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Head-to-head · DNS Filtering Software

DNSFilter vs Pi-hole

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 1 check side by side
Higher score DNSFilter #4 in DNS Filtering Software 8.9/10 14-day trial Free trial✓ 0 of 4 features Visit DNSFilter
Pi-hole #6 in DNS Filtering Software 8.6/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 4 features Visit Pi-hole

DNSFilter leads on 0 checks, Pi-hole on 1, and 0 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 1 yes/no, price and count check where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreDNSFilter · 8.9/10
  • Free planonly Pi-hole
  • Free trialonly DNSFilter

DNSFilter scores higher on our rubric for dns filtering software: 8.9 against 8.6 out of 10; our editors rank them #4 and #6.

Pi-hole offers free plan; DNSFilter doesn't.

DNSFilter is the better fit for low-cost managed filtering for organizations. Pi-hole is the better fit for self-hosted network-wide ad blocking.

  • DNSFilter fits best

    Low-cost managed filtering for organizations

  • Pi-hole fits best

    Self-hosted network-wide ad 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 DNSFilter 8.9/10 Visit ↗ Pi-hole 8.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.9 8.6
Ranking #4 in DNS Filtering Software #6 in DNS Filtering Software
Best for Low-cost managed filtering for organizations Self-hosted network-wide ad blocking
Pricing model Paid Free
Starting price $1/unit/mo Free plan
Free plan — ✓ (best)
Free trial 14 days —
Deployment Cloud, Desktop, Mobile Self-hosted, Cloud
Platforms Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android Web, Linux
Support Email, Live chat, Phone, Tickets, Docs Community, Docs
Integrations 3,000+ integrations 2 integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market
Features DNSFilter 0/4 · Pi-hole 0/4
Category filtering Not checked yet Not checked yet
Custom domain policies Not checked yet Not checked yet
Roaming protection Not checked yet Not checked yet
Activity reports Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Deployment modes Not checked yet Not checked yet
Device limit Not checked yet Not checked yet
Encrypted DNS support Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • DNS-layer protection with malware, phishing, and botnet blocking
  • Roaming protection for Windows and macOS devices
  • Reporting, exports, schedules, and AppAware application blocking
  • Blocks unwanted domains across an entire network
  • Supports custom lists, regex rules and group-based policies
  • Provides dashboards, long-term statistics and an interactive API
Cons
  • No free plan is available
  • Core and Plus rates shown are based on annual billing
  • Enterprise requires custom pricing
  • Deployment centers on supported Linux distributions or Docker
  • Requires self-hosted administration and DNS configuration
  • Offers fewer family-policy features than some alternatives
Our verdict

DNSFilter is a cloud-based internet filtering and protective DNS service for businesses, schools, managed service providers, and public Wi-Fi operators. It applies DNS policies to block malicious domains, unwanted content, and applications…

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, Raspberry Pi OS, or Docker, with administration available through…

Read the review →
  1. DNSFilterDNS Filtering Software 8.914-day trial
  2. Pi-holeDNS Filtering Software 8.6Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • DNSFilter — where it wins

    • DNS-layer protection with malware, phishing, and botnet blocking
    • Roaming protection for Windows and macOS devices
    • Reporting, exports, schedules, and AppAware application blocking

    Where it doesn't

    • No free plan is available
    • Core and Plus rates shown are based on annual billing
    • Enterprise requires custom pricing

  • Pi-hole — where it wins

    • Blocks unwanted domains across an entire network
    • Supports custom lists, regex rules and group-based policies
    • Provides dashboards, long-term statistics and an interactive API

    Where it doesn't

    • Deployment centers on supported Linux distributions or Docker
    • Requires self-hosted administration and DNS configuration
    • Offers fewer family-policy features than some alternatives

More comparisons

All DNS filtering software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update