CoreDNS

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

FreeOpen sourceLinuxSelf-hostedCommand line
Official websitecoredns.ioDownload pagegithub.com

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Package managers

About CoreDNS

CoreDNS is a DNS server in which each plugin performs one DNS function, such as serving zone files, rewriting queries, exporting Prometheus metrics or Kubernetes service discovery. Plugins are chained in a short configuration file called a Corefile, and you can compile a build that contains only the plugins you need.

It is a graduated Cloud Native Computing Foundation project and integrates with Kubernetes, etcd, Azure DNS, Google Cloud DNS and AWS Route 53. It suits administrators who want a flexible DNS server for homelab or infrastructure use.

Strengths

  • Plugin chain handles rewriting, zone files, metrics and service discovery
  • Custom builds can include only needed plugins
  • Short, readable Corefile configuration
  • Regular releases, with 1.14.6 released in July 2026

Limitations

  • Ad or content blocking needs manual plugin setup rather than a ready interface
  • No graphical dashboard

Details

Pricing
FreeFree and open source under the Apache 2.0 licence.
License
Apache-2.0
Developer
The CoreDNS contributors
Platforms
Linux, Self-hosted, Command line
How it runs
Downloadable app, Self-hosted
Account
Not required
Best suited for
Administrators who want a configurable DNS server for Kubernetes or a homelab
Last verified
Added
Provenance
Facts checked against the developer's own pages and store listings, 1 sources on file.

Alternatives to CoreDNS

Compare all

Software that can replace CoreDNS for an important use case, and what changes if you switch.

  • 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 GPL caching resolver with optional C and Lua modules and DNS-over-HTTPS, performing recursion itself rather than chaining plugins.

  • Unbound

    Validating, recursive, caching DNS resolver.

    FreeOpen sourceWindowsmacOSLinuxSelf-hosted

    Unbound is a BSD-3-Clause recursive, validating resolver with DNSSEC and encrypted transports, but has no plugin chain or service discovery.

  • PowerDNS Recursor

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

    FreeOpen sourceLinuxSelf-hosted

    PowerDNS Recursor is a recursive resolver with tested DNSSEC validation that pairs with dnsdist and PowerDNS Authoritative.

  • dnsmasq

    Lightweight DNS forwarder, DHCP server and TFTP server in one.

    FreeOpen sourceLinuxSelf-hosted

    dnsmasq is a tiny GPL-2.0 forwarder that adds DHCP and network boot, with automatic local hostname resolution for DHCP clients.

  • 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 plugin-based forwarder focused on rule-based routing, domain blocking and DoT, DoH and DoQ, with documentation 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 built-in blocklists and DoT, DoH, DoQ and DTLS upstreams.

CoreDNS as an alternative

Listings that name CoreDNS as an alternative.

  • BIND 9

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

    FreeOpen sourcemacOSLinuxSelf-hostedCommand line

    CoreDNS is an Apache-2.0 Go DNS server built from a plugin chain with a short Corefile, suited to Kubernetes and homelabs, but it does not bundle dig.

  • Blocky

    Lightweight DNS proxy with blocklists, written for container deployments.

    FreeOpen sourceWindowsmacOSLinuxSelf-hostedCommand line

    CoreDNS is an Apache-2.0 plugin-chain server built for Kubernetes, where blocking needs manual plugin setup rather than ready blocklists.

  • Technitium DNS Server

    A self-hosted DNS server that blocks ads network-wide, hosts your own zones, and encrypts upstream queries.

    FreeOpen sourceWindowsmacOSLinuxSelf-hosted

    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.

Similar software

Related functionality, not necessarily a direct replacement.

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