Pi-hole
Self-hosted DNS sinkhole that blocks ads and trackers for your whole network
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Pricing
Free
API
Yes
Open source
Yes
Company
Pi-hole
Platforms
What is Pi-hole?
Pi-hole is a self-hosted DNS server that blocks ads and trackers for every device on a network. You install it once, on a Raspberry Pi, an old PC, a VM, a NAS or in a Docker container. Then you point your router's DHCP settings at it, and every device uses it with no per-device software.
Because blocking happens at the DNS level, Pi-hole also stops ads inside mobile apps, on smart TVs and on IoT devices, where browser extensions can't reach. It caches DNS answers, and its web interface shows total and blocked queries, per-client activity and a searchable long-term query log. Group management applies different blocklists to different devices, regex rules give fine-grained allow and deny control, and a REST API covers everything the interface does.
It suits home-lab users, families and small networks that want central, private control over filtering. Paired with a VPN such as WireGuard, it also protects devices on mobile data.
Key features
- 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
Use cases
Who it's for
Blocking ads on smart TVs and apps
Filters ad domains for devices that can't run browser extensions, such as smart TVs, IoT gadgets and mobile apps.
Family filtering
Put children's tablets in a group with stricter blocklists and leave work laptops on lighter rules.
Ad blocking away from home
Combined with a WireGuard VPN, phones and laptops keep blocking ads on mobile data and public Wi-Fi.
Home automation integration
Scripts and home-automation tools can control Pi-hole through its REST API using app passwords.
Pi-hole pricing
From the vendor's site, checked Nov 8, 2026. Prices change — confirm on their pricing page.
The vendor does not publish plan details.
Pi-hole in numbers
- Cheapest paid plan
- $0.00
- Free plan
- Yes
- Free plan limits
- No limits; fully free, self-hosted (donation-supported)
- How it blocks
- DNS filtering, Router/network
- Platforms
- Linux
- Custom blocklists
- Yes
- Encrypted DNS
- No
- Open source
- Yes
- Money-back (days)
- 0
Pi-hole is free, self-hosted software with no paid tiers. It runs on Linux or in Docker and blocks ads for every device on your network, and encrypted upstream DNS only works through a third-party proxy such as cloudflared. From Pi-hole's own pages, checked Nov 8, 2026. Each figure links to the page it is from; fields the vendor doesn't state are left out.
How Pi-hole compares
- Pi-hole has the weakest money-back (days) of the 4 services here: 0.
| Tool | Per device per month | Cheapest paid plan | Free plan | How it blocks | Platforms | Devices covered | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PPi-hole | — | $0.00 | Yes | DNS filtering, Router/network | Linux | — | |
A AdGuard DNS | — | — | Yes | — | — | — | Pi-hole vs AdGuard DNS |
N NextDNS | — | — | Yes | — | — | Unlimited | Pi-hole vs NextDNS |
A AdGuard | $0.83 | $2.49 | Yes | Browser extension, DNS filtering, System-wide app, Router/network | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, Router | 3 | Pi-hole vs AdGuard |
C Control D | — | — | Yes | — | — | Unlimited | Pi-hole vs Control D |
Figures from each vendor's own pages; — means the vendor doesn't state it. The closest alternatives in our directory by category. “Starts at” is the cheapest paid plan per month, as each vendor lists it.
Pros and cons
Strengths
- 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
Limitations
- 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
Pi-hole FAQ
Is Pi-hole free?
Yes. Pi-hole is open-source software, and the project accepts donations and sponsorships.
What hardware does it run on?
A Raspberry Pi, an old PC, a VM or a NAS, either in Docker or installed directly on a supported Linux distribution.
How do my devices use it?
Point your router's DHCP settings at Pi-hole, set it as the DNS server on individual devices, or use Pi-hole's own DHCP server.
Does it block ads in apps?
Yes. Blocking happens at the network level, so it also covers mobile apps, smart TVs and IoT devices.
Does Pi-hole have an API?
Yes. A REST API can do everything the web interface does, and interactive documentation is built in.
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Pi-hole
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