OpenDNS review
Updated September 28, 2026 · ShieldCue Editorial Team · Facts checked September 26, 2026
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Our verdict
OpenDNS blocks risky websites at the router, and its yearly price of $0 keeps a whole home covered. It suits anyone who wants a single router setting instead of an app on every device, and the service runs under US law with Cisco Systems, Inc. behind it.
Key facts
- Best for
- Free router-level web filtering for a whole home.
- Free plan
- Yes (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Free plan limits
- Free, no support entitlement; Cisco enforces rate limits; no sign-up for Family Shield and Public Service, account needed for OpenDNS Home; no resale or redistribution (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Platforms
- Routers, Windows, MacOS, Linux, Smartphones, Tablets, Smart TVs, Game consoles, DVRs (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Jurisdiction
- US (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Open source
- No (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Privacy tool type
- Private-dns (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Legal entity
- Cisco Systems, Inc. (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Headquarters
- United States (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Founded
- 2006 (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Support channels
- Help-centre, Community (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Pricing model
- Free
- Official website
- opendns.com
Parental controls
- Yearly price
- $0 (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Platforms
- Routers, Windows, MacOS, Linux, Smartphones, Tablets, Smart TVs, Game consoles, DVRs (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Features
- Web-filter (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Legal entity
- Cisco Systems, Inc. (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Headquarters
- United States (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Founded
- 2006 (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Support channels
- Help-centre, Community (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Pricing model
- Free
Pros and cons
Pros
- Yearly price of $0 with a free plan, so no paid tier to renew
- A single router setting covers routers, Windows and macOS across the whole home
- Run by Cisco Systems, Inc. under US law, with headquarters in US and founded in 2006
- The plan includes web filter through the private dns setup for the home
Cons
- Open source is not offered, so the rules cannot be inspected or hosted yourself
- Support runs on help centre and community only, with no phone or live chat
- The free plan carries no support entitlement, and Cisco enforces rate limits
Who it suits
- Households wanting every device filtered without installing an app on each
- Parents who would rather change filtering at the router than per device
- Readers who want web filtering at a yearly price of $0
Who should look elsewhere
- Apple Hide My Email, which hides an email address rather than blocking sites
- EasyOptOuts, which handles data broker removal rather than web filtering
- Apple Inc. users wanting to inspect code, since open source is no
How OpenDNS compares
9.1 vs 9.1
9.1 vs 8.8
9.1 vs 8.5
9.1 vs 9.5
9.1 vs 9.4
9.1 vs 9.1
9.1 vs 9.2
9.1 vs 9.4
9.1 vs 9.2
9.1 vs 8.8
9.1 vs 9.3
9.1 vs 9.0
9.1 vs 9.0
9.1 vs 9.4
Frequently asked questions
What does OpenDNS cost?+
The yearly price is $0 and a free plan is available, so there is no paid tier to renew. Free use carries no support entitlement, and Cisco enforces rate limits, which matters if you expect steady lookups from a busy home.
What does the free plan cover?+
It covers web filtering across routers, Windows and macOS from a single router, with the filtering set up as private dns. Free use comes with no support entitlement, and Cisco enforces rate limits, so heavy traffic may be held back.
Which devices and platforms does it reach?+
The service reaches routers, Windows and macOS, which is why it sits in the router instead of on each device. Computers, smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, game consoles and DVRs on the same home network all answer to the same setting.
Who runs OpenDNS and where do the terms sit?+
The legal entity is Cisco Systems, Inc., founded in 2006. The consumer terms fall under US law and the headquarters are in the United States, so anyone outside the US reads the terms with US law in mind.
Is OpenDNS open source?+
Open source is not offered. The filtering ships as a service from Cisco Systems, Inc. through a private dns setup, so the rules cannot be read line by line or hosted on hardware you control.
What support do you get?+
Support runs on help centre and community, so help is written rather than live. On the free plan there is no support entitlement, and Cisco enforces rate limits, which are worth knowing before you lean on it for a school or office network.
Do you need an account to use it?+
It depends on the part you use. The consumer terms require no sign-up for Family Shield and Public Service, while an account is needed for OpenDNS Home. The yearly price of $0 applies to the paid side.
Who is OpenDNS for?+
It suits households that filter the whole home through the router, including parents who want web filter on every screen. Readers who want to hide an email address fit Apple Hide My Email better, and Apple Inc. covers aliases too.
Sources
- opendns.com/home-internet-security checked September 26, 2026
Backs: Features, Yearly price
“Customizable content filtering ... Pre-configured to block adult content”
- opendns.com/about checked September 26, 2026
Backs: Founded
“OpenDNS was founded in 2006 with the mission to provide a safer, faster, and better internet browsing experience for all users.”
- opendns.com/consumer-terms checked September 26, 2026
Backs: Free plan limits, Jurisdiction, Legal entity, Pricing model, Open source
“The DNS Service does not include a support entitlement... Cisco sets and enforces rate limits on your use of the DNS Service”
- opendns.com/home-internet-security checked September 26, 2026
Backs: Free plan, Platforms, Privacy tool type
“OpenDNS Home FREE Our classic, free service with customizable filtering and basic protection”
- opendns.com/privacy-policy checked September 26, 2026
Backs: Headquarters
“Cisco Systems, Inc. 170 West Tasman Dr. San Jose, CA 95134 USA”
- opendns.com/support checked September 26, 2026
Backs: Support channels
“FAQ & Community Forums ... Visit Support Forums ... Documentation ... View Our Documentation”
Compiled from 6 source pages, checked September 26, 2026. We did not open an account.
Not confirmed yet: Price from.