Pi-hole

Self-Hosted

Open-source network-wide ad blocker using DNS sinkholing

Overview

Pi-hole is a network-level ad and tracker blocker that acts as a DNS sinkhole. It filters unwanted content before it reaches devices, working across phones, computers, and smart TVs without app installations. Deployable on Raspberry Pi, Linux servers, or Docker, it features a user-friendly web interface for monitoring stats, custom blocklists/allowlists, parental controls, and VPN integration. It reduces bandwidth usage and enhances privacy by blocking tracking domains at the source, making it ideal for home or small network use.

Self-Hosting Resources

Find Official Image on Docker Hub View Source & Docs

Below is a reference structure for docker-compose.yml. ⚠️ Do NOT run blindly. Replace placeholders with official values.

docker-compose.template.yml TEMPLATE


version: '3'
services:
  pi_hole:
    image: <OFFICIAL_IMAGE_NAME>:latest
    container_name: pi-hole
    ports:
      - "8080:<APP_INTERNAL_PORT>"
    volumes:
      - ./data:/app/data
    restart: unless-stopped

Key Features

Network-wide ad & tracker blocking across all devices
Intuitive web dashboard for monitoring and configuration
Easy deployment on Raspberry Pi, Linux, or Docker containers

Frequently Asked Questions

? Is Pi-hole hard to install?

Pi-hole has simplified installation via official one-line scripts for Raspberry Pi/Linux or Docker. Basic network knowledge is needed to set your router to use Pi-hole as the primary DNS, but step-by-step guides make the process accessible for most users.

? Is it a good alternative to NextDNS?

Yes—Pi-hole offers network-wide blocking like NextDNS but is self-hosted, free, and open source. Unlike NextDNS (cloud-based with paid tiers), Pi-hole gives full control over data and blocklists without recurring costs.

? Is Pi-hole completely free?

Yes—Pi-hole is 100% free and open source (MIT License). All core features (blocking, web interface, custom lists, parental controls) are available at no cost with no hidden fees or paid upgrades.

Top Alternatives

AdGuard DNS (proprietary cloud-based) Search Google

NextDNS (proprietary paid service with custom features) Search Google

Tool Info

Pricing Free/Open Source

Category DNS

Platform Self-Hosted

Pros

⊕ Privacy-focused (blocks trackers at the network level)
⊕ No per-device apps needed for protection
⊕ Low resource usage (perfect for Raspberry Pi)
⊕ Reduces bandwidth consumption

Cons

⊖ Requires a dedicated device/server to run
⊖ Initial setup needs basic network DNS configuration
⊖ DNS-level blocking can’t handle some dynamic in-page ads