Pi-hole is a network-wide ad blocker that acts as a DNS sinkhole. It intercepts DNS requests for known ad and tracking domains, blocking them before they ever reach your devices. It’s open-source, lightweight, and often runs on a Raspberry Pi.
AdGuard Home is a similar network-level blocker, but with a more modern interface and extra features like parental controls, safe search, and HTTPS filtering. It can run on a variety of devices, including Raspberry Pi, NAS, and even Windows or Mac.
Why Is AdGuard vs Pi-hole Such a Hot Topic in 2025?
The internet is more ad-saturated than ever. Streaming services, smart TVs, and even IoT devices are serving up ads and tracking your activity. Browser-based ad blockers only go so far, and many sites now detect and bypass them.
That’s why network-level solutions like AdGuard Home and Pi-hole are gaining traction. They block ads and trackers for every device on your network—phones, tablets, smart speakers, and even your fridge.
But which one is right for you? Let’s break it down.
AdGuard Home vs Pi-hole: Feature-by-Feature Comparison
Installation and Setup
Pi-hole is famous for its simple setup, especially on a Raspberry Pi. You can also install it on Linux servers, Docker, or even a VM. The install script is straightforward, but you’ll need some basic command-line skills.
AdGuard Home offers a slick web-based installer and can run on more platforms, including Windows and Mac. Its setup wizard is beginner-friendly, and you can be up and running in minutes.
User Quote:
“I set up AdGuard Home on my Synology NAS in under 10 minutes. The interface is so much easier for my family to use compared to Pi-hole.”
User Interface and Usability
Pi-hole has a clean, functional dashboard. It shows queries, blocked domains, and client activity. However, advanced settings often require SSH or editing config files.
AdGuard Home boasts a modern, intuitive UI. You can manage blocklists, parental controls, and safe search with just a few clicks. For families or less tech-savvy users, AdGuard Home is often the winner here.
Blocking Capabilities
Both tools use DNS-based blocking, but AdGuard Home supports more advanced filtering, including HTTPS filtering and custom rules. You can block keywords, use NextDNS denylist-style rules, and even filter by device.
Pi-hole relies on blocklists, but you can add custom lists and regex filters. It’s powerful, but not as granular as AdGuard Home out of the box.
Parental Controls and Safe Search
AdGuard Home shines with built-in parental controls, safe search enforcement, and the ability to block adult content with a toggle.
Pi-hole can do some of this with custom blocklists, but it’s not as user-friendly or robust.
Performance and Resource Usage
Both are lightweight, but Pi-hole is famously efficient on older Raspberry Pi models. AdGuard Home uses a bit more RAM and CPU, especially with HTTPS filtering enabled, but it’s still suitable for most home hardware.
Community and Support
Pi-hole has a massive open-source community, tons of guides, and active forums.
AdGuard Home is growing fast, with official support and a helpful user base.
Block Keywords NextDNS Denylist: How Do They Compare?
If you’re coming from NextDNS or want to block specific keywords, both AdGuard Home and Pi-hole can help—but with different approaches.
- AdGuard Home supports block keywords and denylist rules natively, similar to NextDNS. You can block domains, keywords, or even use wildcards.
- Pi-hole can block domains and use regex, but keyword blocking is less intuitive and may require custom scripts.
Reddit’s Take: Best Raspberry Pi for AdGuard Home / Pi-hole in 2025
The Raspberry Pi remains the go-to device for running both Pi-hole and AdGuard Home. But which model is best?
Reddit best raspberry pie for adguard home / pi hole threads in 2025 overwhelmingly recommend the Raspberry Pi 4 Model B (2GB or 4GB RAM) for most users. It’s affordable, powerful, and has great community support. The newer Raspberry Pi 5 is overkill for most, but perfect if you want to run multiple services or future-proof your setup.
User Quote:
“My Pi 4 runs AdGuard Home, Home Assistant, and a Plex server without breaking a sweat. It’s the best tech investment I’ve made.”
Pihole vs AdGuard: Real-World Scenarios
Scenario 1: Family Home with Kids
You want to block ads, trackers, and adult content on every device. You also want to set time limits and safe search.
- AdGuard Home is the clear winner. Its parental controls and device-based filtering are easy to use and effective.
Scenario 2: Tech Enthusiast, Custom Blocklists
You love tinkering, want to use custom blocklists, and don’t mind the command line.
- Pi-hole is perfect. Its open-source nature and huge community mean you can customize almost anything.
Scenario 3: Small Business or Office
You need reliable ad blocking, reporting, and easy management for multiple users.
- AdGuard Home offers a more polished interface and better reporting tools, making it ideal for small offices.
AdGuard Home vs Pi-hole: Pros and Cons
AdGuard Home
Pros:
- Modern, user-friendly interface
- Built-in parental controls and safe search
- Advanced filtering (HTTPS, device-based, block keywords nextdns denylist style)
- Easy installation on many platforms
Cons:
- Slightly higher resource usage
- Some advanced features require a paid license (for AdGuard DNS, not Home)
Pi-hole
Pros:
- Lightweight and efficient
- Fully open-source and free
- Huge community and support
- Highly customizable with blocklists and regex
Cons:
- UI is less modern
- Parental controls require manual setup
- Advanced features need command-line tweaks
Security, Privacy, and Risks in 2025
Both AdGuard Home and Pi-hole are secure if kept updated. However, exposing your dashboard to the internet is risky—always use VPN or local access only.
AdGuard Home offers more privacy features out of the box, like DNS-over-HTTPS and encrypted client support.
Pi-hole can be configured for similar privacy, but it takes more effort.
Risks:
- Misconfiguration can block essential services (like banking or streaming)
- Outdated software can be vulnerable to exploits
- Overblocking may break some websites or apps
Features and Usability in 2025
- AdGuard Home: Device-based rules, easy parental controls, HTTPS filtering, modern UI, multi-platform support.
- Pi-hole: Lightweight, open-source, customizable, huge blocklist support, runs on almost anything.
Both tools are more powerful than ever, but AdGuard Home is pulling ahead for families and non-techies, while Pi-hole remains the tinkerer’s favorite.
How to Block Keywords NextDNS Denylist Style
If you want to block keywords like NextDNS, AdGuard Home makes it easy:
- Go to Filters > Custom Filtering Rules.
- Add rules like
||keyword^to block domains containing that keyword. - Apply and enjoy network-wide blocking.
Pi-hole can do similar things with regex, but it’s less intuitive.
Setting Up on Raspberry Pi: Step-by-Step
For Pi-hole
- Flash Raspberry Pi OS to your SD card.
- Run the Pi-hole install script.
- Set your router’s DNS to your Pi’s IP.
- Add blocklists and enjoy ad-free browsing.
For AdGuard Home
- Download the AdGuard Home binary for ARM.
- Run the setup wizard in your browser.
- Set your router’s DNS to your Pi’s IP.
- Configure parental controls and filters.
Community Insights: Reddit Best Raspberry Pie for AdGuard Home / Pi-hole
Redditors in 2025 still love the Raspberry Pi 4 for both solutions. Some power users recommend the Pi 5 for future-proofing, but for most, the Pi 4 is more than enough.
User Quote:
“Pi 4 is the sweet spot for price and performance. I run AdGuard Home, Pi-hole, and even a VPN server on mine.”
AdGuard Home vs Pi-hole: Which Should You Choose?
- For families and non-techies: AdGuard Home is easier, more powerful, and has better parental controls.
- For tinkerers and open-source fans: Pi-hole is lightweight, flexible, and endlessly customizable.
- For small businesses: AdGuard Home’s reporting and device-based rules are a big plus.
FAQs
1. What’s the difference between AdGuard Home and Pi-hole?
AdGuard Home offers a more modern interface, built-in parental controls, and advanced filtering (including HTTPS and device-based rules). Pi-hole is open-source, lightweight, and highly customizable but less user-friendly for beginners.
2. Can I block keywords like NextDNS denylist with Pi-hole or AdGuard Home?
Yes! AdGuard Home supports block keywords and denylist rules natively. Pi-hole can do it with regex, but it’s more complex.
3. What’s the best Raspberry Pi for AdGuard Home or Pi-hole in 2025?
The Raspberry Pi 4 Model B (2GB or 4GB RAM) is the best balance of price and performance. The Pi 5 is great for power users or running multiple services.
4. Is AdGuard Home or Pi-hole better for parental controls?
AdGuard Home is better for parental controls, with built-in features and an easy interface. Pi-hole requires manual setup and custom blocklists.
Final Thoughts
The adguard vs pihole debate isn’t about which is “best” for everyone—it’s about which is best for you. If you want a set-it-and-forget-it solution with powerful parental controls and a modern UI, AdGuard Home is the clear winner. If you love open-source projects, want to tinker, and value efficiency, Pi-hole is still a fantastic choice.
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