Run Unbound as a validating, recursive, caching DNS resolver for network domain lookups.
Open source
24 alternativesUnbound
Resolve and cache DNS queries with Unbound, a validating resolver that supports encrypted DNS protocols.
About Unbound
Unbound is a validating, recursive, caching DNS resolver based on open standards. It supports DNS-over-TLS and DNS-over-HTTPS, which allows clients to encrypt communication, and standards such as Query Name Minimisation, Aggressive Use of DNSSEC-Validated Cache, and authority zones for loading a copy of the root zone.
It runs on Linux and BSD distributions and macOS, with packages for most platforms. It is included in the base system of major BSD operating systems and in the standard repositories of most Linux distributions, and a resolver for a machine or network can be set up with a few lines of configuration.
Key features
- Validating, recursive, caching DNS resolution
- DNS-over-TLS support for encrypted client communication
- DNS-over-HTTPS support for encrypted client communication
- Query Name Minimisation to limit data sent to authoritative servers
- Aggressive Use of DNSSEC-Validated Cache
- Authority zones support, including loading a copy of root zone
Best for: People who need to set up a validating DNS resolver for a machine or network on Linux, BSD, or macOS.
Good for
- Supports both DNS-over-TLS and DNS-over-HTTPS for client communication
- Included in major BSD base systems and standard repositories of most Linux distributions
- Resolver setup uses only a few lines of configuration
Unbound at a glance
- Category
- Development › Network Tools
- Type
- Online tool
- Pricing
- Not confirmed. Check the site
- Platforms
- Linux, macOS, Web
- Open source
- Not stated
- Language
- English
- Last checked
- Oct 5, 2026 · Online when checked
- Listed
- Oct 5, 2026
Unbound alternatives
Tools and sites you could use instead, ranked by how closely they match.
Resolve DNS queries with DNS.SB, which supports DNS over HTTPS and DNS over TLS.
Connect to UncensoredDNS servers through encrypted DNS over HTTPS or DNS over TLS protocols.
Route DNS queries through Quad9, a free public recursive resolver focused on security and privacy.
Network protocol traffic can be inspected with Wireshark, a packet analysis application.
Find the IPv4 and IPv6 addresses for Cloudflare 1.1.1.1 and its family DNS resolvers in the service documentation.
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Unbound FAQ
Which operating systems does Unbound run on?
It runs on all Linux and BSD distributions, as well as macOS, with packages available for most platforms.
How is Unbound installed and configured?
Installation and configuration is designed to be easy, with a resolver for a machine or network set up in a few lines of configuration.
Does Unbound support encrypted DNS?
Yes, it supports DNS-over-TLS and DNS-over-HTTPS, which allows clients to encrypt their communication.
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