Alternatives to Technitium DNS Server

A self-hosted DNS server that blocks ads network-wide, hosts your own zones, and encrypts upstream queries. The listings below can replace it for an important use case. Each note says what changes if you switch.

Replacements

Listings that take over the same core job as Technitium DNS Server.

  • BIND 9

    Open-source DNS server software from ISC that also provides the dig command-line query tool.

    FreeOpen sourcemacOSLinuxSelf-hostedCommand line

    BIND 9 is an open-source DNS server from ISC under MPL-2.0 with DNSSEC and the dig tool, but it has no web console, no ad blocking, and a steeper configuration curve.

  • CoreDNS

    A DNS server written in Go that builds its behavior from a chain of plugins.

    FreeOpen sourceLinuxSelf-hostedCommand line

    CoreDNS is an Apache-2.0 plugin-based server with short Corefile configuration, but ad blocking needs manual plugin setup and there is no graphical dashboard.

  • SmartDNS

    A local DNS server that queries several upstream resolvers and returns the fastest-responding IP address.

    FreeProprietaryLinuxSelf-hosted

    SmartDNS picks the fastest upstream answer and supports encrypted upstreams with basic ad blocking, but runs on Linux without a graphical interface.

  • Knot Resolver

    A caching DNS resolver with a small core and optional modules, from home routers to resolver farms.

    FreeOpen sourceLinuxSelf-hosted

    Knot Resolver is a modular caching resolver with DoH support, configured by hand without a dashboard and without authoritative zone hosting.

  • PowerDNS Recursor

    A recursive DNS resolver from the PowerDNS project that you run on your own server.

    FreeOpen sourceLinuxSelf-hosted

    PowerDNS Recursor is a hand-configured recursive resolver for Linux, without built-in ad blocking, DHCP or a dashboard.

  • mosdns

    A plugin-based DNS forwarder with rule-based routing, domain blocking and encrypted DNS support.

    FreeOpen sourceSelf-hostedCommand line

    mosdns is a GPL-3.0 forwarder with rule-based routing, domain blocking and encrypted DNS, but configuration is by hand and documentation is in Chinese.

  • RouteDNS

    A DNS stub resolver, proxy and router with blocklists and DoT, DoH, DoQ and DTLS support.

    FreeProprietaryLinuxSelf-hostedCommand line

    RouteDNS is a file-configured stub resolver and router with blocklists and DoT, DoH and DoQ, with no graphical interface.

Similar software

Related functionality, not a direct replacement.