DNSFilter

Name: DNSFilter
Price: 1 USD

Free plan AndroidAPIExtensioniPhoneLinuxMac+3

What DNSFilter is

DNSFilter provides protective DNS and content filtering for organizations managing online threats and workplace internet access. It categorizes billions of domains using Webshrinker machine-learning categorization, and AppAware supports blocking more than 100 risky applications. DNSFilter says its real-time threat categorization can identify threats 10 days faster than other threat feeds. Organizations can deploy through network configuration, a DNS relay, or roaming clients for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Chrome. Listed controls include DNS encryption such as DNS-over-TLS, custom blocklists, safe search, filtering schedules, and advanced activity reports. The service lists Microsoft Entra, Active Directory, Zapier, API access, and an MCP Connector as integrations. Active Directory Sync Tool supports up to 500,000 users and applies policies by user or group. Data Export supports Amazon S3 and Splunk; Microsoft Sentinel is also named as a SIEM example. API access is included in all plans, with rate limits and no overall usage caps. Core includes protective DNS and content filtering, 90-day report retention, and 9-day query log retention. There is no free plan; a 14-day trial is available. DNSFilter was founded in 2015 and is headquartered in Washington, DC.

Who it suits

DNSFilter suits professional environments that need DNS-based threat protection and controls over workplace internet use. Its deployment options and directory policies can serve organizations managing devices, networks, users, or groups; the company also has programs for MSPs and qualified educational institutions.

What it does well

Filters domain access and supports blocking more than 100 risky applications.
Offers network, DNS relay, and roaming client deployment options.
Includes API access in all plans, with no overall usage cap.
Active Directory Sync Tool supports up to 500,000 users.
Data Export supports Amazon S3 and Splunk.

What to know first

There is no free plan.
Core retains reports for 90 days and query logs for 9 days.
Enterprise pricing and minimums are available upon request.

Limits

There is no free plan. Core includes 90-day report retention and 9-day query log retention; Enterprise pricing and minimums are available upon request.

Plans

Plan	Billed and limits	Price
Core	$1.00/license annually; $1.15/license monthly · $240/year minimum · $23/month minimum	$1 a month
Plus	$2.25/license annually; $2.50/license monthly · $750/year minimum · $62.50/month minimum	$2.25 a month
Enterprise	Request pricing · Custom enterprise pricing	On request

As dnsfilter.com lists them, read 15 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Getting started

Start a 14-day trial through the DNSFilter website.
Choose a deployment route: network configuration, DNS relay, or roaming clients.
Connect supported directories or integrations as needed.
Configure filtering controls, such as custom blocklists, safe search, and schedules.
Use API access or data export integrations where needed.

Verdict

Choose DNSFilter if your organization needs protective DNS, content filtering, and deployment across networks or roaming devices. The 14-day trial offers a way to evaluate it; look elsewhere if a free ongoing plan is essential or Core’s retention periods do not fit your needs.

Questions

Does DNSFilter have a free plan or trial?

It has no free plan and offers a 14-day trial.

What is the starting price?

The pricing note says From $1/mo (annual). Core is listed with a $240/year minimum or $23/month minimum, and Plus with a $750/year minimum or $62.50/month minimum.

Which platforms and deployment options are supported?

Listed platforms include Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Chrome, web, API, and extensions. Deployments include network, DNS relay, and roaming clients.

What integrations and exports are listed?

Integrations include Microsoft Entra, Active Directory, Zapier, API access, and an MCP Connector. Data Export supports Amazon S3 and Splunk, and Microsoft Sentinel is named as a SIEM example.

What are Core’s retention periods?

Core includes 90-day report retention and 9-day query log retention.

Who is DNSFilter designed for?

The company describes it as designed primarily for professional environments and offers separate programs for MSPs and qualified educational institutions.

Facts from DNSFilter's own pages

Acquisition: DNSFilter announced its acquisition of Zorus on April 7, 2025, adding endpoint filtering and user-behavior analytics capabilities. · dnsfilter.com, 15 Oct 2026
API: All plans include API access for exporting DNS data and automating integrations. · dnsfilter.com, 15 Oct 2026
API limits: API access is included in all plans; DNSFilter says it has no overall usage caps but applies rate limits. · dnsfilter.com, 3 Oct 2026
AppAware: AppAware lets administrators block applications and the domains behind them with one action. · dnsfilter.com, 15 Oct 2026
Application controls: AppAware supports blocking more than 100 risky applications. · dnsfilter.com, 3 Oct 2026
Audience: The company says the service is designed primarily for professional environments and offers separate programs for MSPs and qualified educational institutions. · dnsfilter.com, 3 Oct 2026
Company legal name: Crunchbase lists the legal entity as DNSFilter, Inc. · crunchbase.com, 15 Oct 2026
Company size: LinkedIn lists DNSFilter as having 51–200 employees. · linkedin.com, 15 Oct 2026
Content categories: Administrators can choose from 36 categories and more than 400 SaaS applications for policy control. · dnsfilter.com, 15 Oct 2026
Content filtering: DNSFilter categorizes billions of domains using Webshrinker machine-learning categorization. · dnsfilter.com, 3 Oct 2026
CyberSight: CyberSight provides user behavior analytics, shadow-IT visibility and AI usage reporting. · dnsfilter.com, 15 Oct 2026
Deployment: Deployments include network configuration, a DNS relay, and roaming clients for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Chrome. · dnsfilter.com, 3 Oct 2026
Directory integration: DNSFilter says its Active Directory Sync Tool supports up to 500,000 users and applies policies at user or group level. · dnsfilter.com, 3 Oct 2026
DNS filtering: The service blocks malicious or unwanted domains at the DNS layer before they load. · dnsfilter.com, 15 Oct 2026
Documentation: The Help Center covers filtering policies, network forwarding, roaming clients, relay, identities, reporting, MSP administration, SSO, 2FA and PSA integrations. · help.dnsfilter.com, 15 Oct 2026
Encryption: The pricing page lists DNS encryption, including DNS-over-TLS. · dnsfilter.com, 3 Oct 2026
Founded: DNSFilter says it was founded in October 2015 by Ken Carnesi and Brian Gillis. · dnsfilter.com, 15 Oct 2026
Funding: DNSFilter states it raised a $15 million Series A extension from Insight Partners in 2023. · dnsfilter.com, 15 Oct 2026
Headquarters: The company lists Washington, District of Columbia as headquarters. · linkedin.com, 15 Oct 2026
Integrations: Integrations include Microsoft Entra, Active Directory, Zapier, ConnectWise, HaloPSA, Datto Autotask, Syncro, Pulseway PSA and Kaseya. · help.dnsfilter.com, 15 Oct 2026
Licence: The terms grant customers a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable licence to use downloadable software with the service; the product is not offered as open-source software. · dnsfilter.com, 15 Oct 2026
Limit: DoH support: A Trustpilot reviewer says DNSFilter lacks DNS-over-HTTPS and DNS-over-HTTPS/3 support, offering DNS-over-TLS instead. · trustpilot.com, 15 Oct 2026
Limit: IP filtering: A TrustRadius reviewer says DNSFilter lacks IP-layer filtering available in some competing products. · trustradius.com, 15 Oct 2026
Limit: policy granularity: Reviewers report that broad preset categories can require manual allow-listing and that more granular group controls would help. · gartner.com, 15 Oct 2026