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Pi-hole

Free plan APILinuxSelf-hostedWeb

What Pi-hole is

Pi-hole is a free DNS sinkhole that can block unwanted content across a network without client-side software on each device. Run it in one place to cover devices such as computers, mobile apps, smart TVs, and IoT devices. It can run in Docker or directly on supported Linux systems, including a Raspberry Pi, PC, virtual machine, or NAS. Supported systems include actively maintained versions of Alpine, Armbian OS, Debian, CentOS Stream, Fedora, Raspberry Pi OS, and Ubuntu. Pi-hole caches DNS answers, which its site says can make repeat lookups near-instant. Its web interface reports query totals, blocked queries, client activity, query types, upstream servers, and frequently requested or blocked domains. Controls include client groups, group-specific lists and domains, domain allow and deny rules, and community blocklists and allowlists. It can use an existing DHCP server or provide its own, with optional IPv6 support. Four privacy modes and a searchable long-term query database are available. A REST API with app passwords supports scripts and home-automation tools.

Who it suits

Pi-hole suits people who want network-wide content filtering and activity controls across different devices. It is intended for supported Linux systems or Docker, and requires a static IP address or DHCP reservation.

What it does well

Blocks content across a network without client software
Supports client groups and custom domain rules
Provides four privacy modes and searchable query history
Offers a REST API with app passwords

What to know first

Requires a static IP address or DHCP reservation
Minimum requirements include 512 MB RAM and 2 GB free space
Web interface certificate is not trusted by browsers by default

Limits

The free plan is the open-source software, running on supported Linux hardware or in Docker. It requires at least 512 MB RAM, 2 GB free space, and a static IP address or DHCP reservation; 4 GB free space is recommended.

Plans

Plan	Billed and limits	Price
Pi-hole	Open-source software · runs on supported Linux hardware or in Docker	Free

As pi-hole.net lists them, read 7 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Getting started

Choose Docker or a supported Linux distribution for installation.
Provide a static IP address or DHCP reservation.
Allow at least 512 MB RAM and 2 GB of free space; 4 GB is recommended.
Install Pi-hole on supported hardware or in Docker.
Use the web interface to manage filtering and review DNS activity.

Verdict

Pi-hole combines network-wide blocking with filtering controls, query reporting, and API access. It requires suitable hosting and network configuration, and its installation-created certificate is not trusted by browsers by default.

Questions

How much does Pi-hole cost?

The Pi-hole plan is free.

Is Pi-hole open source?

Yes. The plan is described as open-source software.

Which platforms does Pi-hole support?

It runs in Docker or on actively maintained versions of Alpine, Armbian OS, Debian, CentOS Stream, Fedora, Raspberry Pi OS, and Ubuntu.

Does Pi-hole offer a free trial?

No. The pricing details say there is no free trial; the plan is free.

Can Pi-hole work with Home Assistant?

Its documentation includes a Home Assistant integration guide, and its REST API supports scripts and home-automation tools.

What hardware requirements does Pi-hole list?

The documentation lists 512 MB RAM and 2 GB free space minimum, with 4 GB free space recommended. Pi-hole also needs a static IP address or DHCP reservation.

Facts from Pi-hole's own pages

API and integrations: Pi-hole provides a REST API with interactive documentation and app passwords for scripts and home-automation tools; its documentation includes a Home Assistant integration guide. · pi-hole.net, 7 Oct 2026
DHCP: Pi-hole can work alongside an existing DHCP server or provide its own, with optional IPv6 support. · pi-hole.net, 7 Oct 2026
DNS caching: Pi-hole caches DNS answers, which the site says can make repeat lookups near-instant. · pi-hole.net, 7 Oct 2026
Filtering controls: Users can assign clients to groups, set group-specific lists and domains, allow or deny domains, and subscribe to community blocklists and allowlists. · pi-hole.net, 7 Oct 2026
Installation options: Pi-hole can run in Docker or directly on a supported Linux distribution, including on a Raspberry Pi, PC, virtual machine, or NAS. · pi-hole.net, 7 Oct 2026
Network-wide blocking: Installing Pi-hole in one place can protect a whole network, including mobile apps, smart TVs, and IoT devices. · pi-hole.net, 7 Oct 2026
Privacy controls: Pi-hole offers four privacy modes and stores queries in a long-term database that can be searched by time range. · pi-hole.net, 7 Oct 2026
Purpose: Pi-hole is a DNS sinkhole that protects devices from unwanted content without installing client-side software. · docs.pi-hole.net, 7 Oct 2026
Requirements: The documentation lists 512 MB RAM, 2 GB free space minimum, and 4 GB recommended; Pi-hole also needs a static IP address or DHCP reservation. · docs.pi-hole.net, 7 Oct 2026
Security: Pi-hole creates a self-signed certificate during installation to encrypt its web interface and API, though browsers do not trust that certificate by default. · docs.pi-hole.net, 7 Oct 2026
Support: The project is maintained by volunteer developers and accepts donations, issue reports, feature suggestions, and pull requests. · docs.pi-hole.net, 7 Oct 2026
Supported systems: Officially supported operating systems include Alpine, Armbian OS, Debian, CentOS Stream, Fedora, Raspberry Pi OS, and Ubuntu, for actively maintained versions. · docs.pi-hole.net, 7 Oct 2026
Team and headquarters: The Pi-hole team says its developers are spread across the globe, work in their spare time, and are fully remote. · pi-hole.net, 7 Oct 2026
Web interface: Its built-in web interface displays query totals, blocked queries, client activity, query types, upstream servers, and frequently requested or blocked domains. · pi-hole.net, 7 Oct 2026