Two approaches to keeping kids safe online, compared: ARP spoofing (Circle) vs. DNS filtering (Airfy). Facts, not marketing promises.
Circle (formerly "Circle with Disney") is a US parental-control device that uses ARP spoofing to redirect and filter network traffic. Airfy Kids is a German-engineered mesh WiFi system with built-in DNS filtering. Both protect kids, but in fundamentally different ways.
| Circle | Airfy Kids | |
|---|---|---|
| Filtering method | ARP spoofing (insecure) | DNS filtering (secure) |
| Known security vulnerabilities | Multiple documented CVEs | None known |
| Mesh WiFi | ✕ | |
| Privacy by design | ✕ | |
| Meets formal youth-protection standards (JMStV) | ✕ | |
| Where family data lives | Circle's US cloud | GDPR-grade EU servers |
| Per-child profiles | ||
| Bedtime mode | ||
| Malware filtering | ✕ | |
| VPN add-on | ✕ | |
| Cannot be bypassed | ✕ | |
| Disney partnership | Ended | - |
Circle
Circle uses ARP spoofing, a technique that redirects network traffic. Security researchers have documented multiple vulnerabilities in the implementation (including CVE-2021-40847).
Airfy Kids
Airfy Kids filters at the DNS level, right on the router. No redirection, no man-in-the-middle technique. The router IS the DNS server.
Why it matters: ARP spoofing is an attack technique repurposed as a safety measure. DNS filtering is the industry-standard method for network protection.
Circle
Circle stores your family's activity data on its own US cloud servers. A third party holds the record of what your kids do online.
Airfy Kids
Your family's data stays under your control. No sharing with third parties. Privacy by design, built to GDPR-grade European standards.
Why it matters: Your kids' online activity is sensitive data. It should not live in someone else's cloud.
Circle
Circle is a small device that sits next to your router. No WiFi of its own, no mesh capability.
Airfy Kids
Airfy Kids is a complete mesh WiFi system with built-in parental controls. WiFi + protection in one.
Why it matters: With Airfy, you replace your WiFi and get parental controls included. With Circle, you still need a separate router.
Circle
The Disney partnership ended in 2023. Circle has operated as an independent brand without Disney branding since.
Airfy Kids
Airfy Kids is positioned around managed WiFi, DNS filtering, and privacy-first family networking.
Why it matters: Long-term stability vs. a failed partnership.
DNS filtering instead of ARP spoofing. Privacy by design instead of a third-party cloud. Try it for 30 days.