StevenBlack hosts

Open-source unified hosts files that merge reputable blocklists, with optional extension categories.

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Verified facts: 3 of 3
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About StevenBlack hosts

StevenBlack/hosts is a widely used open-source project that consolidates several reputable hosts files into one unified list with duplicates removed. Dropping the file into your operating system's hosts file, or loading it into Pi-hole, AdGuard Home, AdAway or a router, blocks tens of thousands of ad, tracking and malware domains. Beyond the base list you can pick from dozens of variants that add extension categories such as fake news, gambling, adult content and social networks. A Python script lets you build a custom combined file and keep it updated. The lists are free, with Steven Black's own additions under the MIT licence and each source list keeping its own licence. It is a building block rather than an app: there is no interface, updating is manual unless you automate it, and hosts-file blocking can't handle wildcards or same-domain ads.

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

What works

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

Why people leave

No interface; updating is manual unless scripted
Hosts files can't block by wildcard
Can occasionally block domains you need

Top StevenBlack hosts alternatives

See all 4

1
Pi-hole
Turns blocklists like these into network-wide blocking with a dashboard.
66.5
2
AdGuard Home
Network DNS server that loads lists like these with wildcard support.
62.6
3
AdAway
Android app that applies hosts lists, including StevenBlack's, for you.
59.6
4
NextDNS
Hosted filtering with curated lists and no files to maintain.
57.2

Why people left StevenBlack hosts

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StevenBlack hosts: common questions

Is StevenBlack hosts free?

Yes. StevenBlack hosts is free, open-source software.

Is StevenBlack hosts open source?

Yes. The source code is on GitHub at StevenBlack/hosts.

What platforms does StevenBlack hosts run on?

StevenBlack hosts is available for Windows, macOS, Linux and Self-hosted.

What are the best alternatives to StevenBlack hosts?

The highest-ranked StevenBlack hosts alternatives right now are Pi-hole, AdGuard Home and AdAway. See the full ranked list for pricing, platforms and verified facts.

See all 4 StevenBlack hosts alternatives

StevenBlack hosts 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); “Unified hosts file with base extensions This repository consolidates several reputable hosts files, and merges them into a unified hosts file with duplicates removed.”
Variants: 31 hosts file variants; Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab); “List of all hosts file variants This repository offers 31 different host file variants , in addition to the base variant, with and without the unified hosts included.”
License (own list): MIT; Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab); “Steven Black's ad-hoc list link raw MIT issues Additional sketch domains as I come across them.”