Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

DNSFilter VS Pi-hole

Compare DNSFilter VS Pi-hole and see what are their differences

DNSFilter logo DNSFilter

DNSFilter offers DNS-Based Content Filtering & Threat Protection.

Pi-hole logo Pi-hole

Pi-hole is a multi-platform, network-wide ad blocker.
  • DNSFilter Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-06-26
  • Pi-hole Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-12

DNSFilter features and specs

  • Ease of Use
    DNSFilter offers a user-friendly interface that simplifies the setup and management of DNS-based filtering for organizations.
  • Real-time Threat Detection
    The platform provides real-time threat detection and blocking capabilities, which help in preventing access to malicious websites and protecting the network.
  • Content Filtering
    DNSFilter allows for customizable content filtering, enabling administrators to block or allow specific categories of websites to enhance security and productivity.
  • Cloud-based Solution
    As a cloud-based service, DNSFilter eliminates the need for on-premises hardware, reducing maintenance and operational costs.
  • Global Coverage
    DNSFilter has a globally distributed network of data centers, ensuring low latency and reliable DNS resolution for users worldwide.
  • Integration and API Support
    The platform supports integration with various systems and provides APIs for custom applications, making it versatile for different environments.

Possible disadvantages of DNSFilter

  • Cost
    DNSFilter may be more expensive compared to some other DNS filtering solutions, which could be a limitation for smaller organizations or those with tight budgets.
  • Learning Curve for Advanced Features
    While the basic setup is straightforward, utilizing advanced features may require a steeper learning curve and additional time for administrators to master.
  • Dependency on Internet Connectivity
    Being a cloud-based solution, DNSFilter requires continuous internet connectivity for optimal performance, making it less suitable for offline or restricted environments.
  • Limited Customization for Some Users
    Some users might find the level of customization options to be insufficient for highly specific or unique filtering requirements.
  • Potential Privacy Concerns
    As with any DNS-based filtering solution, there may be privacy concerns regarding data logging and user activity monitoring, which require transparent data policies.

Pi-hole features and specs

  • Ad Blocking
    Pi-hole effectively blocks unwanted advertisements across all devices on the network, enhancing the user experience by reducing clutter and improving page load times.
  • Privacy Protection
    Pi-hole helps protect user privacy by preventing ads and trackers from collecting data on browsing habits.
  • Low-Cost Solution
    Pi-hole can be run on inexpensive hardware like a Raspberry Pi, making it a cost-effective solution for network-wide ad blocking.
  • Customizable
    Users can create custom blocklists and whitelists, allowing for a tailored ad-blocking experience.
  • Network-Wide Coverage
    Since Pi-hole acts as a DNS sinkhole, it applies its filtering to all devices connected to the network without needing individual configurations.
  • Resource Efficient
    Pi-hole is lightweight and consumes minimal system resources, allowing it to run efficiently on small, low-power devices.
  • Open Source
    As an open-source project, Pi-hole benefits from community contributions, transparency, and regular updates.

Possible disadvantages of Pi-hole

  • Requires Technical Knowledge
    Setting up and maintaining Pi-hole may require a certain level of technical expertise, which could be a barrier for non-technical users.
  • Possible Overblocking
    Pi-hole may block legitimate content inadvertently, which can necessitate manual adjustments to the blocklists or whitelists.
  • Dependency on Device
    If the device running Pi-hole fails or experiences issues, DNS resolution could be disrupted for all connected devices.
  • Compatibility Issues
    Some web services and applications may not function correctly if they rely on content that Pi-hole blocks.
  • Limited Blocking Methods
    Pi-hole primarily blocks content through DNS filtering. More sophisticated ads that bypass DNS-based blocking mechanisms may not be effectively blocked.
  • Manual Updates Needed
    Users may need to manually update blocklists and Pi-hole software to ensure optimal performance and security.

DNSFilter videos

CONTENT FILTERING - DNSFilter.com

More videos:

  • Review - dnsfilter.com - DNS Filtering Service
  • Review - DNS Filtering Followup: DNSFilter Blog Post & Quad9

Pi-hole videos

Block EVERY Online Ad with THIS - Pi-Hole on Raspberry Pi

More videos:

  • Review - I tried Pi-Hole for the first time... (DNS level Ad Blocker)
  • Review - Pi-hole -- Worth it? Gotchas?

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to DNSFilter and Pi-hole)
Cyber Security
100 100%
0% 0
Security & Privacy
7 7%
93% 93
Ad Blockers
0 0%
100% 100
Monitoring Tools
29 29%
71% 71

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare DNSFilter and Pi-hole

DNSFilter Reviews

We have no reviews of DNSFilter yet.
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Pi-hole Reviews

22 NextDNS Alternatives
Pi-hole App contains an informative web interface that shows stats on all the domains being queried on the network that you are using. Pi-hole - Network-wide Ad Blocking is a signifying ad-blocking platform that helps its global users to block all the harmful and unhealthy advertisements on your online networks. You can run Pi-hole in a container or deploy it right to...

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Pi-hole seems to be a lot more popular than DNSFilter. While we know about 1196 links to Pi-hole, we've tracked only 9 mentions of DNSFilter. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

DNSFilter mentions (9)

  • Getting the most out of Email quarantine and the M365 methods to reduce it.
    Look into dnsfilter.com for blocking chatgpt. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Evaluating DNSfilter
    What do you think about dnsfilter.com and how is the customer feedback? Source: about 2 years ago
  • MSP friendly DNS/web filtering product
    Dnsfilter.com like everyone else, it just works. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Good questions to ask at interviews when hiring a junior colleague?
    The domain name system translates human understandable names like dnsfilter.com into computer readable IP addresses like 44.207.21.146. More than that, DNS is the communication protocol used by all internet connected devices to send and receive resources across the internet. Source: over 2 years ago
  • I'm a dev and I'm curious about the block list.
    Eero Secure does produce its fair share of false-positives. Last I knew it was using dnsfilter.com behind the scenes, so it might be more efficient to contact that party if you want to try delisting. Source: almost 3 years ago
View more

Pi-hole mentions (1196)

  • Tools for thoughts1 Date:03/2025 Moderator:Daniel.J.Q.Goh
    This part can be link to Pi-Hole Before proceed to configuring VPN, recommended to get "Free DNS" for yourself at MyDNS to manage your own network. - Source: dev.to / 3 days ago
  • Using Raspberry Pi Computers For OSINT And Self-Quantification
    One of my favorite uses of a Raspberry Pi computer is Pi-hole. Which is promoted as a network-wide advertisement blocker. By installing Pi-hole on a RPi and attaching said device to your home LAN, a whole new world of OSINT and self-quantification is opened up. - Source: dev.to / 2 months ago
  • uBlock Origin is no longer available on the Chrome Store
    Time to set up Pi-Hole on my Rapsberry Pi 4 https://pi-hole.net/. - Source: Hacker News / 2 months ago
  • Sniffnet – monitor your Internet traffic
    Tools like https://pi-hole.net does this for the whole house. It comes with a default set of blocked domains and you can easily add to it. It acts as your local DNS for the network. - Source: Hacker News / 4 months ago
  • What if your computer beeps each time it sends data to Google?
    Https://pi-hole.net/ Easier than you might think to set up. Set and forget. Do it for your family and friends maybe. Sell routers pre-configured maybe. Not /the/ answer. Just one not-nothing step. - Source: Hacker News / 6 months ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing DNSFilter and Pi-hole, you can also consider the following products

WebTitan - WebTitan is an advanced DNS based web content filter and web security layer that blocks malware, ransomware and phishing attempts as well as providing web content control. Cloud and gateway versions available.

NextDNS - Block ads, trackers and malicious websites on all your devices.

HackerOne - HackerOne provides a platform designed to streamline vulnerability coordination and bug bounty program by enlisting hackers.

Blokada - The best ad blocker for Android. Free and open source.

Acunetix - Audit your website security and web applications for SQL injection, Cross site scripting and other...

AdGuard - Surf the Web Ad-Free and Safely. Shield up!