In short: DNSFilter is a cloud DNS security service that blocks phishing, malware and unwanted websites before they load, in the office and on roaming devices. Its current plans are Core, Plus and Enterprise, licensed per user; Plus replaced the retired Pro plan. Forever Systems supplies, deploys and manages DNSFilter.
What DNSFilter does
DNSFilter is a protective DNS service. Every time a device visits a website or an app connects to a service, it first asks DNS to translate the name into an address. DNSFilter answers those requests from its own anycast resolver network and checks each domain first. If the domain is linked to phishing, malware or botnet activity, or falls into a content category your policy blocks, the connection is stopped before any content is downloaded.
Because it works at the DNS layer, DNSFilter:
- Protects every application, not just the web browser, including links in email and chat apps and background services
- Adds little overhead, since it filters the lookup rather than inspecting all traffic
- Classifies domains with machine learning in real time, so new phishing and malware domains can be caught without waiting for a block list update
- Applies content filtering by category for acceptable use, safeguarding and productivity
DNSFilter now presents its technology as LUMINATE by DNSFilter, a DNS-first platform organised into five security suites: Advanced Filtering, Behavior Analytics, AI Governance and Controls, Encryption and Privacy, and Threat Intelligence. Its published plans are still Core, Plus and Enterprise.
DNSFilter plans
DNSFilter publishes three plans. Core and Plus are licensed per user; Enterprise is quoted individually.
| Plan | In short |
|---|---|
| Core | Threat protection and content filtering for networks you control, with network and relay deployment, API access and scheduled reporting |
| Plus | Everything in Core plus roaming clients on every platform, per-user policies and reporting, identity integration, CyberSight analytics, DNS PreCheck and guest Wi-Fi |
| Enterprise | The Plus feature set on terms built for larger organisations |
What happened to Pro? DNSFilter has retired its Pro plan and replaced it with Plus, which includes everything Pro offered and adds bundled guest Wi-Fi, CyberSight user behaviour analytics with AI usage reporting, and roaming clients on any platform. If you have an older DNSFilter subscription under the Basic or Pro names, we can tell you what it maps to today. See DNSFilter plans compared for the full feature table, add-ons and deployment steps.
How DNSFilter is licensed
DNSFilter is licensed per user, covering a person rather than each device they use. That keeps costs predictable when staff have a laptop, a phone and a tablet.
- Terms: DNSFilter offers monthly and annual billing; annual terms usually cost less, monthly terms are more flexible
- Minimums: DNSFilter sets a minimum spend for each plan on its standard pricing, so we explain on your quote how that applies to a small deployment
- Add-ons: options such as Data Export, which streams raw logs to a SIEM, are charged per licence on top of the plan
- Education: qualifying schools and colleges have their own DNSFilter pricing programme, which includes mobile roaming clients for iOS and Android
Prices depend on plan, user numbers and term, so ask us for a quote. Our guide to monthly vs annual licences explains how to choose.
Where DNSFilter fits
DNS filtering is one layer of web protection rather than the whole answer. It is quick to deploy and covers every app on a device, but it sees domain names rather than full web traffic. Organisations that need deeper inspection usually pair it with, or choose instead:
- A secure web gateway, which inspects full web traffic through a proxy; see our page on secure web gateways
- Browser security, which applies controls inside the browser itself, such as DefensX
- Endpoint protection, which stops malicious files and behaviour on the device
DNS filtering can also support the Cyber Essentials malware protection control's aim of stopping connections to malicious websites, alongside anti-malware software on devices rather than instead of it. Compare other options in DNS and web filtering.
Buying DNSFilter through Forever Systems
Forever Systems supplies DNSFilter alongside your other software subscriptions, with one invoice and one renewal calendar.
- Plan selection: we check whether you need roaming clients, per-user policies or identity integration before recommending Core or Plus
- Deployment: we configure your sites, relays and policies and push roaming clients through Intune or your RMM tool
- Tuning: we review the first weeks of query data with you and adjust categories and allow lists
- Changes and renewals: add users, move between plans and renew without starting a new contract
Contact us for a quote, or browse other vendors on our vendors A to Z.
Explore DNSFilter
How Forever Systems supplies your software licences
Forever Systems Ltd supplies business software subscriptions to UK organisations from one account, with one monthly invoice and a UK team who know the products.
- The right edition first time: we check what you need before you buy, so you are not paying for features you will never use
- Monthly or annual terms where the vendor offers them, and help timing renewals and commitments
- Licence changes handled for you: add or remove users, upgrade editions and true-up without starting a new contract
- Deployment and support from engineers who run these products every day, not just a reseller account
- Consolidated billing and renewal reminders so nothing lapses unexpectedly
We work with businesses, schools, charities and public sector organisations of all sizes.
Need a licence quote or a second opinion on your renewal?
Tell Forever Systems what you need and we will come back to you by email with options, not a hard sell.
Contact usFrequently asked questions
What happened to DNSFilter Pro?
DNSFilter retired the Pro plan and replaced it with Plus. Plus includes everything Pro offered and adds bundled guest Wi-Fi filtering, CyberSight user behaviour analytics with AI usage reporting, and roaming clients on any platform.
Is DNSFilter licensed per user or per device?
Per user. Each licence covers a person and the devices they use, which keeps costs predictable for staff with several devices.
What is LUMINATE by DNSFilter?
LUMINATE is the name DNSFilter now uses for its DNS-first security platform, organised into five suites: Advanced Filtering, Behavior Analytics, AI Governance and Controls, Encryption and Privacy, and Threat Intelligence. The published plans remain Core, Plus and Enterprise.
Is there a free trial of DNSFilter?
Yes. DNSFilter offers a 14-day free trial with access to all generally available capabilities. We can set one up and help you read the results.
Can DNSFilter be used in schools?
Yes. DNSFilter has an education pricing programme for qualifying schools and colleges, including mobile roaming clients for iOS and Android, and its content filtering supports safeguarding policies. Ask us about eligibility.