Technitium DNS Server

Name: Technitium DNS Server
Brand: Technitium DNS Server

A free, open-source, self-hosted DNS server with built-in ad-blocking and DHCP.

softwareDNS & DHCP Toolsdns serverself hosted dnsad blocking dns

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Our Verdict

Best for

Anyone who wants full control of DNS resolution and ad-blocking on their own self-hosted server.

Skip if

You want a managed, no-setup DNS service instead of running your own infrastructure.

What is Technitium DNS Server?

Technitium DNS Server is a free and open-source DNS server that anyone can self-host to take control of their own DNS resolution, whether for a home network or an organization. It combines recursive and authoritative DNS with support for encrypted protocols like DNS-over-HTTPS, DNS-over-TLS, and DNS-over-QUIC. It also includes network-wide ad and malware blocking through configurable blocklists, a built-in DHCP server, DNSSEC support, and a web console with API access, making it a full DNS and DHCP toolkit rather than a simple resolver.

SpecificationsAI-estimated

deploymentSelf-hosted

open source✅ Yes

api available✅ Yes

support optionsCommunity forum, GitHub issues, Patreon-backed support

key integrationsDNS-over-HTTPS/TLS/QUIC, DHCP, DNSSEC, REST API

Key Features of Technitium DNS Server

Runs as a full recursive and authoritative DNS server that can be self-hosted on a home network or in production.

Supports encrypted DNS protocols including DNS-over-TLS, DNS-over-HTTPS, and DNS-over-QUIC for private resolution.

Blocks ads, trackers, and malware domains network-wide using configurable blocklist URLs, similar to a Pi-hole.

Includes a built-in DHCP server so a single deployment can handle both address assignment and DNS.

Validates and signs zones with DNSSEC for authenticated, tamper-resistant DNS responses.

Provides a web console with dark mode plus a full API for automation and scripting.

Logs DNS queries and exposes statistics dashboards for monitoring network activity.

Use Cases for Technitium DNS Server

Home network ad blocking

Home users self-host Technitium to block ads and trackers network-wide for every device, similar to Pi-hole.

Private encrypted DNS resolution

Privacy-focused users run their own DNS-over-HTTPS or DNS-over-TLS resolver instead of trusting a third-party provider.

Small business DNS and DHCP

Small offices consolidate DNS resolution and DHCP address assignment onto a single self-hosted server.

Authoritative DNS hosting

Developers and sysadmins host authoritative zones for their own domains with DNSSEC signing built in.

Pros & Cons of Technitium DNS Server

Pros

Completely free and open source
Combines DNS and DHCP in one server
Strong encrypted-DNS protocol support
Active development and community

Cons

Requires self-hosting and basic networking knowledge
No official managed/cloud-hosted option
Documentation assumes some DNS familiarity

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Technitium DNS Server free?

Yes, it is free and open source under the GNU GPLv3 license, with optional donations accepted via Patreon.

Can Technitium DNS Server block ads network-wide?

Yes, it supports configurable blocklist URLs that block ad, tracker, and malware domains for every device on the network, similar to Pi-hole.

Does it support DHCP as well as DNS?

Yes, it includes a built-in DHCP server alongside its DNS functionality.

What platforms can run Technitium DNS Server?

It runs on Windows, Linux, macOS, Raspberry Pi, and via Docker containers.

Pricing Overview

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Free

Free / Open Source

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