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Home / Guides / DNSFilter vs DNSAFE

DNSFilter vs DNSAFE: an honest comparison.

Both block threats at the DNS layer. The real differences are how you pay, whether you need roaming agents, and how much history you keep.

Comparisons · Updated September 30, 2026 · 5 min read

In shortChoose DNSFilter if you need a managed roaming agent on laptops and phones, or per-user policies tied to Active Directory or Entra ID. Choose DNSAFE if you protect office networks and want flat per-network pricing, with agent-free encrypted DNS for laptops that leave the office: for sites with many devices, or MSPs with growing clients, it usually costs less.

Pricing

DNSFilter's published pricing is per license: Core starts at $1.00 per license per month on an annual plan, with a $23 monthly minimum, and Plus at $2.25 per license per month, with a $62.50 minimum. MSP pricing starts at $150 a month. Figures are from DNSFilter's pricing page as of September 30, 2026; check it for current prices.

DNSAFE charges per network, not per person or device:

DNSAFE planPriceCovers
Business Starter$19/monthUp to 25 registered public IPs
Business$49/monthUp to 100 IPs, schedules, SIEM, API
Business Enterprise$99/monthUnlimited IPs, SSO, Duo, branded block page
MSP Starter / Growth / Enterprise$49 / $149 / $399 per month5 clients / unlimited / unlimited plus PSA and SSO

Example: an office of 40 people with around 90 devices on one internet connection. Per-license pricing depends on how licenses are counted, often per user or per device. On DNSAFE it's one IP on Business Starter at $19/month however many devices connect.

Features side by side

FeatureDNSFilterDNSAFE
Threat and phishing blockingYesYes
Content categoriesYesYes
Network deployment (router, firewall)YesYes
Laptops and phones away from the officeYes, with a roaming agent (Windows, macOS, mobile)Yes, with per-device encrypted DNS (no agent)
Encrypted DNS (DoH / DoT)YesYes
SIEM streamingPaid add-onIncluded on Business, Growth and Enterprise
PSA integrationYesConnectWise and Autotask on MSP Enterprise
SSOYesSAML SSO on Enterprise plans
Query log retention9 days on standard plans (90 days of reports)30 days, 90 days or 1 year by plan
Free trial14 days14 days, no card

DNSFilter details are from its public pricing page on September 30, 2026. If anything here is out of date, let us know and we'll correct it.

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Which one should you choose?

DNSFilter is the better fit if…

DNSAFE is the better fit if…

Frequently asked questions

Can I switch from DNSFilter to DNSAFE without downtime?

Yes. Recreate your allow and block lists, register each site's public IP, then change the DNS servers in DHCP (or your AD forwarders) one site at a time. Each site takes about 15 minutes.

Does DNSAFE have a roaming client?

Not as an agent. Each laptop or phone can get its own encrypted DNS setup from the portal, so your policy applies on any network. There’s nothing to install, which also means a user with admin rights can remove it. If you need a locked-down agent, DNSFilter has one.

Is DNSAFE cheaper than DNSFilter?

It depends on your size and shape. For offices with many devices per internet connection, per-network pricing is usually cheaper. For a few users spread across many locations, per-license pricing can cost less.

Sources

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