Pros of AdGuardHome

• More comprehensive DNS filtering and ad-blocking capabilities
• User-friendly web interface for easy configuration and management
• Supports multiple upstream DNS providers simultaneously

Cons of AdGuardHome

• Higher resource usage compared to dnscrypt-proxy
• More complex setup process for advanced features
• May require additional configuration for optimal performance

Code Comparison

AdGuardHome configuration example:

dns:
  bind_hosts:
    - 0.0.0.0
  upstream_dns:
    - https://dns.cloudflare.com/dns-query
    - tls://1.1.1.1

dnscrypt-proxy configuration example:

listen_addresses = ['127.0.0.1:53']
server_names = ['cloudflare']

AdGuardHome offers more granular control over DNS settings and filtering options, while dnscrypt-proxy focuses on providing encrypted DNS with a simpler configuration. AdGuardHome's YAML-based configuration allows for more detailed customization, whereas dnscrypt-proxy uses a more concise TOML format.

Both projects aim to enhance DNS privacy and security, but AdGuardHome provides additional features like ad-blocking and parental controls. dnscrypt-proxy is lighter and more focused on DNS encryption, making it suitable for systems with limited resources or users who prefer a minimalist approach.

Pros of mosdns

• More flexible and customizable DNS routing and filtering options
• Better support for complex DNS configurations and rules
• Lighter resource usage, especially for memory consumption

Cons of mosdns

• Less focus on privacy and encryption compared to dnscrypt-proxy
• Smaller community and fewer maintained server lists
• May require more manual configuration for advanced setups

Code Comparison

mosdns configuration example:

log:
  level: info
plugins:
  - tag: forward
    type: forward
    args:
      upstream:
        - addr: https://dns.google/dns-query

dnscrypt-proxy configuration example:

server_names = ['cloudflare', 'google']
listen_addresses = ['127.0.0.1:53']
max_clients = 250
ipv4_servers = true
ipv6_servers = false
dnscrypt_servers = true
doh_servers = true

Both projects offer DNS proxy functionality, but mosdns focuses on flexible routing and filtering, while dnscrypt-proxy emphasizes privacy and encryption. mosdns provides more granular control over DNS queries and responses, making it suitable for complex network setups. dnscrypt-proxy, on the other hand, offers stronger privacy features and a larger selection of pre-configured secure DNS servers. The choice between the two depends on specific requirements for DNS management, privacy, and ease of configuration.

Pros of pdns

• Full-featured authoritative DNS server and recursor
• Supports various backend databases for flexibility
• Extensive documentation and enterprise-grade support

Cons of pdns

• More complex setup and configuration
• Higher resource usage for small-scale deployments
• Steeper learning curve for beginners

Code Comparison

pdns (PowerDNS):

void PacketHandler::getUpdatedMasters(vector<DomainInfo>* domains)
{
  if(::arg().mustDo("slave") && d_dk.getKeys().empty()) {
    L<<Logger::Warning<<"No backend keys, not checking for master updates"<<endl;
    return;
  }
  ...
}

dnscrypt-proxy:

func (proxy *Proxy) udpListener(clientPc *net.UDPConn) {
    defer clientPc.Close()
    for {
        buffer := make([]byte, MaxDNSPacketSize-1)
        length, clientAddr, err := clientPc.ReadFrom(buffer)
        ...
    }
}

pdns offers a more comprehensive DNS solution with advanced features, while dnscrypt-proxy focuses on providing a lightweight, secure DNS proxy. pdns is better suited for large-scale deployments and complex setups, whereas dnscrypt-proxy is ideal for personal use and simpler configurations. The code snippets highlight the different languages and approaches used in each project.

Pros of unbound

• More comprehensive DNS resolver with full recursive capabilities
• Supports DNSSEC validation out of the box
• Highly configurable and suitable for enterprise-level deployments

Cons of unbound

• Steeper learning curve and more complex setup
• Lacks built-in DNS-over-HTTPS support (requires additional configuration)
• May consume more system resources compared to lightweight alternatives

Code comparison

unbound configuration example:

server:
    verbosity: 1
    interface: 127.0.0.1
    port: 53
    do-ip4: yes
    do-udp: yes
    do-tcp: yes

    access-control: 127.0.0.0/8 allow
    root-hints: "/var/unbound/etc/root.hints"

dnscrypt-proxy configuration example:

listen_addresses = ['127.0.0.1:53']
server_names = ['cloudflare']
ipv4_servers = true
ipv6_servers = false
dnscrypt_servers = true
doh_servers = true
require_dnssec = true

Both projects aim to enhance DNS privacy and security, but they approach the task differently. unbound is a full-featured recursive DNS resolver with DNSSEC support, while dnscrypt-proxy focuses on encrypting DNS queries and providing a simpler configuration for various encrypted DNS protocols.