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Blocky alternatives: 3 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave Blocky: no built-in web interface, and configuration requires editing YAML. We ranked 3 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Blocky, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. AdGuard Home currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1AdGuard Home logoAdGuard HomeOpen sourceYesSelf-hosted, Linux, Windows +13 of 366.5
2Pi-hole logoPi-holeOpen sourceYesSelf-hosted, Linux4 of 462.6
3Technitium DNS Server logoTechnitium DNS ServerOpen sourceYesSelf-hosted, Windows, Linux +14 of 459.6
  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

    66.5

    score / 100

    Why switch from Blocky

    Similar single-binary blocker with a full web dashboard.

    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 ×0.3100
    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 Blocky 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

    62.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Blocky

    Point-and-click DNS blocking with the largest community.

    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 ×0.387
    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 Blocky 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)
  3. Technitium DNS Server logo

    3. Technitium DNS Server

    Best for: Home-lab and IT users who want a full DNS server with built-in ad blocking

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

    59.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Blocky

    A complete DNS server with blocking and a web console.

    Pros

    • Full recursive and authoritative DNS server
    • Encrypted DNS: DoT, DoH and DoQ
    • Runs on Windows, Linux, macOS, Raspberry Pi or Docker

    Cons

    • More technical interface than Pi-hole
    • Smaller community and fewer guides
    • Needs the .NET runtime outside Docker
    Visit Technitium DNS Server 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 Technitium DNS Server a good Blocky alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Open source
    Yes
    Checked Oct 25, 2026technitium.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Ad blocking
    Network-wide, at DNS level
    Checked Oct 25, 2026technitium.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Encrypted DNS
    DoT, DoH, DoQ
    Checked Oct 25, 2026technitium.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Docker
    Official image
    Checked Oct 25, 2026technitium.com(opens source in a new tab)

The best Blocky alternative for…

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

AdGuard Home logo

Best Blocky alternative for most people

AdGuard Home

Similar single-binary blocker with a full web dashboard.

Pi-hole logo

Best Blocky alternative for a free option

Pi-hole

Point-and-click DNS blocking with the largest community.

Technitium DNS Server logo

Best Blocky alternative for open source

Technitium DNS Server

A complete DNS server with blocking and a web console.

AdGuard Home logo

Best Blocky alternative for self-hosting

AdGuard Home

Similar single-binary blocker with a full web dashboard.

AdGuard Home logo

Best Blocky alternative for Mac

AdGuard Home

Similar single-binary blocker with a full web dashboard.

AdGuard Home logo

Best Blocky alternative for Windows

AdGuard Home

Similar single-binary blocker with a full web dashboard.

AdGuard Home logo

Best Blocky alternative for Linux

AdGuard Home

Similar single-binary blocker with a full web dashboard.

Blocky alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Blocky?

AdGuard Home ranks first right now. Similar single-binary blocker with a full web dashboard. Pi-hole and Technitium DNS Server follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to Blocky?

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

Is there an open-source alternative to Blocky?

Yes: AdGuard Home, Pi-hole and Technitium DNS Server. AdGuard Home, Pi-hole and Technitium DNS Server can also be self-hosted.

Which Blocky alternatives work on Linux?

AdGuard Home, Pi-hole and Technitium DNS Server run on Linux.

Why do people switch from Blocky?

The complaints we hear most: no built-in web interface; configuration requires editing YAML; smaller community than Pi-hole.

How is this list ranked?

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