Best SquareX Alternatives in 2026
The top SquareX alternatives are Cisco Umbrella, Cloudflare Gateway and DNSFilter: 15 user threat prevention software our editors would look at instead of SquareX, in our ranking order.
SquareX: Cloud-delivered browser protection for web threats, malware, and data exposure. Where it falls short: focuses on browser and web activity rather than broader channels.
Switching from SquareX? For most user threat prevention software buyers the best SquareX alternative is Cisco Umbrella, built for organizations wanting established DNS-layer protection. On a budget, Microsoft Defender for Business starts at $3/user/mo. Cloudflare Gateway has a free plan.
Why People Look for a SquareX Alternative
- Focuses on browser and web activity rather than broader channels
- Commercial details require contacting sales
- Support channels listed are limited to documentation
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallCisco Umbrella9.2
Organizations wanting established DNS-layer protection
Visit Cisco Umbrella - Lowest priceMicrosoft Defender for Business7.9
Paid plans from $3/user/mo
Visit Microsoft Defender for Business - Best free optionCloudflare Gateway9.0
Has a free plan
Visit Cloudflare Gateway
All 15 SquareX 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 wanting established DNS-layer protection
- Better than SquareX:
- Editor score 9.2 vs 6.0
DNS-layer protection with policy controls for networks, users, devices, and roaming endpoints.
9.2/10★★★★★Visit Cisco -
Best forTeams seeking affordable, broad web and DNS filtering
- Better than SquareX:
- Editor score 9.0 vs 6.0
A broad DNS, HTTP, and network filtering gateway with a free plan and paid entry at $7 per user monthly.
9.0/10★★★★☆Visit Cloudflare -
Best forBudget-conscious teams needing DNS protection
- Better than SquareX:
- Editor score 8.7 vs 6.0
DNS-layer threat protection with filtering and reporting, starting at $1 per license monthly.
8.7/10★★★★☆Visit DNSFilter -
Best forMid-market and enterprise email threat teams
- Better than SquareX:
- Editor score 8.6 vs 6.0
Behavioral threat detection and automated response for email and identity teams.
- User report button
- Automated remediation
- Phishing simulations
8.6/10★★★★☆Visit site -
Best forMicrosoft 365 users wanting broad email defenses
- Better than SquareX:
- Editor score 8.5 vs 6.0
A broad Microsoft 365 security suite, with four tiers spanning email defense, backup and governance.
Pricing on request · 14-day trial Our Hornetsecurity 365 Total Protection verdict → Visit Hornetsecurity8.5/10★★★★☆Visit Hornetsecurity -
Best forSmall businesses seeking endpoint protection
- Better than SquareX:
- Editor score 7.9 vs 6.0
Affordable endpoint protection with EDR and ransomware response, billed annually.
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit Microsoft -
Best forTeams wanting flexible email detection and remediation
- Better than SquareX:
- Editor score 7.9 vs 6.0
Flexible email detection, threat hunting, and remediation, with a free tier for up to 100 mailboxes.
7.9/10★★★★☆Try Sublime Security -
Best forEnterprises needing isolated, controlled browsing
- Better than SquareX:
- Editor score 7.8 vs 6.0
Isolates web activity in the cloud with controls for files, data loss and auditing.
7.8/10★★★★☆Try Authentic8 Silo -
Best forOrganizations building adaptive security awareness
- Better than SquareX:
- Editor score 7.6 vs 6.0
Adaptive simulations and training for organizations focused on human-centered threat prevention.
- Phishing simulations
7.6/10★★★★☆Visit Hoxhunt -
Best forEnterprises combining web security with zero trust access
- Better than SquareX:
- Editor score 7.4 vs 6.0
A broad zero-trust SASE platform combining web security, private access, and device controls.
7.4/10★★★★☆Visit iboss Cloud -
Best forTeams emphasizing phishing simulations and training
- Better than SquareX:
- Editor score 7.3 vs 6.0
A cloud training platform centered on multi-channel phishing simulations and reporting.
- Phishing simulations
7.3/10★★★★☆Visit Cofense -
Best forOrganizations needing hosted or self-hosted mail filtering
- Better than SquareX:
- Editor score 7.2 vs 6.0
Protect filters malicious email across cloud and self-hosted environments.
7.2/10★★★★☆Visit Mailinblack -
Best forEnterprises needing web filtering and traffic inspection
- Better than SquareX:
- Editor score 7.1 vs 6.0
Broad web and SaaS controls for organizations routing internet traffic through a cloud gateway.
7.1/10★★★★☆Contact Menlo -
Best forEnterprises needing web, SaaS and risky-site controls
- Better than SquareX:
- Editor score 7.0 vs 6.0
Broad cloud threat controls for enterprises protecting web, SaaS and AI traffic.
7.0/10★★★★☆Visit Netskope -
Best forTeams seeking browser-based data and threat controls
- Better than SquareX:
- Editor score 6.8 vs 6.0
Browser-based access, data and threat controls for organizations managing web apps.
6.8/10★★★☆☆Visit Island
SquareX Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to SquareX?
Cisco Umbrella: #1 in our User Threat Prevention Software ranking, with an editor score of 9.2 out of 10. DNS-layer protection with policy controls for networks, users, devices, and roaming endpoints.
Is there a free alternative to SquareX?
Yes. Cloudflare Gateway and Sublime Security have a free plan or a free tier.
Why do people look for SquareX alternatives?
Focuses on browser and web activity rather than broader channels; Commercial details require contacting sales; Support channels listed are limited to documentation.
How do I switch from SquareX?
Export your data from SquareX (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 SquareX.
How to Switch from SquareX
- Export your data from SquareX (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 SquareX.
SquareX vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | SquareX | 6.0 | ||
| 1 | Cisco Umbrella | No | 9.2 | |
| 2 | Cloudflare Gateway | Yes | 9.0 | |
| 3 | DNSFilter | No | $1/unit/mo | 8.7 |
| 4 | Abnormal Security | No | 8.6 | |
| 5 | Hornetsecurity 365 Total Protection | No | 8.5 | |
| 6 | Microsoft Defender for Business | No | $3/user/mo | 7.9 |
| 7 | Sublime Security | Yes | 7.9 | |
| 8 | Authentic8 Silo | No | $1,450/user/yr | 7.8 |
| 9 | Hoxhunt | 7.6 | ||
| 10 | iboss Cloud | No | 7.4 | |
| 11 | Cofense PhishMe | 7.3 | ||
| 12 | Mailinblack Protect | 7.2 | ||
| 13 | Menlo Security Secure Web Gateway | 7.1 | ||
| 14 | Netskope Next Gen Secure Web Gateway | No | 7.0 | |
| 15 | Island Enterprise Browser | 6.8 |
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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