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dnsmasq vs SmartDNS: catalog facts
dnsmasq	SmartDNS
Free Free and open source under the GPL.	Free Free to use, with source code published on GitHub.
Linux, Self-hosted	Linux, Self-hosted
DNS, DHCP and network boot from one tiny daemon Local hostname resolution for DHCP clients happens automatically	Picks the fastest upstream answer rather than the first reply Supports DoT, DoH, DoQ and DoH3 upstreams
Not a recursive resolver; it forwards to one Configuration syntax is terse	Main readme is in Chinese, with a separate English version Needs manual configuration with no graphical interface
Self-hosted	Downloadable app, Self-hosted
Open source	Closed source
License: GPL-2.0	License not stated
Not stated if an account is needed	No account needed
Not stated if it works offline	Not stated if it works offline
Official website Full listing and sources Checked September 22, 2026	Official website Full listing and sources Checked September 23, 2026

Catalog facts only. Anything “not stated” is unconfirmed. Check full listings for details.