Cisco Umbrella Alternative for Web Security & Internet Traffic Monitoring
Looking for an easy-to-use Cisco Umbrella alternative to stop employees from visiting dangerous, inappropriate, and distracting websites?
Both Cisco Umbrella (formerly OpenDNS Enterprise) and CurrentWare can monitor and control internet use—which should you choose?
We will compare the features of Cisco Umbrella to CurrentWare’s Cisco Umbrella alternatives so you can choose the right fit for your company.
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| When to Use CurrentWare’s Cisco Umbrella Alternatives | When to Use Cisco Umbrella |
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Compare CurrentWare vs. Cisco Umbrella Features
Review Cisco Umbrella vs CurrentWare’s Cisco Umbrella alternatives so you can choose the right fit for your company.
| ✅ | URL Filtering | ✅ |
| ✅ | Block Sites via IP Addresses | ✅ |
| ✅ | Scheduled Blocking | ✅ |
| ❌ | SSL Traffic Inspection | ✅ |
| ✅ | Block File Transfers to Cloud Storage | ✅ |
| ✅ | Block File Downloads | ✅ |
| ✅ | Time-Based Controls | ❌ |
| ✅ | Port Filtering | ✅ |
| ✅ | Block Applications | ⚠️ Cloud Apps Only |
| ✅ | Category Filtering (malicious domains, adult content, phishing URLs, etc) | ✅ |
| ✅ | User Group Policies | ✅ |
| ✅ | Computer Group Policies | ✅ |
| ✅ | Custom Block Pages | ✅ |
| ✅ | Manage Offsite Users | ✅ |
| ❌ | Antimalware Scanning | ✅ |
| ✅ | Enforce Google SafeSearch | ✅ |
Web Security
This section will compare the web content filtering features of CurrentWare’s Cisco Umbrella alternatives to Cisco Umbrella.
CurrentWare’s web filter BrowseControl is a fantastic Cisco Umbrella alternative for controlling employee internet use.
It has all the features you need to proactively block undesirable websites such as those with adult content and applications such as cloud services providers to help protect users from web-based threats and keep your workforce secure and productive.
If you need a basic web filter for content filtering, BrowseControl is one of the top alternatives to Cisco Umbrella. If you need advanced threat protection Cisco Umbrella goes beyond internet filtering and blocks malware with real time deep analysis of web pages.
Last updated January 2023
| ✅ | Email Reports & Alerts | ✅ |
| ✅ | Remote Screen Capture | ❌ |
| ✅ | Scheduled Monitoring | ❌ |
| ✅ | Productive vs. Unproductive Time | ❌ |
| ✅ | Track Local Software Usage | ❌ |
| ✅ | Search Query Reports | ❌ |
| ✅ | Idle Time Tracking | ❌ |
| ✅ | USB Activity Reports & Alerts | ❌ |
| ✅ | Monitor Remote Workers | ✅ |
| ✅ | Track & Compare Activity by IP Addresses | ✅ |
| ✅ | Bandwidth Usage Tracking | ⚠️ Cloud Apps Only |
| ✅ | URL Category Tracking | ✅ |
| ✅ | Audit Logons | ❌ |
| ✅ | Track File Transfers To/From Network Share Drives | ❌ |
| ✅ | Track Downloads/Uploads | ✅ |
Employee Monitoring
This section will compare the employee monitoring and granular reporting features of CurrentWare to Cisco Umbrella/OpenDNS
CurrentWare’s employee monitoring software gives you the internet and application usage data you need to track employee performance, monitor remote workers, and ensure that employees are following your acceptable use policy.
The CurrentWare Suite includes a variety of user activity monitoring solutions to assist with insider threat protection, business intelligence, and employee productivity management.
Last updated January 2023
| ✅ | Block USB & Storage Devices | ❌ |
| ❌ | Malware Sandboxing | ✅ |
| ✅ | USB Activity Reports & Alerts | ❌ |
| ✅ | Allow Trusted Peripherals | ❌ |
| ✅ | Block High-Risk Websites | ✅ |
| ❌ | Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB) | ✅ |
| ❌ | Intrusion Prevention System (IPS) | ✅ |
| ✅ | Block External Devices | ❌ |
| ✅ | Block USB File Transfers | ❌ |
| ❌ | In-Line Content Inspection | ✅ |
| ✅ | Block File Transfers to Cloud Storage | ✅ |
| ✅ | Block File Downloads | ✅ |
| ✅ | Track File Transfers To/From Network Share Drives | ❌ |
| ✅ | Track Downloads/Uploads | ✅ |
Data Loss Prevention & Cybersecurity
This section will compare the data loss prevention features of CurrentWare to Cisco Umbrella/OpenDNS.
Monitoring and restricting USB file transfers is critical for protecting data against insider theft. CurrentWare’s AccessPatrol lets you restrict the use of a wide variety of peripheral devices including external storage hardware, Bluetooth, WiFi, and printers.
While Cisco Umbrella has excellent DNS security options, it lacks USB control features. For comprehensive protection you can combine the cloud based service of Cisco Umbrella with CurrentWare’s endpoint security solutions. This will ensure that both your endpoints and networks are secure.
Last updated January 2023
| ✅ | Central Admin Console | ✅ |
| ✅ | On-Premises | ✅ |
| ✅ Self-Managed Cloud | Cloud Platform | ✅ |
| ✅ | Local & Remote Client Install | ✅ |
| ✅ | Command-line Deployment | ✅ |
| ✅ | Active Directory Installation | ✅ |
| ✅ | Active Directory Integration | ✅ |
| ✅ | Compatible with Windows | ✅ |
| ❌ | Compatible with MacOS | ✅ |
| ✅ | Manage Remote Users | ✅ |
Setup & Deployment
Thanks to its simple interface and setup process, getting started with CurrentWare is easy—whether or not you’re an experienced system administrator. CurrentWare is easy to deploy and offers a variety deployment options that suit the installation needs of organizations of all sizes.
That said, CurrentWare is only available for the Windows operating system. Companies searching for MacOS web security solutions will benefit from Cisco Umbrella’s roaming clients for Mac or other solutions.
Last updated January 2023
| 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM EST, Monday to Friday | Support Availability | 24 x 7 |
| ✅ | Live Chat Feature | ⚠️ AI Chat Bot |
| ✅ | Phone Support | ✅ |
| ✅ | Training Videos | ✅ |
| ✅ | Email Support | ✅ |
| ✅ | Knowledge Base | ✅ |
Customer Support
Even the best Cisco Umbrella competitors have to have a reliable technical support team to ensure that its customers get the services they need to integrate the filtering solution. This section will compare the customer support options of Cisco Umbrella to CurrentWare.
Last updated January 2023
CASE STUDY
Web Filtering & Internet Safety In Education
“Exposing students to the digital world comes with a responsibility
to protect them. Students love BrowseControl because it gives them a safe working environment and prevents potential bad actors from interrupting their educational experience."
We’re Here to Help
The CurrentWare team prides itself on its high-quality customer support. We will support you every step of the way—whether you’re just starting your free trial or actively using CurrentWare in your network.
At CurrentWare, customer success is our priority at every stage of your journey. We take pride in providing high-quality and reliable pre and post-sale support to make your experience exceptional.
We offer the same level of high-quality support to all of our customers—no extra fees or packages necessary!
Mike Noseworthy
Customer Support Lead
Product Training
CurrentWare provides the documentation, training, and other resources you need to take full advantage of the capabilities of our products.
Technical Support
Our expert support team is here to help you. Reach out to us over email, live chat, or phone from 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM EST, Monday to Friday.
Check Out Our Great Reviews!
"As a 'novice' I was able to set up with help from support in about an hour. Previous software took forever and didn't work as advertised. This software worked right out of the box."
Dr. Gerard B, Office Manager
Medical Practice, 2-10 Employees
"This software was easy to install and customize to our needs. Category Filtering is such a time saver and of course saving time is saving money!"
Scott S, Senior Systems Engineer
Maritime Industry, 201-500 Employees
"BrowseControl is the best software for internet filtering. We can block specific websites and applications...[being able to] add and remove the restrictions instantly is a great feature. They have a great customer support to solve our queries."
Ajoob S, Engineer
Chemical Industry, 501-1000 Employees
In my nearly 40 years in the IT business I’ve worked with a lot of support teams. I really appreciate CurrentWare going the extra mile to help me get the most out of the product. They’ve definitely outweighed any of the other competitors that I’ve looked at.
Jerry Slocum, Managed Services Provider
Haggerty Auto Group, 150-200 Employees
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CurrentWare’s Advantageous Pricing
Why pay thousands of dollars for Cisco Umbrella when you simply want to restrict internet access and monitor employee web browsing and application usage?
The full CurrentWare Suite starts at a cost-effective $8.99 USD per user per month. When purchased individually, BrowseReporter, BrowseControl, and AccessPatrol starts at $3.99 USD PUPM.
Education & Nonprofit Discounts
CurrentWare offers educational and nonprofit organizations 10% off of any of the products in the CurrentWare Suite.
Deals for Managed Service Providers
CurrentWare’s managed service providers and resellers get advantageous pricing on their licenses
Volume Licensing
Volume-based licensing starts as low as 100 users to provide advantageous pricing for any business that needs to manage multiple devices.
Prepurchase Discounts
Pricing breaks are available for businesses that sign up for multi-year plans, or have future growth planned and can commit to bulk orders.
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Cisco Umbrella Packages & Pricing
Looking for Cisco Umbrella pricing? Unfortunately there is no Cisco Umbrella cost publicly listed on their website. Potential Cisco Umbrella customers will need to request a quote from Cisco Systems Inc directly to get an accurate view of Cisco Umbrella pricing.
There are four distinct Cisco Umbrella packages: DNS Security Essentials, DNS Security Advantage, SIG Essentials, and SIG Advantage.
The DNS Security Essentials package of Cisco Umbrella focuses on basic DNS layer web filtering by domain or category; it does not include support for URL filtering. To get URL filtering you will need to upgrade to their SIG (secure internet gateway) plans.
Cisco Umbrella also offers a DNS Monitoring Package that provides free, recursive DNS services with real-time reporting and categorization.
Cisco Umbrella has paid support tiers. Pricing is not publicly available, though they do provide a support packages datasheet with more information.
This section will further compare the other features between CurrentWare’s Cisco Umbrella alternative and Cisco’s various DNS protection and secure internet gateway plans.
| ❌ | Full SSL inspection | ❌ |
| ✅ | Web filtering by domain or category | ✅ |
| ❌ | DNS Filtering | ✅ |
| ✅ | Custom block/allow lists of domains | ✅ |
| ✅ | Custom block/allow lists of URLs | ❌ |
| ❌ | Block files based on AV Engine and malware defense | ❌ |
| ❌ | Sandboxing | ✅ |
| ✅ | Cloud app discovery | ⚠️ Partial Support |
| ❌ | Scan and remove malware from cloud-based file storage apps | ❌ |
| ✅ | Block domains with malware, phishing sites, botnet, or other high risk items | ✅ |
| ✅ | Block specific IPs, ports, and protocols | ❌ |
| ❌ | Layer 7 protection including an Intrusion Prevention System | ❌ |
| ❌ | In-line DLP inspection and blocking capabilities | ❌ |
| ❌ | Remote browser isolation | ❌ |
| ✅ | Create policies and generate reports by network, device, and user | ✅ |
| ✅ | Customize block pages | ✅ |
| ❌ | Proxy and inspect web traffic (incl. decryption of SSL (HTTPS) traffic) | ⚠️ Partial Support |
| ❌ | DNS Filtering | ✅ |
| ✅ | Web filtering by domain or category | ✅ |
| ✅ | Custom block/allow lists of domains | ✅ |
| ✅ | Custom block/allow lists of URLs | ❌ |
| ❌ | Block files based on AV Engine and malware protection | ⚠️ Partial Support |
| ❌ | Sandboxing | ✅ |
| ✅ | Cloud appdiscovery | ⚠️ Partial Support |
| ❌ | Scan and remove malware from cloud-based file storage apps | ❌ |
| ✅ | Block domains with malware, phishing, botnet, or other high risk items | ✅ |
| ✅ | Block specific IPs, ports, and protocols | ❌ |
| ❌ | Layer 7 protection including an Intrusion Prevention System | ❌ |
| ❌ | In-line DLP inspection and blocking capabilities | ❌ |
| ❌ | Remote browser isolation | ❌ |
| ✅ | Create policies and view reports by network, device, and user | ✅ |
| ✅ | Customize block pages | ✅ |
| ❌ | Proxy and inspect web traffic (incl. decryption of SSL (HTTPS) traffic) | ✅ |
| ❌ | DNS Filtering | ✅ |
| ✅ | Web filtering by domain or category | ✅ |
| ✅ | Custom block/allow lists of domains | ✅ |
| ✅ | Custom block/allow lists of URLs | ✅ |
| ❌ | Block files based on AV Engine and malware protection | ✅ |
| ❌ | Sandboxing | ⚠️ 500/Day |
| ✅ | Cloud app discovery | ✅ |
| ❌ | Scan and remove malware from cloud-based file storage apps | ⚠️ Partial Support |
| ✅ | Block domains with malware, phishing, botnet, or other high risk items | ✅ |
| ✅ | Block specific IPs, ports, and protocols | ✅ |
| ❌ | Layer 7 protection including an Intrusion Prevention System | ⚠️ Add-On |
| ❌ | In-line DLP inspection and blocking capabilities | ⚠️ Add-On |
| ❌ | Remote browser isolation | ⚠️ Add-On |
| ✅ | Create policies and reports by network, device, and user | ✅ |
| ✅ | Customize block pages | ✅ |
| ❌ | Proxy and inspect web traffic (incl. decryption of SSL (HTTPS) traffic) | ✅ |
| ❌ | DNS Filtering | ✅ |
| ✅ | Web filtering by domain or category | ✅ |
| ✅ | Custom block/allow lists of domains | ✅ |
| ✅ | Custom block/allow lists of URLs | ✅ |
| ❌ | Block files based on AV Engine and malware defense | ✅ |
| ❌ | Sandboxing | ✅ |
| ✅ | Cloud app discovery | ✅ |
| ❌ | Scan and remove malware from cloud-based file storage apps | ✅ |
| ✅ | Block domains with malware, phishing, botnet, or other high risk items | ✅ |
| ✅ | Block specific IPs, ports, and protocols | ✅ |
| ❌ | Layer 7 protection including an Intrusion Prevention System | ✅ |
| ❌ | In-line DLP inspection and blocking capabilities | ✅ |
| ❌ | Remote browser isolation | ⚠️ Add-On |
| ✅ | Create policies and view reports by network, device, and user | ✅ |
| ✅ | Customize block pages | ✅ |
Take Back Control Over Employee Internet Usage Today
Get started with a FREE trial of CurrentWare’s Cisco Umbrella alternatives
Real-Time Employee Computer
Activity Dashboards & Reports
BrowseReporter’s real-time user activity dashboards and reports give you the insights you need to identify productivity leaks, detect excessive bandwidth usage, reduce software costs, and improve business intelligence.
User Activity Dashboards
- Use the collected data to review aggregated results of your entire workforce or drill down to individual users
- Select the date range and activities you want to populate the dashboard with
- Use the activity log to review raw data; add/remove columns, sort data, and export to .XLSX or .PDF
Track Productive vs Unproductive Time
- View time spent on productive vs unproductive web browsing & app use
- Customize to what is considered productive in your organization
- Compare trends in aggregated & individual productivity over time
- Use IP-based location tracking to compare productivity levels between time spent in-office vs time spent working remotely
Idle Time Tracking
- Find out when remote employees are idling for too long or spending too much of their working hours on non-work related activities
- Customize idle time based on the last keyboard/mouse inputs
- Discover which departments or employees are the most active
Bandwidth Monitoring
- Detect bandwidth-hogging websites on your network
- Review bandwidth usage trends to inform network capacity planning
- See which individual users or groups have the greatest bandwidth usage
Track Website & Application Usage
- Detect the use of unauthorized software applications
- Track which apps & sites employees use solo, as a team, or as a company
- Determine software adoption rates with usage data for apps and SaaS sites
Take Screenshots Of Your Employees’ Desktops
- Capture high-resolution and compressed screenshots of your employee’s desktops to see exactly what they're doing on their computers.
- The employee screenshot monitoring software feature can be configured to automatically delete older screenshots to reduce storage requirements
- Screenshots are tagged with the website or application that was being used, the time, and the name of the computer that was captured
Keep a Pulse on Team Activity in Real-Time
- Get high-level views of the recent activity of individual users and teams
- Easily see who is online now and who hasn’t logged in today
- Track your users’ most recent productivity, activity, availability status
Get Started Today
With a Free Trial
Fully functional. Easy to use. Install in minutes.
Flexible Deployment Options
With CurrentWare’s user activity monitoring solutions you’re in complete control of how your data is stored, secured, and retained. Your employees' data cannot be accessed by CurrentWare.
On Premises
Have Complete Control of Your Data
Install the management software on a standard computer, then deploy the client software to your users' computers
Remote Workers
Monitor & Manage Your Users on Any Network
Connect your remote employees’ computers to the management software with simple port forwarding rules
Self-Managed Cloud & VDI
Citrix, Azure, AWS, GCP, and More!
Enjoy the scalability and availability of the cloud alongside the security, control, and flexibility of our on-premises solution.
Get Started Today
With a Free Trial
Fully functional. Easy to use. Install in minutes.
CurrentWare Features
Internet ON/OFF
One click to completely block
the Internet
URL Filter
Allow or block specific URLs;
customize policies for each group
Category Filtering
Block websites based on
content categories
Internet Scheduler
Set unique restrictions at specific
times of the day
Internet Monitoring
Monitor web browsing,
keyword searches, and more
Computer Activity Reports
15+ different detailed web
activity reports
Track Application Use
See what applications are being
used by employees
Email Reports
Automatically email user activity
reports to designated inboxes
Block USB
Block unauthorized USBs to protect
against data theft
Block External Devices
Easily block DVDs, external drives
& other peripherals
Device Permissions
Set full access, read only or no
access on storage devices
