Pi-hole AlternativesTop Ad Blockers and other similar apps like Pi-hole

Pi-hole is described as 'Protect all network devices with DNS-level ad blocking, no client software needed. Features a web interface, query logging, whitelist/blacklist, and privacy controls' and is a very popular Ad Blocker in the web browsers category. There are more than 25 alternatives to Pi-hole for a variety of platforms, including Linux, Windows, Mac, Android and iPhone apps. The best Pi-hole alternative is Portmaster, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like Pi-hole are NextDNS, AdGuard, simplewall and RethinkDNS.

filter to find the best alternatives

Pi-hole alternatives are mainly Ad Blockers, but if you're looking for Privacy Tools or Firewalls you can filter on that. You can also filter by region, for example EU-based alternatives if you prefer software developed in the European Union. These are just examples - use the filter bar below to find more specific alternatives to Pi-hole.
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Alternatives list

  1. Portmaster icon

    Portmaster

     173 likes

    Free, open-source privacy suite monitoring all network activity, blocking unwanted connections, using trusted filter lists for ads and malware, enforcing DNS-over-TLS, providing custom app and global rules, and supporting advanced privacy management.

    35 Portmaster alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Subscription)
    • Open Source (GPL-3.0)

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
    Dashboard PMv1.4
     
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    2
    6
    Comments about Portmaster as an Alternative to Pi-hole
    Kodi Jack
    Negative
    0

    Portmaster is a (great) local firewall, pi-hole is a dns-blackhole. Not an alternative in the slightest though.

    IsidroRollandHills
    Positive
    2

    It has most the same features regarding a single host, but as it’s a software, you can take it with you wherever you go!

    Pi-hole Icon
    Portmaster icon

    • Most users think Portmaster is a great Pi-hole alternative.

    • Portmaster is the most popular Windows & Linux alternative to Pi-hole.

    • Portmaster is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to Pi-hole.

    • Portmaster is Freemium and Open SourcePi-hole is Free and Open Source
  2. NextDNS icon

    NextDNS

     149 likes

    NextDNS protects you from all kinds of security threats, blocks ads and trackers on websites and in apps and provides a safe and supervised Internet for kids — on all devices and on all networks.

    139 NextDNS alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Subscription)
    • Open Source (MIT)

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Chrome OS
    • BSD
    • iPad
    • UC Browser
    • Vivaldi
    • Google Chrome
    • UniFi Network
    • Safari
    • Yandex Browser
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    • OpenWrt
    • Opera
    • Alpine Linux
    • pfSense
    • Mozilla Firefox
    • DD-WRT
    NextDNS screenshot 1
     
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    1
    11
    Comments about NextDNS as an Alternative to Pi-hole
    Kodi Jack
    Negative
    0

    NextDNS might be nice, but it's SaaS (and US-based on top of it), Pihole is self-hosted. Not a great idea privacy-wise.

    Pi-hole Icon
    NextDNS icon

    • Almost everyone thinks NextDNS is a great Pi-hole alternative.

    • NextDNS is the most popular Web-based, Android, Mac, iPhone, iPad & SaaS alternative to Pi-hole.

    • NextDNS is Freemium and Open SourcePi-hole is Free and Open Source
    • NextDNS is Customizable and Security-focusedPi-hole is not according to our users
  4. AdGuard icon

    AdGuard

     274 likes

    Ad-blocking solution eliminating intrusive ads and preventing tracking, with malware protection. Filters pop-ups, banners, and more for clean browsing. Works in the background for ad-free surfing, protects data privacy with Spyware filter, and controls ad display in apps.

    121 AdGuard alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Pay once or Subscription)
    • Open Source (GPL-3.0)

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Chrome OS
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Vivaldi
    • Google Chrome
    • Safari
    • Yandex Browser
    • Opera
    • Mozilla Firefox
    • Snapcraft
    • Microsoft Edge
    • Android TV
    AdGuard screenshot 1
     
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    6
    13
    Comments about AdGuard as an Alternative to Pi-hole
    Top Positive Comment
    Guest
    3

    It is an "DNS-level content blocker" too! The software is called "Adguard HOME" and it is very similar to PiHole! It is a little more user friendly in my opinion.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Top Negative Comment
    jmthornton
    2

    Pi-hole is a DNS-level content blocker, AdGuard is an app.

    RemovedUser
    Positive
    1

    Very similar premise with a different admin experience. Can't hurt trying out both in a VM or on Play with Docker to see what you prefer

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Show more comments
    3 of 6 comments
    Pi-hole Icon
    AdGuard icon

    • Some users think AdGuard is a great Pi-hole alternative, some don't.

    • AdGuard is the most popular Android Tablet alternative to Pi-hole.

    • AdGuard is Freemium and Open SourcePi-hole is Free and Open Source
  5. Ad
    Screenshot
    Total Adblock icon
    Total Adblock

    Block unwanted ads for faster browsing with Total Adblock. Remove banners, pop-ups, and video ads. SAVETIME by decreasing data usage and improving privacy while prolonging battery life. Easy iOS setup requires a paid account, off...

    http://www.totaladblock.com
    Learn More
  6. simplewall icon

    simplewall

     202 likes

    Simple tool to configure Windows Filtering Platform (WFP) which can configure network activity on your computer.

    37 simplewall alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Main Window
     
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    1
    Comments about simplewall as an Alternative to Pi-hole
    Kodi Jack
    Negative
    0

    Lovely local firewall, but surely no alternative to a self-hosted DNS-blackhole :)

    Pi-hole Icon
    simplewall icon

    • Most users think simplewall is a great Pi-hole alternative.

    • simplewall is Free and Open SourcePi-hole is also Free and Open Source
  8. AdAway icon

    AdAway

     140 likes

    An ad blocker that uses the hosts file. The hosts file contains a list of mappings between hostnames and IP addresses. When an app requests an ad, that request is directed to 127.0.0.1 which does nothing.

    94 AdAway alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • F-Droid
    AdAway screenshot 1
    AdAway screenshot 2
    AdAway screenshot 3
     
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    2
    6
    Comments about AdAway as an Alternative to Pi-hole
    Guest
    Negative
    6

    Pi-hole is a DNS resolver, AdAway modifies a file on an individual computer rather than block at the DNS level.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Negative
    0

    they function fundamentally in very different ways and scopes.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Pi-hole Icon
    AdAway icon

    • Some users think AdAway is a great Pi-hole alternative, some don't.

    • AdAway is Free and Open SourcePi-hole is also Free and Open Source
  10. Control D icon

    Control D

     31 likes

    Control D is a modern and customizable DNS service that blocks threats, unwanted content and ads - on all devices. Onboard in minutes, and forget about it.

    29 Control D alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Subscription)
    • Open Source (MIT)

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • iPhone
    • Android
    • iPad
    • Android Tablet
    • Google Chrome
    • Mozilla Firefox
    • Online
    Control D screenshot 1
     
  11. AdGuard Home icon

    AdGuard Home

     30 likes

    AdGuard Home is a network-wide software for blocking ads & tracking. After you set it up, it'll cover ALL your home devices, and you don't need any client-side software for that.

    11 AdGuard Home alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Self-Hosted
    • FreeBSD
    • Raspberry Pi
    • Cloudron
    AdGuard Home screenshot 1
     
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    1
    7
    Comments about AdGuard Home as an Alternative to Pi-hole
    Guest
    Positive
    2

    it runs slim as a docker container on my Synology

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Pi-hole Icon
    AdGuard Home icon

    • Almost everyone thinks AdGuard Home is a great Pi-hole alternative.

    • AdGuard Home is the most popular Self-Hosted alternative to Pi-hole.

    • AdGuard Home is Free and Open SourcePi-hole is also Free and Open Source
    • AdGuard Home is CustomizablePi-hole is not according to our users
  12. Blokada icon

    Blokada

     106 likes

    Blokada is the popular ad blocker and privacy app for Android and iOS. It's being supported and actively developed by the amazing open source community.

    96 Blokada alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Subscription)
    • Open Source (MPL-2.0)

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    Blokada screenshot 1
    Blokada screenshot 2
    Blokada screenshot 3
     
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    4
    9
    Comments about Blokada as an Alternative to Pi-hole
    Guest
    Negative
    11

    It is a good combination in addition to Pi-hole. But is a client software, which run on Android devices only. It cannot protect unsupported systems (e.g. smart phone, smart TV).

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Negative
    7

    Blokada should not be considered an alternative to Pi-hole due to the different implementations of the software, Pi-hole is installable on to external devices such as a device that is directly connected to the router like a Raspberry Pi whilst Blokada is specifically installed on an Android device

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    jmthornton
    Negative
    3

    Pi-hole is a DNS-level content blocker, Blokada is a browser plugin.

    Show more comments
    3 of 4 comments
    Pi-hole Icon
    Blokada icon

    • Some users think Blokada is a great Pi-hole alternative, some don't.

    • Blokada is Freemium and Open SourcePi-hole is Free and Open Source
  13. Technitium DNS Server icon

    Technitium DNS Server

     8 likes

    Technitium DNS Server is an open source tool that can be used as a personal local DNS server for privacy & security. It includes Ad blocking feature combined with DNS-over-TLS and DNS-over-HTTPS support.

    26 Technitium DNS Server alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Technitium DNS Server screenshot 1
     
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    5
    12
    Comments about Technitium DNS Server as an Alternative to Pi-hole
    Top Positive Comment
    Guest
    9

    It works exactly like Pi-Hole and is a full fledged DNS Server and not just a DNS proxy. Works on Windows, macOS, Linux and Raspberry Pi. Plus it gives much more features like DNS-over-HTTPS and DNS-over-TLS for using public DNS resolvers and also allows you to host your own service using these protocols.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    pili
    Positive
    0

    Works exactly as pihole, very lightweight, easy to use. But, better than pihole IMO because it does not has to be installed on another device dedicated to it, you can install it on the same computer that is doing the requests. Less community than pihole but the dev is very reactive, and it is quite easy to use !

    Guest
    Positive
    6

    It's actually an alternative, most of the others are browser based ad blockers.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Show more comments
    3 of 5 comments
    Pi-hole Icon
    Technitium DNS Server icon

    • Almost everyone thinks Technitium DNS Server is a great Pi-hole alternative.

    • Technitium DNS Server is Free and Open SourcePi-hole is also Free and Open Source
  15. Privoxy icon

    Privoxy

     60 likes

    Privoxy is a non-caching web proxy with advanced filtering capabilities for enhancing privacy, modifying web page data and HTTP headers, controlling access, and removing ads and other obnoxious Internet junk.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
     
12 of 40 Pi-hole alternatives