Pi-hole
FreeNetwork-wide ad blocker and DNS sinkhole for your home network
About Pi-hole
Pi-hole is the gold-standard network-wide ad blocker with 50,000+ GitHub stars that runs as a DNS sinkhole on a Raspberry Pi, Docker container, or any Linux machine. When a device on your network makes a DNS request for an ad server or tracker domain, Pi-hole returns an empty response, blocking the ad before it loads — no browser extension required. This blocks ads on smart TVs, game consoles, IoT devices, and phones without per-device configuration. The Gravity database processes millions of blocked domain patterns across hundreds of community-maintained blocklists. The web dashboard shows real-time query statistics: total queries processed, percentage blocked, top blocked domains, and per-client query breakdowns. Pi-hole also includes a built-in DHCP server for simplified network configuration. Founded in 2014, it has built one of the most active self-hosting communities with extensive documentation and a dedicated subreddit. The main limitation is local network coverage only — devices outside your home network require a VPN to route through Pi-hole. Setup requires basic networking knowledge to configure your router DNS settings to point to the Pi-hole device. Some websites detect DNS-based blocking and refuse to serve content without the blocker being disabled.
Key Features
Pricing Plans
Free
- Open-source and self-hosted
- All features included
- Community support
Pros
- Blocks ads across all devices including smart TVs and IoT without browser extensions
- Completely free and open-source with no subscription
- Real-time dashboard reveals how much tracking happens on your network
- Built-in DHCP server simplifies network configuration
- Massive community with extensive blocklist resources and documentation
- Runs on minimal hardware — Raspberry Pi Zero handles a full home network
Cons
- Only works on local network — outside access requires VPN setup
- Some websites detect DNS-based blocking and refuse to load
- Requires basic networking knowledge to configure router DNS settings
- Needs a dedicated device or container running continuously
- Cannot block ads served from first-party domains via HTTPS
- Regular blocklist updates required to catch new ad domains
Best For
- Home networks wanting network-wide ad blocking without browser extensions
- Privacy-conscious users blocking trackers across all devices including smart TVs and IoT
- Small offices reducing bandwidth waste from ad networks
Not Ideal For
- Users who want set-and-forget without any DNS or network configuration
- Mobile users who need ad blocking outside their home network
Potential Deal Breakers
- Only works on your local network unless paired with a VPN
- Some websites detect and break with ad blocking enabled
- Requires a dedicated device or container running 24/7
Data & Privacy
Fully local DNS-based ad blocking — all query logs and statistics stay on your hardware. No data sent externally. No telemetry. Pi-hole never phones home. Complete network privacy with full query history under your control.
Who Is This For?
Hands-on tested May 2026
Signup Experience
Install via curl one-liner or Docker. The installer wizard asks about upstream DNS, interface, and logging preferences. Web dashboard is accessible immediately after install. Configure your router to use Pi-hole as DNS and every device on your network is protected. Total setup time is 10-15 minutes if you know your router DNS settings.
For Home Users
One of the most impactful self-hosted tools you can run. Blocks ads on every device including smart TVs, gaming consoles, and phones — no per-device setup needed. The dashboard showing how much tracking happens on your network is eye-opening. Runs on a $15 Raspberry Pi Zero. Family members notice faster page loads and fewer ads immediately. The only friction is the occasional website that breaks with ad blocking — whitelist those domains in 30 seconds.
For Business Users
Useful for small offices wanting network-level ad blocking and DNS filtering. Reduces bandwidth waste from ad networks. The query log is valuable for network security visibility. Not suitable as a primary DNS solution for large enterprises — use enterprise DNS filtering tools like Cisco Umbrella or Cloudflare Gateway instead. Best for small office or home office environments where a Raspberry Pi on the network provides outsized value.
Our Verdict
Pi-hole is the gold standard for network-level ad blocking. It takes 15 minutes to set up on a Raspberry Pi and immediately improves every device on your network. The query dashboard alone is eye-opening for seeing how much tracking happens.