Web Filtering Market Size & Share Analysis - Growth Trends & Forecasts (2025 - 2030)

The Web Filtering Market Report is Segmented by Component (Solution and Services), Deployment Mode (On-Premises and Cloud), Filtering Type (DNS Filtering, Keyword Filtering, URL Filtering, and File-Type and Other Filtering), Organization Size (Large Enterprises and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)), Industry Vertical (BFSI, IT and Telecom, Government, Education, and Other Industry Verticals), and Geography.

Web Filtering Market Size and Share

Image © Mordor Intelligence. Reuse requires attribution under CC BY 4.0.

Compare market size and growth of Web Filtering Market with other markets in Technology, Media and Telecom Industry

Web Filtering Market Analysis by Mordor Intelligence

The web filtering market size stood at USD 4.92 billion in 2025 and is on track to reach USD 8.68 billion by 2030 at a 12.0% CAGR, demonstrating how essential advanced filtering has become for modern security stacks. Cloud-native architectures, Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) convergence, and zero-trust mandates are accelerating refresh cycles across enterprises, while AI-powered content inspection improves protection against encrypted threats. Regulatory pressure—from the U.S. Executive Order 14144 to Indonesia’s Regulation 17/2025—is forcing organizations to deploy policy-rich platforms that satisfy complex compliance checks[1]Executive Office of the President, “Executive Order 14144—Strengthening and Promoting Innovation in the Nation’s Cybersecurity,” Federal Register, federalregister.gov. North America remains the largest regional contributor, yet Asia-Pacific delivers the fastest growth amid sweeping data-protection laws and surging cloud adoption. Platform consolidation is changing buying behavior as enterprises favor integrated stacks that fold secure web gateway (SWG), firewall-as-a-service, and zero-trust network access into a single subscription.

Key Report Takeaways

  • By component, solutions led with 63.2% of web filtering market share in 2024, while services are forecast to grow at a 14.0% CAGR to 2030. 
  • By deployment mode, on-premises accounted for 69.5% share of the web filtering market size in 2024; cloud deployment is projected to expand at 14.3% CAGR through 2030. 
  • By filtering type, URL filtering captured 57.8% revenue share in 2024; keyword filtering is advancing at a 13.5% CAGR between 2025-2030. 
  • By organization size, large enterprises held 71% share of the web filtering market size in 2024, whereas SMEs record the quickest CAGR at 13.8% to 2030. 
  • By industry vertical, BFSI commanded 45.7% of the web filtering market share in 2024, yet education is the fastest-growing vertical at 12.5% CAGR through 2030. 
  • By geography, North America led with 37.3% revenue share in 2024; Asia-Pacific is set to grow at 13.1% CAGR to 2030.

Segment Analysis

By Component: Services Growth Outpaces Solutions

Services generated a 14.0% CAGR from 2025-2030, outstripping software even though solutions still captured 63.2% revenue in 2024. The web filtering market records mounting demand for professional services that configure AI policy engines, integrate identity feeds, and run threat-hunting playbooks. Vendors like Zscaler support over 8,600 customers with managed offerings that absorb operational burdens[3]Zscaler Inc., “Third Quarter Fiscal 2025 Financial Results,” zscaler.com. Growing complexity, coupled with the cyber-skills gap, cements services as a strategic revenue pillar. 

Solutions continue to underwrite the bulk of the web filtering market because large enterprises pre-pay multiyear subscriptions for cloud gateways. Consumption-based billing now blurs lines between software and service, yet license value remains material. Menlo Security’s cloud-native Secure Enterprise Browser packages RBI and zero-trust controls into per-seat fees that mimic SaaS economics. Consequently, services revenues expand without cannibalizing core license flows, keeping total addressable opportunity robust.

Image © Mordor Intelligence. Reuse requires attribution under CC BY 4.0.

By Deployment Mode: Cloud Migration Accelerates

On-prem appliances still held 69.5% of web filtering market size in 2024, reflecting historical capex cycles inside heavily regulated verticals. However, cloud deployment is the fastest-growing segment at 14.3% CAGR. The web filtering market benefits from enterprises peeling back branch boxes in favor of global point-of-presence (PoP) networks that scale elastically during traffic spikes. Cloudflare posted 27% top-line growth to USD 479.1 million in Q1 2025, partly on the back of nine-figure security contracts. 

Latency myths are fading as PoP density climbs and vendors introduce smart-routing algorithms that steer sessions along optimal paths. Hybrid models—on-prem policy engines paired with cloud-fed intelligence—bridge migration for cautious buyers. Government agencies trial cloud gateways in sandboxed workloads, spurred by encrypted DNS mandates that demand modern inspection layers.

By Filtering Type: Keyword Filtering Gains Momentum

URL databases delivered 57.8% of 2024 revenue, but keyword filtering is projected to clock 13.5% CAGR, the quickest among all types. As attackers repurpose legitimate domains, keyword engines comb page text, metadata, and scripts to flag policy violations unseen by URL lists. That evolution keeps the web filtering market ahead of encrypted traffic growth because content inspection does not rely on domain visibility alone. 

DNS filtering remains indispensable for zero-trust segmentation, supplying coarse blocklists that preempt known bad destinations. Meanwhile, AI-powered behavioral analytics fuse file-type and keyword logic to detect living-off-the-land exploits. Cisco’s DGA model exemplifies such cross-method synergies, yielding 50% higher accuracy. Education customers, juggling safety and academic freedom, now deploy nuanced keyword rules that weight context rather than raw terms.

By Organization Size: SME Adoption Accelerates

Large enterprises controlled 71% of 2024 spending thanks to hefty budgets and multi-layer security blueprints. Yet SMEs exhibit 13.8% CAGR as cloud delivery democratizes enterprise-grade protection. Affordable subscriptions permit small firms to harness the same policy engines processing cabinet-level U.S. agency traffic, shrinking the security maturity gap. 

The web filtering market therefore sees volume expansion without trading down average selling prices, because per-user economics remain attractive. SMEs often select bundled SASE suites to sidestep integration chores, driving cross-sell momentum for leading platforms. Challenges persist around vertical-specific compliance, yet marketplaces of ready-made policy templates mitigate resource shortages.

Web Filtering Market
Image © Mordor Intelligence. Reuse requires attribution under CC BY 4.0.

By Industry Vertical: Education Sector Drives Growth

BFSI contributed 45.7% revenue in 2024 as compliance-heavy banks shield sensitive customer data from phishing and malvertising. However, education is the fastest-rising vertical at 12.5% CAGR. Georgia’s Senate Bill 351 obliges K-12 districts to filter social-media content by July 2026, spurring a wave of RFPs for classroom-compatible solutions. The web filtering market thus diversifies beyond corporate walls into public-sector budgets. 

Higher-education institutions balance open research access with safeguarding students from malicious AI-generated pages, requiring granular identity-based policies. Suppliers roll out discounted licensing tiers and Chromebook agents engineered for bandwidth-constrained campuses. BFSI and healthcare continue as baseline revenue pillars, but incremental upside flows from government and telecom digital-trust initiatives that embed SWG into broader modernization projects.

Geography Analysis

North America retained 37.3% of global revenue in 2024 owing to mature regulatory mandates, zero-trust adoption, and incumbency of leading vendors. Budget turbulence from U.S. spending caps briefly delayed federal deals, yet Executive Order 14144 has reset urgency by codifying encrypted DNS timelines. Municipal school districts accelerate procurement to meet social-media filtering deadlines, expanding addressable spend. 

Europe ranks next as GDPR, the Online Safety Act 2023, and diverse national privacy laws force service providers to deploy sophisticated inspection and data-loss prevention controls. Ofcom’s enforcement program obliges firms to submit illegal-content risk assessments, raising minimum baseline capability for SWG offerings. Digital-sovereignty demands drive interest in EU-hosted PoPs and local threat-intel feeds. 

Asia-Pacific is the fastest-growing territory with 13.1% CAGR, propelled by India’s DPDPA, Indonesia’s child-protection regulation, and rapid cloud build-outs among digitally native businesses. Japan and South Korea craft smartphone security bills that will widen compliance scope to app stores, fortifying long-term demand. Fragmented maturity levels create openings for channel partners that bundle training, local language support, and regulatory guidance.

Web Filtering Market
Image © Mordor Intelligence. Reuse requires attribution under CC BY 4.0.

Competitive Landscape

The web filtering market remains moderately fragmented. Zscaler, Palo Alto Networks, and Cloudflare extend platform breadth through AI-driven modules and global PoP expansion. Zscaler processed 0.5 trillion daily transactions and posted USD 678 million Q3 2025 revenue, reflecting scale advantages that feed its threat-intel algorithms[4]Zscaler Inc., “Third Quarter Fiscal 2025 Financial Results,” zscaler.com. Palo Alto Networks eyes USD 15 billion annual recurring revenue by 2030 via unified Next-Generation Security bundles that knit SWG, SD-WAN, and autonomous SOC features. 

Strategic mergers and acquisitions reshape competitive positioning. Google closed the USD 32 billion Wiz acquisition in March 2025, injecting cloud-security DNA into Google Cloud services. Fortinet followed with Lacework, boosting workload-visibility and runtime threat detection inside its Unified SASE line. Check Point added Perimeter 81 for secure access as incumbents chase platform breadth. 

Technology differentiation hinges on machine-learning fidelity, latency optimization, and breadth of compliance toolkits. Cisco’s AI-powered DGA module and Menlo Security’s Secure Enterprise Browser exemplify innovation paths meant to reduce false positives and contain zero-days at the browser layer. Education-centric vendors such as Securly capture niche share through purpose-built dashboards, while telecom operators white-label large-vendor stacks to upsell security over fiber and 5G footprints. Consolidation pressure may lift average selling prices, yet customer churn stays low once PoP footprint and policy libraries are embedded.

Web Filtering Industry Leaders

  1. Broadcom Corporation

  2. Cisco Systems, Inc.

  3. Palo Alto Networks, Inc.

  4. McAfee, Inc.

  5. Fortinet, Inc.

  6. *Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order
Cisco Systems, Inc., McAfee, Inc., Palo Alto Networks, Inc., Fortinet, Trend Micro Inc., Barracuda Networks, Inc.,
Image © Mordor Intelligence. Reuse requires attribution under CC BY 4.0.
Need More Details on Market Players and Competitors?
Download PDF

Recent Industry Developments

  • June 2025: Zscaler appointed Kevin Rubin as CFO to steer financial operations amid 23% revenue expansion.
  • May 2025: Fortinet finalized the Lacework acquisition, integrating AI cloud-security analytics into its Unified SASE platform.
  • April 2025: Palo Alto Networks confirmed talks to buy Protect AI for USD 650-700 million to deepen AI threat-protection stack.
  • March 2025: Google completed the USD 32 billion purchase of Wiz, the largest cybersecurity deal on record.

Table of Contents for Web Filtering Industry Report

1. INTRODUCTION

  • 1.1 Study Assumptions and Market Definition
  • 1.2 Scope of the Study

2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

4. MARKET LANDSCAPE

  • 4.1 Market Overview
  • 4.2 Market Drivers
    • 4.2.1 Strict government regulations and compliance pressure
    • 4.2.2 Surge in BYOD and hybrid work adoption
    • 4.2.3 Escalating sophistication of web-borne malware
    • 4.2.4 SASE convergence accelerating SWG refresh cycles
    • 4.2.5 AI-driven real-time content classification
    • 4.2.6 Remote Browser Isolation as zero-trust enabler
  • 4.3 Market Restraints
    • 4.3.1 Cyber-skills deficit for complex policy tuning
    • 4.3.2 Performance-latency concerns in cloud SWG
    • 4.3.3 Encrypted DNS (DoH) circumventing filters
    • 4.3.4 Vendor consolidation boosting price power
  • 4.4 Value Chain Analysis
  • 4.5 Regulatory Landscape
  • 4.6 Technological Outlook
  • 4.7 Porter's Five Forces Analysis
    • 4.7.1 Bargaining Power of Suppliers
    • 4.7.2 Bargaining Power of Buyers
    • 4.7.3 Threat of New Entrants
    • 4.7.4 Threat of Substitutes
    • 4.7.5 Intensity of Competitive Rivalry
  • 4.8 Pricing Analysis
  • 4.9 Assessment of the Impact of Macroeconomic Trends on the Market

5. MARKET SIZE AND GROWTH FORECASTS (VALUE)

  • 5.1 By Component
    • 5.1.1 Solution
    • 5.1.2 Services
  • 5.2 By Deployment Mode
    • 5.2.1 On-premises
    • 5.2.2 Cloud
  • 5.3 By Filtering Type
    • 5.3.1 DNS Filtering
    • 5.3.2 Keyword Filtering
    • 5.3.3 URL Filtering
    • 5.3.4 File-type and Other Filtering
  • 5.4 By Organisation Size
    • 5.4.1 Large Enterprises
    • 5.4.2 Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)
  • 5.5 By Industry Vertical
    • 5.5.1 BFSI
    • 5.5.2 IT and Telecom
    • 5.5.3 Government
    • 5.5.4 Education
    • 5.5.5 Other Industry Verticals
  • 5.6 By Geography
    • 5.6.1 North America
    • 5.6.1.1 United States
    • 5.6.1.2 Canada
    • 5.6.1.3 Mexico
    • 5.6.2 Europe
    • 5.6.2.1 Germany
    • 5.6.2.2 United Kingdom
    • 5.6.2.3 France
    • 5.6.2.4 Italy
    • 5.6.2.5 Spain
    • 5.6.2.6 Russia
    • 5.6.2.7 Rest of Europe
    • 5.6.3 Asia-Pacific
    • 5.6.3.1 China
    • 5.6.3.2 Japan
    • 5.6.3.3 India
    • 5.6.3.4 South Korea
    • 5.6.3.5 Australia and New Zealand
    • 5.6.3.6 Rest of Asia-Pacific
    • 5.6.4 South America
    • 5.6.4.1 Brazil
    • 5.6.4.2 Argentina
    • 5.6.4.3 Rest of South America
    • 5.6.5 Middle East and Africa
    • 5.6.5.1 Middle East
    • 5.6.5.1.1 Saudi Arabia
    • 5.6.5.1.2 United Arab Emirates
    • 5.6.5.1.3 Turkey
    • 5.6.5.1.4 Rest of Middle East
    • 5.6.5.2 Africa
    • 5.6.5.2.1 South Africa
    • 5.6.5.2.2 Nigeria
    • 5.6.5.2.3 Rest of Africa

6. COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

  • 6.1 Market Concentration
  • 6.2 Strategic Moves
  • 6.3 Market Share Analysis
  • 6.4 Company Profiles (includes Global level Overview, Market level overview, Core Segments, Financials as available, Strategic Information, Market Rank/Share for key companies, Products and Services, Recent Developments)
    • 6.4.1 Cisco Systems Inc.
    • 6.4.2 Broadcom (Symantec)
    • 6.4.3 Palo Alto Networks
    • 6.4.4 Fortinet Inc.
    • 6.4.5 Zscaler Inc.
    • 6.4.6 McAfee LLC
    • 6.4.7 Trend Micro Inc.
    • 6.4.8 Barracuda Networks
    • 6.4.9 Forcepoint LLC
    • 6.4.10 AO Kaspersky Lab
    • 6.4.11 Trustwave Holdings
    • 6.4.12 Sophos Ltd.
    • 6.4.13 Netskope Inc.
    • 6.4.14 Skyhigh Security
    • 6.4.15 Cloudflare Inc.
    • 6.4.16 iboss Inc.
    • 6.4.17 Sangfor Technologies
    • 6.4.18 Proofpoint Inc.
    • 6.4.19 Check Point Software
    • 6.4.20 Akamai Technologies
    • 6.4.21 Secureworks
    • 6.4.22 Webroot (OpenText)
    • 6.4.23 Cyren Ltd.

7. MARKET OPPORTUNITIES AND FUTURE OUTLOOK

  • 7.1 White-space and Unmet-need Assessment
You Can Purchase Parts Of This Report. Check Out Prices For Specific Sections
Get Price Break-up Now

Global Web Filtering Market Report Scope

Web filtering is also recognized as content-control software. It is a specific type of program created to screen an incoming web page and decide whether some or all should have access. With the aid of this, accurate and valid authentication of any webpages can be achieved. It stops the origin or content of any web page against a set of practices provided by a company or a person who has installed the web filter.

By Component Solution
Services
By Deployment Mode On-premises
Cloud
By Filtering Type DNS Filtering
Keyword Filtering
URL Filtering
File-type and Other Filtering
By Organisation Size Large Enterprises
Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)
By Industry Vertical BFSI
IT and Telecom
Government
Education
Other Industry Verticals
By Geography North America United States
Canada
Mexico
Europe Germany
United Kingdom
France
Italy
Spain
Russia
Rest of Europe
Asia-Pacific China
Japan
India
South Korea
Australia and New Zealand
Rest of Asia-Pacific
South America Brazil
Argentina
Rest of South America
Middle East and Africa Middle East Saudi Arabia
United Arab Emirates
Turkey
Rest of Middle East
Africa South Africa
Nigeria
Rest of Africa
By Component
Solution
Services
By Deployment Mode
On-premises
Cloud
By Filtering Type
DNS Filtering
Keyword Filtering
URL Filtering
File-type and Other Filtering
By Organisation Size
Large Enterprises
Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)
By Industry Vertical
BFSI
IT and Telecom
Government
Education
Other Industry Verticals
By Geography
North America United States
Canada
Mexico
Europe Germany
United Kingdom
France
Italy
Spain
Russia
Rest of Europe
Asia-Pacific China
Japan
India
South Korea
Australia and New Zealand
Rest of Asia-Pacific
South America Brazil
Argentina
Rest of South America
Middle East and Africa Middle East Saudi Arabia
United Arab Emirates
Turkey
Rest of Middle East
Africa South Africa
Nigeria
Rest of Africa
Need A Different Region or Segment?
Customize Now

Key Questions Answered in the Report

What is the current value of the web filtering market?

The web filtering market size reached USD 4.92 billion in 2025 and is projected to hit USD 8.68 billion by 2030 at a 12.0% CAGR.

Which component is expanding the quickest?

Services are the fastest-growing component, posting a 14.0% CAGR as enterprises seek managed expertise to configure complex AI-driven filters.

Why is Asia-Pacific the fastest-growing region?

New privacy statutes such as India’s DPDPA and Indonesia’s Regulation 17/2025, paired with rapid cloud adoption, fuel a 13.1% CAGR in Asia-Pacific.

How are encrypted DNS protocols affecting filtering strategies?

DNS-over-HTTPS can bypass legacy resolvers, so organizations are adopting DoH-aware gateways and identity-centric policy engines to retain visibility.

What role does SASE play in purchasing decisions?

Buyers increasingly bundle secure web gateways into broader SASE contracts, simplifying licensing and ensuring consistent zero-trust enforcement across users and locations.

Which industry vertical is growing fastest?

Education leads with a 12.5% CAGR due to new mandates such as Georgia’s SB 351 requiring comprehensive social-media filtering in K-12 schools.

Web Filtering Market Report Snapshots