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Privoxy alternatives: 6 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Nov 8, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rankAll ad and tracker blockers

Top picks

Common reasons people leave Privoxy: filtering HTTPS pages needs extra certificate setup, and rules are managed by hand rather than through simple lists. We ranked 6 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Privoxy, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. uBlock Origin currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingVerified priceOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1uBlock Origin logouBlock OriginOpen source—YesBrowser extension, Android5 of 576.8
2Pi-hole logoPi-holeOpen source—YesSelf-hosted, Linux4 of 468.8
3AdGuard Home logoAdGuard HomeOpen source—YesSelf-hosted, Linux, Windows +13 of 364.8
4AdGuard logoAdGuardPaid—NoWindows, macOS, Linux +34 of 457.5
5NextDNS logoNextDNSFree plan + paid—NoWeb, Windows, macOS +34 of 455.9
6Squid logoSquidOpen source—YesLinux, Windows, Self-hosted4 of 451.2
  1. uBlock Origin logo

    1. uBlock OriginTop pick

    Best for: Firefox users who want the most capable, lightweight browser blocker available

    Open sourceBrowser extension, Android

    76.8

    score / 100

    Why switch from Privoxy

    Filters inside HTTPS pages without certificate setup and uses maintained lists, for browser-only blocking.

    Pros

    • Very efficient on CPU and memory
    • Deep controls: custom filters, element picker, dynamic filtering
    • No acceptable-ads programme, no donations sought

    Cons

    • Removed from the Chrome Web Store; Chromium support is ending
    • Advanced mode is easy to misconfigure
    • Browser-only, so it can't block ads inside apps
    Visit uBlock Origin Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.377
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.15100
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

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

    Is uBlock Origin a good Privoxy alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    License
    GPLv3
    Checked Nov 8, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Donations
    None sought
    Checked Nov 8, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Chrome Web Store
    Removed 31 August 2026
    Checked Nov 8, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Best browser
    Firefox
    Checked Nov 8, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Default lists
    EasyList, EasyPrivacy and uBO lists
    Checked Nov 8, 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

    68.8

    score / 100

    Why switch from Privoxy

    Blocks ads for every device on the network at the DNS level, with a web dashboard and no proxy settings to configure.

    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 ×0.3100
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

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

    Is Pi-hole a good Privoxy alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Install options
    Docker or supported Linux
    Checked Nov 8, 2026pi-hole.net(opens source in a new tab)
    Hardware
    Raspberry Pi, PC, VM or NAS
    Checked Nov 8, 2026pi-hole.net(opens source in a new tab)
    DHCP server
    Optional
    Checked Nov 8, 2026docs.pi-hole.net(opens source in a new tab)
    Method
    DNS sinkhole
    Checked Nov 8, 2026docs.pi-hole.net(opens source in a new tab)
  3. AdGuard Home logo

    3. AdGuard Home

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

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

    64.8

    score / 100

    Why switch from Privoxy

    Network-wide DNS blocking with easy filter-list subscriptions and a friendlier web interface.

    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 ×0.387
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

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

    Is AdGuard Home a good Privoxy alternative?

    Verified facts

    3 of 3 verified
    Open source
    Yes, free
    Checked Nov 8, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Docker
    Official image
    Checked Nov 8, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Method
    DNS sinkholing
    Checked Nov 8, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
  4. AdGuard logo

    4. AdGuard

    Best for: People who want ads blocked in every app and browser on their devices

    PaidWindows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Browser extension

    57.5

    score / 100

    Why switch from Privoxy

    Desktop app that filters ads and trackers for every app on the computer, set up through a GUI instead of config files.

    Pros

    • System-wide filtering in browsers, apps and games
    • Lifetime licence option
    • Detailed filters, custom rules and per-app control

    Cons

    • Full apps are paid
    • Full Android app is installed outside Google Play
    • Local HTTPS filtering requires trusting a root certificate
    Visit AdGuard Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.363
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

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

    Is AdGuard a good Privoxy alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Free trial
    14 days
    Checked Nov 8, 2026adguard.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Licences
    Personal 3 devices, Family 9 devices
    Checked Nov 8, 2026adguard.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Lifetime licence
    Available
    Checked Nov 8, 2026adguard.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Refunds
    30-day money-back guarantee
    Checked Nov 8, 2026adguard.com(opens source in a new tab)
  5. NextDNS logo

    5. 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

    55.9

    score / 100

    Why switch from Privoxy

    Blocks ads and trackers at the DNS level for every device, with no local proxy to run or maintain.

    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 ×0.357
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

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

    Is NextDNS a good Privoxy alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Free plan
    300,000 queries/month
    Checked Nov 8, 2026nextdns.io(opens source in a new tab)
    Over quota
    Resolves without blocking
    Checked Nov 8, 2026nextdns.io(opens source in a new tab)
    Paid plan
    Unlimited queries
    Checked Nov 8, 2026nextdns.io(opens source in a new tab)
    Payment methods
    Cards, PayPal, crypto
    Checked Nov 8, 2026nextdns.io(opens source in a new tab)
  6. Squid logo

    6. Squid

    Best for: Network admins who need a caching forward proxy with fine-grained access control and logging

    Open sourceSelf-hostableLinux, Windows, Self-hosted

    51.2

    score / 100

    Why switch from Privoxy

    A full caching proxy with detailed access control for offices and schools, not just ad filtering.

    Pros

    • Very flexible access control, authentication and logging
    • Works as both a forward proxy and a reverse-proxy accelerator
    • Free software with decades of production use

    Cons

    • Configuration syntax is dense and hard to learn
    • HTTP/1.1 support is described as not quite complete by the project
    • Small volunteer team, so releases and docs can lag
    Visit Squid Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.341
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

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

    Is Squid a good Privoxy alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    License
    GPL-2.0
    Checked Oct 30, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    Most OSes, including Windows
    Checked Nov 8, 2026squid-cache.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Origin
    Harvest Cache Daemon, early 1990s
    Checked Nov 8, 2026squid-cache.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Reverse proxy
    Yes, as an accelerator
    Checked Nov 8, 2026squid-cache.org(opens source in a new tab)

The best Privoxy alternative for…

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

uBlock Origin logo

Best Privoxy alternative for most people

uBlock Origin

Filters inside HTTPS pages without certificate setup and uses maintained lists, for browser-only blocking.

Pi-hole logo

Best Privoxy alternative for a free option

Pi-hole

Blocks ads for every device on the network at the DNS level, with a web dashboard and no proxy settings to configure.

NextDNS logo

Best Privoxy alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

NextDNS

Blocks ads and trackers at the DNS level for every device, with no local proxy to run or maintain.

AdGuard Home logo

Best Privoxy alternative for open source

AdGuard Home

Network-wide DNS blocking with easy filter-list subscriptions and a friendlier web interface.

Squid logo

Best Privoxy alternative for self-hosting

Squid

A full caching proxy with detailed access control for offices and schools, not just ad filtering.

AdGuard logo

Best Privoxy alternative for Mac

AdGuard

Desktop app that filters ads and trackers for every app on the computer, set up through a GUI instead of config files.

AdGuard Home logo

Best Privoxy alternative for Windows

AdGuard Home

Network-wide DNS blocking with easy filter-list subscriptions and a friendlier web interface.

Pi-hole logo

Best Privoxy alternative for Linux

Pi-hole

Blocks ads for every device on the network at the DNS level, with a web dashboard and no proxy settings to configure.

AdGuard logo

Best Privoxy alternative for iPhone and Android

AdGuard

Desktop app that filters ads and trackers for every app on the computer, set up through a GUI instead of config files.

NextDNS logo

Best Privoxy alternative for working in the browser

NextDNS

Blocks ads and trackers at the DNS level for every device, with no local proxy to run or maintain.

Privoxy alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Privoxy?

uBlock Origin ranks first right now. Filters inside HTTPS pages without certificate setup and uses maintained lists, for browser-only blocking. Pi-hole and AdGuard Home follow it in our ranking.

Privoxy vs uBlock Origin: what's the difference?

Both Privoxy and uBlock Origin are free and open source. Only Privoxy runs on Linux, macOS and Windows. Only uBlock Origin runs on Browser extension and Android.

Is Privoxy free?

Privoxy is free and open source. Price: Free. Checked on Privoxy's own site, November 2026.

Is there a free alternative to Privoxy?

Yes. uBlock Origin (open source), Pi-hole (open source), AdGuard Home (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 Privoxy?

Yes: uBlock Origin, Pi-hole, AdGuard Home and Squid. Pi-hole, AdGuard Home and Squid can also be self-hosted.

Which Privoxy alternatives work on Linux?

Pi-hole, AdGuard Home, AdGuard, NextDNS and Squid run on Linux.

Why do people switch from Privoxy?

The complaints we hear most: filtering HTTPS pages needs extra certificate setup; rules are managed by hand rather than through simple lists; no built-in graphical interface for configuration.

How is this list ranked?

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