N
AdGuard DNS vs Pi-hole
Price, audits and jurisdiction and who each one suits, side by side.
A
Choose AdGuard DNS if…
- you want more money-back (days) (30 vs 0)
- you're in its core audience: privacy-minded individuals, parents
P
Choose Pi-hole if…
- you're in its core audience: home lab enthusiasts, families
Side by side
Feature AdGuard DNS Pi-hole
Cost over 2 years——
PlatformsWeb, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, AndroidLinux, Self-hosted, Web, API
CategorySmart DNS & DNS privacyAd & tracker blockers
CompanyAdGuardPi-hole
Full feature lists
A AdGuard DNS
- Network-level blocking of ads, trackers, malware and phishing
- Family protection mode with adult-content blocking and Safe Search
- Parental control with screen-time scheduling
- Real-time DNS request stats by device, date and country
- Custom per-device block and allow lists
- DNSCrypt, DNS-over-HTTPS, DNS-over-TLS and DNS-over-QUIC support
- DNSSEC validation
- 100+ servers in 15+ locations
P Pi-hole
- Network-wide DNS-level ad and tracker blocking
- Built-in web dashboard with query statistics
- Long-term query log with advanced filtering
- Group-based blocklists per device
- Regex allow and deny rules plus community blocklists
- Optional built-in DHCP server with IPv6 support
- Full REST API with built-in interactive docs
- Teleporter backup and restore of the full configuration
Their home pages
What each vendor shows first: the pitch, the plans and the sign-up.
AdGuard DNS · adguard-dns.io
Pi-hole · pi-hole.netWhat you'd pay
The cheapest plan that fits, per month, billed yearly where the plan offers it.
AdGuard DNS
Public DNSFree
Private DNS serverPaid
Enterprise DNSCustom
Pi-hole
Free. Plan details aren't published.
Strengths and limitations
AdGuard DNS
- Public servers are free
- Supports DNSCrypt, DoH, DoT, DoQ and DNSSEC
- Works with any device, including routers
- Code published on GitHub
- DNS-level blocking works only on whole domains
- Dashboard, stats and custom filtering need a paid private server
Pi-hole
- Covers every device on the network from one install
- Runs on modest hardware like a Raspberry Pi or in Docker
- Open source, with code on GitHub
- Full REST API and a detailed query log
- Needs a self-hosted Linux machine or Docker
- Router DNS or DHCP changes are needed for network-wide use
- Mobile protection away from home needs a separate VPN setup
More comparisons
Other options to consider
N
Free, from $1.99/mo
N
Cloud DNS firewall that blocks threats, ads, trackers and adult content
Smart DNS & DNS privacyFree plan
C
CC
From $2/mo
C
Encrypted DNS filtering for businesses, MSPs and schools on every OS
Smart DNS & DNS privacyAPI
Q
QQ
Free
Q
Free public DNS resolver that blocks malicious domains and logs no IP addresses
Smart DNS & DNS privacyFree plan
A
AA
Free trial
A
Ad, tracker and phishing blocker for desktop, mobile, browsers and networks
Ad & tracker blockers
Facts from each vendor's public pages, prices checked Nov 8, 2026. Editorial policy