DNSFilter vs. DefensX

Protect every connection, not just your browser

Both DNSFilter and DefensX have expanded their platform capabilities beyond their initial focus, but their foundational focus makes all the difference. DefensX takes a browser-first approach to security. While they offer basic DNS filtering through an OS agent and agentless network deployment, their advanced capabilities—including Remote Browser Isolation, DLP, credential protection, and AI prompt inspection—only work inside the browser extension. If a device doesn't have that extension, or a threat operates outside the browser, those protections don't apply.

Features

DNSFilter

DefensX

Network Infrastructure

LAN Proxy / Virtual Appliance

Desktop Clients

Mobile Clients

White Label Available

Domain Categorization

SIEM & SOAR Integration

Application-Level Blocking

Multi-Tenancy (MSP)

Azure / Active Directory Integration

Agentless Network Protection

Pricing Transparency

Platform Foundation

DefensX starts at the browser.

DefensX offers basic DNS filtering through an OS agent and agentless network deployment, but their advanced and most-marketed capabilities—Remote Browser Isolation, credential monitoring, DLP, AI prompt inspection, and embedded Secure Web Gateway—all require the browser extension on every endpoint. Without the extension, DefensX is a DNS filtering tool running on rented infrastructure with third-party threat feeds.

The question for buyers: Do you want your security foundation to be the DNS layer that every connection touches, or a browser extension that provides deeper session-level controls but only on managed endpoints where it's installed?

Proprietary intelligence vs. third-party feeds

Both products filter DNS and categorize content. The difference is what happens underneath.

DNSFilter classifies domains in real-time using a proprietary AI/ML engine and a dedicated Security Intelligence team. This means faster classification decisions: DNSFilter identifies malicious domains an average of 10 days faster than third-party threat feeds, with some domains identified up to 59 days in advance.

DefensX relies on third-party domain categorization feeds. Their public documentation does not reference any proprietary classification engine or in-house threat research team. To compensate for classification lag, DefensX adds browser-level safety nets (RBI, read-only mode) for sites that haven't been categorized yet—but these only work through the browser extension.

DNSFilter advantage: We make the right classification decision faster so the block/allow decision is correct from the start. This is a proactive approach. DefensX accepts that classification will lag and adds browser-level controls to manage uncertainty—a reactive approach that only works on managed endpoints with the extension installed.

Unified rules vs. layered policy types

DNSFilter uses a single, unified rule set that applies across your network or user groups. One place to configure, one place to audit.

DefensX uses multiple stacked policy types—Web Policies, Credentials Policies, File Policies, ADWare Policy—grouped under "Policy Groups." Each group can be linked to people and devices, and people and devices can belong to multiple groups. This layered structure demands careful orchestration to avoid overlaps or conflicts. When policies stack up, it becomes harder to quickly answer: "Will domain X be blocked for user Y on device Z?"

DNSFilter advantage: Simpler policy management reduces configuration overhead and audit complexity, particularly for MSPs managing multiple client environments.

Performance and Infrastructure

Owned infrastructure vs. rented

DNSFilter owns and operates a global dual anycast recursive resolver network spanning 89+ data centers across 48 countries, with backbone operator peering agreements and Internet Exchange memberships. Full ownership means full control over performance tuning, routing, failover, and resilience.

DefensX provides anycast DNS through 7 server pairs (14 IP addresses) that route through AWS Global Accelerator. Because DefensX rents its resolver infrastructure from AWS rather than owning and operating its own network, it has limited control over network performance tuning, geographic routing, and failover resilience. The size and geographic distribution of their resolver infrastructure is not publicly disclosed.

DNSFilter advantage: Owning our network means we control the performance and reliability of every DNS query. Organizations that depend on low-latency DNS resolution and guaranteed redundancy should evaluate whether their provider owns or rents their infrastructure.

Published pricing vs. quote-based tiers

DNSFilter publishes transparent pricing on its website. Simple, predictable, and scalable—from small businesses to global enterprises and MSPs.

DefensX does not publish pricing and requires a quote through a channel partner or direct sales inquiry. They offer 5 product tiers (Core, Core+, Premium, Premium+, and a separate Nexi AI Agent offering) with mix-and-match options that allow different users within the same organization to be on different tiers.

It is worth noting that DefensX's packaging descriptions vary across their website, KB documentation, and third-party listings (such as Gartner Peer Insights), with differences in feature-to-tier mapping and capability names. Buyers should verify current packaging directly before committing.

DNSFilter advantage: Transparent pricing and consistent packaging reduce surprises and simplify procurement, particularly for MSPs managing billing across multiple clients.

Reporting, Analytics, and Integrations

DNSFilter gives you real-time visibility into DNS activity across your organization. You can view allowed, blocked, and suspicious requests, generate scheduled reports, and integrate with SIEM tools via Data Export.

DefensX offers similar reporting in higher-tier plans but does not publicly define its default log retention or export capabilities.

DNSFilter advantage: Immediate visibility and analytics.

Who Each Solution is Best For

Choose DNSFilter if you want a DNS-first security platform that protects every device and every connection across your network—without requiring browser extensions on every endpoint. Ideal for MSPs managing diverse client environments, SMBs and enterprises with IoT or guest Wi-Fi needs, and teams that want a strong foundation with transparent pricing and simple management.

Consider DefensX if your primary need is browser-session security on managed endpoints—browser-level DLP, Remote Browser Isolation, and credential monitoring are real capabilities that DefensX delivers through its extension. Be aware that these capabilities only function inside the browser, require both the agent and extension on every endpoint, and that DefensX's expanding feature set may overlap with tools already in your stack.

For most organizations, DNSFilter offers broader coverage, simpler management, and a more predictable cost structure.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the biggest difference between DNSFilter and DefensX?

DNSFilter operates at the DNS layer, protecting every connection from every device, app, and background service. DefensX's OS agent provides basic DNS filtering across the device, but their advanced and most-marketed capabilities—including RBI, credential protection, DLP, and AI prompt inspection—only work inside the browser extension. DNSFilter's full capability set works without any browser extension.

Does DNSFilter own its data and infrastructure?

Yes. DNSFilter owns both its AI-driven domain classification engine and its dual anycast global network (89+ data centers, 48 countries), giving us full control over speed, reliability, and security. DefensX rents its resolver infrastructure through AWS Global Accelerator.

Can DefensX match DNSFilter’s coverage?

DefensX's DNS filtering covers device-level traffic through their OS agent, and they offer basic agentless network deployment for devices like printers and IoT. However, their differentiated features—the capabilities they market most heavily—are limited to the browser extension on managed endpoints. DNSFilter's protection is universal at the DNS layer without requiring a browser extension.

How do their pricing models differ?

DNSFilter publishes its pricing on its website. No surprises, no required demos. DefensX does not publish pricing, requires a partner quote or direct inquiry, and offers 5 tiers with mix-and-match options that can create billing complexity for MSPs.

Ready to protect every connection?

DNSFilter safeguards your entire network at the foundational layer. With our AI-powered domain intelligence, transparent pricing, and privately operated anycast network, you get comprehensive DNS-layer protection that works everywhere—no browser extension required.

Start your 14-day free trial today and see why thousands of organizations trust DNSFilter to keep their users safe, everywhere they connect.

DNS Filtration that just works

I haven't found anything I don't like about DNSFilter. I've never had issues with it or needed to troubleshoot it. It just works and it listens to me. Customer support is extremely responsive, gives quick and concise answers with little to no time wasted.

Does what the product claims; good value for the price

We use the product for handling business URL filtering. The DNS look ups are fast and the management of allow/deny lists is pretty easy. Reporting is useful. There are some cool features for granular management at an individual machine level. The price is quite reasonable for what it does. It's pretty much set and forget.

Its raining malware but I wont reach for my Umbrella, but DNS Filter instead

The ease of use and overall ability to block applications, limit search engines, block a number of threat types and add good sites to a whitelist or block a known bad site in a blacklist. Reporting is also the BEST I have seen as it is so easy to find good and bad blocks...allowing you to easily and daily to monitor and update lists as needed.

DNSFilter - A Fast, Easy, And Reliable DNS Filtering Solution

Setup and deployment were super easy. Support has been excellent. Overall, the product is a nice addition to our security stack, blocking threats at the DNS level.

DNSFilter Is A No Brainer. It Cost Less Than Its Competitors And Easy To Setup.

DNSFilter is easy to setup and configure. I was up and running in a day. It works on all OS platforms and doesn't interfere with our end users doing their jobs.

Compliance Level DNS Filtering

Provides client level installation for DNS filtering when outside of the building. Complements EndPoint and Firewall web filtering by processing all DNS requests through an active filter to help stop malware distribution. We can distribute the product uniquely using RMM to each customer and management and controls are customer unique.

Great platform, even greater customer support

It is incredibly easy to get started. The interface is very user-friendly. If you have any issues, the customer support chat is handy. You get connected to an actual human, not just a chatbot.

Fast to deploy, protect an entire network in a minute

Good web filtering for all our locations, we also deployed the roaming client to cover our users when they are outside the company network. It is also our first level of defense if there is a threat as the domain might be blocked before our EPP / EDR detect something.

Easy-to-use DNS security solution

I love how DNSFilter is constantly being updated with new features and security updates. This gives me peace of mind knowing that my business is always protected from the latest online threats.

Finally, a DNS filter that actually works!

DNSFilter has proven to be one of the easiest solutions to implement. The intuitive interface makes on-going administration a breeze. We're happy to know our internet security stack is protected and the accurate categorization of traffic has not interfered with approved business functions.

DNSFilter vs. DefensX

Protect every connection, not just your browser

DNSFilter vs. DefensX

What Makes These Platforms Different