2 Open Source alternatives to NextDNS in 2026
We compare 2 self-hostable tools you can deploy on your own server in minutes, with license, tech stack and a ready-to-copy docker-compose.
Quick comparison
Sorted by featured first, then GitHub stars as a tiebreaker — the same rule we use across the whole site.
| Tool | License | Minimum RAM | Docker | GitHub |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pi-hole Lightest option100% FOSSMost popular on GitHub | EUPL-1.2 | ~256MB | ✅ | ★ ~50,000 |
| AdGuard Home Lightest option100% FOSS | GPL-3.0 | ~256MB | ✅ | ★ ~24,000 |
Detailed profile of each alternative
Alternative to NextDNS
Network-wide DNS ad-blocking, an alternative to NextDNS.
Alternative to NextDNS
Network-wide DNS ad-blocking with native DoH/DoT, an alternative to NextDNS.
How much does NextDNS cost, and how much can you save?
NextDNS charges a recurring monthly fee. Self-hosting the alternative, you only pay for the server — usually a few dollars a month.
Calculate your exact savings in the SaaS Audit →Already know which one you want?
Add Pi-hole to the Stack Builder and generate a ready-to-deploy docker-compose.yml, alone or alongside the rest of your stack.
Build my stackFrequently asked questions
Do I need Docker to self-host a NextDNS alternative?
Yes, for all 2: each one has a ready-to-copy docker-compose.yml. You just need Docker installed on your server.
How much RAM do I need at minimum?
The lightest option on this list is Pi-hole, which runs on as little as 256MB of RAM — enough for a cheap VPS.
Are they all 100% free, or are there paid features like on NextDNS?
Yes, all 2 are 100% FOSS: no paid plan or locked features when self-hosted.