Echo.Cloud.Filter review
Affordable hosted DNS filtering with broad category coverage and basic reporting.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Echo.Cloud.Filter is a hosted DNS-based web filtering service for schools, businesses, and government users. Administrators direct network DNS requests to Pearl Software’s service, which evaluates domains against configured access rules and can return a warning or block page. It supports managed workstations, BYOD devices, and guest users across Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android, without requiring endpoint software or dedicated filtering hardware.
Pricing is structured around an annual subscription of $5 per user per year. The published plan includes more than 60 filtering categories, custom allowlists and blocklists, custom access policies, customizable warning pages, and general web-usage statistics. There is no free plan, so organizations need to budget for a paid deployment from the outset. The annual per-user model is straightforward for teams that can estimate their covered users, while the service’s hosted design avoids separate filtering hardware.
Echo.Cloud.Filter’s main strength is breadth across network access scenarios rather than advanced reporting. DNS-based enforcement can cover managed devices, BYOD, and guest users through the same service, and administrators can tailor rules with custom lists and policies. Its limitations matter for buyers seeking more detailed oversight: activity reporting is basic, and SafeSearch and scheduling are not included. Choose it for cost-conscious organizations that need hosted category filtering and flexible network coverage without endpoint installations. Consider an alternative if granular reporting, search controls, or time-based policies are central requirements.
Echo.Cloud.Filter pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Over 60 URL categories plus custom allowlists and blocklists
- Filters BYOD and guest users without endpoint software or hardware
- Custom policies, warning pages, and general usage statistics
- Where it doesn't
- Annual pricing includes no free plan
- Usage statistics are basic
- SafeSearch and scheduling are not included
Echo.Cloud.Filter fact sheet, pricing and score →
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