Control D
DNS Filtering for Every OS
Alternatives
Choose Cloudflare if…
- you need a zero‑cost DNS tier
- you want CDN and DDoS protection together with DNS
- you plan to run edge compute (Workers) on the same platform
- you prefer usage‑based pricing over per‑device subscriptions
- you need no egress fees for object storage (R2)
Choose DNSFilter if…
- you need to block zero‑day domains before they hit public
- you run an MSP and want a white‑label, multi‑tenant console
- you prefer volume‑based licensing that gets cheaper with
- you must protect roaming laptops and phones outside the
Choose NextDNS if…
- you need a free plan to protect unlimited home devices
- you want granular, per‑category content blocking
- you need detailed analytics on each device’s DNS queries
- you prefer a self‑serve subscription without sales contact
Choose Cisco Umbrella if…
- you need an integrated secure web gateway
- you need a cloud‑firewall for outbound/inbound policies
- you need roaming client agents for mobile users
- you need Cisco Talos threat‑intel feed
- you need native integration with SecureX or third‑party
How to Decide
Control D is a DNS‑filtering service that blocks malware, unwanted content and apps at the DNS layer, and is used by SMBs, MSPs, schools and enterprises. The alternatives split into a few clear camps: DNSFilter leans on strong MSP‑focused multi‑tenant tooling and volume‑based per‑license pricing; Cloudflare emphasizes a generous freemium tier that bundles free DNS with CDN and DDoS protection; NextDNS is chosen for its free plan aimed at families and individuals with highly customizable blocklists and privacy features.
When weighing options against Control D, focus on (1) the pricing model – subscription per endpoint versus freemium or volume‑based licensing; (2) MSP‑oriented multi‑tenant management capabilities, which DNSFilter provides but Control D and Cloudflare do not; (3) the availability of a free tier for individual users, a key differentiator for NextDNS and Cloudflare; (4) the breadth of encrypted DNS protocol support (DoH/DoT/DoQ) which Control D and Cloudflare offer but NextDNS’s free tier may limit; and (5) the target audience fit – enterprise‑grade features for large organizations versus family‑focused simplicity.
All Alternatives
“Cloud‑delivered DNS security that blocks threats before they reach users, directly comparable to Control D’s DNS‑level filtering.”
“Offers AI‑powered DNS threat protection and content filtering for the same SMB/MSP/enterprise market as Control D.”
“Customizable DNS‑based content and malware filtering, a genuine alternative despite a more consumer‑focused audience.”
“Offers DNS‑level filtering and malware blocking for enterprises, a core function of Cisco Umbrella.”
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