Technitium DNS Server
Technitium DNS Server is a free, open-source server for self-hosting authoritative and recursive DNS.
What Technitium DNS Server is
Technitium DNS Server is a free, open-source server for self-hosting authoritative and recursive DNS. It supports primary, secondary, stub, and conditional forwarder zones, as well as DNSSEC validation and signed zones. For network-wide ad and malware blocking, it can use block-list URLs that update daily. Encrypted forwarding to public resolvers is available through DNS-over-TLS, DNS-over-HTTPS, and DNS-over-QUIC. Administrators manage instances through a browser-accessible console, with clustering for two or more servers. Authentication options include OpenID Connect single sign-on, LDAP, role-based access, and TOTP two-factor authentication. It can forward queries to Cloudflare, Google, Quad9, or AdGuard and offers an HTTP API for apps and scripts. The software also includes a DHCP server for multiple networks and an app for DNS rebinding protection. Downloads are available for Windows, Linux, macOS, and Raspberry Pi arm7, with an official Docker image. Raspberry Pi arm6 devices, including Raspberry Pi 1 and Raspberry Pi Zero, are not supported.
Good
- Free and open source
- Supports authoritative and recursive DNS
- Daily-updating block-list URLs
- Web console includes clustering for multiple instances
- Supports DNSSEC and encrypted DNS forwarding
Watch out
- Raspberry Pi arm6 devices are unsupported
- Self-hosted deployment requires server administration
Who it suits
It suits people self-hosting DNS for privacy or security, as well as software developers and small to medium networks. It is available across several operating systems and as a Docker image.
Verdict
Technitium DNS Server provides a broad set of DNS roles and administration options at no charge. Check the Raspberry Pi model limitation before deploying it on that hardware.
Plans and prices
From Technitium DNS Server's own pricing page, checked 30 Sep 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Technitium DNS Server | Free | Open source; self-hosted DNS server |
The facts
Each one read from Technitium DNS Server's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Ad and malware blocking
- It can use block list URLs that update daily to block ads and malware across a network.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Administration
- A browser-accessible web console includes built-in clustering to manage two or more server instances.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Authentication
- It supports OpenID Connect single sign-on, LDAP authentication, role-based access, and TOTP two-factor authentication.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Deployment
- Downloads are offered for Windows, Linux, macOS, and Raspberry Pi arm7; an official Docker image is also available.checked 30 Sep 2026
- DNS privacy
- It supports DNS-over-TLS, DNS-over-HTTPS, and DNS-over-QUIC for encrypted forwarding to public resolvers.checked 30 Sep 2026
- DNS roles
- It supports both authoritative and recursive DNS service, including primary, secondary, stub, and conditional forwarder zones.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Integrations
- It can forward DNS queries to Cloudflare, Google, Quad9, or AdGuard and provides an HTTP API for third-party apps and scripts.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Intended users
- The help page describes it as aimed at self-hosting for privacy and security, software development and testing, and small to medium networks.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Network services
- It includes a DHCP server that can work with multiple networks.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Privacy
- The privacy policy says registration is not required and that, apart from web server logs, the maker does not collect or know user information.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Purpose
- It is an open source authoritative and recursive DNS server for self-hosting, privacy, and security.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Security
- It supports DNSSEC validation and signed zones, and provides DNS rebinding attack protection through an app.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Support
- The maker lists email support, a user manual and FAQ, and a Reddit community.checked 30 Sep 2026
Where it runs
- Platform limitation
- Raspberry Pi arm6 devices, including Raspberry Pi 1 and Raspberry Pi Zero, are not supported.checked 30 Sep 2026
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