Pi-hole AlternativesOnly apps categorised as Privacy Tools

The best Privacy Tool alternative to Pi-hole is AdGuard, 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 13 are Privacy Tools so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting Privacy Tool alternatives to Pi-hole are Portmaster, AdAway, Control D and AdGuard Home.

filter to find the best alternatives

Pi-hole alternatives are mainly Privacy Tools, but if you're looking for Ad Blockers 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. AdGuard icon

    AdGuard

     301 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.

    130 AdGuard alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Chrome OS
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Microsoft Edge
    • Vivaldi
    • Google Chrome
    • Safari
    • Android TV
    • Yandex Browser
    • Opera
    • Mozilla Firefox
    • F-Droid
    • HUAWEI AppGallery
    • Samsung Galaxy Store
    AdGuard screenshot 1
     
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    6
    AdGuard vs Pi-hole Comments
    Top Positive Comment
    Guest
    5

    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.

    Top Negative Comment
    jmthornton
    0

    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

    3 of 6 comments
    • AdGuard is Freemium and Open SourcePi-hole is Free and Open Source
  2. Portmaster icon

    Portmaster

     197 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.

    38 Portmaster alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
    Dashboard PMv1.4
     
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    2
    Portmaster vs Pi-hole Comments
    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!

    • Portmaster is Freemium and Open SourcePi-hole is Free and Open Source
    • Portmaster is a Firewall Pi-hole is an Ad Blocker
    • Portmaster is DecentralizedPi-hole is not according to our users
  4. AdAway icon

    AdAway

     152 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.

    96 AdAway alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • F-Droid
    AdAway screenshot 1
     
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    2
    AdAway vs Pi-hole Comments
    Guest
    Negative
    6

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

    Guest
    Negative
    0

    they function fundamentally in very different ways and scopes.

    • AdAway is Free and Open SourcePi-hole is also Free and Open Source
  5. Ad
    Screenshot
    AdGuard icon
    AdGuard

    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 Spywa...

    https://adguard.com
    Learn More
  6. Control D icon

    Control D

     41 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.

    32 Control D alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Open Source (MIT)

    Application types

    Platforms

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

    AdGuard Home

     32 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.

    13 AdGuard Home alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Self-Hosted
    • FreeBSD
    • Raspberry Pi
    • Cloudron
    • Snapcraft
    • Docker
    AdGuard Home screenshot 1
     
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    1
    AdGuard Home vs Pi-hole Comments
    Guest
    Positive
    2

    it runs slim as a docker container on my Synology

    • 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
  9. Blokada icon

    Blokada

     110 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.

    101 Blokada alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • WireGuard
    Blokada screenshot 1
     
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    4
    Blokada vs Pi-hole Comments
    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).

    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

    jmthornton
    Negative
    3

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

    3 of 4 comments
    • Blokada is Freemium and Open SourcePi-hole is Free and Open Source
  10. OpenSnitch icon

    OpenSnitch

     45 likes

    GNU/Linux firewall enabling interactive outbound network filtering, outbound application control, blocking of ads and malware domains, centralized GUI node management, input policy configuration, SIEM integration, real-time alerts, and user-level rule customization.

    39 OpenSnitch alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    OpenSnitch screenshot 1
     
  11. keweonDNS icon

    keweonDNS

     5 likes

    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.

    52 keweonDNS alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free Personal
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    keweonDNS screenshot 1
     
  12. Firewalla icon

    Firewalla

     Like

    Firewalla is a vital security addition to every home and small business with network and IoT devices.

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • Android
    Firewalla screenshot 1
     
  13. eBlocker icon

    eBlocker

     4 likes

    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

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    eBlocker screenshot 1
     
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    1
    eBlocker vs Pi-hole Comments
    Guest
    Positive
    1

    Pihole always blocks the full domain. eBlocker filters only bad URLs from a domain - avoiding overblocking.

    • eBlocker is Free and Open SourcePi-hole is also Free and Open Source
  15. Trustnav icon

    Trustnav

     3 likes

    A safer browsing experience, free of malware, distracting ads & invasive tracking.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Google Chrome
     
12 of 13 Pi-hole alternatives