AdGuard Home
FreeOpen-source network-wide DNS blocking with encrypted DNS support
About AdGuard Home
AdGuard Home is an open-source network-wide ad and tracker blocker with 26,000+ GitHub stars, offering everything Pi-hole provides plus native support for encrypted DNS protocols. DNS-over-HTTPS and DNS-over-TLS are built in without additional configuration — preventing DNS queries from being intercepted or logged by ISPs. The single binary installation runs on Raspberry Pi, Docker, Linux, macOS, or Windows without complex dependencies. The web dashboard provides real-time filtering statistics, client-specific rules, and query logs. AdGuard Home adds parental controls, safe browsing protection via AdGuard filter lists, and per-client filtering policies that apply different rules to different devices on your network. Custom filtering rules support regex patterns for advanced use cases. The interface is noticeably more modern than Pi-hole with a cleaner layout and more intuitive navigation. Founded in 2018 as an AdGuard open-source initiative. The main tradeoff is a smaller community than Pi-hole with fewer third-party tutorials, though official documentation is thorough. Performance is excellent — the single binary handles thousands of DNS queries per second on minimal hardware. For new deployments, AdGuard Home native encrypted DNS makes it a strong starting choice. For existing Pi-hole users, the benefit of switching depends primarily on whether encrypted DNS is a specific requirement.
Key Features
Pricing Plans
Free
- Open-source and self-hosted
- All features included
- Community support
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
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
Best For
- Users wanting Pi-hole features with native encrypted DNS support
- Families needing parental controls at the network level
- Privacy-focused setups requiring DNS-over-HTTPS
Not Ideal For
- Users already happy with Pi-hole who do not need encrypted DNS
- Non-technical users without networking knowledge
Potential Deal Breakers
- Same network limitation as Pi-hole — only works on your LAN without VPN
- Fewer community guides and tutorials than Pi-hole
- Some advanced features require learning regex-based filtering rules
Data & Privacy
Fully local DNS-based ad blocking — all query logs and statistics stay on your hardware. No data sent to AdGuard servers. Encrypted DNS prevents ISP query logging. No telemetry. Complete network privacy under your control.
Who Is This For?
Hands-on tested May 2026
Signup Experience
No account needed — download the AdGuard Home binary or run the Docker image, then point your router DNS at the server IP. The installer runs a setup wizard in the browser on port 3000, where you set the admin credentials and DNS listening port. Switching the router DNS to point at AdGuard Home applies blocking network-wide within minutes. The dashboard shows query logs, blocked domains, and per-client statistics immediately on first use. Adding custom blocklists takes less than a minute.
For Home Users
One of the best network-wide ad blockers for home use alongside Pi-hole. The modern web interface makes it easier to configure than Pi-hole for first-time users — per-client rules, parental controls, and DNS-over-HTTPS setup are all accessible without editing config files. Blocking at the DNS level removes ads from smart TVs, phones, and game consoles that do not support browser extensions. The encrypted DNS support (DoH and DoT) prevents ISP DNS snooping. For homes where someone wants maximum control and the best UI, AdGuard Home edges out Pi-hole. Pi-hole has broader community support and more third-party tooling if that matters.
For Business Users
AdGuard Home is a personal and homelab tool without enterprise features. Small offices occasionally deploy it for network-wide ad and tracker blocking, but it lacks LDAP integration, audit logging, and the management features required for business IT environments. For business DNS filtering with policy management and reporting, commercial solutions like Cisco Umbrella, Cloudflare Gateway, or NextDNS Teams are more appropriate. AdGuard Home is best treated as a free self-hosted tool for homes and homelabs, not a business infrastructure product.
Our Verdict
AdGuard Home offers everything Pi-hole does plus native encrypted DNS support and a more modern interface. If you are starting fresh, AdGuard Home is arguably the better choice. If you already run Pi-hole, switching provides marginal benefit.