Alternatives to Cisco Umbrella fall into two groups, depending on whether you need DNS filtering alone or a full security service edge (SSE) platform.
DNS filtering services do the same core job as Umbrella DNS:
- DNSFilter, one of the highest-rated tools in this category on G2
- WebTitan
- Infoblox
- Control D and NextDNS, popular with smaller teams
- Quad9, a free public resolver with threat blocking
SSE and SASE platforms combine DNS and web security with zero trust access:
- Zscaler
- Netskope
- Palo Alto Networks Prisma Access
- Cloudflare One
- Fortinet and Check Point
- Cato Networks
- Cloudbrink, which delivers DNS filtering, ZTNA and SSE as one software service under a single named-user licence
Cisco’s own path is Cisco Secure Access, which Umbrella DNS and SIG are being folded into. For many teams this is the default option. However, every Umbrella customer faces a migration before end of sale on 31 January 2027, which makes it a natural moment to compare vendors.
When evaluating alternatives, look at five things: whether DNS server changes are required, the number and location of points of presence, whether ZTNA and SSE features cost extra, how the service performs for remote users on unreliable networks, and how simple the licensing is. A proof of concept with real users is the most reliable way to compare the experience and the day-to-day management effort.