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Blocky

Blocky is a free, open-source DNS proxy and ad blocker for local networks, written in Go.

Place
#8 of 23
Score
6.1
Blocky's website

What Blocky is

Blocky is a free, open-source DNS proxy and ad blocker for local networks, written in Go. It filters DNS queries using external advertising and malware lists, supports allowlisting, and lets administrators assign policies by client group. It can use custom DNS resolution, conditional forwarding, and group-specific upstream resolvers. Supported DNS protocols include UDP, TCP, HTTPS, TLS, QUIC, and HTTPS/3, with DNSSEC validation. Configurable caching and prefetching can serve frequently used queries. For monitoring and integrations, Blocky provides Prometheus metrics, Grafana dashboards, REST API endpoints, and a command-line interface. Query logs can be saved as CSV or stored in MySQL, MariaDB, PostgreSQL, or Timescale databases. Deployment options include a standalone binary and Docker container, with multi-architecture images and a community-supported Helm chart. Configuration uses YAML files; the project describes Blocky as stateless, requiring no database or temporary files. Listed architectures include x86-64, ARM, and MIPS, including Raspberry Pi and OpenWrt routers. It is intended for home networks, homelabs, and businesses.

Good

  • Free and open source.
  • Supports DNSSEC validation and multiple DNS protocols.
  • Provides Prometheus metrics, Grafana dashboards, and REST API endpoints.
  • Runs on x86-64, ARM, and MIPS architectures.

Watch out

  • Configuration uses one or more YAML files.
  • Helm chart is community-supported.
  • The project invites financial contributions to ongoing development.

Who it suits

Blocky suits people managing DNS policies for home networks, homelabs, or businesses. Client groups can help tailor filtering for devices such as children's devices or smart home equipment.

Verdict

Blocky offers local-network DNS filtering with flexible client-group policies, logging, and monitoring integrations. It is a free option for administrators comfortable configuring and hosting a DNS proxy.

Plans and prices

From Blocky's own pricing page, checked 4 Oct 2026.

All about pricing
PlanPriceWhat it gives you
BlockyFreeFree and open source · self-hosted DNS proxy

The facts

Each one read from Blocky's own pages, with the date it was checked.

What it does

Audience
The project describes use across home networks, homelabs, and businesses, and its feature list includes client groups such as kids and smart home devices.checked 4 Oct 2026
Blocking
It blocks DNS queries using external ad-blocking and malware lists, supports allowlisting, and can apply lists by client group.checked 4 Oct 2026
Caching
It offers configurable DNS answer caching and prefetching for frequently used queries.checked 4 Oct 2026
Configuration
Blocky uses one or more YAML configuration files and is described as stateless, with no database or temporary files required.checked 4 Oct 2026
Deployment
The project offers a standalone binary and Docker container, with multi-architecture images and a community-supported Helm chart.checked 4 Oct 2026
DNS configuration
It supports custom DNS resolution, conditional forwarding, and upstream resolvers assigned by client group.checked 4 Oct 2026
DNS protocols
It supports DNS over UDP and TCP, HTTPS, TLS, QUIC, and HTTPS/3.checked 4 Oct 2026
Integrations
It provides Prometheus metrics, Grafana dashboards, REST API endpoints, and a CLI tool.checked 4 Oct 2026
Query logging
DNS query logs can be stored in CSV or MySQL, MariaDB, PostgreSQL, or Timescale databases.checked 4 Oct 2026
Security
It supports DNSSEC validation and says it collects no user data, telemetry, or statistics.checked 4 Oct 2026
Support
The maintainer welcomes issues, feature suggestions, and pull requests, and invites users to contribute financially to ongoing development.checked 4 Oct 2026
Supported hardware
The project lists support for x86-64, ARM, and MIPS architectures, including Raspberry Pi and OpenWrt routers.checked 4 Oct 2026
What it does
Blocky is a DNS proxy and ad blocker for local networks, written in Go.checked 4 Oct 2026

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