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Head-to-head · Ad Blocking Software

AdBlock vs Pi-hole

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 2 checks side by side
Higher score AdBlock #3 in Ad Blocking Software 9.0/10 Free plan · 7-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 1 of 4 features Visit AdBlock
Pi-hole #5 in Ad Blocking Software 8.7/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 4 features Visit Pi-hole

AdBlock leads on 0 checks, Pi-hole on 0, and 2 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 2 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreAdBlock · 9.0/10
  • Free planboth
  • Free trialonly AdBlock
  • Most featuresAdBlock · 1 of 4

AdBlock scores higher on our rubric for ad blocking software: 9.0 against 8.7 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #5.

AdBlock is the better fit for users wanting broad blocking plus Premium extras. Pi-hole is the better fit for network-wide self-hosted blocking.

  • AdBlock fits best

    Users wanting broad blocking plus Premium extras

  • Pi-hole fits best

    Network-wide self-hosted blocking

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature AdBlock 9.0/10 Visit ↗ Pi-hole 8.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.0 8.7
Ranking #3 in Ad Blocking Software #5 in Ad Blocking Software
Best for Users wanting broad blocking plus Premium extras Network-wide self-hosted blocking
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free
Starting price $40/yr Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial 7 days —
Deployment Desktop, Mobile, Browser extension Self-hosted, Cloud
Platforms Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Chrome extension Web, Linux
Support Email, Tickets, Docs Community, Docs
Built for Solo, Small business Solo, Small business, Mid-market
Features AdBlock 1/4 · Pi-hole 0/4
App blocking Not checked yet Not checked yet
Tracker blocking Not checked yet Not checked yet
Custom filters Not checked yet Not checked yet
Element picker ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Specs
Platform coverage Not checked yet Not checked yet
Device limit Not checked yet Not checked yet
Filter-list control Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Free blocking across desktop, mobile and major browsers
  • Custom filters, element blocking and selectable filter lists
  • Premium adds VPN, YouTube and cookie-popup controls
  • Blocks ads and content across a network through DNS filtering
  • Supports regex rules, subscribed lists, allowlists and denylists
  • Adds query logs, long-term statistics, DHCP and group policies
Cons
  • VPN access requires the Premium plan
  • Enhanced YouTube blocking is a Premium feature
  • Distraction controls are available only with Premium
  • Requires self-hosting on supported Linux systems or Docker
  • Administration requires DNS configuration and technical setup
  • Paid SaaS plans and device limits are not part of its model
Our verdict

AdBlock is an ad-blocking browser extension and companion application for consumers who want fewer advertisements, pop-ups, trackers and other web distractions. It supports Windows, macOS, iOS, Android and Chrome extensions, with desktop…

Read the review →

Pi-hole is free, open-source DNS filtering software for administrators who want to block unwanted domains across an entire network. It runs on supported Linux distributions, hardware such as Raspberry Pi devices, or Docker, with…

Read the review →
  1. AdBlockAd Blocking Software 9.0Free plan · 7-day trial
  2. Pi-holeAd Blocking Software 8.7Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • AdBlock — where it wins

    • Free blocking across desktop, mobile and major browsers
    • Custom filters, element blocking and selectable filter lists
    • Premium adds VPN, YouTube and cookie-popup controls

    Where it doesn't

    • VPN access requires the Premium plan
    • Enhanced YouTube blocking is a Premium feature
    • Distraction controls are available only with Premium

  • Pi-hole — where it wins

    • Blocks ads and content across a network through DNS filtering
    • Supports regex rules, subscribed lists, allowlists and denylists
    • Adds query logs, long-term statistics, DHCP and group policies

    Where it doesn't

    • Requires self-hosting on supported Linux systems or Docker
    • Administration requires DNS configuration and technical setup
    • Paid SaaS plans and device limits are not part of its model
  • AdBlock9.0/10 · Free plan · 7-day trial

    Broad free ad blocking with custom controls and Premium extras such as VPN access.

    Visit AdBlockFull verdict →
  • Pi-hole8.7/10 · Free plan

    A free, open-source DNS filter for controlling unwanted domains across a network.

    Visit Pi-holeFull verdict →

More comparisons

All ad blocking software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update