CleanBrowsing and ControlD both offer DNS-based filtering, but they come from very different backgrounds and serve different primary audiences.
ControlD is built by Windscribe, a well-known VPN provider. It combines DNS filtering with traffic redirection capabilities, blending content filtering with selective VPN-like features at the DNS level. ControlD claims a 99.97% malware block rate and offers a unique approach to geo-unblocking through its DNS infrastructure.
CleanBrowsing is a proven DNS filtering service operating at scale, processing over 355 billion DNS requests per month across a global Anycast network. It is purpose-built for content filtering and DNS filtering, serving families, schools, libraries, and organizations that need reliable, dedicated filtering without the complexity of bundled VPN features.
Both services provide DNS-based filtering, but the differences in focus, maturity, and target audience matter when choosing the right solution for your needs.
For those unable to purchase a subscription, CleanBrowsing does offer a free forever filtering service that can be deployed on any device that uses DNS. It is a fast, privacy-first, network that is designed to help parents and institutions create safe browsing experiences for kids and families.
No signup required. No credit card required. No tracking on our end.
CleanBrowsing has years of experience providing DNS filtering at scale, with deep roots in serving schools, families, and organizations. Our platform has been refined through large-scale institutional deployments where reliability and accuracy are non-negotiable.
ControlD is a newer entrant in the DNS filtering space, built by Windscribe, a company primarily known for its VPN services. While ControlD brings fresh ideas and a modern interface, CleanBrowsing has significantly more experience with institutional deployments and the specific needs of education and family filtering environments.
ControlD's most unique feature is its ability to redirect traffic at the DNS level, functioning as a selective VPN for geo-unblocking specific services. This is a direct result of its VPN heritage and can be useful for users who want to combine filtering with geo-unblocking capabilities.
CleanBrowsing does not offer traffic redirection or VPN-like features. Our focus is solely on DNS filtering and content control. If you need VPN or geo-unblocking features, ControlD has an edge in that area. If you need a dedicated, purpose-built filtering solution without the complexity of bundled traffic redirection, CleanBrowsing is the better fit.
CleanBrowsing has dedicated features for K-12 schools and libraries seeking CIPA compliance. Our filters are built with education environments in mind, providing the controls institutions need to meet federal requirements. We understand the unique challenges of filtering in school networks and have purpose-built tools to address them.
ControlD does not focus on the education market and does not offer dedicated CIPA compliance features. Organizations evaluating DNS filtering for schools and libraries will find CleanBrowsing purpose-built for that use case.
CleanBrowsing enforces SafeSearch across five major search engines: Google, Bing, Yandex, DuckDuckGo, and YouTube. This broad coverage is critical in school and library environments where students may use a variety of search engines.
ControlD supports SafeSearch enforcement for Google, Bing, and YouTube. While these cover the most popular platforms, the narrower coverage leaves gaps that matter in education settings where students actively seek ways around restrictions.
CleanBrowsing is designed for network-level deployment at scale. Our pricing is transparent, our plans are straightforward, and organizations can get started immediately without needing to talk to a sales team. From a single household to a large school district, the deployment process is simple and well-documented.
ControlD's individual plans are publicly priced, but business and organizational pricing requires a sales conversation. This makes it harder to evaluate costs upfront and suggests less maturity in serving organizational customers at scale.
Responsible for managing networks for your customers? The CleanBrowsing partner program might be what you're looking for. Offers the same benefits as the plans above, but includes a centralized management console.
*Starts at $750 / year for 10 customer accounts
partners@cleanbrowsing.org