Comodo Secure DNS

Comodo Secure DNS is a cloud DNS security service for organizations that want threat blocking and web filtering across office and roaming devices. It is best suited to enterprises and managed service providers that need centralized policy controls. Gold offers a free entry point, but its quota and exclusions make Platinum the better fit for internal-network deployments.

Overview

Comodo resolves DNS requests through load-balanced Anycast infrastructure hosted in more than 25 countries. It blocks phishing, malware domains, malicious sites, botnets, spyware, and other web-borne attacks. For organizations that want filtering without operating their own DNS infrastructure, the distributed cloud service is a practical fit.

More than 80 content categories, custom blacklists and whitelists, and millions of new domains added every two hours give administrators room to tailor rules. Policies can be applied by company, location, endpoint, mobile device, IP, subnet, or user. That granularity suits organizations managing varied teams and sites, though Gold excludes internal IP and subnet policies and internal IP visibility.

Key features

Threat intelligence: Comodo says its Threat Research Labs draws on 85 million analysis nodes in more than 190 countries. This supports protection against a broad range of web-borne threats.

Roaming protection: Coverage extends off-network wherever users connect to the internet. The iOS and Android apps protect devices over cellular and Wi-Fi, a useful distinction for staff who regularly leave managed office networks.

Reporting and block pages: Administrators can use real-time customizable reports and schedule reports by email. They can also add a company logo and tailor block pages and messages by category, giving organizations more control over how filtering is presented.

Support: All packages include 24×7 email support. Platinum packages add 24×7×365 Platinum Support.

Pricing

Secure Internet Gateway Gold costs nothing, billed Free, and is aimed at enterprises and MSPs. Its allowance is up to 300,000 DNS requests per month. That makes it a no-cost way to apply DNS protection, but the cap can constrain organizations with heavier traffic. Gold also does not support Active Directory and excludes internal IP/subnet policies, internal IP visibility, DNS encryption, and DNS resolver virtual appliances.

Secure Internet Gateway Platinum for Enterprises has custom pricing and a 1 month trial option. It includes 24×7×365 Platinum Support, internal IP, subnet, IP block, and site policies, encrypted DNS traffic, and virtual appliances. It is the more suitable tier for enterprises that need those internal-network controls or encrypted DNS.

Secure Internet Gateway Platinum for MSPs also has custom pricing and a 1 month trial option. Alongside Platinum Support and the internal policy and encryption features, it adds a multi-company management dashboard. That makes it the relevant option for service providers managing multiple customer organizations from one place.

Platforms

Comodo Secure DNS supports Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, web, and Windows. The mobile apps’ cellular and Wi-Fi protection is particularly relevant to organizations with roaming users.

Who it's for

Choose Comodo Secure DNS if your organization wants centralized DNS threat blocking and category filtering across locations, endpoints, and mobile devices. Gold is appropriate for smaller or lighter-use deployments that can work within its monthly request cap and do not need Active Directory support or internal-network controls. Enterprises with those requirements should consider Platinum; MSPs needing multiple-company administration have a dedicated Platinum package.

Pros and cons

Pro: Filtering spans more than 80 categories and can be customized with allowlists and blocklists, supporting different policies for different groups.

Pro: Off-network coverage and mobile apps extend protection to roaming devices on cellular and Wi-Fi.

Pro: Platinum offers internal-network policies, encrypted DNS, and virtual appliances, with a separate multi-company dashboard for MSPs.

Con: Gold is capped at 300,000 DNS requests per month and excludes several internal-network features, DNS encryption, and virtual appliances.

Con: Gold does not support Active Directory; the enterprise and MSP Platinum prices use custom pricing.

Alternatives

DNS Filtering Software is a useful starting point for comparing this category. Consider AdGuard DNS if you want an open-source DNS service with a free plan. Control D is another freemium option, with an SMB plan priced at $2 a month on an endpoint-based billing basis.

NextDNS may suit readers who want a free plan with 300,000 queries per month, unlimited devices and configurations, and all features, but it has no free trial. NxFilter is worth considering if freeware for commercial and non-commercial use is the priority; its NxFilter plan costs nothing. For a simple preconfigured option, OpenDNS FamilyShield blocks adult content without sign-up. Quad9 offers a free DNS service with no contract or sign-up process.

SafeDNS is a paid alternative with a Basic plan at $1.20 a month per user and a 15-user minimum; its plan includes 66 web filtering categories. Smart DNS Proxy is another paid option, with a Monthly plan at $6.79 a month and a 14-day free trial.

Verdict

Comodo Secure DNS is a strong match for enterprises and MSPs that need broad DNS filtering, threat blocking, and protection that follows users off-network. Its free Gold plan is a useful starting point only if 300,000 monthly requests and the missing internal controls are acceptable. Choose Platinum for internal-network policies and encryption, or look elsewhere if custom pricing and Gold’s constraints do not fit.