Blocky
Blocky is a free, open-source DNS proxy and ad blocker for local networks, written in Go.
What Blocky is
Blocky is a free, open-source DNS proxy and ad blocker for local networks, written in Go. It filters DNS queries against external allowlists and denylists, with per-client-group rules, regex support, periodic list reloads, and CNAME and IP checks. Administrators can configure custom DNS resolution, conditional forwarding, and upstream resolvers by client group. DNS support covers UDP, TCP, HTTPS, TLS, QUIC, and HTTPS/3; caching, prefetching, and multiple external resolvers are also available. The project says it collects no user data, telemetry, or statistics, and supports DNSSEC validation of upstream resolvers. Blocky can export metrics to Prometheus, and its documentation provides Grafana dashboards. Query logs can be stored in CSV, MySQL, MariaDB, PostgreSQL, or Timescale formats. Its REST API includes endpoints for blocking controls, list refresh, DNS queries, cache flushing, and statistics. Installation options include a standalone binary and Docker, with macOS installation through Homebrew. The Free plan is listed as free.
Good
- Supports per-client-group filtering and upstream resolvers.
- Supports DNS over UDP, TCP, HTTPS, TLS, QUIC, and HTTPS/3.
- Project says it collects no user data or telemetry.
- Exports metrics to Prometheus and provides Grafana dashboards.
- Offers standalone binary and Docker installation.
Watch out
- No free trial is listed.
- Deployment requires a standalone binary, Docker, or another supported environment.
- Activity reports are listed as advanced.
Who it suits
Blocky suits people administering DNS filtering for local networks who want client-group rules and configurable upstream resolution. Its metrics, dashboards, logs, and REST API may also suit administrators who need monitoring and control options.
Verdict
Blocky combines DNS filtering, protocol support, monitoring, logging, and API controls for local networks. Its configuration and installation options make it relevant to administrators comfortable managing DNS software.
Plans and prices
From Blocky's own pricing page, checked 11 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Free | Free and open source; no telemetry or data collection |
The facts
Each one read from Blocky's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- API
- Its REST API includes endpoints for blocking controls, list refresh, DNS queries, cache flushing, and statistics.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Blocking
- It blocks DNS queries using external allowlists and denylists, with per client group rules, periodic list reloads, regex support, and CNAME and IP checks.checked 11 Oct 2026
- DNS configuration
- It supports custom DNS resolution, conditional forwarding, and upstream resolvers configured per client group.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Installation
- Official installation options include a standalone binary and a Docker container; the project also describes a multi-architecture Docker image and support for x86-64, ARM, and MIPS.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Logging
- DNS query logs can be stored in CSV, MySQL, MariaDB, PostgreSQL, or Timescale database formats.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Monitoring
- Blocky can export metrics to Prometheus, and its documentation provides Grafana dashboards.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Performance
- It supports configurable DNS caching, prefetching, and multiple external resolvers, and the documentation describes it as having a low memory footprint.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Privacy and security
- The project says Blocky collects no user data, telemetry, or statistics and supports DNSSEC validation of upstream resolvers.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Protocols
- It supports DNS over UDP, TCP, HTTPS, TLS, QUIC, and HTTPS/3.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Blocky is a DNS proxy and ad blocker for local networks, written in Go.checked 11 Oct 2026
- Support
- The project welcomes issues, feature suggestions, and pull requests on GitHub, and asks users who find Blocky useful to consider contributing.checked 11 Oct 2026
Where it runs
- macOS
- The installation documentation lists macOS installation through Homebrew.checked 11 Oct 2026
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