A
APi-hole vs Quad9
Pricing, features, platforms and who each one suits — side by side.
P
Choose Pi-hole if…
- you're in its core audience: home lab enthusiasts, families
Q
Choose Quad9 if…
- you're in its core audience: home users, privacy-conscious individuals
Side by side
Feature Pi-hole Quad9
Per device per month——
PlatformsLinux, Self-hosted, Web, APIWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
CategoryAd & tracker blockersSmart DNS & DNS privacy
CompanyPi-holeQuad9 Foundation · since 2017
Full feature lists
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
Q Quad9
- Blocks malware, phishing, spyware and botnet domains at DNS level
- Threat data from 25+ intelligence providers
- 230+ resolver clusters in over 110 countries
- IPv4 and IPv6 resolver addresses
- Encrypted DNS connections where supported
- No logging of user IP addresses
- Public lookup tool for blocked domains
- Router-level setup covers IoT devices
Their home pages
What each vendor shows first: the pitch, the plans and the sign-up.
Pi-hole · pi-hole.net
Quad9 · quad9.netWhat you'd pay
The cheapest plan that fits, per month, billed yearly where the plan offers it.
Pi-hole
Free. Plan details aren't published.
Quad9
Public DNSFree
Strengths and limitations
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
Quad9
- Completely free with no account or sign-up
- Does not log data containing user IP addresses
- Run by a Swiss non-profit and designed for GDPR compliance
- Large global network with 230+ resolver clusters
- Blocks threats only, with no custom filtering or user dashboard
- Depends on donations and sponsorships for funding
More comparisons
Other options to consider
AA
Freemium
A
Ad-blocking DNS that filters ads, trackers and adult content on all devices
Smart DNS & DNS privacyFree planOpen source
N
N
Free, from $1.99/mo
N
Cloud DNS firewall that blocks threats, ads, trackers and adult content
Smart DNS & DNS privacyFree plan
A
AA
Free trial
A
Ad, tracker and phishing blocker for desktop, mobile, browsers and networks
Ad & tracker blockers
C
CC
From $2/mo
C
Encrypted DNS filtering for businesses, MSPs and schools on every OS
Smart DNS & DNS privacyAPI
Facts from each vendor's public pages, prices checked Nov 8, 2026. Editorial policy