Best N-able DNS Filtering Alternatives in 2026
The top N-able DNS Filtering alternatives are AdGuard DNS, NextDNS and Control D: 15 DNS filtering services our editors would look at instead of N-able DNS Filtering, in our ranking order.
N-able DNS Filtering: A centralized DNS security service for MSPs managing clients, users, and roaming devices. Where it falls short: pricing is handled through contact sales rather than published plans.
Switching from N-able DNS Filtering? For most dns filtering services buyers the best N-able DNS Filtering alternative is AdGuard DNS, built for broad consumer and family DNS protection. On a budget, Control D starts at $2/device/mo.
Why People Look for an N-able DNS Filtering Alternative
- Pricing is handled through contact sales rather than published plans
- The integrated N-central version was scheduled for removal by 31 March 2026
- Its broad policy and reporting features may exceed the needs of smaller deployments
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallAdGuard DNS9.4
Broad consumer and family DNS protection
Visit AdGuard DNS - Lowest priceControl D9.2
Paid plans from $2/device/mo
Visit Control D - Best free optionAdGuard DNS9.4
Has a free plan
Visit AdGuard DNS
All 15 N-able DNS Filtering 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.
-
Best forBroad consumer and family DNS protection
- Better than N-able DNS Filtering:
- Editor score 9.4 vs 7.7
Broad DNS protection with strong family controls, encrypted protocols, and wide device coverage.
- Custom blocklists
9.4/10★★★★★Visit AdGuard DNS -
Best forPrivacy-focused users needing advanced DNS controls
- Better than N-able DNS Filtering:
- Editor score 9.3 vs 7.7
A flexible DNS filtering service with unusually broad controls on its free plan.
- Custom blocklists
9.3/10★★★★★Visit NextDNS -
Best forPower users wanting flexible DNS policies
- Better than N-able DNS Filtering:
- Editor score 9.2 vs 7.7
A flexible DNS platform with detailed policies, schedules, analytics, and router deployment.
- Custom blocklists
9.2/10★★★★★Visit Control D -
Best forAffordable households and small teams
- Better than N-able DNS Filtering:
- Editor score 9.1 vs 7.7
A capable free DNS filter for one device, with paid tiers planned for wider coverage.
- Per-device policies
- Ad blocking
- Activity logs
9.1/10★★★★★Visit QueryWarden -
Best forOrganizations needing DNS plus network filtering
- Better than N-able DNS Filtering:
- Editor score 9.0 vs 7.7
A flexible DNS and network filtering service with HTTP inspection from $7 per user monthly.
- Custom blocklists
9.0/10★★★★☆Visit Cloudflare -
Best forFamilies wanting free profile-based filtering
- Better than N-able DNS Filtering:
- Editor score 8.9 vs 7.7
A flexible DNS filter for families that need profiles, schedules, and privacy controls.
- Per-device policies
- Ad blocking
- Activity logs
8.9/10★★★★☆Visit DeCloudUs -
Best forOpen-source Android and self-hosted users
- Better than N-able DNS Filtering:
- Editor score 8.8 vs 7.7
A free, open-source Android DNS filter with detailed controls and monitoring.
8.8/10★★★★☆Visit RethinkDNS -
Best forFamilies managing up to 25 devices
- Better than N-able DNS Filtering:
- Editor score 8.7 vs 7.7
A flexible DNS filter with family-focused controls, encrypted DNS, schedules, and broad device coverage.
- Custom blocklists
8.7/10★★★★☆Visit CleanBrowsing -
Best forSchools and small networks on a budget
- Better than N-able DNS Filtering:
- Editor score 8.6 vs 7.7
Affordable DNS filtering with roaming clients, policy controls, logs, and directory integrations.
8.6/10★★★★☆Visit ScoutDNS -
Best forFamilies wanting paid per-device DNS policies
- Better than N-able DNS Filtering:
- Editor score 8.5 vs 7.7
Paid DNS filtering with per-device controls, logs, schedules, and encrypted DNS.
- Per-device policies
- Ad blocking
- Activity logs
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit ArmorDNS -
Best forEstablished enterprises needing security controls
- Better than N-able DNS Filtering:
- Editor score 8.4 vs 7.7
A broad DNS and web security service for enterprises with Cisco infrastructure.
- Custom blocklists
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit Cisco Umbrella -
Best forUsers wanting deep category and usage controls
- Better than N-able DNS Filtering:
- Editor score 8.3 vs 7.7
A broad DNS filtering service for households and organizations needing detailed controls.
- Custom blocklists
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit SafeDNS -
Best forOrganizations wanting mature DNS reporting
- Better than N-able DNS Filtering:
- Editor score 8.2 vs 7.7
A policy-focused DNS security service with detailed reporting and remote-device coverage.
- Custom blocklists
8.2/10★★★★☆Visit CIRA -
Best forEstablished organizations needing roaming filtering
- Better than N-able DNS Filtering:
- Editor score 8.1 vs 7.7
A mature DNS filtering service for organizations managing roaming users and devices.
- Custom blocklists
8.1/10★★★★☆Visit WebTitan -
Best forEnterprises needing off-network DNS protection
- Better than N-able DNS Filtering:
- Editor score 8.0 vs 7.7
Enterprise DNS filtering with roaming protection, policy controls, reporting, and security integrations.
Pricing on request · 60-day trial Our Akamai Secure Internet Access Enterprise verdict → Visit Akamai8.0/10★★★★☆Visit Akamai
N-able DNS Filtering Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to N-able DNS Filtering?
AdGuard DNS: #1 in our DNS Filtering Services ranking, with an editor score of 9.4 out of 10. Broad DNS protection with strong family controls, encrypted protocols, and wide device coverage.
Is there a free alternative to N-able DNS Filtering?
Yes. AdGuard DNS, NextDNS, Control D, QueryWarden and Cloudflare Gateway have a free plan or a free tier (8 of the 15 alternatives on this page).
What is the cheapest paid alternative to N-able DNS Filtering?
Of the alternatives here that publish a price, Control D starts lowest, at $2/device/mo.
Why do people look for N-able DNS Filtering alternatives?
Pricing is handled through contact sales rather than published plans; The integrated N-central version was scheduled for removal by 31 March 2026; Its broad policy and reporting features may exceed the needs of smaller deployments.
How do I switch from N-able DNS Filtering?
Export your data from N-able DNS Filtering (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 N-able DNS Filtering.
How to Switch from N-able DNS Filtering
- Export your data from N-able DNS Filtering (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 N-able DNS Filtering.
N-able DNS Filtering vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 | N-able DNS Filtering | 7.7 | ||
| 1 | AdGuard DNS | Yes | 9.4 | |
| 2 | NextDNS | Yes | 9.3 | |
| 3 | Control D | Yes | $2/device/mo | 9.2 |
| 4 | QueryWarden | Yes | $2.32/mo | 9.1 |
| 5 | Cloudflare Gateway | Yes | 9.0 | |
| 6 | DeCloudUs DNS | Yes | $5.94/yr | 8.9 |
| 7 | RethinkDNS | Yes | 8.8 | |
| 8 | CleanBrowsing | Yes | $75/yr | 8.7 |
| 9 | ScoutDNS | No | $2.50/seat/yr | 8.6 |
| 10 | ArmorDNS | No | $50/yr | 8.5 |
| 11 | Cisco Umbrella | No | 8.4 | |
| 12 | SafeDNS | No | $25.95/yr | 8.3 |
| 13 | CIRA DNS Firewall | No | 8.2 | |
| 14 | WebTitan Cloud | No | 8.1 | |
| 15 | Akamai Secure Internet Access Enterprise | 8.0 |
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update