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Buyer’s Guide: Company Profile

DNSFilter

Explore DNSFilter’s services, potential fit for different businesses, how it compares with alternatives, and what to ask before choosing a provider.

Buyer’s Guide visibility

DNSFilter ranked #2

The search

Buyer
Organisations evaluating cloud-delivered DNS-layer threat protection and content filtering for distributed endpoints
Region
Global

Sep 29, 2026 · 10 entries returned

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This page records how AI systems present this company to buyers: what they pick up and where their picture may be incomplete or mistaken. Community notes are reader submissions, separate from the AI results.

Question 1

What does DNSFilter do?

DNSFilter is a cybersecurity software vendor founded in 2015 and headquartered in Washington, D.C. The company operates a cloud-delivered protective Domain Name System (DNS) security and content filtering platform. Positioned as an early-stage network and endpoint inspection layer, DNSFilter intercepts outbound recursive DNS queries before connections establish, blocking malware, ransomware, phishing, and policy-restricted domains. Its commercial model operates primarily via multi-tenant recurring SaaS subscriptions tailored for Managed Service Providers (MSPs) and commercial enterprises, billed per user or by query volume. Rather than routing full payload web traffic as a traditional proxy or full-stack SASE platform, DNSFilter focuses on DNS-layer threat protection, using machine-learning categorization models and a global Anycast resolver network.
Question 2

What products, services and core capabilities does DNSFilter offer?

DNSFilter's core offering is its AI-powered DNS filtering platform, designed to stop malware, ransomware, phishing domains, and enforce policy-based acceptable internet use. It provides automated website categorization and AppAware, a feature enabling administrators to block or regulate specific cloud applications with a single click. For endpoint security off corporate networks, DNSFilter provides Roaming Clients across Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and ChromeOS environments. It also supports local device filtering using DNS PreCheck, a transparent local proxy mode that improves resilience and reduces common VPN or loopback conflicts. Deployments function either on-network by pointing router or firewall DNS forwarders to DNSFilter’s global Dual Anycast network, or on-device via Roaming Clients. The platform integrates with SIEM solutions for streaming query logs, supports Active Directory and SSO providers (such as Okta and Azure AD/Entra ID), and supplies native integrations with MSP Professional Services Automation (PSA) tools including ConnectWise, Datto Autotask, and HaloPSA.
Question 3

What types of organizations are a good fit for DNSFilter?

DNSFilter is well suited for Managed Service Providers (MSPs), small-to-midmarket commercial enterprises, educational institutions, and multi-location retail or branch environments. Organizations seeking straightforward protective DNS without the operational complexity or heavy latency of full-proxy Secure Web Gateways (SWG) find strong alignment with DNSFilter. It fits distributed teams needing roaming coverage across mobile and desktop operating systems with rapid, lightweight policy propagation. Conversely, fit weakens for complex enterprises needing deep SSL/TLS inspection, inline data loss prevention (DLP), or complete SASE architectural convergence, as DNS-layer protection cannot inspect HTTP payload contents directly. Organizations requiring strictly bundled hardware appliances or extensive native on-premises directory infrastructure without cloud telemetry may also find it limited.
Question 4

Who are DNSFilter's main competitors and alternatives?

DNSFilter competes directly in the protective DNS, secure web gateway, and content filtering markets. Its primary competitors include Cisco Systems (offering Cisco Umbrella, now evolving into Cisco Secure Access – DNS Defense), Cloudflare (providing Cloudflare Gateway within Cloudflare One), TitanHQ (offering WebTitan), Infoblox (providing BloxOne Threat Defense), and ScoutDNS. Cisco Umbrella represents the enterprise incumbent offering protective DNS coupled with broader cloud security suites, and Cisco is actively transitioning customers toward its Cisco Secure Access platform. Cloudflare Gateway delivers unified SASE edge security natively tied to edge networking. WebTitan and ScoutDNS serve as direct MSP- and SMB-focused alternatives competing on price and channel tenancy. Infoblox targets enterprise hybrid infrastructure and DDI integrations. Buyers evaluate these alternatives when deciding between dedicated, low-friction DNS-layer filtering and broader edge or proxy platforms.

Sources: [1] [2] [4] [5] [6]

What the AI said and what we found

What the AI said

DNSFilter competes directly in the protective DNS, secure web gateway, and content filtering markets. Its primary competitors include Cisco Systems (offering Cisco Umbrella), Cloudflare (providing Cloudflare Gateway within Cloudflare One), TitanHQ (offering WebTitan), Infoblox (providing BloxOne Threat Defense), and ScoutDNS. Cisco Umbrella represents the legacy and enterprise incumbent offering protective DNS coupled with broader cloud security suites. Cloudflare Gateway delivers unified SASE edge security natively tied to edge networking. WebTitan and ScoutDNS serve as direct MSP- and SMB-focused alternatives competing on price and channel tenancy. Infoblox targets enterprise hybrid infrastructure and DDI integrations. Buyers evaluate these alternatives when deciding between dedicated, low-friction DNS-layer filtering and broader edge or proxy platforms.

What we found when we checked

Some points were supported, while others needed more context or changes.

  • Cisco Systems offers Cisco Umbrella as a cloud-delivered DNS-layer and web security platform, which is now being transitioned to Cisco Secure Access – DNS Defense.
  • Cloudflare provides Cloudflare Gateway as part of its Zero Trust and edge security portfolio.
  • TitanHQ offers WebTitan as a specialized DNS filtering solution targeted at SMBs and MSPs.
  • Infoblox provides BloxOne Threat Defense for DNS security and core network services integration.
  • ScoutDNS provides protective DNS filtering, multi-tenant MSP capabilities, and roaming protection.

What we changed

We kept supported details and removed or qualified points that the independent check could not confirm.

Sources we used

Question 5

How does DNSFilter compare with its key alternatives?

DNSFilter positions itself as a dedicated, high-speed protective DNS solution built around real-time machine-learning classification and MSP tenancy. Against Cisco Umbrella (now transitioning to Cisco Secure Access – DNS Defense), DNSFilter offers a simpler, dedicated DNS-layer experience and multi-tenant administration, while Cisco's platform provides broader enterprise integration, higher-tier SWG, CASB, DLP, firewall, and Zero Trust capabilities under a unified SSE umbrella. Compared with Cloudflare Gateway, DNSFilter provides deeper out-of-the-box MSP multi-tenancy and PSA integration, whereas Cloudflare embeds DNS security into an expansive Zero Trust and CASB ecosystem. Against channel alternatives like WebTitan and ScoutDNS, DNSFilter features broader cross-platform mobile roaming agents, while ScoutDNS offers lower entry costs and detailed raw DNS response logging. The policy-synchronization speed claim (10–15 seconds) originates from DNSFilter's own marketing and buyers should verify it independently. Overall positioning DNSFilter positions as a dedicated protective DNS and content security platform built for fast rollout, multi-tenant MSP management, and low-latency recursive DNS filtering. Key differentiators Proprietary real-time machine-learning domain categorization, multi-tenant portal architecture with PSA tooling integrations, fast global Dual Anycast resolution, and native roaming agents across mobile and desktop platforms. Enterprise Cloud Security Suites Overlap: Both provide DNS-layer protection, malware domain blocking, and roaming endpoint enforcement. Important differences: Cisco and Cloudflare bundle protective DNS into expansive SASE, CASB, and SWG architectures, whereas DNSFilter focuses exclusively on DNS-layer protection with rapid policy administration. Channel & SMB DNS Filtering Specialists Overlap: Protective DNS security, content categorization, multi-tenant billing, and MSP console management. Important differences: DNSFilter provides broader official mobile client support (iOS and Android), while ScoutDNS offers raw DNS response payload inspection and alternative tier pricing.

Sources: [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]

What the AI said and what we found

What the AI said

DNSFilter positions itself as a dedicated, high-speed protective DNS solution built around real-time machine-learning classification and MSP tenancy. Against Cisco Umbrella, DNSFilter offers faster policy synchronization and simpler multi-tenant administration, while Cisco Umbrella provides broader enterprise integration and native secure web gateway tiers. Compared with Cloudflare Gateway, DNSFilter provides deeper out-of-the-box MSP multi-tenancy and PSA integration, whereas Cloudflare embeds DNS security into an expansive Zero Trust and CASB ecosystem. Against channel alternatives like WebTitan and ScoutDNS, DNSFilter features broader cross-platform mobile roaming agents, while ScoutDNS offers lower entry costs and detailed raw DNS response logging.

What we found when we checked

Some points were supported, while others needed more context or changes.

  • Cisco Umbrella is being transitioned to Cisco Secure Access – DNS Defense, which retains DNS-layer security and adds cloud DLP, malware scanning, SWG, CASB, firewall, and Zero Trust access in a unified SSE platform.
  • Cloudflare Gateway integrates with Cloudflare Zero Trust, providing Secure Web Gateway, CASB, and browser isolation.
  • ScoutDNS highlights raw DNS response inspection and lower entry pricing for MSP-focused deployments.

What we changed

We kept supported details and removed or qualified points that the independent check could not confirm.

Sources we used

Question 6

Why should a buyer choose DNSFilter?

Buyers choose DNSFilter when they prioritize rapid deployment, zero hardware footprint, and high-performance DNS resolution across distributed environments. Managed Service Providers select it because of native multi-tenancy, white-label block pages, and deep PSA billing synchronization with tools like ConnectWise, Datto Autotask, and HaloPSA. Organizations with hybrid or remote workforces benefit from roaming agents covering Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and ChromeOS, enforcing policies outside corporate firewalls without requiring backhauled VPN routing. Additionally, organizations seeking lightweight content and threat enforcement avoid the administrative latency, certificate deployment overhead, and egress performance penalties common to full-proxy Secure Web Gateways.
Question 7

Why might a buyer choose a competitor instead of DNSFilter?

Buyers turn to competitors when security mandates require deep content inspection rather than DNS-layer blocking. Because DNS-layer filtering evaluates only domain names, it cannot inspect encrypted HTTPS session payloads, individual URL file paths, or execute cloud Data Loss Prevention (DLP) checks. Organizations standardizing on enterprise SASE or SSE platforms (like Cloudflare One or Cisco Secure Access) frequently prefer consolidating network security, CASB, Zero Trust access, and DNS into a single contract and client agent. Enterprises with complex on-premises DDI architectures often choose Infoblox for deeper appliance integration, while organizations managing strict budgets or Windows-only fleets may select ScoutDNS or WebTitan for lower entry costs or specialized raw DNS query forensic inspection.
What the AI said and what we found

What the AI said

Buyers turn to competitors when security mandates require deep content inspection rather than DNS-layer blocking. Because DNS-layer filtering evaluates only domain names, it cannot inspect encrypted HTTPS session payloads, individual URL file paths, or execute cloud Data Loss Prevention (DLP) checks. Organizations standardizing on enterprise SASE or SSE platforms (like Cloudflare One or Cisco Umbrella) frequently prefer consolidating network security, CASB, Zero Trust access, and DNS into a single contract and client agent. Enterprises with complex on-premises DDI architectures often choose Infoblox for deeper appliance integration, while organizations managing strict budgets or Windows-only fleets may select ScoutDNS or WebTitan for lower entry costs or specialized raw DNS query forensic inspection.

What we found when we checked

The information we checked was supported.

Sources we used

Question 8

What are DNSFilter's key strengths and limitations?

DNSFilter offers two significant operational strengths: streamlined deployment paired with fast policy enforcement across distributed endpoints, and a well-developed multi-tenant management interface with PSA integrations purpose-built for service providers. Its proprietary machine-learning threat classification system proactively categorizes newly registered and malicious domains without relying exclusively on sluggish third-party static feeds. Conversely, its primary architectural limitation is that it does not inspect full HTTP/HTTPS payloads or file attachments, leaving threats hosted on legitimate domains (like shared cloud storage URLs) outside its native enforcement scope. A second trade-off involves roaming client endpoint management; roaming agents can face operational friction, conflicts with local loopback configurations or third-party VPNs, and captive-portal resolution issues on untrusted public Wi-Fi networks unless carefully managed using resilient connection modes.
Question 9

What buyers should verify before purchasing from DNSFilter

1. Roaming Client Stability: Pilot the Roaming Client across target Windows, macOS, and mobile devices to test captive-portal behavior on guest Wi-Fi and VPN interoperability. 2. Threat Inspection Scope: Validate whether DNS-layer filtering meets security requirements or if full SSL/TLS decryption and SWG proxy controls are mandatory. 3. Directory & IdP Sync: Confirm Active Directory or Entra ID synchronization requirements to verify group-level filtering policy enforcement. 4. SIEM & Log Export Terms: Check whether real-time data streaming to your SIEM is included in your plan tier or incurs extra add-on fees. 5. Support Tiers: Review support SLA definitions and assess whether business-critical 24/7 phone assistance requires paid Premium Support.

Other points to check

These notes came with the category Top 10 result. They suggest questions to raise with vendors—not verified findings about DNSFilter or reasons for its position.

Read the original test notes
  • DNS-layer filtering cannot inspect full HTTP/HTTPS payloads or file contents, meaning advanced evasive malware and URL-path-specific exploits still require endpoint detection (EDR) or secure web gateway (SWG) inspection.
  • Enforcing DNS policies on unmanaged or BYOD endpoints typically requires client agents or supervised MDM profiles to prevent users from bypassing local DNS settings with alternative DoH/DoT resolvers.
Question 10

Why might AI recommend DNSFilter's competitors instead?

Cisco Secure Access – DNS Defense (the platform successor to Cisco Umbrella) and Cloudflare Gateway are frequently suggested when enterprise buyers request broader security architecture consolidation. When an organization asks for integrated Zero Trust, Cloudflare Gateway is recommended because Cloudflare couples DNS security with Secure Web Gateway proxying, remote browser isolation, and Zero Trust Network Access on its global Anycast network. When an organization requires deep enterprise infrastructure compatibility, Cisco Secure Access is pointed to because Cisco provides native integrations with Cisco Meraki Wi-Fi, SD-WAN fabrics, and extensive enterprise security licensing packages including SWG, CASB, DLP, and firewall capabilities in a unified SSE platform. Alternatively, an MSP inquiring strictly about low-cost deployment or full raw DNS forensic logs may be pointed toward ScoutDNS or WebTitan for budget alignment and specialized query inspection.

Sources: [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7]

What the AI said and what we found

What the AI said

Cisco Umbrella and Cloudflare Gateway are frequently suggested when enterprise buyers request broader security architecture consolidation. When an organization asks for integrated Zero Trust, Cloudflare Gateway is recommended because Cloudflare couples DNS security with Secure Web Gateway proxying, remote browser isolation, and Zero Trust Network Access on an extensive global Anycast backbone. When an organization requires deep enterprise infrastructure compatibility, Cisco Umbrella is pointed to because Cisco provides native integrations with Cisco routers, SD-WAN fabrics, and extensive enterprise security licensing packages. Alternatively, an MSP inquiring strictly about low-cost Windows fleet deployment or full raw DNS forensic logs may be pointed toward ScoutDNS or WebTitan for budget alignment and specialized query inspection.

What we found when we checked

Some points were supported, while others needed more context or changes.

  • Cisco Secure Access – DNS Defense is the platform successor to Cisco Umbrella, retaining DNS-layer security and adding SWG, CASB, DLP, firewall, and Zero Trust access in a unified SSE platform.
  • Cisco Secure Access integrates with Cisco Meraki Wi-Fi networks and supports SD-WAN environments.
  • Cloudflare Gateway combines DNS filtering with Zero Trust Network Access, Secure Web Gateway, and Remote Browser Isolation on Cloudflare's global network.
  • ScoutDNS offers raw DNS response inspection and lower entry per-seat pricing for MSPs.
  • TitanHQ WebTitan is a DNS-based web content filter targeted at MSPs and SMBs.

Sources we used

Question 11

Which companies appeared in the category Top 10?

DNSFilter ranked #2
  1. #1
    Cisco Systems, Inc.

    Website listed in this result: cisco.com

    Evaluated offering: Cisco Umbrella

    Cisco Umbrella provides enterprise-scale, cloud-delivered protective DNS and content filtering backed by Talos threat intelligence, featuring roaming client agents and seamless MDM/EDR integration for distributed endpoint fleets.

  2. #2
    DNSFilter, Inc.

    Website listed in this result: dnsfilter.com

    Evaluated offering: DNSFilter Protective DNS

    DNSFilter is a dedicated cloud-native DNS security and content filtering provider offering real-time AI/ML domain classification, roaming endpoint agents across major operating systems, and rapid global deployment.

  3. #3
    Cloudflare, Inc.

    Website listed in this result: cloudflare.com

    Evaluated offering: Cloudflare Gateway

    Cloudflare Gateway, part of Cloudflare One (Zero Trust), leverages Cloudflare's massive Anycast edge network to deliver low-latency DNS filtering, threat intelligence, and policy enforcement to remote endpoints via the WARP client.

  4. #4
    Infoblox Inc.

    Website listed in this result: infoblox.com

    Evaluated offering: Infoblox Threat Defense

    Infoblox BloxOne Threat Defense / Infoblox Threat Defense provides specialized protective DNS that identifies DNS tunneling, data exfiltration, and domain generation algorithms (DGAs), with endpoint agents extending policy off-network.

  5. #5
    Zscaler, Inc.

    Website listed in this result: zscaler.com

    Evaluated offering: Zscaler DNS Security

    Zscaler Internet Access (ZIA) incorporates cloud-delivered DNS Security and DNS Control within its Zero Trust Exchange, inspecting and filtering DNS queries and encrypted DoH traffic across distributed endpoints via the Zscaler Client Connector.

  6. #6
    Akamai Technologies, Inc.

    Website listed in this result: akamai.com

    Evaluated offering: Akamai Secure Internet Access (SIA) Enterprise

    Akamai Secure Internet Access (SIA) Enterprise provides carrier-grade recursive protective DNS and web filtering delivered via Akamai's global edge network, securing remote endpoints via the ETP/SIA client.

  7. #7
    TitanHQ

    Website listed in this result: titanhq.com

    Evaluated offering: WebTitan

    WebTitan provides cloud-based DNS filtering, policy enforcement, and malware protection designed for SMBs, MSPs, and enterprises, supported by the WebTitan On-The-Go (OTG) roaming agent for distributed laptops and devices.

  8. #8
    Control D Inc.

    Website listed in this result: controld.com

    Evaluated offering: Control D for Organizations

    Control D provides a customizable cloud DNS security platform with native roaming agents for major desktop and mobile operating systems, flexible multi-profile policy controls, and granular service-level blocking.

  9. #9
    SafeDNS, Inc.

    Website listed in this result: safedns.com

    Evaluated offering: SafeDNS

    SafeDNS offers cloud-delivered protective DNS filtering using proprietary machine learning categorization to block cyber threats and enforce web acceptable-use policies across distributed networks and endpoint agents.

  10. #10
    ScoutDNS, Inc.

    Website listed in this result: scoutdns.com

    Evaluated offering: ScoutDNS

    ScoutDNS provides an intuitive cloud-managed recursive DNS layer security and content filtering service with anycast routing, tailored for IT admins and MSPs protecting distributed environments via the Scout360 roaming client.

Search history

Top 10 searches featuring DNSFilter

These are saved searches in which DNSFilter appeared. A result may originate from another company’s Buyer Guide; it is not necessarily DNSFilter’s own generated Question 11 test. Results may cover different buyer needs, locations, or dates.

Buyer needLocationPositionModelDate
MSPs evaluating endpoint-based or cloud-based web and DNS threat filtering to protect…United States#1 of 10GeminiSep 30, 2026
Organisations evaluating cloud-delivered DNS-layer threat protection and content…Global#2 of 10GeminiSep 29, 2026
Why positions vary
Evidence trail

Sources

These links record what the AI cited. A listed link does not, by itself, mean we verified a claim against its contents.

[1]
https://www.scoutdns.com/Retrieved Sep 30, 2026
[2]
https://www.dnsfilter.com/compareRetrieved Sep 30, 2026
[6]
https://www.titanhq.com/Retrieved Sep 30, 2026
About this test

How this search was run

These are the inputs to one recorded search—not a verified description of DNSFilter or its service area.

Model used
Gemini
Market searched
DNS filtering and protective DNS services
Buyer need
Organisations evaluating cloud-delivered DNS-layer threat protection and content filtering for distributed endpoints
Region searched
Global
Test date
Sep 29, 2026

Why this page exists: Buyers use AI to research vendors before making a shortlist. We preserve each response and its test date so you can see what appeared in that search.

How responses are checked: Selected questions about competition, differentiation, concerns, and recommendations are sent to a second model to check against available sources. Where that review produces usable findings, we show the original response and what the review found or changed. Other answers may cite sources without a separate review.

How the search is chosen: Before the Top 10 test, one model identifies the most appropriate market, buyer need, and region for this company. A second model reviews those inputs. The reviewed inputs become the search used for the blind Top 10 test. The market shown is where the test placed the company, not a category verified by TMC or chosen by the company. It may be broader, narrower, or different from how the company describes itself. That difference is part of what this page records.

What the ranking means: The Category Top 10 shows how the company appeared in this specific search. It is not a measure of quality, size, or market share. The reviewing model checks the test inputs, not the returned ranking. Linked names have live company profiles; identity verification does not independently verify every recommendation claim.

For companies: This record shows what the test picked up and which sources it cited. Missing or mistaken details may point to public information worth clarifying, but do not by themselves explain why the response said what it did.

Exact test setup and model roles

This result uses a two-model process before the ranking. Gemini proposed the most applicable provider category, buying context, and geography from its company research; Claude independently reviewed and could correct those inputs. The final Top 10 list was then generated by one blind test of Gemini, which received the reviewed category, buying context, geography, and date—but not DNSFilter’s identity. Claude did not review or rerank the returned Top 10 list, so the ranking itself is not a consensus across AI systems. Provider names identify the AI family; exact model versions and testing configuration are maintained internally.

The original test notes are available with the buyer checklist.

Results across different searches

2 recorded searches · positions #2, #1

The market, buyer need, and region can differ across tests. Each Top 10 uses the inputs recorded for that search, so the company list and its position may change.

  • #1 · DNS and web filtering software for MSPs · United States · Sep 30, 2026
Compare the recorded searches
Company research

Other Buyer Guide research

These records show where this company appeared while the Buyer Guide was researching related companies and markets.

Market
DNS Threat Protection Platform
Observed
Sep 30, 2026

Originating researchZorus

Why the company appeared in that research

Direct competitor and parent company offering AI-driven network and roaming DNS filtering.

Related companies from the same research

Control D

DefensX

ScoutDNS

TitanHQ

Zorus

Reader perspectives

Community notes

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