Side by side
DNS Daddy vs GateSentry
Both stand on internet filtering software. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan APIiPhoneLinux+4
DNS Daddy combines threat-feed blocking with detailed DNS visibility in a self-hosted package for smaller environments. Its single-server scale, upstream DNSSEC handling and lack of independent security review are important considerations.
Visit DNS Daddy Free plan LinuxMacSelf-hosted+2
GateSentry offers several network filtering controls and administrative tools for home and small networks. Its maker cautions that the defaults are for a trusted local network, and DNS filtering alone does not inspect URLs or content.
Visit GateSentryThe facts
| DNS Daddy | GateSentry | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | API, iPhone, Linux, Mac, Self-hosted, Web, Windows | Linux, Mac, Self-hosted, Web, Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | Free or on request | Free or on request |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | dnsdaddy.dev | github.com |
| On internet filtering software | #9 of 65 | #13 of 65 |
DNS Daddy: what it does well
- Free plan with no account or subscription.
- Blocks malware, phishing, C2 and cryptomining by default.
- Plain-English query records identify devices and block reasons.
- CIDR-based policies can differ across sites and VLANs.
- Includes dashboard, REST API, metrics and SIEM-friendly exports.
What to know first
- Experimental detectors alert but do not block.
- Standard configuration does not locally validate DNSSEC.
- No clustering or anycast; one instance is one server.
- No independent professional security review or audit.
GateSentry: what it does well
- Free and open source under Apache-2.0.
- Supports per-device policies and scheduled rules.
- Dashboard includes logs, statistics, and device inventory.
- Runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows.
- Includes backup and restore functions.
What to know first
- Admin UI uses plain HTTP.
- Defaults are not hardened for direct Internet exposure.
- DNS filtering works on domains only.
- No long-term-support release line is available.
Alternatives to DNS Daddy Alternatives to GateSentry The whole list