PowerDNS Alternatives

PowerDNS is described as 'DNS Server that runs on most Unix derivatives. PowerDNS features a large number of different backends ranging from simple BIND style zonefiles to relational databases and load balancing/failover algorithms. A DNS recursor is also included as a separate program' and is an app in the network & admin category. There are more than 10 alternatives to PowerDNS for a variety of platforms, including Linux, Mac, Windows, Self-Hosted and SaaS apps. The best PowerDNS alternative is Unbound, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like PowerDNS are WireHole, Google Cloud DNS, CoreDNS and BIND.

PowerDNS iconPowerDNS
  5
  • Free • Open Source
  • ...

PowerDNS is a DNS Server that runs on most Unix derivatives. PowerDNS features a large number of different backends ranging...

More about PowerDNS
More about PowerDNS
PowerDNS alternatives page was last updated May 21, 2025
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  1. Unbound icon

    Unbound

     15 likes
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    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.

    10 Unbound alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Country of Origin

    • NL flagNetherlands
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux

    Unbound Features

    1.  DNS Server
    2.  DNS-over-TLS
    3.  Support for IPv6
    4.  DNS Caching

    Unbound VS PowerDNS

     

    • Unbound is the most popular Windows, Mac & Linux alternative to PowerDNS.

    • Unbound is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to PowerDNS.

    • Unbound is Free and Open SourcePowerDNS is also Free and Open Source

  2. WireHole

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    WireHole is a combination of WireGuard, Pi-hole, and Unbound in a docker-compose project with the intent of enabling users to quickly and easily create a personally managed full or split-tunnel WireGuard VPN with ad blocking capabilities thanks to Pi-hole, and DNS caching...

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Self-Hosted
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Discontinued

    The latest update is from November 2023, and it seems this project is not actively developed anymore.

    Properties

    1.  Lightweight

    Features

    1.  No Tracking
    2.  WireGuard
    3.  Ad-free
    4.  No registration required
    5. Docker icon  Support for Docker
    6.  Dns

    WireHole VS PowerDNS

     

    • WireHole is the most popular Self-Hosted alternative to PowerDNS.

    • WireHole is Free and Open SourcePowerDNS is also Free and Open Source
    • WireHole is LightweightPowerDNS is not according to our users
  4. Google Cloud DNS icon

    Google Cloud DNS

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    Reliable, resilient, low-latency DNS serving from Google’s worldwide network of Anycast DNS servers. Manage DNS records using the Developer's Console UI, the gcloud command line interface, or a full-featured RESTful API.

    License model

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    Google Cloud DNS screenshot 1

    Google Cloud DNS Features

    1.  DNSSEC
    2.  DNS Server
    3.  High Availability

    Google Cloud DNS VS PowerDNS

     

    • Google Cloud DNS is the most popular Web-based & SaaS alternative to PowerDNS.

    • Google Cloud DNS is the most popular commercial alternative to PowerDNS.

    • Google Cloud DNS is Paid and ProprietaryPowerDNS is Free and Open Source
  5. CoreDNS icon

    CoreDNS

     3 likes
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    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.

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Linux

    CoreDNS Features

    1. Microsoft Azure icon  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

    CoreDNS VS PowerDNS

     
  6. BIND icon

    BIND

     11 likes
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    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

    1.  DNS Server
    2.  DNS Caching
    3.  Authoritative DNS

    BIND VS PowerDNS

     

  7. djbdns

     4 likes
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    The djbdns software package is a collection of Domain Name System tools created by Daniel J. Bernstein. It includes software for all the fundamental DNS operations and several DNS debugging tools which administrators use to diagnose misconfigured remote servers.

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Linux

    djbdns VS PowerDNS

     
  9. Knot DNS icon

    Knot DNS

     3 likes
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    Knot DNS is a high-performance authoritative-only DNS server which supports all key features of the domain name system including zone transfers, dynamic updates and DNSSEC.

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Linux

    Knot DNS Features

    1.  DNS Server
    2.  Dns

    Knot DNS VS PowerDNS

     

  10. MaraDNS

     1 like
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    MaraDNS implements the Domain Name System (DNS), an essential internet service. MaraDNS is open source software: This means that anyone is free to download, use, and modify the program free of charge, as per its license.

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Self-Hosted
    MaraDNS screenshot 1

    MaraDNS Features

    1.  DNS Server

    MaraDNS VS PowerDNS

     
  11. Simple DNS Plus icon

    Simple DNS Plus

     1 like
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    Simple DNS Plus is a commercial DNS server product that runs under Microsoft Windows with an emphasis on a simple-to-use GUI. Maintenance of the software appears to have slackened in recent years.

    License model

    Country of Origin

    • DK flagDenmark
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Windows

    Simple DNS Plus Features

    1.  DNS Caching
    2.  DNS Server

    Simple DNS Plus VS PowerDNS

     

  12. NSD

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    NSD is an authoritative only, high performance, simple and open source name server.

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Linux

    NSD Features

    1.  Support for IPv6
    2.  DNS Server

    NSD VS PowerDNS

     
  13. BlueCat Micetro icon

    BlueCat Micetro

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    An advanced DDI platform providing centralized control, powerful automation and orchestration of DNS, DHCP, and IPAM environments, seamless Microsoft integration, robust RBAC security, and more.

    License model

    Country of Origin

    • CA flagCanada

    Platforms

    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    • Online

    BlueCat Micetro Features

    1.  IPAM
    2.  DHCP Server
    3.  DNS Server

    BlueCat Micetro VS PowerDNS

     
  14. NamedManager icon

    NamedManager

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    NamedManager is an AGPL web-based BIND gui DNS management system designed to make the adding, adjusting and removal of zones/records easy and reliable.

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Self-Hosted
    NamedManager screenshot 1
    Discontinued

    Last commit is from October 2020.

    NamedManager Features

    1.  Dns

    NamedManager VS PowerDNS

     
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