AdGuard Home vs Frigate
Detailed comparison to help you choose the right tool for your needs
A
AdGuard Home
Open-source network-wide DNS blocking with encrypted DNS support
4.7
Editorial RatingF
Frigate
Open-source NVR with real-time AI object detection
4.7
Editorial RatingQuick Comparison
Rating
4.7
vs4.7
Starting Price
Free
vsFree
Pricing Model
free
vsfree
Feature
AdGuard Home
Frigate
DNS-based ad blocking
Encrypted DNS (DoH/DoT)
Parental controls
Safe browsing
Custom filtering rules
Client-specific settings
AI object detection
Home Assistant integration
Multi-camera support
24/7 recording
Zone detection
Hardware acceleration
AdGuard Home Pros
- Native DNS-over-HTTPS and DNS-over-TLS without extra configuration
- Per-client filtering rules for different devices on your network
- Modern, cleaner interface compared to Pi-hole
- Built-in parental controls and safe browsing protection
- Single binary installation — no complex dependencies
- Free and open-source with active development
AdGuard Home Cons
- Smaller community than Pi-hole — fewer third-party guides and tutorials
- Same local network limitation as Pi-hole — requires VPN for remote use
- Advanced filtering requires learning regex syntax
- Less mature ecosystem of community blocklists versus Pi-hole gravity lists
- Switching from Pi-hole requires reconfiguring router DNS settings
- Some features require understanding DNS protocol concepts
Frigate Pros
- AI detection dramatically reduces false alerts compared to motion-only systems
- Complete Home Assistant integration for smart home automations
- All video processing happens locally with no cloud dependency
- Google Coral TPU support for efficient real-time detection
- Replaces Ring and Nest with zero subscription costs
- Active development with strong community
Frigate Cons
- Requires Google Coral TPU for optimal performance
- Hardware requirements scale with number of cameras
- Initial setup and camera configuration is complex
- Storage requirements for 24/7 recording are significant
- Learning curve for zone and detection tuning
- Coral TPU can be difficult to source