dnsmasq Alternatives

dnsmasq is described as 'Dnsmasq is a lightweight, easy to configure DNS forwarder and DHCP server. It is designed to provide DNS and, optionally, DHCP, to a small network. It can serve the names of local machines which are not in the global DNS' and is an app in the network & admin category. There are more than 25 alternatives to dnsmasq for a variety of platforms, including Linux, Windows, Mac, Android and Self-Hosted apps. The best dnsmasq alternative is AdGuard, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like dnsmasq are NextDNS, AdGuard Home, NextDNS Manager and YogaDNS.

filter to find the best alternatives

dnsmasq alternatives are mainly Ad Blockers but may also be Privacy Tools or Firewalls. Filter by these or use the filter bar below if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of dnsmasq.

dnsmasq

Free • Open Source

Dnsmasq is a lightweight, easy to configure DNS forwarder and DHCP server. It is designed to provide DNS and, optionally, DHCP, to a small network. It can serve the names of local machines which are not in the global DNS.

More about dnsmasq

dnsmasq alternatives page was last updated Feb 19, 2024

AdGuard
AdGuard is the best way to get rid of intrusive ads and online tracking, and to protect your computer from malware. Make your web surfing faster, safer and more comfortable with AdGuard!.
116 AdGuard alternatives
License model
- Freemium • Open Source
Application types
- Ad Blocker
- Privacy Tool
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Android
- iPhone
- Chrome OS
- Android Tablet
- iPad
- Vivaldi
- Google Chrome
- Safari
- Yandex Browser
- Opera
- Mozilla Firefox
+3
Top AdGuard Features
1. Built-in Ad-blocker
2. Pop up blocker
3. DNS over HTTPS
4. DNS-over-TLS
5. Custom DNS
6. Block Trackers
7. Dark Mode
8. Lightweight
9. No Logs
10. No Tracking
11. Privacy focused
12. No registration required
Show all NaN AdGuard features ▾
AdGuard VS dnsmasq
Is AdGuard a good alternative to dnsmasq?
Comments about AdGuard as an Alternative to dnsmasq

Taurolyon
dnsmasq is a configurable DNS forwarder, DHCP, and BOOTP/TFTP server. AdGuard is an adblocking service.
Negative comment •Aug 23, 2022
1
Guest
One is a DNS server, the other is SPYWARE / REMOVER. Not even close.
Negative comment •Feb 27, 2020
1
Guest
Dnsmasq is a DNS service, and AdGuard is an adblocker. Completely different things
Negative comment •Nov 28, 2022
1
Guest
dnsmasq is far more configurable and supports custom DNS servers and host based blocklists.
Negative comment •Dec 12, 2019
-1
- This alternative is disputed. AdGuard is a legitimate dnsmasq alternative, but it might have issues that some users think are important.
- AdGuard is the most popular Windows, Android, Mac & iPhone alternative to dnsmasq.
- AdGuard is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to dnsmasq.
- AdGuard is Freemium and Open Sourcednsmasq is Free and Open Source
- AdGuard is Lightweight and Privacy focuseddnsmasq is not according to our users

NextDNS
NextDNS protects you from all kinds of security threats, blocks ads and trackers on websites and in apps and provides a safe and supervised Internet for kids — on all devices and on all networks.
137 NextDNS alternatives
License model
- Freemium • Open Source
Application types
- Ad Blocker
- Privacy Tool
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Online
- Android
- iPhone
- Chrome OS
- BSD
- iPad
- UC Browser
- Vivaldi Browser
- Google Chrome
- Ubiquiti UniFi
- Safari
- Yandex.Browser
- Software as a Service (SaaS)
- OpenWrt
- Opera
- Alpine Linux
- pfSense
- Firefox
- DD-WRT
+9
Top NextDNS Features
1. DNS Resolver
2. DNS Server
3. DNS over HTTPS
4. DNS-over-TLS
5. Parental Control
6. Real-time analytics
7. Data analytics
8. DNSSEC
9. Dns
10. Customizable
11. Privacy focused
12. Block Trackers
Show all NaN NextDNS features ▾
NextDNS VS dnsmasq
Is NextDNS a good alternative to dnsmasq?
- NextDNS is the most popular Web-based, Linux & SaaS alternative to dnsmasq.
- NextDNS is Freemium and Open Sourcednsmasq is Free and Open Source
- NextDNS is Customizable and Privacy focuseddnsmasq is not according to our users

AdGuard Home
AdGuard Home is a network-wide software for blocking ads & tracking. After you set it up, it'll cover ALL your home devices, and you don't need any client-side software for that.
9 AdGuard Home alternatives
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application type
- Ad Blocker
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
- Self-Hosted
- FreeBSD
- Raspberry Pi
- Cloudron
AdGuard Home Features
1. DNS Proxy
2. Customizable
3. DNS Server
4. Privacy focused
5. Dark Mode
6. No Tracking
7. Lightweight
8. Block Trackers
9. No Logs
10. Ad-free
Show all NaN AdGuard Home features ▾
AdGuard Home VS dnsmasq
Is AdGuard Home a good alternative to dnsmasq?
Comments about AdGuard Home as an Alternative to dnsmasq

Guest
dnsmasq is a service for confiruing DNS requests. ADGuard is a browser tool for blocking ads. One is a low level protocol, the other is a client-facing application. Not remotely the same. Seems like spam / advertising
Negative comment •Feb 2, 2021
3
Taurolyon
AdGuard is closer in comparison to Pihole. dnsmasq is a completely different animal.
Negative comment •Aug 23, 2022
0
- AdGuard Home is the most popular Self-Hosted alternative to dnsmasq.
- AdGuard Home is Free and Open Sourcednsmasq is also Free and Open Source
- AdGuard Home is Privacy focused and Lightweightdnsmasq is not according to our users

Ad
AdGuard
AdGuard is the best way to get rid of intrusive ads and online tracking, and to protect your computer from malware. Make your web surfing faster, safer and more comfortable with AdGuard!.

https://adguard.com
Learn More
NextDNS Manager
With this management app, you can manage and change your NextDNS settings, check your connection, test your ping, and see other connection information!
28 NextDNS Manager alternatives
+5
License model
- Free • Open Source
Platforms
- Android
NextDNS Manager VS dnsmasq
Is NextDNS Manager a good alternative to dnsmasq?

YogaDNS
YogaDNS automatically intercepts DNS requests at the system level and allows you to process them over user-defined DNS servers using modern protocols and flexible rules.
11 YogaDNS alternatives
License model
- Freemium • Proprietary
Platforms
- Windows
Top YogaDNS Features
1. Dns leak blockage
2. DNS over HTTPS
3. Encrypted Connection
4. DNS Caching
5. Custom DNS
6. DNSSEC
7. Ad-free
8. Privacy focused
9. No registration required
10. Lightweight
11. DNS filter
12. DNS Proxy
Show all NaN YogaDNS features ▾
YogaDNS VS dnsmasq
Is YogaDNS a good alternative to dnsmasq?

Unbound
Unbound is a validating, recursive, and caching DNS resolver.

The C implementation of Unbound is developed and maintained by NLnet Labs. It is based on ideas and algorithms taken from a java prototype developed by Verisign labs, Nominet, Kirei and ep.net.

Unbound is designed as.
9 Unbound alternatives
License model
- Free • Open Source
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
Unbound Features
DNS Server
DNS-over-TLS
DNS Caching
Show all NaN Unbound features ▾
Unbound VS dnsmasq
Is Unbound a good alternative to dnsmasq?

TinyProxy
Tinyproxy is a light-weight HTTP/HTTPS proxy daemon for POSIX operating systems. It is free software, and supports transparent and reverse proxying.
29 TinyProxy alternatives
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application type
- Proxy Service
Platforms
- Linux
TinyProxy Features
Cascade proxy
HTTP Proxy
Show all NaN TinyProxy features ▾
TinyProxy VS dnsmasq
Is TinyProxy a good alternative to dnsmasq?
Comments about TinyProxy as an Alternative to dnsmasq

Guest
TinyProxy has nothing to do with DNS, this is not an alternative.
Negative comment •Feb 20, 2020
4
- TinyProxy is Free and Open Sourcednsmasq is also Free and Open Source

Acrylic DNS Proxy
Acrylic is a local DNS proxy for Windows which improves the performance of your computer by caching the responses coming from your DNS servers and helps you fight unwanted ads through a custom HOSTS file.
9 Acrylic DNS Proxy alternatives
License model
- Free • Open Source
Platforms
- Windows
+1
Acrylic DNS Proxy Features
1. DNS Proxy
2. DNS Server
3. Custom DNS
4. Dns leak blockage
5. DNS Caching
6. DNS over HTTPS
Show all NaN Acrylic DNS Proxy features ▾
Acrylic DNS Proxy VS dnsmasq
Is Acrylic DNS Proxy a good alternative to dnsmasq?

CoreDNS
CoreDNS is a DNS server. It is written in Go. It can be used in a multitude of environments because of its flexibility. CoreDNS is licensed under the Apache License Version 2, and completely open source.
11 CoreDNS alternatives
License model
- Free • Open Source
Platforms
- Linux
CoreDNS Features
1. Azure integration
2. Plugin API
3. Docker Container
4. DNSSEC
5. Google Cloud
6. Dockerized
7. AWS Integration
8. Load balancing
9. Dns
10. DNS Server
Show all NaN CoreDNS features ▾
CoreDNS VS dnsmasq
Is CoreDNS a good alternative to dnsmasq?

BIND
BIND is by far the most widely used DNS software on the Internet. On Unix-like operating systems it is the de facto standard. It provides a robust and stable platform on top of which organizations can build distributed computing systems with the knowledge that those systems are...
13 BIND alternatives
License model
- Free • Open Source
Platforms
- Mac
- Linux
- BSD
BIND Features
DNS Server
DNS Caching
Authoritative DNS
Show all NaN BIND features ▾
BIND VS dnsmasq
Is BIND a good alternative to dnsmasq?

Technitium DNS Server
Technitium DNS Server is an open source tool that can be used as a personal local DNS server for privacy & security. It includes Ad blocking feature combined with DNS-over-TLS and DNS-over-HTTPS support.
25 Technitium DNS Server alternatives
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application type
- Ad Blocker
Platforms
- Mac
- Windows
- Linux
Technitium DNS Server Features
1. Portable
2. DHCP Server
3. Configurable
4. DNS Server
5. Custom DNS
6. Graphical User Interface
7. DNS Proxy
8. Website testing
Show all NaN Technitium DNS Server features ▾
Technitium DNS Server VS dnsmasq
Is this a good alternative to dnsmasq?
Comments about Technitium DNS Server as an Alternative to dnsmasq

onyo
dnsmasq can only forward DNS queries, Technitium also has the option to resolve them itself

Both offer a built-in DHCP Server. Even if you use an external DHCP server, you can tell the Technitium authoritative DNS server about the LAN hostnames, provided that your external DHCP server supports "Dynamic DNS Updates [RFC 2136]".
Positive comment •Mar 17, 2023
0
- Technitium DNS Server is Free and Open Sourcednsmasq is also Free and Open Source

hBlock
hBlock is a POSIX-compliant shell script, designed for Unix-like systems, that gets a list of domains that serve ads, tracking scripts and malware from multiple sources and creates a hosts file (alternative formats are also supported) that prevents your system from connecting to...
32 hBlock alternatives
License model
- Free • Open Source
Application type
- Ad Blocker
Platforms
- Mac
- Linux
- BSD
- Homebrew
hBlock Features
Block Trackers
Ad-free
Lightweight
Show all NaN hBlock features ▾
hBlock VS dnsmasq
Is hBlock a good alternative to dnsmasq?