DNSFilter
DNSFilter provides protective DNS and content filtering for organizations managing online threats and workplace internet use.
What DNSFilter is
DNSFilter provides protective DNS and content filtering for organizations managing online threats and workplace internet use. Its domain categorization uses Webshrinker machine-learning categorization, and AppAware can block more than 100 risky applications. DNSFilter says its real-time threat categorization can identify threats 10 days faster than other threat feeds. Deployment options include network configuration, a DNS relay, and roaming clients for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Chrome. The service lists DNS encryption, including DNS-over-TLS, custom blocklists, safe search controls, filtering schedules, and advanced activity reports. Integrations include Microsoft Entra, Active Directory, Zapier, API access, and an MCP Connector; Data Export supports Amazon S3 and Splunk, with Microsoft Sentinel also listed as an example. API access is included across plans, with rate limits but no overall usage caps. The Core plan includes protective DNS and content filtering, 90-day report retention, and 9-day query log retention. DNSFilter was founded in 2015 and is headquartered in Washington, DC.
Good
- Custom blocklists and safe search controls
- Filtering schedules and advanced activity reports
- Roaming clients for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Chrome
- API access included in all plans
- 14-day trial available
Watch out
- No free plan
- API access is subject to rate limits
- Core query logs retained for 9 days
Who it suits
DNSFilter is aimed primarily at professional environments that need threat protection and controls over workplace internet use. The company also offers separate programs for MSPs and qualified educational institutions.
Verdict
DNSFilter combines protective DNS with content and application controls across network and roaming deployments. The 14-day trial offers a way to evaluate it, while the paid-only model and Core log-retention period merit consideration.
Plans and prices
From DNSFilter's own pricing page, checked 15 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Core | $1 a month | $240/year minimum · $23/month minimum · $1.00/license annually; $1.15/license monthly |
| Plus | $2.25 a month | $750/year minimum · $62.50/month minimum · $2.25/license annually; $2.50/license monthly |
| Enterprise | Priced on request | Custom enterprise pricing · Request pricing |
The facts
Each one read from DNSFilter's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Acquisition
- DNSFilter announced its acquisition of Zorus on April 7, 2025, adding endpoint filtering and user-behavior analytics capabilities.checked 15 Oct 2026
- API
- All plans include API access for exporting DNS data and automating integrations.checked 15 Oct 2026
- API limits
- API access is included in all plans; DNSFilter says it has no overall usage caps but applies rate limits.checked 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.checked 3 Oct 2026
- Content categories
- Administrators can choose from 36 categories and more than 400 SaaS applications for policy control.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Content filtering
- DNSFilter categorizes billions of domains using Webshrinker machine-learning categorization.checked 3 Oct 2026
- CyberSight
- CyberSight provides user behavior analytics, shadow-IT visibility and AI usage reporting.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Deployment
- Deployments include network configuration, a DNS relay, and roaming clients for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Chrome.checked 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.checked 3 Oct 2026
- DNS filtering
- The service blocks malicious or unwanted domains at the DNS layer before they load.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Documentation
- The Help Center covers filtering policies, network forwarding, roaming clients, relay, identities, reporting, MSP administration, SSO, 2FA and PSA integrations.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Encryption
- The pricing page lists DNS encryption, including DNS-over-TLS.checked 3 Oct 2026
- Funding
- DNSFilter states it raised a $15 million Series A extension from Insight Partners in 2023.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- Integrations include Microsoft Entra, Active Directory, Zapier, ConnectWise, HaloPSA, Datto Autotask, Syncro, Pulseway PSA and Kaseya.checked 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.checked 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.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: IP filtering
- A TrustRadius reviewer says DNSFilter lacks IP-layer filtering available in some competing products.checked 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.checked 15 Oct 2026
Where it runs
- AppAware
- AppAware lets administrators block applications and the domains behind them with one action.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Application controls
- AppAware supports blocking more than 100 risky applications.checked 3 Oct 2026
The company
- Company legal name
- Crunchbase lists the legal entity as DNSFilter, Inc.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Company size
- LinkedIn lists DNSFilter as having 51–200 employees.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Founded
- DNSFilter says it was founded in October 2015 by Ken Carnesi and Brian Gillis.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Headquarters
- The company lists Washington, District of Columbia as headquarters.checked 15 Oct 2026
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