CoreDNS vs Technitium: DNS Server Comparison
Quick Verdict
Technitium is the better choice for most self-hosters. It provides a complete DNS solution with a web UI, built-in ad blocking, DHCP, DNS-over-HTTPS/TLS, and authoritative hosting — all in one package. CoreDNS is the better choice if you need a lightweight, programmable DNS server for Kubernetes or custom infrastructure where you’ll build exactly the features you need through plugins.
Overview
CoreDNS is a plugin-based DNS server written in Go. Originally built as a replacement for SkyDNS and adopted as the default DNS server in Kubernetes, it’s designed for flexibility through a plugin chain architecture. Each feature (caching, forwarding, logging, ad blocking) is a separate plugin you enable in a Corefile. CoreDNS site
Technitium DNS Server is an all-in-one DNS server with a web-based management interface. It supports recursive resolution, authoritative hosting, conditional forwarding, DNS-over-HTTPS/TLS/QUIC, DNSSEC, built-in ad blocking via blocklists, and DHCP — all configured through its web UI. Written in C#/.NET. Technitium site
Feature Comparison
| Feature | CoreDNS | Technitium |
|---|---|---|
| Recursive resolution | Via forward plugin (forwarding only) | Yes (full recursive resolver) |
| Authoritative hosting | Yes (via file or auto plugin) | Yes (web UI managed) |
| DNS-over-HTTPS | Via plugin | Built-in |
| DNS-over-TLS | Via plugin | Built-in |
| DNS-over-QUIC | No | Built-in |
| DNSSEC validation | Via plugin | Built-in |
| Ad blocking | Via external plugin (e.g., hosts) | Built-in (blocklist management in UI) |
| DHCP server | No | Built-in |
| Web UI | No (config file only) | Yes (full management interface) |
| API | No (metrics endpoint only) | Yes (HTTP API) |
| Conditional forwarding | Yes | Yes |
| Split-horizon DNS | Yes (via zones in Corefile) | Yes (via zones in UI) |
| Caching | Yes (plugin) | Yes (built-in, configurable) |
| Logging/analytics | Via plugin (Prometheus metrics) | Built-in dashboard with query logs |
| Kubernetes integration | Native (default K8s DNS) | No |
| Configuration | Corefile (text file) | Web UI + config files |
| Docker image | coredns/coredns | technitium/dns-server |
| Language | Go | C# (.NET) |
| License | Apache-2.0 | GPL-3.0 |
Installation Complexity
CoreDNS is minimal in terms of Docker setup — it’s a single binary with a single config file (Corefile). But the complexity is in the configuration itself. Every feature requires finding the right plugin and writing the correct Corefile syntax. There’s no GUI to help. Example Corefile for basic forwarding with caching:
.:53 {
forward . 1.1.1.1 9.9.9.9
cache 30
log
errors
}Technitium is a single container that exposes a web UI on port 5380 and DNS on port 53. Initial setup is done through a browser-based wizard. Adding blocklists, configuring zones, enabling DoH/DoT — all done through the UI with immediate feedback. Much more accessible.
Performance and Resource Usage
| Metric | CoreDNS | Technitium |
|---|---|---|
| RAM (idle) | ~15-30 MB | ~100-200 MB |
| CPU | Very low | Low-moderate |
| Disk | ~50 MB (binary) | ~200 MB (app + .NET runtime) |
| Query latency | Very fast (Go, minimal overhead) | Fast |
| Concurrent queries | Excellent (goroutine-based) | Good |
| Suitable for | High-throughput, minimal footprint | Home/office networks, full-featured DNS |
CoreDNS is significantly lighter. It’s a single Go binary with no runtime dependencies. Technitium requires the .NET runtime and uses more memory, but the overhead is justified by its feature set.
Use Cases
Choose CoreDNS If…
- You run Kubernetes (it’s the default and best-supported DNS for K8s)
- You want the lightest possible DNS server
- You prefer text-file configuration over web UIs
- You need highly customizable DNS behavior through plugin chains
- You’re comfortable writing and debugging Corefiles
- You don’t need ad blocking, DHCP, or a management dashboard
Choose Technitium If…
- You want a complete DNS solution with minimal configuration
- You want a web UI for DNS management
- You want built-in ad blocking without running a separate tool
- You need DHCP alongside DNS
- You want DNS-over-HTTPS/TLS/QUIC without reverse proxy complexity
- You want query logging and analytics in a dashboard
- You’re running a home or office network
Final Verdict
Technitium for home and office networks. If you want a DNS server you can configure through a browser, with ad blocking, DHCP, encrypted DNS, and query analytics built in, Technitium is the complete package. It does everything Pi-hole does and more, without needing separate tools.
CoreDNS for Kubernetes and minimal infrastructure. If you’re running K8s, CoreDNS is the standard. For non-K8s use, it’s best when you need a tiny, fast DNS forwarder and you’re comfortable with text-file configuration. Don’t pick CoreDNS expecting a turnkey DNS solution — it’s a toolkit, not a product.
FAQ
Can CoreDNS do ad blocking?
Not natively in the same way Technitium or Pi-hole do. You can use the hosts plugin with a blocklist file, but managing and updating blocklists requires external scripts. It’s not a first-class feature.
Is Technitium a Pi-hole replacement?
Yes, and then some. Technitium includes everything Pi-hole does (DNS sinkhole with blocklists) plus authoritative DNS hosting, DHCP, encrypted DNS protocols, and doesn’t require a separate web server. See our Technitium vs Unbound comparison for more.
Does CoreDNS support DNS-over-HTTPS?
Yes, through plugins, but it requires more configuration than Technitium’s built-in support. You’ll need to configure TLS certificates and enable the right plugins in your Corefile.
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