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Pi-hole alternatives: 5 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave Pi-hole: can't block same-domain ads like YouTube's, and needs a device running around the clock. We ranked 5 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Pi-hole, 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
2Technitium DNS Server logoTechnitium DNS ServerOpen sourceYesSelf-hosted, Windows, Linux +14 of 462.6
3NextDNS logoNextDNSFree plan + paidNoWeb, Windows, macOS +34 of 457.2
4StevenBlack hosts logoStevenBlack hostsOpen sourceYesWindows, macOS, Linux +13 of 355.3
  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

    66.5

    score / 100

    Why switch from Pi-hole

    Same approach with built-in encrypted DNS and a single-binary install.

    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 Compare with Pi-holeDetails 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 Pi-hole 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. Technitium DNS Server logo

    2. 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

    62.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Pi-hole

    Full DNS server with blocking, for people who want a real resolver too.

    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 ×0.387
    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 Technitium DNS Server a good Pi-hole 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)
  3. NextDNS logo

    3. NextDNS

    Best for: People who want Pi-hole-style blocking on all devices without running a server

    Free plan + paidWeb, Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS

    57.2

    score / 100

    Why switch from Pi-hole

    Hosted DNS filtering with no hardware to maintain, and protection away from home.

    Pros

    • Works everywhere, including on mobile data
    • All features available on the free plan
    • Very cheap paid plan with unlimited queries

    Cons

    • Free plan stops blocking after 300,000 queries a month
    • DNS queries are handled by a third party
    • Can't remove ads served from the same domain as content
    Visit NextDNS Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.369
    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 NextDNS a good Pi-hole alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Free plan
    300,000 queries/month
    Checked Oct 25, 2026nextdns.io(opens source in a new tab)
    Over quota
    Resolves without blocking
    Checked Oct 25, 2026nextdns.io(opens source in a new tab)
    Paid plan
    Unlimited queries
    Checked Oct 25, 2026nextdns.io(opens source in a new tab)
    Payment methods
    Cards, PayPal, crypto
    Checked Oct 25, 2026nextdns.io(opens source in a new tab)
  4. StevenBlack hosts logo

    4. StevenBlack hosts

    Best for: Technical users who want a no-software blocklist for their OS, router or DNS server

    Open sourceWindows, macOS, Linux, Self-hosted

    55.3

    score / 100

    Why switch from Pi-hole

    The unified hosts lists many Pi-hole users already rely on, usable without a server.

    Pros

    • Merges reputable lists with duplicates removed
    • Many variants for gambling, adult, fake news and social
    • Works with Pi-hole, AdGuard Home, AdAway and routers

    Cons

    • No interface; updating is manual unless scripted
    • Hosts files can't block by wildcard
    • Can occasionally block domains you need
    Visit StevenBlack hosts 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 StevenBlack hosts a good Pi-hole alternative?

    Verified facts

    3 of 3 verified
    What it is
    Unified hosts file from several sources
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Variants
    31 hosts file variants
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    License (own list)
    MIT
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)

The best Pi-hole alternative for…

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

AdGuard Home logo

Best Pi-hole alternative for most people

AdGuard Home

Same approach with built-in encrypted DNS and a single-binary install.

Technitium DNS Server logo

Best Pi-hole alternative for a free option

Technitium DNS Server

Full DNS server with blocking, for people who want a real resolver too.

NextDNS logo

Best Pi-hole alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

NextDNS

Hosted DNS filtering with no hardware to maintain, and protection away from home.

Blocky logo

Best Pi-hole alternative for open source

Blocky

Stateless Go DNS proxy configured in YAML, easy to run in containers.

AdGuard Home logo

Best Pi-hole alternative for self-hosting

AdGuard Home

Same approach with built-in encrypted DNS and a single-binary install.

StevenBlack hosts logo

Best Pi-hole alternative for Mac

StevenBlack hosts

The unified hosts lists many Pi-hole users already rely on, usable without a server.

AdGuard Home logo

Best Pi-hole alternative for Windows

AdGuard Home

Same approach with built-in encrypted DNS and a single-binary install.

AdGuard Home logo

Best Pi-hole alternative for Linux

AdGuard Home

Same approach with built-in encrypted DNS and a single-binary install.

NextDNS logo

Best Pi-hole alternative for iPhone and Android

NextDNS

Hosted DNS filtering with no hardware to maintain, and protection away from home.

NextDNS logo

Best Pi-hole alternative for working in the browser

NextDNS

Hosted DNS filtering with no hardware to maintain, and protection away from home.

Pi-hole alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Pi-hole?

AdGuard Home ranks first right now. Same approach with built-in encrypted DNS and a single-binary install. Technitium DNS Server and Blocky follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to Pi-hole?

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

Is there an open-source alternative to Pi-hole?

Yes: AdGuard Home, Technitium DNS Server, Blocky and StevenBlack hosts. AdGuard Home, Technitium DNS Server and Blocky can also be self-hosted.

Which Pi-hole alternatives work on Linux?

AdGuard Home, Technitium DNS Server, Blocky, NextDNS and StevenBlack hosts run on Linux.

Why do people switch from Pi-hole?

The complaints we hear most: can't block same-domain ads like YouTube's; needs a device running around the clock; occasional allowlisting needed when sites break.

How is this list ranked?

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