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