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ControlD

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description ControlD Overview

Control D filters internet access through DNS, the system that translates domain names into network addresses. It offers category filters, including controls for gaming and social media, alongside custom rules for individual domains. Rules can allow or block requests, or redirect supported traffic through a selected proxy location. This gives administrators more choices than a filter limited to allowing and blocking websites.

The service suits households or administrators who want detailed policies at the router or device level. Its redirection feature can change the route taken by supported traffic, but it is not a full VPN and does not provide the same network-wide protection. DNS filtering also works at the domain level, so it cannot reliably distinguish every piece of content within an allowed site. Its strength is configurable access control rather than complete traffic inspection.

help ControlD FAQ

Can Control D block apps like TikTok, Steam, or Facebook at the DNS level?

Yes. Control D supports service-level filtering for hundreds of apps and services, including social, gaming, and streaming categories. Because it works through DNS, it can be applied on a router, phone, browser, or endpoint profile.

How is Control D different from NextDNS?

Control D and NextDNS both offer customizable DNS filtering, analytics, and encrypted DNS. Control D's unusual feature is traffic redirection through proxy locations, with documentation describing more than 100 exit locations.

Does Control D support encrypted DNS on routers and phones?

Control D supports modern DNS protocols such as DNS-over-HTTPS, DNS-over-TLS, and DNS-over-QUIC. Router support depends on the router firmware, but Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, and browser setups are documented.

Is Control D connected to Windscribe?

Yes. Control D is from the same people behind Windscribe, the Canadian VPN provider. That is why Control D includes privacy-oriented DNS features plus optional traffic redirection rather than only blocklists.

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