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PowerDNS Recursor

Recursive DNS built for performance, flexibility, and scale.

PowerDNS Recursor is a high-performance recursive DNS resolver trusted by network operators, ISPs, and enterprises worldwide.

Built for demanding production environments, it delivers fast and reliable DNS resolution while giving operators the visibility, flexibility, and control they need to run critical infrastructure with confidence. 


Blazing fast

Optimized for low latency and high query throughput for even the most demanding workloads.


Built to scale

From enterprise deployments to large networks without compromising performance or stability.


Full visibility

Detailed operational monitoring and insights with metrics and OpenTelemetry tracing.


Highly flexible

Adapts to your environment through easy YAML configuration or customization with Lua scripting.


Open integration

A built-in REST API integrates seamlessly with existing automation and management workflows.

ENGINEERED FOR HIGH PERFORMANCE

Why PowerDNS Recursor delivers high performance

PowerDNS Recursor is built to deliver fast, responsive DNS resolution at scale. Its architecture combines efficient multi-core processing, lightweight user-space multitasking, and multiple layers of caching to handle demanding query loads while keeping latency low. 

Efficient Multi-Core Processing

PowerDNS Recursor distributes incoming queries across multiple worker threads, making efficient use of modern multi-core systems and helping avoid processing bottlenecks.

Multi-Level Caching

Lightweight Query Processing

Keep Fast Queries Moving

Feature rich

PowerDNS Recursor provides the capabilities you need to operate a secure, high-performance recursive DNS service, including:

  • High query throughput for demanding workloads
  • Consistently low-latency responses
  • Reduced upstream traffic with intelligent caching
  • High resilience through serve stale support
  • Comprehensive DNSSEC validation
  • IPv4 and IPv6 support
  • REST API for automation and operational integration
  • Simple YAML configuration
  • Lua scripting for custom policies and logic
  • Query visibility with OpenTelemetry traces
  • Metrics compatible with Prometheus and others

Explore the complete feature set in the PowerDNS Recursor Product Sheet or visit the documentation for detailed technical information. 

Why Commercial PowerDNS?

Open source is in our DNA. Commercial expertise is our promise.

When DNS is critical to your business, you need more than software. You need a partner who understands the technology, the architecture, and the operational challenges behind it.

PowerDNS solutions enhance our open source products with access to commercial add-ons, support and the people who build and maintain the software.

Commercial Products

Access enterprise features designed for service providers, network operators, hosting companies, and large enterprises.

Early Security Patches

Keep your DNS infrastructure protected with early access to security patches before public release.

Long-Term Maintenance

Plan upgrades and lifecycle management with confidence and keep your DNS infrastructure maintainable over time.

Training and Consulting

Build internal expertise with professional services and training tailored to your team and infrastructure.

Professional Support

Get professional support backed by clearly defined, strong service levels for your production environment.

Direct Access to PowerDNS Experts

Work with engineers who understand PowerDNS at its core and can help diagnose complex technical issues.

Architecture Guidance

Design resilient, scalable DNS environments with guidance based on real-world deployments.

Enhance PowerDNS Recursor with Powerful Product Extensions.

PowerDNS

Recursor Plexus

Eliminate DNS cache warm-up delays in large-scale resolver environments by automatically preserving and restoring critical DNS state at resolver restarts.

Explore Recursor Plexus

PowerDNS

DNSdist

Modernize DNS traffic management with intelligent load balancing, high-performance caching, encrypted DNS, and infrastructure security.

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DNSdist

PowerDNS

Protect

Protect subscribers with cost-efficient network-based security and parental controls based on flexible and intelligent DNS filtering.


Learn about Protect

PowerDNS

dstore

Turn DNS events into actionable insights by processing, distributing, reporting, and investigating data across your PowerDNS infrastructure.

Check out
dstore

PowerDNS

Cloud Control

Step into the world of cloud-native DNS: Manage your entire PowerDNS deployment from a centralized cloud-native control plane.


View Cloud Control

Ready for the next generation of recursive DNS?