Blocky

Self-Hosted

Fast, privacy-focused DNS proxy with ad-blocking

Overview

Blocky is an open-source DNS proxy designed for speed and privacy. It blocks ads, trackers, and malicious domains via customizable filter lists. Key features include DNS caching for faster responses, support for DNS over HTTPS (DoH) and DNS over TLS (DoT), custom domain rules, and Pi-hole list compatibility. Deploy easily via Docker, Kubernetes, or binary—ideal for self-hosted setups to control network DNS traffic.

Self-Hosting Resources

Find Official Image on Docker Hub View Source & Docs

Below is a reference structure for docker-compose.yml. ⚠️ Do NOT run blindly. Replace placeholders with official values.

docker-compose.template.yml TEMPLATE


version: '3'
services:
  blocky:
    image: <OFFICIAL_IMAGE_NAME>:latest
    container_name: blocky
    ports:
      - "8080:<APP_INTERNAL_PORT>"
    volumes:
      - ./data:/app/data
    restart: unless-stopped

Key Features

Ad & tracker blocking
DNS over HTTPS/TLS support
Custom domain rules & caching
Pi-hole list compatibility
Lightweight Docker deployment

Frequently Asked Questions

? Is Blocky hard to install?

Blocky is easy to deploy via Docker with a simple YAML config. Binary releases are also available. Basic DNS and server management knowledge helps, but Docker users can get it running quickly with minimal setup.

? Is it a good alternative to Pi-hole?

Yes—Blocky offers ad-blocking and Pi-hole list compatibility, plus modern DNS protocols. It’s lighter and faster but lacks Pi-hole’s web UI, making it ideal for users who prefer config-file-driven control.

? Is Blocky completely free?

Blocky is 100% open-source and free. There are no paid tiers or subscriptions—self-host it indefinitely without cost.

Top Alternatives

Cloudflare DNS Search Google

Google Public DNS Search Google

OpenDNS Search Google

Tool Info

Pricing Open Source

Category DNS

Platform Self-Hosted

Pros

⊕ Privacy-focused (no data collection)
⊕ Fast performance with caching
⊕ Flexible filter list integration
⊕ Supports modern DNS protocols

Cons

⊖ Requires basic server setup knowledge
⊖ No built-in web UI (YAML configuration only)
⊖ Less user-friendly for beginners than Pi-hole