The best Privacy Tool alternative to Pi-hole is Portmaster, which is both free and Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 25 alternatives to Pi-hole and 11 are Privacy Tools so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting Privacy Tool alternatives to Pi-hole are NextDNS, AdGuard, AdAway and Control D.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
Pi-hole is a DNS-level content blocker, AdGuard is an app.
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
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.
Pi-hole is a DNS resolver, AdAway modifies a file on an individual computer rather than block at the DNS level.
they function fundamentally in very different ways and scopes.
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.
A DNS-based solution designed to enhance defenses like ad blockers, antivirus tools, and firewalls. Using AI, it blocks ads, trackers, and threats at the DNS level. It ensures faster performance, better privacy, and comprehensive device protection without extra software.
Firewalla is a vital security addition to every home and small business with network and IoT devices.
Protects all Internet devices, Blocks tracking & ads, Defends against malware & Internet dangers, Prevents harmful content to children, Provides anonymous surfing, Free, open source and without backdoors
Pihole always blocks the full domain. eBlocker filters only bad URLs from a domain - avoiding overblocking.
Austria
EU
United States
Cyprus
Germany
Canada
Italy
Japan
Portmaster is a (great) local firewall, pi-hole is a dns-blackhole. Not an alternative in the slightest though.