Zorus is a dependable, no-nonsense solution that offers basic DNS management features. But it’s not perfect.
It lacks the core functionality of a more advanced, comprehensive service and does not scale well due to its compatibility and integration issues.
This article will explore what alternative services you have to choose from and how they compare with Zorus.
1. Control D (Best All-Round Solution)
Control D’s feature set can compete with even the biggest players in the DNS market. They block ads and trackers, offer unparalleled customization capabilities, and have quality customer support, which makes it the top Zorus alternative.
Let’s dive into the details of why we recommended Control D.
Pricing
Zorus offers a 14-day free trial once you’ve scheduled a demo with their sales team, but besides that, little is known about their offerings and pricing structure since they do not disclose this information publicly.
Users on Reddit claim that Zorus costs less than $3/user/month and requires a minimum of 100 seats, but this cannot be confirmed; you’ll have to talk to a sales rep to determine exactly what your monthly cost would be.
Meanwhile, Control D is more transparent. Alongside their free DNS resolver, they offer paid options for all types of businesses. Organizations can sign up for $2/user/month, MSPs for $1/user/month, and schools and non-profits receive a further discounted rate.
Control D does not gatekeep features for different organization types; all users gain access to the full suite of features Control D offers.
Features
Both Control D and Zorus have similar features, such as basic malware and phishing protection, modern DNS protocol support, flexible content blocking, and full API access.
But, there are a few differences between the two. For instance, Control D offers the following, which Zorus does not:
- Malware protection with a 99.97% block rate
- 1,000 blockable Services
- Zorus has a much more limited list
- Geo-Custom Rules
- Zorus has Geo-IP blocking only
- Traffic Redirection
- Linux, iOS, and Android support
- SIEM log streaming
These are important features that impact whether all users and devices are protected, and to what extent you have control over your DNS configurations.
Another thing to consider is how often the product is updated and improved upon. A review from 2021 states that Zorus has been working on adding compatibility for different devices and platforms. Seeing as their MacOS is still in beta and they do not yet offer support for mobile devices over three years later, this suggests that Zorus has a slow product development cycle.
On the flip side, Control D is well known for its active development cycle. A quick look at the blog and changelog suggests frequent updates and fixes, something which has also been praised in recent reviews.
If you’re looking for a service that is feature-rich, provides full customization and control over your DNS configurations, and is consistently being improved upon, then Control D takes the cake.
Onboarding & UX
Control D takes a user-experience-first approach to their product, ensuring it’s easy to set up and use above all else. Users often praise how seamless their onboarding experience was, with many onboarding hundreds of devices within a matter of minutes.
That’s not to say Control D doesn’t have a pleasant UI. The entire UI recently received an overhaul, now boasting a fresh and unique design that further improves your DNS management experience.
Zorus, on the other hand, has a more dated look to their product that seems a little bloated and clunky in comparison. It also feels like every inch of the screen has been used to display information, which can be overbearing.
However, if you’ve used any business-focused tool before, you’ll recognize the design template that Zorus has built upon. Although it feels dated, it’s a safe look that you may be familiar with.
As such, the winner of this category is a tie, as your product of choice will come down to your individual preference.
Analytics & Reporting
Both services allow for full query logging, per-user reporting, scheduled reports, and the ability to export data, which are key features that most businesses will require. But there are also some differences.
For instance, Zorus logs query data for 90 days, whereas Control D stores query log data for 3 days (although Control D does serve 30 days worth of reports with hourly time-series granularity and 1 year with daily time-series granularity).
However, this can be considered a negligible difference. A major distinction between both services is the ability to stream logs to a SIEM tool, which you can do with Control D but can’t with Zorus.
If receiving real-time alerts and incorporating DNS security into your larger security posture is essential, then you’ll want to go with Control D.
Support
As is typical of DNS services, both Control D and Zorus have detailed documentation/knowledge base for information on using the product, email support for queries that require additional assistance, and chat support.
However, Zorus’s chat support is effectively an email ticketing system, whereas Control D goes a step further by introducing Barry.
Barry is an advanced chatbot that utilizes machine learning technology built upon all the information in its documentation, as well as the collective knowledge of employees, to answer almost all types of queries within seconds.
You also have the peace of mind that should you have a query that requires speaking to their support team, you’re in safe hands. Control D is known for its quality support service, with many reviews praising it for its rapid response times and thorough answers.
Final Thoughts
Zorus can be a reliable choice for those seeking a basic but effective, no-nonsense DNS filtering solution. It offers several core features that will likely cover a large percentage of your needs. However, it lacks all device type compatibility and key analytics features that may be necessary for your business.
Control D offers an unparalleled suite of features that not many services can compete with. It’s also compatible with all types of devices, integrates with SIEM and RMM tools, and provides granular customization so you can tailor your DNS configurations exactly to your liking.
The cherry on top is that Control D offers all this at a much more affordable price point, which is why it’s voted the best Zorus alternative.
Learn more about how Control D can keep your business safe online within minutes. Book a no-obligation call with a product expert👇
2. DNSFilter
DNSFilter is known for having some of the quickest query speeds in the industry, often competing with Cloudflare for the top spot. They cater to a diverse range of customers and, much like Control D, have a comprehensive DNS filtering feature set. They offer:
- Advanced AI-driven malware protection
- Customizable content filtering
- Blockable services
- Full API access
- Full query logging
However, there are some downsides with DNSFilter. Their speed and performance come at a cost, as their server uptime and reliability are amongst the lowest compared to competitors.
They’re also on the pricier side due to charging extra for features that some may consider crucial for complete DNS management. For instance, the ability to export data, integrate with an SIEM tool, and obtain a permanent API token will cost an extra $0.25/user/ month. This is in addition to the $2/user/month for the Pro Plan.
Even so, DNSFilter lacks support for Linux systems, modern DNS protocols, and does not have dual-stack functionality.
While the need to pay extra for essential features can make DNSFilter a pricier option compared to Control D, it can still be more affordable on a per-user basis than some others on this list, making it a solid alternative to Zorus.
👉Read our in-depth head-to-head comparison between Control D and DNS Filter.
3. WebTitan
TitanHQ has been in the cybersecurity space since 1999 and offers a plethora of SaaS solutions, one of them being WebTitan, their DNS filtering service.
WebTitan offers core functionality, such as advanced ML-based malware protection, flexible content blocking, per-user policies and reporting, and full API access at a competitive price point of $2.47/user/month (based on 100 users).
It’s not perfect, though. WebTitan doesn’t offer Geo-IP blocking or advanced Geo-custom rules, a list of blockable services, or Traffic Redirection, features that can give you granular control over how your network is managed.
Although WebTitan may not offer all the bells and whistles, it’s still a dependable and trusted alternative to Zorus at a competitive price.
4. SafeDNS
SafeDNS is not as well-known as some of the other names on this list, but it still presents a good product offering. Their Basic plan includes core features such as API access, flexible content blocking, and basic malware and phishing protection.
Their Pro plan offers additional features such as per-user policies and reporting, mobile device compatibility, and support for Active Directory at $1.8/user/month, and their Pro+ plan is reserved for more advanced features such as SIEM integration at $2.5/user/month
It suffers from the same problem as WebTitan since it does not offer Geo-custom rules or Traffic Redirection. However, SafeDNS offers a good service overall with highly-rated customer support, making it a sound alternative to Zorus.
5. DefensX
DefensX is an MSP-focused secure browser that utilizes DNS security as part of its offering. Their feature set includes flexible content filtering, full query logging and reporting, and integration with RMM tools.
They have three plans – Core, Core+, and Premium – with each subsequent tier qualifying for more features. For instance, SIEM log streaming, scheduled reporting, and full API access are reserved for the higher plans.
But, they do not disclose their pricing structure, making it difficult to accurately determine how DefensX compares in terms of value for price.
6. ScoutDNS
ScoutDNS is a reliable solution that offers a good selection of features. They include flexible content filtering, the ability to tailor allow/blocklists to specific policies or clients, and full API access.
However, ScoutDNS is not compatible with mobile devices, lacks support for DNS-over-TLS (DoT) protocols, and does not allow for Geo-custom rules or Traffic Redirection.
This means that while ScoutDNS provides basic protection and functionality, it will fall short if you have more advanced or complex needs and if you need scalability with various device types.
7. Cloudflare Gateway
Gateway is Cloudflare’s DNS service and is primarily adopted by large enterprises. Therefore, it’s positioned as part of Cloudflare’s Zero Trust suite, with Gateway being sold as one small part of the total solution package.
There are three different plans to choose from: Free, Pay-as-you-go, and Contract. The Free plan comes with limitations, such as the absence of dedicated support, pushing you to opt for the next tier, which starts at $7/user/month. While it is incredibly expensive, this higher cost does grant access to a range of advanced features, including:
- Malware and phishing protection
- Full API capabilities
- Detailed query logging
- Geo-IP blocking
- Compatibility with RMM tools
Unfortunately, to unlock Cloudflare Gateway’s full potential you’ll have to sign up to the Contract plan since advanced options like SIEM log streaming and per-user reporting are only accessible through the highest tier. This makes an already expensive product even pricier.
Ultimately, Cloudflare Gateway is a strong contender for large enterprises with tens of thousands of devices and users and sizable budgets to match.
For the majority of businesses that do not fit that criteria, options such as Control D can provide all these features – and more – at a more affordable $2/user/month.
👉Check out our post on the top Cloudflare alternatives
8. Cisco Umbrella
Cisco Umbrella shares many similarities with Cloudflare Gateway, offering a comparable range of features and primarily catering to large enterprise clients. It is also built to work with other Cisco products, meaning you’ll have to buy into the entire Cisco ecosystem to make the most of Umbrella’s offerings.
There are various tiers to choose from, such as DNS Essentials, DNS Advantage, and Secure Access, each designed to integrate with other Cisco services. However, navigating these options can be confusing and can make the onboarding process unnecessarily complex.
An important thing to consider is that Cisco Umbrella's Roaming Client will reach its end-of-life soon, with support ending on April 2, 2025. Users will need to transition to the new Cisco Secure Client, adding another layer of complexity to the onboarding process.
How Should You Choose the Right Zorus Alternative?
DNS security is critical to overall business safety, which is why it’s crucial you make an informed decision before choosing a provider. Each competitor in this list offers something unique, but we hope this article has shed some light on which service is best suited to your needs.
We analyzed each competitor based on the following factors:
- Features
- Pricing
- Customizability
- Support
- Onboarding & UX
- Analytics