Unbound is a validating, recursive, caching DNS resolver.
It is designed to be fast and lean and incorporates modern features based on open standards.
This is free and open source software.
Key Features
- Supports DNS-over-TLS and DNS-over-HTTPS which allows clients to encrypt their communication.
- Supports various modern standards that limit the amount of data exchanged with authoritative servers. These include Query Name Minimisation, the Aggressive Use of DNSSEC-Validated Cache and support for authority zones, which can be used to load a copy of the root zone.
- Cross-platform support – runs on all Linux and BSD distributions, as well as macOS, with packages available for most platforms.
Website: nlnetlabs.nl/projects/unbound
Support: GitHub Code Repository
Developer: NLnet Labs
License: BSD 3-Clause “New” or “Revised” License
Unbound is written in C. Learn C with our recommended free books and free tutorials.
Related Software
| DNS Servers | |
|---|---|
| CoreDNS | DNS server that chains plugins |
| BIND | Flexible, full-featured DNS system |
| PowerDNS | Authoritative server, the Recursor, and Dnsdist |
| NSD | NLnet Labs Name Server Daemon |
| Technitium | Self host a DNS server for privacy and security |
| SmartDNS | Local DNS server that accepts DNS query requests from local clients |
| Unbound | Validating, recursive, caching DNS resolver |
| Hickory | Rust-based DNS client, server and resolver |
| YADIFA | Lightweight authoritative Name Server with DNSSEC capabilities |
| Knot DNS | High-performance authoritative-only DNS server |
| gdnsd | Authoritative-only DNS server |
| Dnsmasq | Network infrastructure: DNS, DHCP, router advertisement and network boot |
| acme-dns | Simplified DNS server with a RESTful HTTP API |
| encrypted-dns | Modern encrypted DNS server |
| MaraDNS | Small DNS server |
| aardvark-dns | Authoritative DNS server for A/AAAA container records |
| FDNS | Encrypted DNS proxy designed for small networks and Linux desktops |
| tinydns | Tiny DNS server with simple JSON config |
| pkdns | DNS server resolving pkarr self-sovereign domains |
| dprox | Lightweight DNS proxy server |
| PopuraDNS | Simple DNS server with decentralized domain names support |
| pdnsd | DNS server designed for local caching of DNS information |
| dnrs | DNS server written in rust |
Read our verdict in the software roundup.
 Explore our comprehensive directory of recommended free and open source software. Our carefully curated collection spans every major software category.This directory is part of our ongoing series of informative articles for Linux enthusiasts. It features hundreds of detailed reviews, along with open source alternatives to proprietary solutions from major corporations such as Google, Microsoft, Apple, Adobe, IBM, Cisco, Oracle, and Autodesk. You’ll also find interesting projects to try, hardware coverage, free programming books and tutorials, and much more. Discovered a useful open source Linux program that we haven’t covered yet? Let us know by completing this form. |