DNSFilter vs. WebTitan

The main difference between DNSFilter and WebTitan is that DNSFilter focuses on AI-powered threat detection with real-time content filtering, while WebTitan offers more granular policy control and advanced reporting tools. DNSFilter emphasizes simplicity and speed, while WebTitan supports broader deployment options, including on-premise setups.

If you're in charge of keeping your business network safe from cyber threats, you've probably heard of DNSFilter and WebTitan. These two DNS security platforms promise to block harmful websites, stop malware, and give you better control over your internet traffic. But which one actually delivers?

In this comparison, we’ll break down the key distinctions between DNSFilter and WebTitan based on pricing, features, analytics, support, and more. However, if you’re looking for a flexible and advanced DNS filtering solution at a more affordable price, we’ll also explain why Control D might be the better alternative.

What are DNSFilter and WebTitan?

DNSFilter and WebTitan are DNS security platforms designed to protect businesses from online threats. They filter out malicious websites, block unwanted content, and provide visibility into DNS traffic.

DNSFilter, founded in 2015, offers real-time AI-driven filtering to automatically detect and block dangerous websites. It also focuses on providing a fast and easy-to-deploy solution that doesn’t require much configuration.

WebTitan is a DNS security product by TitanHQ, a company that has been providing cybersecurity solutions since 1999. It is commonly used by MSPs (Managed Service Providers) looking for a DNS filtering solution they can combine into one security suite – TitanHQ offers separate phishing, spam, and email protection solutions that you can bundle together.

While both platforms serve similar functions, they differ in pricing, feature depth, analytics capabilities, and overall ease of use. Let’s compare them.

DNSFilter: Pros and Cons

Best for: Businesses looking for a fast, AI-powered DNS filtering solution with minimal setup.

Key Features

Speedy DNS resolution thanks to a global Anycast network
AI-driven threat detection and domain filtering
Easy deployment with minimal configuration
Integrations with Active Directory, SIEM tools, and RMM platforms

Pros

Fast DNS query speeds, optimized for performance
AI-driven security for real-time threat detection
User-friendly and easy to deploy
Transparent pricing

Cons

Limited advanced filtering options compared to other solutions
Extra fees for SIEM integration, data exporting, and API access
Doesn't fully support modern DNS protocols (only DoT)
Sub-par server uptime and quality

Our Take on DNSFilter

DNSFilter is well-suited for organizations that need a quick-to-deploy DNS filtering solution with AI-driven security. However, its lack of advanced customization, uptime reliability issues, and extra costs for advanced features make it less appealing compared to similarly priced alternatives.

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Read our overview of the best DNSFilter alternatives

WebTitan: Pros and Cons

Best for: MSPs and small businesses looking for a straightforward DNS filtering solution.

Key Features

Real-time threat intelligence
Detailed reporting and analytics tools
MSP-friendly features like multi-tenant management
Seamless integration with other TitanHQ solutions

Pros

Simple deployment process that doesn’t require complex configuration
Multi-tenant support for MSPs managing multiple clients
Customizable filtering policies for businesses with specific needs

Cons

UI can seem clunky
Limited advanced DNS filtering features
Does not support Linux or mobile devices
MSP pricing is undisclosed and requires a sales consultation

Our Take on WebTitan

WebTitan is a no-frills DNS filtering solution that works well for small businesses and MSPs without complex use cases. But, the absence of full cross-platform support and limited advanced features means you may find its capabilities lacking for more intricate applications.

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Read our overview of the best WebTitan alternatives

DNSFilter vs. WebTitan

Pricing & Plans

DNSFilter offers three paid plans with the following pricing structure:

Basic – $1.15/user/month
Pro – $2.30/user/month
Enterprise – $3.00/user/month

Additionally, DNSFilter also makes a distinction between MSPs, educational institutions, and public Wi-Fi operators:

MSP – minimum cost of $150/month (user count above this minimum fee is dependent on plan)
Education – $4/student/year (125 user minimum)
Public Wi-Fi – $5/access point/month

WebTitan does not publicly disclose its MSP pricing, meaning you’ll have to contact sales to get a quote. However, for end users (regular businesses), WebTitan is priced at $2.25/user/month (paid annually), which will likely increase if you want to pay monthly..

We’ve given the nod to DNSFilter in this category due to its transparency.

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Winner on Pricing: DNSFilter

Features, Clients, and Integrations

Both platforms offer typical functionality, such as:

Malware & Phishing Protection
Flexible Content Blocking
Per-user Policies
Page Unblock Request
RMM Integration & Active Directory Support

However, some features offered by DNSFilter are not available with WebTitan. These include:

Blockable Services (limited selection)
Blocks Ads & Trackers
Mobile Device Support (some plans)
Single Sign-On (SSO)
Zapier Integration

On the flip side, there’s only one feature offered by WebTitan that DNSFilter cannot match, which is full modern DNS protocol support – DNSFilter only supports DoT.

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Winner on Features: DNSFilter

Analytics

DNSFilter and WebTitan have significant overlap when it comes to analytics. Both provide:

Admin Action Logs
Full Query Logging
Query Log Export
Per-user Reporting
Scheduled Reporting

Still, there are some differences between the two:

DNSFilter stores query log data for 9 days, whereas WebTitan stores it for 60+ days.
DNSFilter stores reports for 90 days, whereas Umbrella stores reports for 60+ days to a year (depending on the report).
DNSFilter requires you to purchase an add-on to export your data, whereas WebTitan offers this feature at no extra charge
DNSFilter can stream query logs to your SIEM tool, which is purchaseable as an add-on. WebTitan does not offer SIEM log streaming capabilities.

Although DNSFilter charges an additional fee for SIEM integration, it’s a key feature for many organizations. As such, DNSFilter wins in this category.

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Winner on Analytics: DNSFilter

Support

Both platforms offer documentation and email support, but DNSFilter sets itself apart by also providing:

Community Support
Chat Support
Prioritized Case Handling (add-on)

While DNSFilter’s chat support is quite basic – it directs you towards help articles on their website as opposed to direct support – and their prioritized case handling is only purchasable as an add-on, these are additional support channels that are not available with WebTitan.

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Winner on Support: DNSFilter

DNSFilter vs. WebTitan vs. Control D

Still debating which solution to go for? Consider Control D, an advanced DNS security solution that offers better malware protection, more features, and greater flexibility, all at a more affordable price point.

Easy Onboarding & Transparent Pricing

Control D eliminates the friction of complicated pricing structures with a flat, per-Endpoint model. There are no hidden fees, no additional charges for core features, and no need to negotiate with a sales representative just to see a price. You get access to Control D’s full feature set from the moment you sign up.

Enterprises – $2/Endpoint/month
MSPs – $1/Endpoint/month
Schools & Non-Profits – Discounted rates available

If you want to try before committing, there’s a 30-day, no-obligation free trial available to test Control D’s features and capabilities, where you can roll it out to a handful of devices or deploy to your entire network in just a few minutes.

Best-in-Class Malware Protection

Independent testing proves that Control D sets the standard for malware protection. With a block rate of 99.97% – beating industry giants like Quad9, Cloudflare, and Google – it ensures your network stays safe and secure against advanced threats.

Rather than relying on outdated blocklists that only catch known threats, Control D uses AI-driven detection to identify and block malicious sites in real time. This proactive approach stops malware before it has a chance to spread.

Ad & Tracker Blocking

Control D blocks intrusive ads and trackers at the DNS level, preventing unwanted connections before they reach your network and devices. This reduces bandwidth consumption, speeds up page load times, and limits exposure to privacy-invasive tracking scripts for a cleaner, faster, and more private browsing experience.

With three customizable blocking modes – Relaxed, Balanced, and Strict – you can fine-tune your ad and tracker filtering to strike the perfect balance between security and usability.

While DNSFilter does offer ad and tracker blocking, you don’t have the ability to choose a blocking mode. WebTitan does not provide this capability.

Blockable Services

Control D gives you unmatched precision in content filtering, allowing you to control access to 20 content categories, as well as 1,000+ Services.

Services are individual apps, tools, vendors, and groups of websites, which you can block, bypass, or redirect with a simple toggle. This means you don’t have to rely on broad content categories or cumbersome blocklists; you have the flexibility to fine-tune policies for specific users, teams, or clients with a single click.

For comparison, DNSFilter provides less than 100 Services, and WebTitan offers zero.

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Read our head-to-head comparison of Control D vs. DNSFilter

Traffic Redirection

Traffic Redirection is a unique feature that provides full control over how and where DNS traffic is routed, with 100+ global proxy locations across 60+ countries to choose from. You can set a default location for all DNS queries and create custom redirect rules for specific Services and domains. This ensures your traffic flows through the most optimal locations for security, compliance, and accessibility – all without a VPN.

This feature is not available with DNSFilter or WebTitan.

Geo-Custom Rules

Control D’s Geo-Custom Rules feature provides precise control over DNS traffic based on geographic and network data. Unlike basic geo-IP blocking, Control D enables granular filtering, redirection, and bypassing of DNS queries based on the source and destination IP or ASN.

You can use this feature to:

Block queries resolving to IPs in a specific country or ASN
Redirect queries that don't resolve to IPs in a specific country or ASN
Bypass queries made from IPs in a specific country or ASN
Block queries made from IPs not in a specific country or ASN
Or any combination of the above

This helps you restrict access from high-risk regions, ensure sensitive services resolve only through trusted locations, and route traffic to comply with data sovereignty laws. Most DNS security providers, including DNSFilter and WebTitan, lack this depth of geographic filtering.

In-Depth Analytics & Monitoring

Whether you’re tracking overall usage trends or drilling down into specific DNS queries, Control D offers detailed analytics into your network traffic to help detect anomalies, identify potential threats before they escalate, and make data-driven decisions.

You can also stream live query log data to your SIEM tool for centralized monitoring and alerts at no additional cost or schedule daily, weekly, or monthly reports to your email to stay up-to-date.

Advanced Chatbot

Barry, Control D’s AI-powered chatbot, provides instant, 24/7 support, answering 99% of user queries within seconds. Whether you’re troubleshooting an issue, configuring advanced settings, or exploring features, Barry delivers fast, reliable solutions without the need to search through documentation.

Built on machine learning and Control D’s extensive knowledge base, Barry is continuously improving as he learns from interactions to provide smarter, more accurate answers over time.

With Barry handling common questions, setup assistance, and troubleshooting, you can resolve issues instantly without waiting for a support ticket response.

Full Cross-Platform Support

Control D works across all major platforms, giving you full coverage no matter what devices your business relies on – whether that’s Windows, Mac, Linux, mobile devices, or even routers and web browsers.

For deeper security integrations, you can seamlessly connect Control D with Active Directory, SIEM tools, and RMM platforms to simplify user management and threat monitoring. There’s also Single Sign-On (SSO) support with Okta to make user authentication easy.

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Read our head-to-head comparison of Control D vs. WebTitan

Dual Stack Ready & Modern Protocol Support

Control D gives you full dual-stack support, making sure your network runs smoothly on both IPv4 and IPv6. You also get support for all modern DNS protocols – including DoH, DoT, DoH3, and DoQ – so you can enjoy encrypted queries, faster resolution speeds, and stronger privacy.

If your setup still relies on legacy DNS protocols, Control D has you covered, letting you enforce security policies across mixed environments. This gives you the flexibility to have the latest technology in DNS security while maintaining backward compatibility with your existing systems.

Full API Access

With direct API access from the moment you sign up, you can integrate Control D into your existing software and workflows for easy management.

This allows you to automate policy enforcement, manage Profiles and Endpoints, update authorized IP lists, streamline network security, and more without ever logging in to the Control D dashboard.

Custom Data Storage Region

You decide where your DNS logs and account data live. Choose from three standard storage regions – North America, Europe, or Australia – to keep your data compliant with local regulations and privacy standards.

Need something more specific? For an additional fee, you can set up a custom storage region that meets your security and regulatory requirements, giving you full control over where and how your data is stored.