Pi-hole vs RethinkDNS

Struggling to choose between Pi-hole and RethinkDNS? Both products offer unique advantages, making it a tough decision.

Pi-hole is a Network & Admin solution with tags like ad-blocking, privacy, dns, network-level-blocking.

It boasts features such as Network-wide ad blocking, Blocks ads for all devices on your network, Lightweight and designed to run on a Raspberry Pi, Uses DNS filtering to block unwanted domains, Can block ads in non-browser applications, Provides a local DNS server for your network, Web interface for managing blocklists and whitelists, Can view stats on ads and queries blocked, Open source software and pros including Blocks ads without needing client software, Easy to set up and configure, Low resource usage, Can improve page load speeds, Blocks ads on all devices and applications, Constantly updated blocklists, Active open source community.

On the other hand, RethinkDNS is a Security & Privacy product tagged with open-source, dns, security, privacy, performance, ad-blocking, tracker-blocking.

Its standout features include Built-in ad blocking and anti-tracking, Supports DNS-over-HTTPS and DNS-over-TLS, Cache optimization for faster performance, Supports DNSSEC validation, Blocklists for malware domains, Custom block and allow lists, Graphical user interface for configuration, and it shines with pros like Improves privacy by blocking ads and trackers, Faster DNS resolution than default DNS servers, Easy to install and configure, Open source and transparent codebase, Actively developed and maintained.

Feature	Pi-hole	RethinkDNS
Overall Score	N/A	N/A
Primary Category	Network & Admin	Security & Privacy

Product Overview

Pi-hole

Description: Pi-hole is an open source DNS sinkhole and ad blocker that works at the network level. It allows users to block ads and trackers on all devices on their home network by redirecting traffic from ad-serving domains to a black hole.

RethinkDNS

Description: RethinkDNS is an open source DNS server that focuses on security, privacy, and performance. It blocks ads and trackers while providing a fast and reliable DNS resolution.

Key Features Comparison

Pi-hole Features

• Network-wide ad blocking
• Blocks ads for all devices on your network
• Lightweight and designed to run on a Raspberry Pi
• Uses DNS filtering to block unwanted domains
• Can block ads in non-browser applications
• Provides a local DNS server for your network
• Web interface for managing blocklists and whitelists
• Can view stats on ads and queries blocked
• Open source software

RethinkDNS Features

• Built-in ad blocking and anti-tracking
• Supports DNS-over-HTTPS and DNS-over-TLS
• Cache optimization for faster performance
• Supports DNSSEC validation
• Blocklists for malware domains
• Custom block and allow lists
• Graphical user interface for configuration

Pros & Cons Analysis

Pi-hole

Pros

• Blocks ads without needing client software
• Easy to set up and configure
• Low resource usage
• Can improve page load speeds
• Blocks ads on all devices and applications
• Constantly updated blocklists
• Active open source community

Cons

• Requires a dedicated device to run on
• Can break some web sites
• Requires technical knowledge to configure
• Does not work when away from home network
• Does not block all ads and trackers

RethinkDNS

Pros

• Improves privacy by blocking ads and trackers
• Faster DNS resolution than default DNS servers
• Easy to install and configure
• Open source and transparent codebase
• Actively developed and maintained

Cons

• Requires more system resources than basic DNS servers
• Blocking features may break some sites
• Advanced configuration requires technical knowledge

Pricing Comparison

Pi-hole

• Open Source

RethinkDNS

• Open Source