ControlD
Managed DNS providers software
DNS security solutions
Network security software
- Features
- Ease of use
- Ease of management
- Quality of support
- Affordability
- Market presence
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What is ControlD
ControlD is a DNS-based filtering and security service that lets organizations and individuals control where devices can connect by enforcing policies at the DNS layer. It is used to block malware, phishing, and unwanted content, and to apply category-based access controls across endpoints and networks. The product supports policy configuration by profile and can be deployed via device-level DNS settings, routers, or network DNS configuration. It differentiates through an emphasis on customizable DNS rules and user-managed policy controls rather than a full secure web gateway stack.
DNS-layer threat and content blocking
ControlD applies filtering at the DNS resolution stage, which can stop many malicious or unwanted destinations before a connection is established. This approach is lightweight to deploy compared with endpoint agents or full proxy-based inspection. It can reduce exposure to common DNS-resolvable threats such as phishing domains and known malware infrastructure. DNS-layer controls also work across many applications, not only web browsers.
Granular, user-managed policies
The service provides configurable policies that can be tailored by device, user profile, or network context depending on deployment. This supports use cases such as separating work and personal browsing rules, applying different controls for guest networks, or enforcing category blocks. Custom rules and allow/deny lists help teams handle exceptions without changing upstream network architecture. The policy model is practical for small IT teams that need control without operating authoritative DNS infrastructure.
Flexible deployment options
ControlD can be implemented through standard DNS configuration on endpoints, home/SMB routers, or network resolvers, which lowers integration effort. This makes it suitable for mixed environments where not all devices can run the same security agent. DNS-based enforcement can also complement existing perimeter and endpoint controls rather than replacing them. The deployment flexibility is useful for distributed teams and remote users.
Limited beyond DNS visibility
Because ControlD operates at the DNS layer, it does not inspect full URLs, page content, or payloads the way proxy-based or deep packet inspection tools can. It cannot directly enforce controls on traffic that does not rely on DNS lookups or that uses hard-coded IP addresses. DNS filtering also cannot provide the same level of data loss prevention or inline malware scanning as broader network security stacks. Organizations needing those controls typically require additional security layers.
Effectiveness depends on DNS enforcement
DNS filtering works best when devices are prevented from bypassing the configured resolver (for example, by switching to another public DNS service). Enforcing this consistently can require router/firewall rules, MDM policies, or network controls that may not be available in all environments. In unmanaged BYOD scenarios, policy adherence can be difficult to guarantee. This can reduce the consistency of protection across a fleet.
Not a managed authoritative DNS provider
ControlD focuses on recursive DNS resolution and filtering rather than hosting authoritative DNS zones for domains. Organizations looking for domain registration workflows, authoritative DNS hosting, DNSSEC signing for zones, or advanced traffic steering at the authoritative layer may need a separate managed DNS provider. This separation can add vendor and configuration overhead. It also means ControlD is not a single system of record for domain DNS management.
Plan & Pricing
| Plan | Price | Key features & notes |
|---|---|---|
| Some Control (personal) | $2/month or $20/year | Unlimited usage, access to all features except proxy/traffic redirection (cannot change location). Source: ControlD blog. |
| Full Control (personal) | $4/month or $40/year | Includes traffic redirection/proxies (100+ locations). Source: ControlD blog. |
Pricing model (organizations): Pay-as-you-go (per endpoint) Rates: School / Non-Profit – $0.50 per endpoint/month; MSP – $1.00 per endpoint/month; SMB – $2.00 per endpoint/month; Enterprise – Custom pricing (contact sales). Billing / notes: Monthly or annual billing with discounts for annual commitments; no minimums reported; full feature set available to all paid customers (no feature gating).
Seller details
Control D Inc.
Unsure
Private
https://controld.com
https://x.com/ControlDNS
https://www.linkedin.com/company/controld/
