Compare software

PowerDNS Recursor vs Unbound: catalog facts
PowerDNS Recursor	Unbound
Free Free and open source with no paid tier required.	Free Free and open source under the BSD licence.
Linux, Self-hosted	Windows, macOS, Linux, Self-hosted
Long-running, actively developed project DNSSEC validation covered by dedicated regression tests	DNSSEC validation and encrypted transports in a small, audited resolver Runs recursively, so no upstream resolver sees your queries
Server software configured by hand, with no built-in dashboard Suits administrators more than casual home users	Configuration is a text file with many options No filtering or blocklists of its own; that needs another layer
Self-hosted	Self-hosted
Open source	Open source
License not stated	License: BSD-3-Clause
No account needed	Not stated if an account is needed
Not stated if it works offline	Not stated if it works offline
Official website Full listing and sources Checked September 23, 2026	Official website Full listing and sources Checked September 22, 2026

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