Pi-hole AlternativesOnly apps categorised as Privacy Tools

The best Privacy Tool alternative to Pi-hole is Portmaster, which is both free and Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 25 alternatives to Pi-hole and ten of them are Privacy Tools so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting Privacy Tool alternatives to Pi-hole are AdGuard, NextDNS, AdAway and Control D.

filter to find the best alternatives

Pi-hole alternatives are mainly Ad Blockers, but if you're looking for Privacy Tools or DNS Resolvers you can filter on that. You can also filter by region, for example EU-based alternatives if you prefer software developed in the European Union. These are just examples - use the filter bar below to find more specific alternatives to Pi-hole.
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Alternatives list

  1. Portmaster icon

    Portmaster

     174 likes

    Free, open-source privacy suite monitoring all network activity, blocking unwanted connections, using trusted filter lists for ads and malware, enforcing DNS-over-TLS, providing custom app and global rules, and supporting advanced privacy management.

    35 Portmaster alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
    Dashboard PMv1.4
     
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    2
    6
    Comments about Portmaster as an Alternative to Pi-hole
    Kodi Jack
    Negative
    0

    Portmaster is a (great) local firewall, pi-hole is a dns-blackhole. Not an alternative in the slightest though.

    IsidroRollandHills
    Positive
    2

    It has most the same features regarding a single host, but as it’s a software, you can take it with you wherever you go!

    Portmaster icon
    Portmaster icon

    • Most users think Portmaster is a great Pi-hole alternative.

    • Portmaster is Freemium and Open SourcePi-hole is Free and Open Source
  2. AdGuard icon

    AdGuard

     275 likes

    Ad-blocking solution eliminating intrusive ads and preventing tracking, with malware protection. Filters pop-ups, banners, and more for clean browsing. Works in the background for ad-free surfing, protects data privacy with Spyware filter, and controls ad display in apps.

    121 AdGuard alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Chrome OS
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Vivaldi
    • Google Chrome
    • Safari
    • Yandex Browser
    • Opera
    • Mozilla Firefox
    • Snapcraft
    • Microsoft Edge
    • Android TV
    AdGuard screenshot 1
     
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    6
    13
    Comments about AdGuard as an Alternative to Pi-hole
    Top Positive Comment
    Guest
    3

    It is an "DNS-level content blocker" too! The software is called "Adguard HOME" and it is very similar to PiHole! It is a little more user friendly in my opinion.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Top Negative Comment
    jmthornton
    2

    Pi-hole is a DNS-level content blocker, AdGuard is an app.

    RemovedUser
    Positive
    1

    Very similar premise with a different admin experience. Can't hurt trying out both in a VM or on Play with Docker to see what you prefer

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    3 of 6 comments
    AdGuard icon
    AdGuard icon

    • Some users think AdGuard is a great Pi-hole alternative, some don't.

    • AdGuard is Freemium and Open SourcePi-hole is Free and Open Source
  4. NextDNS icon

    NextDNS

     149 likes

    NextDNS protects you from all kinds of security threats, blocks ads and trackers on websites and in apps and provides a safe and supervised Internet for kids — on all devices and on all networks.

    139 NextDNS alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Open Source (MIT)

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Chrome OS
    • BSD
    • iPad
    • UC Browser
    • Vivaldi
    • Google Chrome
    • UniFi Network
    • Safari
    • Yandex Browser
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
    • OpenWrt
    • Opera
    • Alpine Linux
    • pfSense
    • Mozilla Firefox
    • DD-WRT
    NextDNS screenshot 1
     
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    1
    11
    Comments about NextDNS as an Alternative to Pi-hole
    Kodi Jack
    Negative
    0

    NextDNS might be nice, but it's SaaS (and US-based on top of it), Pihole is self-hosted. Not a great idea privacy-wise.

    NextDNS icon
    NextDNS icon

    • Almost everyone thinks NextDNS is a great Pi-hole alternative.

    • NextDNS is Freemium and Open SourcePi-hole is Free and Open Source
    • NextDNS is Customizable and Security-focusedPi-hole is not according to our users
  5. Ad
    Screenshot
    AdGuard icon
    AdGuard

    Ad-blocking solution eliminating intrusive ads and preventing tracking, with malware protection. Filters pop-ups, banners, and more for clean browsing. Works in the background for ad-free surfing, protects data privacy with Spywa...

    https://adguard.com
    Learn More
  6. AdAway icon

    AdAway

     140 likes

    An ad blocker that uses the hosts file. The hosts file contains a list of mappings between hostnames and IP addresses. When an app requests an ad, that request is directed to 127.0.0.1 which does nothing.

    94 AdAway alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Android
    • Android Tablet
    • F-Droid
    AdAway screenshot 1
     
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    2
    6
    Comments about AdAway as an Alternative to Pi-hole
    Guest
    Negative
    6

    Pi-hole is a DNS resolver, AdAway modifies a file on an individual computer rather than block at the DNS level.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Negative
    0

    they function fundamentally in very different ways and scopes.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    AdAway icon
    AdAway icon

    • Some users think AdAway is a great Pi-hole alternative, some don't.

    • AdAway is Free and Open SourcePi-hole is also Free and Open Source
  7. Control D icon

    Control D

     31 likes

    Control D is a modern and customizable DNS service that blocks threats, unwanted content and ads - on all devices. Onboard in minutes, and forget about it.

    29 Control D alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium
    • Open Source (MIT)

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • iPhone
    • Android
    • iPad
    • Android Tablet
    • Google Chrome
    • Mozilla Firefox
    • Online
    Control D screenshot 1
     
  10. keweonDNS icon

    keweonDNS

     5 likes

    A DNS-based solution designed to enhance defenses like ad blockers, antivirus tools, and firewalls. Using AI, it blocks ads, trackers, and threats at the DNS level. It ensures faster performance, better privacy, and comprehensive device protection without extra software.

    47 keweonDNS alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free Personal
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Online
    keweonDNS screenshot 1
     
  11. Firewalla icon

    Firewalla

     Like

    Firewalla is a vital security addition to every home and small business with network and IoT devices.

    43 Firewalla alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • Android
    Firewalla screenshot 1
     
  12. eBlocker icon

    eBlocker

     4 likes

    Protects all Internet devices, Blocks tracking & ads, Defends against malware & Internet dangers, Prevents harmful content to children, Provides anonymous surfing, Free, open source and without backdoors

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    eBlocker screenshot 1
     
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    1
    Comments about eBlocker as an Alternative to Pi-hole
    Guest
    Positive
    1

    Pihole always blocks the full domain. eBlocker filters only bad URLs from a domain - avoiding overblocking.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    eBlocker icon
    eBlocker icon
    • eBlocker is Free and Open SourcePi-hole is also Free and Open Source
  13. Trustnav icon

    Trustnav

     3 likes

    A safer browsing experience, free of malware, distracting ads & invasive tracking.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Google Chrome
     
10 of 10 Pi-hole alternatives