Skip to content
whatismyalternative

Acrylic DNS Proxy

Local DNS proxy for Windows that caches DNS responses and supports a custom HOSTS file

Visit Acrylic DNS Proxy

Acrylic DNS Proxy is a local DNS proxy for Windows that caches DNS responses to cut the time spent resolving frequently visited addresses. It also uses a custom HOSTS file built to handle hundreds of thousands of domain names, with wildcard and regular expression support, to block unwanted ads. Its sliding expiration caching, simultaneous forwarding to multiple DNS servers, and background DNS updates can keep name resolution working when a DNS server goes down.

It runs as a Windows service with a desktop UI for opening configuration and HOSTS files, and configuration is edited through AcrylicConfiguration.ini and AcrylicHosts.txt. It ships as an installer or portable download, with Borland Delphi source code released under the GNU General Public License. It is intended for Windows users who want to manage DNS caching and domain blocking locally, and it is free with no paid editions or usage-based plans.

12 alternatives to Acrylic DNS Proxy

Ranked by how well each tool replaces Acrylic DNS Proxy: shared features, audience, price and popularity.

  1. PointDNS

    Powerful. Reliable Easy to use DNS hosting. Trusted by developers and enterprise worldwide

    Covers 0 of 11 key features.

    Free plan
    57 out of 100 match$25/mo

  2. No-IP

    Smarter DNS services for reliable domain management.

    Covers 0 of 11 key features.

    Free plan
    57 out of 100 match$2.92/mo

  3. FreeDNS

    Free and paid DNS, Dynamic DNS, Static DNS, subdomain and domain hosting

    Covers 0 of 11 key features.

    Free plan
    56 out of 100 matchContact sales

  4. DNS Unlimited

    Secondary DNS hosting with unlimited zones and pay-per-query pricing

    Covers 0 of 11 key features.

    56 out of 100 match$5/mo

  5. Pi-hole

    Network-wide ad blocking for your entire home or office.

    Covers 0 of 11 key features.

    Open source
    55 out of 100 match—

  6. ViewDNS.info

    Your trusted source for domain and IP intelligence.

    Covers 0 of 11 key features.

    Free plan
    54 out of 100 match$49/mo

  7. Technitium DNS Server

    Authoritative/recursive DNS server with ad blocking functionality.

    Covers 0 of 11 key features.

    Free planOpen source
    53 out of 100 matchFree

  8. DNSExit

    DNS, remote access, email and hosting services to keep systems reachable

    Covers 0 of 11 key features.

    Free plan
    50 out of 100 matchFree

  9. PowerDNS

    A faster, safer, and more secure internet

    Covers 0 of 11 key features.

    Open source
    47 out of 100 matchContact sales

  10. NextDNS

    The new firewall for the modern Internet.

    Covers 0 of 11 key features.

    Free plan
    47 out of 100 match$11/mo

  11. DNSFilter

    DNS filtering and threat blocking service

    Covers 0 of 11 key features.

    40 out of 100 match$23/mo

  12. DNSChkr

    DNS Checker, Free DNS, IP & Network Intelligence Tools

    Covers 0 of 11 key features.

    Free plan
    40 out of 100 match$19/mo