Developer Tools·Standings

Compare DNS Server Software

DNS server software connects domain names with the addresses computers use to reach services; the choice depends on the DNS work you need and where the software can run.

Compare support for authoritative DNS, recursive DNS, DNSSEC and encrypted DNS, along with management options, platforms and price. The signal score is out of 10; marks show whether a product has a public API, open-source code or a free tier.

  • 23 platforms
  • 3 with a public API on this page
  • 17 with a free tier
  • Checked 23 Sept 2026
  1. 1
    A
    AdGuardadguard.com

    An ad blocker for desktop and mobile that supports custom filter lists and has a free plan.

    6.4 APIOpenFree Free tier
  2. 2
    PA
    PowerDNS Authoritative Serverpowerdns.com

    A free, open-source server for hosting domains, with DNSSEC and database or zone-file backends.

    6.3 APIOpenFree Free tier · from $9,800/yr
  3. 3
    D
    dnsmasqthekelleys.org.uk

    Dnsmasq provides DNS, DHCP, router advertisement and network boot services for small networks.

    6.3 APIOpenFree Free tier
  4. 4
    NN
    NSD (Name Server Daemon)nlnetlabs.nl

    NSD is an authoritative DNS name server designed for speed, reliability, stability, and security.

    6.3 APIOpenFree Free tier
  5. 5
    TD
    Technitium DNS Servertechnitium.com

    Open-source DNS server with authoritative and recursive service, blocklists, and encrypted forwarding.

    6.3 APIOpenFree Free tier
  6. 6
    KD
    Knot DNSknot-dns.cz

    A free, open-source authoritative DNS server that supports primary and secondary roles.

    6.1 APIOpenFree Free tier
  7. 7
    PR
    PowerDNS Recursorpowerdns.com

    A free caching DNS resolver with DNSSEC validation and configurable traffic blocking.

    6.1 APIOpenFree Free tier
  8. 8
    Y
    YADIFAyadifa.eu

    YADIFA is a lightweight authoritative name server with DNSSEC capabilities.

    6.1 APIOpenFree Free tier
  9. 9
    KR
    Knot Resolverknot-resolver.cz

    A free caching DNS resolver with optional modules and an API for extensions.

    6.0 APIOpenFree Free tier
  10. 10
    B9
    BIND 9isc.org

    Free, open-source DNS server software for authoritative DNS and recursive lookups.

    6.0 APIOpenFree Free tier
  11. 11
    M
    MaraDNSmaradns.samiam.org

    An open-source DNS server with authoritative and recursive components, plus query and zone-transfer tools.

    6.0 APIOpenFree Free tier
  12. 12
    PH
    Pi-holepi-hole.net

    A free DNS sinkhole that filters device requests and shows network activity in a web interface.

    6.0 APIOpenFree Free tier
  13. 13
    B
    Blockygithub.com

    A free, open-source network DNS proxy that filters ad and malware domains using lists and client rules.

    6.0 APIOpenFree Free tier
  14. 14
    AD
    Acrylic DNS Proxymayakron.altervista.org

    Acrylic is a local DNS proxy for Windows that caches DNS responses and supports a custom HOSTS file for blocking unwanted ads.

    5.9 APIOpenFree Free tier
  15. 15
    C
    CoreDNScoredns.io

    CoreDNS is a DNS server written in Go.

    5.8 APIOpenFree Free tier
  16. 16
    D
    djbdnscr.yp.to

    A free collection of DNS tools for caching, publishing records, client lookups, and troubleshooting.

    5.7 APIOpenFree Free tier
  17. 17
    SD
    Simple DNS Plussimpledns.plus

    A paid Windows DNS server with caching, encrypted DNS, and automatic DNSSEC zone signing.

    5.5 APIOpenFree $69 one-time
  18. 18
    HD
    haneWIN DNS Serverhanewin.com

    A Windows DNS server that supports primary or backup service, caching, and encrypted forwarding.

    5.3 APIOpenFree —
  19. 19
    U
    Unboundnlnetlabs.nl

    Free DNS server providing authoritative and recursive service with DNSSEC and encrypted DNS.

    5.1 APIOpenFree Free tier
  20. 20
    ES
    EfficientIP SOLIDserver DDIefficientip.com

    A platform that combines network name lookups, address assignment, and IP address tracking.

    4.9 APIOpenFree —
  21. 21
    BI
    BlueCat Integritybluecatnetworks.com
    4.1 APIOpenFree —
  22. 22
    IN
    Infoblox NIOSinfoblox.com
    4.1 APIOpenFree —
  23. 23
    FB
    3.9 APIOpenFree —

Places #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 on this board are open to sponsors. Take #1 · Other ways to advertise

How to choose

Which DNS features should I look for?

Start with whether you need authoritative DNS, recursive DNS, or both. Compare DNSSEC support and encrypted DNS as well, since these are separate fields on the board.

Where does the DNS software need to run?

Choose a product that supports the environment you plan to use, such as self-hosted, Linux, macOS, Windows or web. Platform support varies by product, so check the product details before deciding.

How will I manage the DNS server?

Compare the management interface and look for a public API if you need software-to-software access. The API mark indicates API availability, while the management-interface field describes another part of how a product is administered.

How much does DNS server software cost?

Check whether a product has a free plan, a free trial or a paid starting price. If pricing is on request, contact the maker for pricing details.

Can I use or change the software's code?

Check the license model before relying on access to or changes to the code. The open-source mark helps with this comparison, but it does not replace reviewing the product's license.

Questions

What does DNS server software do?

It handles DNS, which connects domain names with the addresses computers use to reach services.

What is the difference between authoritative and recursive DNS?

They are separate DNS roles. Compare the authoritative DNS and recursive DNS fields to see which roles a product supports.

Does DNS server software support Linux or Windows?

Platform support varies. Check the product's supported-platform details for Linux, Windows, macOS, self-hosted or web use.

Is there free DNS server software?

The free-plan mark identifies products with a free tier. A free trial is a separate option, so check both marks and the product's pricing details.

What do DNSSEC and encrypted DNS mean?

They are separate DNS capabilities tracked on the board. Check the DNSSEC support and encrypted DNS fields for product-specific details.

Some top positions on this board can be paid placements, standing where they were sold. The facts on each platform are not for sale. How we rank · Disclosure