Best self-hosted DNS apps

DNS servers and management tools with advertisement blocking functionality, primarily aimed at home or small networks.

5 open source DNS tools you host on your own server — with full control of your data and no per-user cost.

Pi-hole

★ 59,403

Pi-hole is an ad and tracker blocker that works as a DNS server for your whole network, protecting every device at home. It runs comfortably on a Raspberry Pi and gives you statistics on your network's DNS traffic.

DNS EUPL-1.2

AdGuard Home

★ 35,047

AdGuard Home blocks ads and trackers for the whole network via DNS, with DNS-over-HTTPS built in. It's an alternative to Pi-hole with a modern interface out of the box.

DNS GPL-3.0

Technitium DNS Server

★ 8,936

Authoritative/recursive DNS server with ad blocking functionality.

DNS GPL-3.0

blocky

★ 6,718

Fast and lightweight DNS proxy as ad-blocker for local network with many features (alternative to Pi-hole).

DNS Apache-2.0

Maza ad blocking

★ 1,863

Local ad blocker. Like Pi-hole but local and using your operating system.

DNS Apache-2.0

Frequently asked questions

What are the best self-hosted DNS tools?

Among the 5 options, the most popular include Pi-hole, AdGuard Home, Technitium DNS Server. Compare license, platform and popularity in the list below.

Is there a free open source alternative for DNS?

Yes — all 5 tools on this page are open source and you run them on your own server, with no monthly fee.

Where can I host a DNS app?

On a home server (homelab) or a cheap VPS from ~€4/mo. See the suggestions on this page.