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AdGuard DNS alternatives: 5 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave AdGuard DNS: can't block ads served from the same domain as content, and your DNS queries go through AdGuard's servers. We ranked 5 alternatives by how directly each one replaces AdGuard DNS, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. NextDNS currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1AdGuard Home logoAdGuard HomeOpen sourceYesSelf-hosted, Linux, Windows +13 of 359.6
2Pi-hole logoPi-holeOpen sourceYesSelf-hosted, Linux4 of 455.3
  1. AdGuard Home logo

    1. AdGuard HomeTop pick

    Best for: Home-lab users who want network-wide blocking with a polished dashboard

    Open sourceSelf-hostableSelf-hosted, Linux, Windows, macOS

    59.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from AdGuard DNS

    Self-host the same idea for free, with your queries staying at home.

    Pros

    • Covers every device on the network, including smart TVs
    • Encrypted DNS support built in
    • Single binary or Docker image, easy to set up

    Cons

    • Can't block ads served from the same domain as content
    • Needs an always-on device on your network
    • Protection stops when devices leave home unless you expose it
    Visit AdGuard Home Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.377
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is AdGuard Home a good AdGuard DNS alternative?

    Verified facts

    3 of 3 verified
    Open source
    Yes, free
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Docker
    Official image
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Method
    DNS sinkholing
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
  2. Pi-hole logo

    2. Pi-hole

    Best for: Tinkerers who want ad blocking for every device on their home network

    Open sourceSelf-hostableSelf-hosted, Linux

    55.3

    score / 100

    Why switch from AdGuard DNS

    Self-hosted DNS blocking with full control over your data.

    Pros

    • Covers every device on the network
    • Huge community, guides and blocklists
    • Runs on cheap hardware like a Raspberry Pi

    Cons

    • Can't block same-domain ads like YouTube's
    • Needs a device running around the clock
    • Occasional allowlisting needed when sites break
    Visit Pi-hole Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.363
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Pi-hole a good AdGuard DNS alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Install options
    Docker or supported Linux
    Checked Oct 25, 2026pi-hole.net(opens source in a new tab)
    Hardware
    Raspberry Pi, PC, VM or NAS
    Checked Oct 25, 2026pi-hole.net(opens source in a new tab)
    DHCP server
    Optional
    Checked Oct 25, 2026docs.pi-hole.net(opens source in a new tab)
    Method
    DNS sinkhole
    Checked Oct 25, 2026docs.pi-hole.net(opens source in a new tab)

The best AdGuard DNS alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

NextDNS logo

Best AdGuard DNS alternative for most people

NextDNS

Very similar hosted DNS filtering with a generous free query allowance.

AdGuard Home logo

Best AdGuard DNS alternative for a free option

AdGuard Home

Self-host the same idea for free, with your queries staying at home.

NextDNS logo

Best AdGuard DNS alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

NextDNS

Very similar hosted DNS filtering with a generous free query allowance.

Pi-hole logo

Best AdGuard DNS alternative for open source

Pi-hole

Self-hosted DNS blocking with full control over your data.

AdGuard Home logo

Best AdGuard DNS alternative for self-hosting

AdGuard Home

Self-host the same idea for free, with your queries staying at home.

Control D logo

Best AdGuard DNS alternative for Mac

Control D

Hosted DNS filtering with strong business and multi-device management.

Quad9 logo

Best AdGuard DNS alternative for Windows

Quad9

Free non-profit DNS that blocks malicious domains, for security rather than ads.

NextDNS logo

Best AdGuard DNS alternative for Linux

NextDNS

Very similar hosted DNS filtering with a generous free query allowance.

NextDNS logo

Best AdGuard DNS alternative for iPhone and Android

NextDNS

Very similar hosted DNS filtering with a generous free query allowance.

NextDNS logo

Best AdGuard DNS alternative for working in the browser

NextDNS

Very similar hosted DNS filtering with a generous free query allowance.

AdGuard DNS alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to AdGuard DNS?

NextDNS ranks first right now. Very similar hosted DNS filtering with a generous free query allowance. Control D and AdGuard Home follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to AdGuard DNS?

Yes. NextDNS (free plan + paid), AdGuard Home (open source), Quad9 (free) and Pi-hole (open source) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to AdGuard DNS?

Yes: AdGuard Home and Pi-hole. AdGuard Home and Pi-hole can also be self-hosted.

Which AdGuard DNS alternatives work on Linux?

NextDNS, Control D, AdGuard Home, Quad9 and Pi-hole run on Linux.

Why do people switch from AdGuard DNS?

The complaints we hear most: can't block ads served from the same domain as content; your DNS queries go through AdGuard's servers; free plan has usage limits.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces AdGuard DNS, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.