The Best DNS Server Software in 2026
We researched DNS server software from official websites, including pricing pages, plan tables and product documentation. Products are ranked on authoritative and recursive DNS capabilities, value for money and verified features, so this guide helps teams shortlist software for serving and resolving domain name records.
Our top picks
-
Top ranked
BIND 9#1 of 239.4/10A broad, self-hosted DNS platform for teams managing authoritative and recursive service.
Free plan
-
Runner-up
PowerDNS Authoritative Server#2 of 239.2/10A flexible, API-driven authoritative DNS server for scalable hosting operations.
Open source
-
Top-ranked free plan
Technitium DNS Server#3 of 239.0/10A capable open-source DNS server for administrators managing networks across platforms.
Free plan
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
The full ranking 23 tools, best first
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Best forFull-featured authoritative and recursive DNS
A broad, self-hosted DNS platform for teams managing authoritative and recursive service.
9.4/10★★★★★Visit ISC -
Best forAPI-driven authoritative DNS operations
A flexible, API-driven authoritative DNS server for scalable hosting operations.
9.2/10★★★★★Visit PowerDNS -
Best forCross-platform DNS with blocking and clustering
A capable open-source DNS server for administrators managing networks across platforms.
9.0/10★★★★☆Visit Technitium -
Best forWindows teams needing a managed DNS server
A capable Windows DNS server with strong automation, but no free plan.
8.8/10★★★★☆Try Simple DNS Plus -
Best forHigh-performance authoritative DNS deployments
A free, open-source authoritative DNS server for demanding zone operations.
8.7/10★★★★☆Visit Knot DNS -
Best forKubernetes and plugin-based DNS
A flexible self-hosted DNS server for Kubernetes and plugin-driven environments.
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit CoreDNS -
Best forLean authoritative DNS serving
A focused, open-source choice for authoritative DNS without recursive caching.
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit NLnet Labs -
Best forSmall networks needing DNS and DHCP
A focused open-source choice for small networks needing DNS, DHCP, and boot services.
- Authoritative DNS
- DNSSEC support
8.1/10★★★★☆Visit dnsmasq -
Best forSecure recursive DNS across major platforms
A free, open-source resolver for secure recursive DNS across major platforms.
- Authoritative DNS
- Recursive DNS
- DNSSEC support
8.0/10★★★★☆Visit Unbound -
Best forProgrammable recursive DNS
A programmable recursive resolver with DNSSEC, Lua policies, APIs, and operational metrics.
- Recursive DNS
- DNSSEC support
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit PowerDNS -
Best forEnterprise hybrid DNS, DHCP, and IPAM
A governed DDI platform for enterprises managing DNS, DHCP, and IPAM across hybrid environments.
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit BlueCat -
Best forLarge-scale enterprise DDI management
A broad DDI platform for enterprises managing complex hybrid and multi-cloud networks.
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit Infoblox -
Best forAutomated DNS/IPAM with network inventory
A broad DDI platform for teams managing DNS, DHCP and network inventory across hybrid environments.
7.6/10★★★★☆Visit EfficientIP -
Best forEncrypted recursive DNS on Linux
A free, open-source recursive resolver for encrypted DNS on Linux.
- Recursive DNS
- DNSSEC support
7.5/10★★★★☆Visit Knot Resolver -
Best forOpen-source authoritative DNS with multi-master
A self-hosted authoritative DNS server for multi-master zones and DNSSEC operations.
7.4/10★★★★☆Visit YADIFA -
Best forBasic cross-platform authoritative DNS
A practical self-hosted DNS server for standard authoritative and recursive workloads.
7.3/10★★★★☆Visit MaraDNS -
Best forMinimalist authoritative and recursive DNS
A focused Unix package for authoritative DNS, recursive caching, and DNS data publishing.
7.2/10★★★★☆Visit djbdns -
Best forSelf-hosted DNS filtering with modern upstreams
A configurable open-source choice for DNS filtering, encrypted upstreams, and network metrics.
7.1/10★★★★☆Visit Blocky -
Best forNetwork-wide DNS ad and content blocking
A focused, open-source DNS filter for controlling domains across a network.
7.0/10★★★★☆Visit Pi-hole -
Best forCross-device ad and tracker blocking
A cross-device ad and tracker blocker with detailed filtering controls for consumers.
6.9/10★★★☆☆Visit AdGuard -
Best forWindows DNS forwarding and caching
A focused Windows DNS server for authoritative service, forwarding, caching, and blocking.
- Authoritative DNS
- Recursive DNS
6.8/10★★★☆☆Visit haneWIN -
Best forWindows DNS caching and filtering
A free Windows DNS proxy for local caching, filtering, and flexible upstream forwarding.
- DNSSEC support
6.7/10★★★☆☆Visit site -
Best forFirewall security teams, not DNS operations
A firewall-focused security module for complex networks, not DNS operations.
6.6/10★★★☆☆Contact F5
No tools match those filters.
Compare at a glance
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | BIND 9 | Yes | Free | 9.4 |
| 2 | PowerDNS Authoritative Server | Free | 9.2 | |
| 3 | Technitium DNS Server | Yes | Free | 9.0 |
| 4 | Simple DNS Plus | No | $69/unit one-time | 8.8 |
| 5 | Knot DNS | Yes | Free | 8.7 |
| 6 | CoreDNS | Yes | Free | 8.5 |
| 7 | NSD (Name Server Daemon) | Yes | Free | 8.3 |
| 8 | dnsmasq | Yes | Free | 8.1 |
| 9 | Unbound | Yes | Free | 8.0 |
| 10 | PowerDNS Recursor | Yes | Free | 7.9 |
| 11 | BlueCat Integrity | 7.8 | ||
| 12 | Infoblox NIOS | No | 7.7 | |
| 13 | EfficientIP SOLIDserver DDI | 7.6 | ||
| 14 | Knot Resolver | Yes | Free | 7.5 |
| 15 | YADIFA | Yes | Free | 7.4 |
| 16 | MaraDNS | Yes | Free | 7.3 |
| 17 | djbdns | Free | 7.2 | |
| 18 | Blocky | Free | 7.1 | |
| 19 | Pi-hole | Yes | Free | 7.0 |
| 20 | AdGuard | Yes | 6.9 | |
| 21 | haneWIN DNS Server | No | 6.8 | |
| 22 | Acrylic DNS Proxy | Yes | Free | 6.7 |
| 23 | F5 BIG-IP Advanced Firewall Manager | 6.6 |
Head-to-head All 28 comparisons →
- BIND 9 vs PowerDNS Authoritative Server
- BIND 9 vs Technitium DNS Server
- BIND 9 vs Simple DNS Plus
- BIND 9 vs Knot DNS
- BIND 9 vs CoreDNS
- BIND 9 vs NSD (Name Server Daemon)
- BIND 9 vs dnsmasq
- PowerDNS Authoritative Server vs Technitium DNS Server
- PowerDNS Authoritative Server vs Simple DNS Plus
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How we rank DNS server software
Every tool on this page was researched by iTechGuides Editors from its official website — pricing pages, plan tables and product documentation. We rank on how well each one does this category's core job, what the free or entry plan includes, and where it falls short. Where we have enough verified facts, the score out of 10 is a rubric — job fit, value and how much we could verify — shown with its breakdown on every tool's page; a tool we have not verified enough to score yet shows its rank without a number. Scores are re-checked when a product changes its plans. Read the full editorial policy, or submit a tool we missed.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update