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DNS Daddy

Free#36 of 65 in Internet Filtering Software

DNS Daddy: A free, open-source DNS filter with detailed policies, logs, reports, and integrations. Ranked #36 of 65 in Internet Filtering Software by our editors (5.7/10); pricing: Free plan; best for explainable open-source DNS policies.

5.7/10Editor score

Visit DNS Daddy

DNS Daddy5.7 Visit DNS Daddy

At a glance

Editor score
5.7 / 10
Pricing
Free plan
Best for
Explainable open-source DNS policies
Free plan
Yes
Paid from
Free
Custom blocklists
Yes
Facts checked
20 Sep 2026

Where it wins
- Per-query logs explain blocking decisions in plain English
- CIDR-based network policies and per-policy allow/block lists
- REST API, Prometheus metrics, and SIEM-oriented exports
Where it doesn't
- Alpha software is actively developed and unaudited
- SafeSearch enforcement is planned but currently nonfunctional
- Self-hosting requires managing a Go binary and DNS environment

Our verdict on DNS Daddy

DNS Daddy is a free, open-source protective DNS resolver for homelabs and smaller organisations. It runs as a self-hosted Go binary with an embedded dashboard and supports web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, API, and self-hosted DNS environments. Its filtering scope includes malware, phishing, command-and-control, cryptomining, ads, adult content, gambling, and newly registered domains through public threat feeds. Custom allow and block lists, per-network policies matched by CIDR, encrypted DNS support, and explainable behavioural detections give administrators control over how policies are applied.

The published product details describe DNS Daddy as free permanently, with no paid tiers identified. Its strongest area is policy visibility: per-query logs include plain-English reasons, while hourly and daily reporting rollups provide broader activity views. DNS-over-HTTPS and DNS-over-TLS support add encrypted DNS options. For operational workflows, the REST API uses OpenAPI 3.1, and Prometheus metrics plus NDJSON exports support monitoring and analysis. These capabilities make the product a fit for teams that want inspectable DNS decisions rather than a basic blocklist alone.

Integration breadth is another practical strength. DNS Daddy lists pfSense, OPNsense, UniFi, FortiGate, Windows Server, Wazuh, Elastic, Splunk, and Sentinel among its integrations, alongside self-hosted deployment. The tradeoff is project maturity: it is described as alpha software, actively developed, and unaudited. SafeSearch enforcement is planned and currently nonfunctional, so organisations that require working SafeSearch controls should choose a different product. DNS Daddy suits buyers comfortable with self-hosting who value open-source policies, explainable logs, and infrastructure integration; it is less suitable for those seeking a mature, fully audited service or functional SafeSearch enforcement.

Your product? Our editors can test DNS Daddy in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →

DNS Daddy pricing

Plans Free planFree Free to use — no paid tier required for the core job.

See plans on dnsdaddy.dev

DNS Daddy fact sheet

Free plan	Yes
Paid from	Free
Device limit	Not verified
Custom blocklists	Yes
Safe search controls	No
Filtering schedules	Not verified
Activity reports	Advanced
Platform support	Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, web dashboard, API, self-hosted DNS environments
Deployment	Cloud, Self-hosted, Desktop, Mobile, Browser extension
Platforms	Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS
Support	Docs
Built for	Solo, Small business (editorial estimate)
Integrations	9 integrations: pfSense, OPNsense, UniFi, FortiGate, Windows Server, Wazuh …
Pricing	Free plan
Website	dnsdaddy.dev
Facts checked	20 Sep 2026

DNS Daddy integrations

DNS Daddy lists 9 integrations on its own site.

pfSense
OPNsense
UniFi
FortiGate
Windows Server
Wazuh
Elastic
Splunk
Sentinel

Alternatives to DNS Daddy

See all DNS Daddy alternatives →

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Featured on iTechGuides

DNS Daddy is listed in our Internet Filtering Software directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.

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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

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Last updated 7 Oct 2026 · How we research and update