FirewallDNS vs DNSFilter

    Last updated

    Comparing FirewallDNS vs DNSFilter? Both FirewallDNS and DNSFilter are DNS-based filtering services with an eye on businesses and MSPs. This page lists the facts to verify about DNSFilter and what FirewallDNS offers today.

    What FirewallDNS offers

    FirewallDNS is a network-level DNS firewall. You register your network's public IP address in the dashboard and point your router, firewall or DHCP server at the FirewallDNS resolver. Every device on that network is then filtered according to your settings. The protections described on our feature pages are malware protection, phishing protection, newly registered domain blocking, content categories (adult content, gambling and social media), custom allowlists and blocklists, and near real-time query logs. Pricing is $2.90 per device per month, with Starter, Business and MSP plans.

    Overview of DNSFilter

    [VERIFY: DNSFilter company background and target market.] [VERIFY: DNSFilter deployment options — network, roaming agents, integrations.] [VERIFY: DNSFilter AI/ML categorisation claims.]

    Filtering and categories

    FirewallDNS blocks malware, phishing and newly registered domains and offers adult, gambling and social media categories plus custom lists.

    [VERIFY: DNSFilter security and content category list and new-domain handling.]

    MSP features

    FirewallDNS is built for MSPs: the administrator adds customers, configures filtering, sets each customer's price and invoices them, while customers see only their own cost.

    [VERIFY: DNSFilter MSP console, multi-tenant management, PSA/RMM integrations and billing features.]

    Logs and reporting

    FirewallDNS shows near real-time query logs per registered network with the reason for every block, retained for a set period.

    [VERIFY: DNSFilter reporting, retention and data export options.]

    Pricing

    FirewallDNS costs $2.90 per device per month across Starter, Business and MSP plans.

    [VERIFY: DNSFilter pricing model, per-user or per-device, minimums and MSP pricing.]

    Switching from DNSFilter to FirewallDNS

    If you currently use DNSFilter and want to try FirewallDNS, you do not need to switch everything at once. Create a FirewallDNS account, register the public IP address of one network or site, and change the DNS servers on that network's router, firewall or DHCP server. Keep your existing service running elsewhere while you compare. [VERIFY: any DNSFilter agents, apps or profiles that should be removed from devices to avoid conflicts]

    Export or note your existing allowlist and blocklist entries before you start, and add them to FirewallDNS so users are not surprised by different decisions. After a week, compare the query logs from both services and decide based on what you see on your own network.

    Questions to ask before choosing

    Whichever service you choose, ask the same questions of each provider and check the answers in writing.

    • Which threats are blocked, and how often are threat lists updated?
    • Is newly registered domain blocking available, and is the threshold configurable?
    • What is logged, where is it stored, for how long, and who can see it?
    • How are devices or users counted for billing?
    • Is there a data processing agreement and a published list of sub-processors?
    • How does DNSFilter handle these points? [VERIFY: answers from DNSFilter documentation]

    Who each option may suit

    FirewallDNS may suit MSPs and small businesses that want straightforward per-device pricing and customer invoicing. It is priced per device, deployed at the network edge and managed from one dashboard, with each customer seeing only their own settings, logs and cost.

    [VERIFY: the types of customers DNSFilter targets, based on its own website and documentation.] Because the two services may be built for different audiences, the right choice depends less on a feature checklist and more on how you run your network, who manages it and how you want to pay. Shortlist both, test both on a real network for at least a week, and involve the people who will handle support tickets in the decision.

    How to choose

    Rather than relying on any comparison page, including this one, test both services against your own requirements. Write down what matters most: the threats you want to block, the devices you need to cover, whether devices leave the network, who needs access to logs, which regions your data may be stored in, and your budget per device. Then trial each option on a small part of your network and compare the query logs side by side.

    Look at how each service handles false positives, how quickly you can allow a blocked domain, and how clearly the dashboard explains why a request was blocked. These day-to-day details often matter more than feature lists. Finally, check each provider's privacy policy and data processing terms yourself, since logging and retention practices vary between services. For DNSFilter, rely on its official documentation and current price list.

    FirewallDNS vs DNSFilter at a glance

    FirewallDNSDNSFilter
    Deployment modelNetwork-level DNS firewall; customers register their public IP[VERIFY: DNSFilter deployment model]
    Malware blockingYes (see /features/malware-protection)[VERIFY: DNSFilter malware blocking]
    Phishing blockingYes (see /features/phishing-protection)[VERIFY: DNSFilter phishing blocking]
    Newly registered domain blockingYes (see /features/newly-registered-domains)[VERIFY: DNSFilter newly registered domain blocking]
    Content categoriesAdult, gambling, social media[VERIFY: DNSFilter content categories]
    Custom allow/block listsYes[VERIFY: DNSFilter custom lists]
    Query logsYes, near real time[VERIFY: DNSFilter logging and retention]
    Encrypted DNS (DoH/DoT)[VERIFY: DoH/DoT availability][VERIFY: DNSFilter encrypted DNS support]
    MSP / multi-customerYes: admin adds and invoices customers[VERIFY: DNSFilter MSP features]
    Pricing$2.90 per device per month[VERIFY: DNSFilter pricing]

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What is the main difference between FirewallDNS and DNSFilter?

    FirewallDNS is a network-level DNS firewall priced at $2.90 per device per month with an MSP model. [VERIFY: DNSFilter positioning]

    How does DNSFilter pricing compare?

    FirewallDNS costs $2.90 per device per month. [VERIFY: DNSFilter current pricing]

    Does FirewallDNS block newly registered domains?

    Yes. Newly registered domain blocking is a separate switch in the dashboard.

    Can I switch to FirewallDNS easily?

    Register your public IP and change the DNS servers on your router or firewall. Our guides cover over twenty-five platforms.

    Does DNSFilter offer roaming clients?

    [VERIFY: DNSFilter roaming client availability and platforms]

    Related

    Try FirewallDNS on your own network

    Register your IP address, point one network at FirewallDNS and compare the results with your current setup.