Best Zscaler DNS Security Alternatives in 2026
The top Zscaler DNS Security alternatives are AdGuard DNS, NextDNS and Control D: 15 DNS filtering services our editors would look at instead of Zscaler DNS Security, in our ranking order.
Zscaler DNS Security: A focused DNS security service for enterprises needing threat analytics and policy control. Where it falls short: pricing requires contacting sales.
Switching from Zscaler DNS Security? For most dns filtering services buyers the best Zscaler DNS Security 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 a Zscaler DNS Security Alternative
- Pricing requires contacting sales
- The listed platform is web-based
- Support availability varies by support tier
- No free plan — 8 of the alternatives below have it
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 (Zscaler DNS Security has none)
Visit AdGuard DNS
All 15 Zscaler DNS Security 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 forBroad consumer and family DNS protection
- Better than Zscaler DNS Security:
- Free plan
- Editor score 9.4 vs 6.7
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 Zscaler DNS Security:
- Free plan
- Editor score 9.3 vs 6.7
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 Zscaler DNS Security:
- Free plan
- Editor score 9.2 vs 6.7
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 Zscaler DNS Security:
- Free plan
- Editor score 9.1 vs 6.7
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 Zscaler DNS Security:
- Free plan
- Editor score 9.0 vs 6.7
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 Zscaler DNS Security:
- Free plan
- Editor score 8.9 vs 6.7
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 Zscaler DNS Security:
- Free plan
- Editor score 8.8 vs 6.7
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 Zscaler DNS Security:
- Free plan
- Editor score 8.7 vs 6.7
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 Zscaler DNS Security:
- Editor score 8.6 vs 6.7
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 Zscaler DNS Security:
- Editor score 8.5 vs 6.7
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 Zscaler DNS Security:
- Editor score 8.4 vs 6.7
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 Zscaler DNS Security:
- Editor score 8.3 vs 6.7
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 Zscaler DNS Security:
- Editor score 8.2 vs 6.7
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 Zscaler DNS Security:
- Editor score 8.1 vs 6.7
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 Zscaler DNS Security:
- Editor score 8.0 vs 6.7
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
Zscaler DNS Security Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to Zscaler DNS Security?
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 Zscaler DNS Security?
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 Zscaler DNS Security?
Of the alternatives here that publish a price, Control D starts lowest, at $2/device/mo.
Why do people look for Zscaler DNS Security alternatives?
Pricing requires contacting sales; The listed platform is web-based; Support availability varies by support tier.
How do I switch from Zscaler DNS Security?
Export your data from Zscaler DNS Security (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 Zscaler DNS Security.
How to Switch from Zscaler DNS Security
- Export your data from Zscaler DNS Security (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 Zscaler DNS Security.
Zscaler DNS Security vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28 | Zscaler DNS Security | No | 6.7 | |
| 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
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