Cisco Umbrella Pricing: Cisco Umbrella vs DNSFilter vs dope.security
August 25, 2025
4
MIN READ
If you’re choosing between dope.security, Cisco Umbrella, and DNSFilter, the first thing to know is that you’re comparing different levels of protection:
- DNSFilter = DNS filtering (domain-level blocking).
- Cisco Umbrella = DNS filtering with optional proxy/SWG bundles.
- dope.security = a full Secure Web Gateway (SWG) that runs on the device (not through a proxy PoP).
That difference matters for both price and what you get.
The short version (pricing at a glance)
Why is there no hard Cisco Umbrella number here? Cisco does not publish list pricing for Umbrella packages. They run pricing as a more traditional enterprise model, where you schedule a call with your partner or Cisco rep to get a quote, because the buying motion can get a little complicated with their add-ons and bundles.
What’s inside each price
dope.security
- Model: Full SWG on the endpoint (inspection and policy live on the device). SSL Inspection, Cloud App Controls, Shadow IT, CASB DLP.
- List price: starts at $60/device/year, volume discounts available, instant trial available.
- Why this matters: you’re buying full web protection and data controls, not just DNS blocking.
DNSFilter
- Model: Protective DNS with tiers.
- Public pricing: Basic $1.00–$1.15, Pro $2.10–$2.30, Enterprise $2.70–$3.00 per user per month (annual vs monthly). Pricing minimums and add-ons are mentioned.
- Why this matters: affordable domain-level control; deeper inspection/DLP is not the point of DNS-only tools.
Cisco Umbrella
- Model: Starts at DNS Security packages, moves up to SIG bundles that add SWG, CASB/DLP, firewall, and remote browser isolation.
- Pricing: Cisco’s buying motion is a little complicated with the add-ons and packages. Their pages outline packages; external explainers confirm per-user subscription with price depending on package, volume, and term.
Apples-to-apples: How to compare fairly
Think of it as Good / Better / Best depending on your needs:
- Good (DNS-only): Block risky domains; light and cheap. DNSFilter Basic/Pro or Umbrella DNS Essentials/Advantage fit here.
- Better (Proxy SWG bundles): Add proxy-based web inspection, CASB/DLP, etc. Umbrella SIG Essentials/Advantage lives here (price via quote).
- Best (Endpoint SWG): Full SSL inspection and policies on the device—no traffic detours to a proxy PoP. That’s dope.security.
Simple example math (so you can budget)
Scenario A — 300 people, DNS filtering only
- DNSFilter Pro (middle tier): ~$2.10–$2.30 × 300 × 12 ≈ $7,560–$8,280/year. Minimum monthly spend applies, but you’re far above it at this size.
- Cisco Umbrella DNS (Essentials/Advantage): Quote required. External write-ups suggest low single-digit $/user/mo at volume/long terms. Plan your placeholder at, say, $2–$4/user/mo until you have a quote, ~$7,200–$14,400/year for planning only.
Takeaway: For DNS-only, DNSFilter often publishes the lowest clear list prices. Umbrella DNS may be competitive at scale, but you’ll need a reseller quote to know for sure. In both scenarios though, remember you get what you pay for, the minimum level of protection.
Scenario B — 500 people, full web protection (+ data controls)
- dope.security: list starts at $60/device/year → $30,000/year for 500 devices, before volume pricing. Assume a 25% discount and you get $22,500 for granular URL Filtering, Cloud App Controls to monitor access to tools like ChatGPT, SSL Inspection, and Shadow IT.
- Cisco Umbrella SIG (SWG/CASB/DLP bundles): Unfortunately can’t participate in this exercise as there is no public pricing. Pricing varies by package (Essentials vs Advantage), term, and add-ons.
- DNSFilter: DNSFilter cannot support this—DNS-only doesn’t do full inspection or DLP; you’d need additional tools to match SWG scope.
Takeaway: If you actually need SWG-level controls (file uploads, app-level rules, SSL Inspection), then these DNS vendors can’t compare to dope.security.
“Hidden” costs to check before you buy
- What’s included in the tier?
DNSFilter shows exactly which features sit in Basic/Pro/Enterprise (roaming clients, retention, add-ons, plan minimums). Umbrella lists what’s inside DNS vs SIG packages, but pricing is via quote, so confirm what’s bundled. - Data export & log retention
DNSFilter lists retention per tier and notes add-on costs (e.g., data export). For Umbrella, ask about log retention, SIEM export, and any premium support. - Deployment & operations
Proxy SWGs can add complexity (PoPs, tunnels, exceptions). An endpoint SWG like dope.security keeps enforcement local, which reduces moving parts and time. - Terms matter
All three will discount for larger user counts and longer terms.
When each tool makes the most sense
- Pick DNSFilter if your need is basic DNS-level protection at a very low price and you’re okay without deep inspection/DLP.
- Pick Cisco Umbrella if you’re already in Cisco, want DNS today and may step up to SIG bundles later—but plan extra time to work through quotes and deployment.
- Pick dope.security if you want full SWG with on-device inspection (no proxy detours), modern data controls, and straightforward list pricing to start.
Fast answers
- Why is dope.security’s price higher than DNSFilter?
Because it’s not the same thing. dope.security is a full SWG (deep inspection, app/file controls) whereas DNSFilter is DNS-only—cheaper, but lighter. - Can I get a ballpark for Cisco Umbrella?
Unfortunately Cisco has made this difficult. Only a reseller/rep can give you a real number. Public Cisco pages show what’s in each package, not pricing. Third-party posts describe per-user subscriptions with big swings based on package, volume, and term. - If I start with DNS-only, can I upgrade later?
Yes. Many teams start cheap on DNS and move to SWG when they need more granular controls, file upload rules, DLP, or app-level controls.
Learn more about what a migration would look like on our blog post: Cisco Umbrella Replacement: A Quick and Painless move to dope.security.
