BlueCat Edge Reviews

Name: BlueCat Edge
Brand: BlueCat
Rating: 4.2 (7 reviews)

4.2 out of 5

7 reviews
85% willing to recommend

What is BlueCat Edge?

BlueCat Edge is an intelligent DNS resolver and caching layer that leverages existing DNS infrastructure to provide unprecedented visibility and control over DNS traffic. As a first hop DNS resolver, BlueCat Edge intelligently manages DNS forwarding rules and logs all queries to offer intuitive analytics and data governance. By monitoring all queries and IP addresses with BlueCat Edge, enterprises can also leverage BlueCat’s advanced Threat Protection and policy-based network/security features to protect the enterprise against cyber threats, such as domain name generation algorithms and tunneling that lead to data exfiltration or network downtime.

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BlueCat Edge is the #5 ranked solution in top Domain Name System (DNS) Security solutions. PeerSpot users give BlueCat Edge an average rating of 8.4 out of 10. BlueCat Edge is most commonly compared to Cisco Umbrella: BlueCat Edge vs Cisco Umbrella. BlueCat Edge is popular among the large enterprise segment, accounting for 69% of users researching this solution on PeerSpot. The top industry researching this solution are professionals from a computer software company, accounting for 16% of all views.

Helped 838,640 peers since 2012

Featured reviews

LeandroFreitas

Senior Network Engineer at Cgi Deutschland KG

The most impressive feature of BlueCat Edge is its versatility combined with robust security. It acts as a central platform that intelligently routes traffic to the correct resolver while simultaneously enforcing security policies. This includes the ability to blacklist malicious domains or redirect traffic, providing a significant security advantage. In my experience, I've successfully migrated nearly 100,000 internal IP addresses across 14 global data centers using BlueCat Edge, handling a substantial amount of traffic with ease. The interface is user-friendly, and what I find most helpful is the ability to quickly view logs. These logs contain all the queries from internal clients and the corresponding responses from the DNS service, making troubleshooting DNS traffic significantly easier. In the past 24 hours, we've seen 86,000 unique IP addresses using the service, though this number likely fluctuates seasonally. Overall, it's the best solution I've found for troubleshooting DNS traffic. The unparalleled visibility offered by BlueCat Edge is arguably the most critical benefit we receive.

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David Muscat

Principal Architect, System Design /Enterprise-Hybrid Cloud DNS Lead at a healthcare company with 1,001-5,000 employees

About Nine months ago, we were still using their Edge endpoint version 3. We recently moved to version 4 of their Edge endpoint. In Edge endpoint version 3, we did not have the ability to clean up our dashboards properly. As we decommissioned sites and commissioned new sites, we were left with a mess of data still sitting there because of the way they had originally designed version 3. Now the old data is gone, and the function of the new version 4 has really helped with that. It was a nuisance for the past few years. One pain point concerning DNS Edge is the inability to see per Edge endpoint, what devices are querying against it. They do have the capability for you to look at that data, but the data is roughly 24 to 48 hours old. I am looking for real-time data, and I cannot get that per Edge endpoint. I would call it a work in progress. I am still finding things that bug me in terms of how something functions. I might find out how to do something when it is not documented. That is great, but documentation becomes an issue with me on that.

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reviewer2340669

Enterprise Architect at a financial services firm with 10,001+ employees

I have concerns about several aspects of BlueCat's site management. Firstly, the cleanup process doesn't seem thorough enough, leaving behind residual data. Secondly, the logging duration has been significantly reduced. When I started using Edge, I had access to 3-6 months of historical data, but now this window has shrunk to just two weeks. I understand that the platform processes over one and a half billion queries per week, which necessitates data management. However, I believe access to longer-term logs would be beneficial for our analysis. The current two-week window limits our ability to identify trends and track historical events effectively. BlueCat Edge has a limitation of 10,000 records for exports. While I understand the need to export all data, it would be more efficient if I could selectively export the data I need. Currently, there is only one export mechanism that provides all 10,000 records. I would prefer the ability to select specific values and export more records at once, as I don't require all the data available.

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BlueCat Edge mindshare

As of February 2025, the mindshare of BlueCat Edge in the Domain Name System (DNS) Security category stands at 3.5%, up from 2.1% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Domain Name System (DNS) Security

PeerAnalyst reports

Type	Title	Date
Category	Domain Name System (DNS) Security	Feb 21, 2025	Download
Product	Reviews, tips, and advice from real users	Feb 21, 2025	Download
Comparison	BlueCat Edge vs Cisco Umbrella	Feb 21, 2025	Download
Comparison	BlueCat Edge vs Infoblox Advanced DNS Protection	Feb 21, 2025	Download
Comparison	BlueCat Edge vs Palo Alto Networks DNS Security	Feb 21, 2025	Download

Title	Rating	Mindshare	Recommending
Cisco Umbrella	4.4	22.3%	97%	111 interviews Add to research
Infoblox Advanced DNS Protection	4.1	21.7%	92%	17 interviews Add to research

Valuable Features

BlueCat Edge's most valuable features include IP Address Management, quick integration, and the ability to efficiently route DNS traffic. It offers robust security with domain blacklisting and traffic redirection. Users appreciate the user-friendly interface, traffic handling, log viewing, and advanced troubleshooting capabilities. The platform excels in DNS threats detection, malicious query identification, and cost reduction. Its versatility allows for DNS resolver routing, namespace control, caching, and conditional forwarding based on region and IP.

"BlueCat has increased security efficiency tremendously within the first month of deployment."
"The namespace and access control features are notable."
"Edge has reduced the complexity and has been more reliable."

Room for Improvement

Users suggest improvements for a more graphical interface with an interactive dashboard and real-time data visualization. They desire better data management, including extended logging duration and selective data exports. Concerns include incomplete cleanup, insufficient security configurations, and inadequate documentation. Additionally, they highlight the need for faster implementation of feature requests, enhanced threat detection, and more granular control over content filtering by categories. Price is also noted as a concern.

"BlueCat should consider deploying feature enhancement requests faster, especially if they are simple to implement."
"BlueCat should consider deploying feature enhancement requests faster, especially if they are simple to implement."
"I would like to see improvements in threat detection and the ability to add categorization for blocking queries, such as those related to adult entertainment."

ROI

BlueCat Edge significantly improved network reliability and performance, leading to reduced downtime and smoother operations. Users noted a measurable increase in efficiency and productivity, reporting faster issue resolution and streamlined processes. Enhanced security features minimized vulnerabilities and threats. Cost savings were observed due to reduced need for manual intervention and fewer outages. Overall, users experienced substantial improvements in service availability and operational efficiency, translating to a favorable return on investment.

Pricing

BlueCat Edge pricing is viewed as high but deemed necessary for enterprise growth. Users appreciate the unlimited deployment of Edge endpoints with a single subscription, enhancing cost efficiency. The shift from per-IP pricing to a more flexible model has been positively received, offering competitive value against alternatives like Infoblox. Some costs are bundled with other BlueCat products, adding to overall savings. Nonetheless, BlueCat's value proposition justifies its expense according to senior leadership satisfaction.

"The licensing model for BlueCat Edge seems very good, although I can't confirm if it's specific to our contract."
"We find the current pricing model more reasonable compared to the previous per-IP pricing."
"One of the nice benefits of getting DNS Edge is that you buy the subscription, and you are allowed to deploy as many Edge endpoints as you need. You do not need a separate license for each one. If you deploy 20 of them, you will not be billed for that many. It is one subscription. You can deploy as many as you need and consume as much as you need. The cost comes in based on the number of IPs that you are consuming and running through DNS Edge. We have that pretty much locked in for what we need for internal purposes. Being able to save money on deploying Edge endpoints has saved us drastically from deploying other BlueCat products in lieu of that."

Popular Use Cases

BlueCat Edge serves as a primary DNS server for institutions with extensive user bases, such as universities with thousands of members. Users employ it for DNS resolution, redirecting, IP management, and traffic management. It helps identify malicious requests in cloud AI environments and facilitates integration between cloud and on-premises providers. Deployed globally across organizations, BlueCat Edge efficiently manages regional queries and enhances visibility and security within hybrid infrastructures.

Service and Support

BlueCat Edge customer service is highly appreciated, especially the enterprise support. Users with enterprise plans value the prompt and personalized service, with dedicated teams familiar with their environments. Premium support receives praise for its client-centric approach and proactive engagement. Regular support varies in response time, with some concerns about delays. While general support is seen as adequate, many find the enhanced support more beneficial. BlueCat Edge remains a preferred choice for many, maintaining a positive experience.

Deployment

Users found BlueCat Edge's initial setup straightforward with some complexity depending on infrastructure needs. Some deployed it in hybrid environments requiring upgrades and legal checks due to regulatory requirements. Deployment timelines varied, with larger infrastructures requiring phased implementations across regions. With training and collaboration, setup became manageable. For some, configuring a new service point took under an hour due to centralized management systems, while others noted that planning and understanding requirements facilitated the process.

Scalability

BlueCat Edge is quite scalable, supporting thousands of users and multiple subnets with a robust and flexible structure. Its capacity to add nodes enhances its scalability, while DNS reliance and effective load balancers help manage traffic efficiently. The complexity of scaling requires careful configurations, but once optimized, it performs seamlessly. Caching features and security measures further bolster its scalability and usability across diverse deployment scenarios in various data centers.

Stability

BlueCat Edge is rated highly for stability, scoring nine out of ten. Users note its reliability over the years with minimal disruptions. Anycast implementation and load balancing help in minimizing downtime. Though occasional issues arise, quick resolutions are common. Stability has improved security efficiency significantly. Minor hiccups, such as a past bad update, were handled promptly by BlueCat. This ensures their architecture maintains smooth operations with minimal user disruptions.

These insights are based on the in-depth reviews provided by peers to help you make a better buying decision.

Download our BlueCat Edge Buyer's Guide for additional reliable information.