ScoutDNS vs DNSFilter

by Gralio Feb 12, 2025

ScoutDNS and DNSFilter are both cloud-based DNS security solutions, but they cater to different needs. ScoutDNS prioritizes simplicity and affordability, while DNSFilter offers more advanced features and reporting capabilities. Choose ScoutDNS if ease of use and budget are primary concerns. Choose DNSFilter if comprehensive threat protection and detailed insights are more important.

At Gralio.ai we help to simplify your decision-making process by offering detailed, side-by-side software comparisons like this one, to help you confidently choose the tool that aligns with your business goals.

This comparison was created by analysing 287 reviews and 60 websites, saving 2 hours, 5 minutes of reading.

ScoutDNS

Website LinkedIn Twitter

DNSFilter

Website LinkedIn Twitter

About

ScoutDNS is a cloud-based security solution that protects your company's network from online threats and inappropriate content. It works by filtering website traffic at the DNS level, using artificial intelligence to block harmful sites and those that violate your company's content policies. ScoutDNS provides detailed reports on internet usage, helps you understand network activity, and offers customizable filtering options to fit your needs. It's designed to be easy to use and works in the background to ensure a safe and productive online environment for your employees.

DNSFilter is a cloud-based security solution that protects your company from online threats like viruses and phishing attempts. It works by filtering your internet traffic and blocking connections to dangerous websites, similar to how a spam filter works for your email. DNSFilter is known for being easy to set up and use, making it a good option for businesses of all sizes. It offers a range of features, including content filtering and detailed reporting, so you can see which threats have been blocked.

Summary

Main difference

ScoutDNS is a straightforward DNS filtering solution best suited for smaller organizations and those prioritizing ease of use. DNSFilter offers more advanced features like AI-powered threat protection and detailed reporting, making it a better fit for larger businesses or those needing more granular control over their network security.

Relative strengths of ScoutDNS (compared to DNSFilter)

Simpler setup and management, potentially easier for smaller teams with limited IT resources.
Focus on core DNS filtering and web security, which can be sufficient for basic needs.
Competitive pricing, especially for smaller organizations.

Relative weaknesses of ScoutDNS (compared to DNSFilter)

Lacks advanced features like AI-powered threat detection and granular reporting compared to DNSFilter.
Limited integrations with other security tools.
May not be suitable for larger organizations with complex security needs.

What companies are using ScoutDNS and DNSFilter?

No data

Eastern Illinois University

Gemini

Pendo

CITY OF PORTLAND OREGON

MOnument Health

MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company

VIasat

Who should use ScoutDNS VS. DNSFilter

ScoutDNS is a cloud-based DNS filtering solution ideal for small to medium businesses, schools, and churches. It offers AI-powered web filtering, customizable content policies, and detailed usage reports. ScoutDNS prioritizes ease of use and affordability, making it a practical choice for organizations seeking enhanced online safety and productivity.

DNSFilter is a cloud-based security solution ideal for businesses of all sizes. It protects against online threats by filtering internet traffic and blocking malicious websites. Users praise its ease of use and setup, comprehensive features, and effective threat protection. However, some users have reported issues with the roaming client and occasional website miscategorization.

Best for small to medium-sized businesses seeking affordable web security.
A good fit for organizations focused on content filtering and online safety.

Ideal for small to enterprise-level businesses seeking robust web filtering.
Suitable for various sectors, especially education and those managing remote workforces.

ScoutDNS and DNSFilter features

Supported

Partially supported

Not supported

Type in the name of the feature or in your own words tell us what you need

DNS Security

Supported

ScoutDNS protects clicks by blocking malicious domains and enforcing policies.

Supported

DNSFilter protects every click by blocking malicious domains and enforcing internet policies on any device, anywhere.
Network Insights Reporting

Supported

ScoutDNS offers network insights and reporting with real-time logs and export capabilities.

Supported

DNSFilter supports network insights reporting with customizable and intuitive reporting tools.
Online Threat Protection

Supported

ScoutDNS offers DNS-based threat protection, badware filtering, and real-time threat detection.

Supported

DNSFilter offers AI-powered threat protection, blocking malicious domains and protecting against phishing and malware.
Web filtering

Supported

ScoutDNS allows blocking or allowing specific websites based on categories and custom policies.

Supported

DNSFilter allows blocking or allowing specific websites through block/allow lists.
URL filtering

Not supported

ScoutDNS blocks websites based on domain and content categories, not specific URLs.

Not supported

DNSFilter blocks access to domains, but not individual URLs.
IP blocking

Not supported

ScoutDNS does not directly support IP blocking.

Not supported

DNSFilter does not support IP blocking.

Qualities

Value and Pricing Transparency

No data

+0.4

Rather positive sentiment
Customer Service

No data

+0.56

Rather positive sentiment
Ease of Use

No data

+0.86

Strongly positive sentiment
Reliability and Performance

No data

+0.75

Strongly positive sentiment
Ease of Implementation

No data

+0.82

Strongly positive sentiment
Scalability

No data

No data

ScoutDNS and DNSFilter Pricing

No data

User sentiment

Strongly positive

See full Pricing page

DNSFilter offers transparent pricing for its protective DNS and content filtering solution, catering to various sectors. They provide special pricing options for MSPs, Education, and Public Wi-Fi, encouraging potential customers to explore these options for tailored pricing details. The company emphasizes cost savings with annual plans and presents a free trial opportunity. Additionally, DNSFilter offers premium support add-ons like Case Prioritization, Enhanced SLA, and Zoom Consultations, enhancing the support experience for users seeking priority assistance.

Plans

User sentiment

Rather positive

+0.4

See full Pricing page

ScoutDNS and DNSFilter review insights

286 reviews analysed from

Users love

Easy setup and user-friendly interface, praised for simplicity.
Cost-effective and affordable pricing, especially for educational and religious institutions.
Effective DNS filtering with customizable block/allow lists and categories.
Excellent and responsive customer support, frequently commended.
Useful reporting features for monitoring network activity and blocked sites.

Easy to set up and use, with a user-friendly interface.
Effective at blocking unsafe and unwanted websites.
Offers a range of features, including content filtering and detailed reporting.
Good value for the price, especially compared to competitors.
Excellent and responsive customer support.

Users dislike

Some UI tweaks are needed, such as slow loading pages and lack of caching.
More granular category filtering options are desired.
Limited customization options for blocked site landing page.
Occasional slow support response times requiring follow-up.
Agent mass deployment was initially lacking, but later addressed.

Roaming client can be unreliable, requiring reinstallation or service restarts.
Occasional miscategorization of websites, requiring manual whitelisting.
VPN usage with the agent can cause access issues.
Lack of granular reporting, especially for identifying individual users.
Application control can unintentionally block legitimate applications.

ScoutDNS and DNSFilter Ratings

G2

4.9/5

(53)

G2

4.6/5

(239)
TrustPilot

3.2/5

(1)
Glassdoor

3.7/5

(54)

Company health

Employee growth

32% increase in the last year

No change in the last year

Web traffic

49% decrease in the last quarter

19% increase in the last quarter

Financing

November 2019 - $0

May 2023 - $62M

How do ScoutDNS and DNSFilter compare in reporting granularity?

DNSFilter's reporting granularity is considered a weakness by some users, who cite a lack of detail, especially for identifying individual user activity. ScoutDNS reporting granularity is not detailed in the provided information. Therefore, a direct comparison of their reporting granularity cannot be made with the given data.

Which product best supports a quickly scaling remote workforce?

DNSFilter is better suited for a rapidly scaling remote workforce. It's designed for all company sizes, including enterprises, while ScoutDNS is best for small to medium businesses. DNSFilter's ideal customer profile explicitly mentions remote workforces. Additionally, DNSFilter has better ratings and reviews on G2 and provides more detailed information regarding ease of use and implementation, which are critical factors for scaling remote teams quickly.

What are the advantages of ScoutDNS?

ScoutDNS is tailored for smaller organizations like schools and churches, emphasizing ease of use and affordability. It focuses on providing a simplified, background security solution for those without dedicated IT staff, making setup and management straightforward.

What are the disadvantages of ScoutDNS?

ScoutDNS lacks granular reporting features, making it difficult to identify specific user activity. It also has limited scalability, making it less suitable for larger enterprises. Additionally, there is no available data regarding its performance, reliability, or customer support, which could pose a risk for businesses relying on critical security infrastructure.

Alternatives to ScoutDNS and DNSFilter

Zscaler Cloud Security Platform

Zscaler Cloud Security Platform is a cloud-based security solution that protects your company's data and applications, no matter where your employees are working from. It combines network security features like firewalls and web filtering with tools that give remote workers secure access to company resources. This allows for fast and secure access to everything your employees need while simplifying your IT infrastructure and reducing costs. Zscaler's unique approach focuses on users and devices rather than a traditional network perimeter, providing a modern solution for today's mobile workforce.

Microsoft Defender for Cloud

Microsoft Defender for Cloud enhances the security of your cloud resources. It helps find and fix vulnerabilities, protect against cyber threats, and maintain compliance with security standards. It provides a range of security features covering applications, data, and infrastructure across multiple cloud platforms, not just Microsoft's. Defender for Cloud helps organizations of all sizes manage their cloud security posture more effectively.

Sophos Firewall

Sophos Firewall offers advanced protection for your company's network. It uses artificial intelligence and real-time threat data to identify and block potential cyberattacks. Sophos Firewall is recognized by industry experts and trusted by many businesses globally for its comprehensive protection and ease of management. It integrates with other security tools and provides detailed reporting to help you stay informed about your network's security.

FlashStart

FlashStart is a cloud-based internet security solution that protects businesses and organizations from online threats. It uses DNS filtering, powered by artificial intelligence, to block access to malicious websites and inappropriate content. FlashStart is easy to set up, works on any device, and provides detailed reports on internet activity. It's a good fit for companies looking for a simple yet powerful way to improve their online security without needing to install any additional hardware or software.

Symantec SASE Framework

Symantec SASE Framework, powered by Passwhere, offers a unique approach to password security. Instead of traditional passwords, it uses geographical locations to generate strong, memorable credentials. This eliminates the need to remember complex character strings and improves security by not storing any passwords on servers. While free for individuals, businesses pay a fee for this innovative solution.

Webroot DNS Protection

Webroot DNS Protection is a cloud-based security service that protects your company from online threats. It acts like a smart filter for your internet connection, blocking access to dangerous websites before they can harm your computers or network. It stops malware, phishing attempts, and other cyberattacks by preventing your devices from connecting to malicious websites in the first place. Webroot DNS Protection is easy to set up and manage, and it provides detailed reports on internet usage and blocked threats.

Page co-authored by

Michal Kaczor

CEO at Gralio

Michal has worked at startups for many years and writes about topics relating to software selection and IT management. As a former consultant for Bain, a business advisory company, he also knows how to understand needs of any business and find solutions to its problems.

Tymon Terlikiewicz

CTO at Gralio

Tymon is a seasoned CTO who loves finding the perfect tools for any task. He recently headed up the tech department at Batmaid, a well-known Swiss company, where he managed about 60 software purchases, including CX, HR, Payroll, Marketing automation and various developer tools.

How are we doing?

Is this information helpful to you? Is there anything we are missing?

Did this help you select your product?

Other issues? Vote & Let us know