Martin JørgensenPi-hole – Network-wide ad blocker for your whole home.
Pi-hole is a powerful and free tool for anyone who wants to block ads and trackers across your entire network. Instead of installing ad blockers in every browser, Pi-hole works as a local DNS filter that stops unwanted traffic before it reaches your devices.
It’s especially well-suited for tech enthusiasts using a Raspberry Pi or running small home servers, but it can also be installed via Docker or on a standard Linux machine.
How Pi-hole works
Once 1 is set up, it acts as a DNS server. Whenever a device in your home (phone, PC, TV, etc.) tries to contact an ad server, Pi-hole intercepts the request and denies the connection. The result? No ads — and no invisible tracking.
All of this happens without plugins, without browser dependency, and without affecting the user experience.
What does Pi-hole support?
- ✅ Linux (Debian, Ubuntu, Raspberry Pi OS, and more)
- ✅ Docker (Windows/Mac via container)
- ⚠️ Not supported on Windows 11 as a direct host, but works with virtualized solutions
- ❌ No native app for iOS/Android — but protects phones via the network
Features and strengths
- Real-time log of DNS queries
- Web interface with statistics
- Whitelist/blacklist management
- API access and scriptability
- Blocks malware domains, not just ads
🔗 Download link for Pi-hole
The official way to install Pi-hole is via their GitHub-powered install script:
👉 https://pi-hole.net
Or directly on GitHub:
👉 https://github.com/pi-hole/pi-hole
Here you’ll find installation guides, documentation, and commands for the Linux terminal (curl -sSL https://install.pi-hole.net | bash).
💡 Note: We recommend downloading via the official site instead of a direct file download, since Pi-hole is updated continually and is typically installed via terminal or Docker.
🧠 Top 5 tips to get the most out of Pi-hole
- Use multiple blocklists
- The default list is good, but you can easily expand with, for example, StevenBlack, Energized Protection, or specialty malware lists.
- Set up Unbound as a DNS resolver
- Gain more privacy by using your own DNS backend instead of Google or Cloudflare.
- Whitelist important content
- Some sites (e.g., DR.dk or certain shops) won’t work without specific scripts. Use Pi-hole’s whitelist feature for selective access.
- Combine with a VPN (e.g., WireGuard)
- That way you get Pi-hole protection even when you’re away — on mobile, work networks, etc.
- Use the web dashboard actively
- Sign in to the Pi-hole dashboard to view real-time traffic, blocks, and stats. This is also where you can manage lists and see errors.
❓ FAQ – Frequently asked questions about Pi-hole
Does Pi-hole work on mobile?
Yes — as long as the phone is on your home network. For protection outside the home, set up a VPN.
Do I need a Raspberry Pi?
No. You can also run it on a Linux server, an old PC, or via Docker on Windows/Mac.
Does Pi-hole block YouTube ads?
Partially. Some ads are served from the same domains as the videos themselves, so results vary.
Is Pi-hole safe?
Yes, it’s open source and widely reviewed. Remember to update regularly.
Can I use it in a business?
Yes, but there are more scalable alternatives for enterprise use. Pi-hole is primarily for home and small networks.
