Freedom251 › Internet Filtering Software
Control D
What Control D is
Control D is a DNS filtering and traffic redirection platform for managing access to domains, services, and browsing activity. Users can choose among 20 content categories, create custom rules, and block or allow more than 1,000 premade services. Malware protection uses threat intelligence feeds and machine learning, with selectable aggressiveness levels. DNS options include DNS-over-HTTPS, DNS-over-TLS, DNS-over-QUIC, and DNS-over-HTTPS/3, with IPv4 and IPv6 support. Listed integrations cover routers, computers, mobile devices, browsers, RMM tools, and Tailscale. Raw query logs are retained for 30 days; lower-resolution analytics can be retained for up to one year. Customers can choose analytics storage in New York, Amsterdam, or Sydney. The Trust Center describes encryption in transit and at rest, and says customers can delete analytics data through the dashboard. Control D offers a free plan; the SMB plan costs $2 a month, billed per endpoint, with self-serve deployment and real-time analytics.
Who it suits
Control D is intended for individuals, IT administrators, SMBs, and enterprises seeking customizable DNS security and internet controls. Its integrations span personal devices and managed environments.
What it does well
- Offers 20 content categories and custom rules.
- More than 1,000 services can be blocked or allowed.
- Supports four encrypted DNS protocols.
- Analytics storage locations are selectable.
- Free plan available.
What to know first
- SMB price is billed per endpoint.
- Raw query logs are retained for 30 days.
- Some plan prices require contacting sales or partnerships.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| SMB | per endpoint · self-serve deployment · real-time analytics · core DNS filtering | $2 a month |
| MSP / Channel | multi-tenant · per-client profiles and billing · 99.99% uptime | On request |
| Enterprise | dedicated infrastructure · named customer-success manager · SIEM log streaming | On request |
| School / Non-profit | discounted rate · real-time analytics | On request |
As controld.com lists them, read 15 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Visit https://controld.com/.
- Choose the free plan or review the paid plans; a 14-day trial is available.
- For SMB access, select the endpoint-based plan listed at $2 a month.
- Set up using a supported platform or integration, such as a device, browser, or router.
- Configure categories, custom rules, premade services, or filtering schedules.
Verdict
Control D combines DNS filtering, threat protection, and traffic controls across a wide range of integrations. The free plan provides an option without a listed monthly fee; the SMB plan is priced per endpoint.
Questions
Is there a free plan?
Yes. Control D lists a free plan and a 14-day trial.
How much does Control D cost?
Paid access starts at $2/mo. The SMB plan is listed at $2 a month, billed per endpoint.
Which platforms does it support?
Listed platforms include Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, Linux, browsers, routers, web, API, extensions, and self-hosted use.
What DNS protocols does it support?
It supports DNS-over-HTTPS, DNS-over-TLS, DNS-over-QUIC, and DNS-over-HTTPS/3, with IPv4 and IPv6.
What security certifications or compliance does it list?
Its Trust Center lists GDPR, SOC 2 Type II, Microsoft SSPA, ISO 27001, and ISO 27701 compliance or certification.
Who makes Control D?
Control D says it was founded in Toronto, Canada, in 2021.
Facts from Control D's own pages
- AI data use
- The Trust Center says customer data is never used to train its AI systems; its optional support chatbot logs are retained for 90 days. · controld.com, 30 Sept 2026
- Analytics retention
- Raw query logs are retained for 30 days and lower-resolution analytics for up to one year. · controld.com, 15 Oct 2026
- API
- The public API uses dashboard-created bearer tokens with read or write scopes and optional source-IP restrictions. · docs.controld.com, 15 Oct 2026
- API limitation
- Control D warns that its API has no versioning and may introduce breaking changes without notice. · docs.controld.com, 15 Oct 2026
- Company
- The About Us page states that Control D was founded in 2021 in Toronto, Canada. · controld.com, 30 Sept 2026
- Company facts
- Control D Inc is described as a privately held Toronto computer and network-security company founded in 2021 with 51–200 employees on LinkedIn. · ca.linkedin.com, 15 Oct 2026
- Content filtering
- Administrators can choose from 20 content categories and add custom allow or block rules. · controld.com, 15 Oct 2026
- Data locations
- Customers can select analytics storage in New York, Amsterdam, or Sydney. · controld.com, 30 Sept 2026
- Data protection
- The Trust Center says data is encrypted with AES-256 at rest and TLS 1.2 or higher in transit, and customers can delete analytics data through the dashboard. · controld.com, 30 Sept 2026
- Data regions
- Analytics storage can be selected among New York, Amsterdam and Sydney. · controld.com, 15 Oct 2026
- Developer tooling
- ctrld supports shell, PowerShell and Docker installation, Go 1.21-plus source builds, CLI management and API or TOML configuration. · github.com, 15 Oct 2026
- DNS protocols
- Control D supports DNS-over-HTTPS, DNS-over-HTTPS/3, DNS-over-TLS, DNS-over-QUIC and legacy UDP port 53. · controld.com, 15 Oct 2026
- Downloads
- The GUI utility is distributed as Windows EXE, macOS DMG, Google Play and App Store applications, with managed and native modes. · docs.controld.com, 15 Oct 2026
- Filtering
- Control D offers 20 content categories, custom rules, and more than 1,000 premade services that can be blocked or unblocked. · controld.com, 30 Sept 2026
- Founded
- 2021 · controld.com, 23 Sept 2026
- Headquarters
- Toronto, Canada · controld.com, 23 Sept 2026
- Integrations
- Documented integrations include Asus Merlin, DD-WRT, Firewalla, OpenWRT, pfSense, OPNsense, Ubiquiti, Synology, major operating systems, browsers, RMM tools and Tailscale. · controld.com, 15 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- Control D says it is designed for SMBs, enterprises, individuals, and IT administrators seeking customizable DNS security and internet controls. · controld.com, 30 Sept 2026
- Limit: Android app
- Google Play reviewers report the app can lose connectivity after sleep or extended running, while recommending Android Private DNS as a more reliable alternative. · play.google.com, 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: Apple app
- App Store reviewers request automatic Wi-Fi profile switching, a fuller iOS interface and dashboard administration, and one reports outdated DoH3 UI. · apps.apple.com, 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: G2 reviewers
- Reviewers mention abstract rules, analytics needing improvement, a learning curve, false positives and occasional latency or slow blocklist updates. · g2.com, 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: protocol scope
- Control D documents that DNS filtering cannot block the BitTorrent protocol itself and is not a substitute for a VPN or life-critical anonymity. · docs.controld.com, 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: Trustpilot complaints
- Critical reviews report strict refund terms, renewal-surprise concerns, setup difficulty, routing delays and legitimate traffic being blocked. · trustpilot.com, 15 Oct 2026
- Maker origins
- The company says Control D was spun out of Windscribe and was founded by Yegor Sak, Alex Paguis and Mark Ulicki. · controld.com, 15 Oct 2026
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