Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

1.1.1.1 VS Pi-hole

Compare 1.1.1.1 VS Pi-hole and see what are their differences

1.1.1.1 logo 1.1.1.1

The free app that makes your Internet safer.

Pi-hole logo Pi-hole

Pi-hole is a multi-platform, network-wide ad blocker.
  • 1.1.1.1 Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-26
  • Pi-hole Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-12

1.1.1.1 features and specs

  • Privacy
    1.1.1.1 promises not to log your IP address or sell your data to third parties, making it a good choice for users concerned about privacy.
  • Speed
    Cloudflare’s 1.1.1.1 is known for its fast performance and low latency, often outperforming other popular DNS services.
  • Security
    The DNS service includes built-in features to protect users from DNS leaks and potential attacks, enhancing overall online security.
  • Availability
    1.1.1.1 DNS is available globally, supported by a robust infrastructure that ensures high availability and reliability.
  • Easy to Use
    The setup process for 1.1.1.1 is straightforward, making it accessible even for non-technical users.

Possible disadvantages of 1.1.1.1

  • Limited Features
    While 1.1.1.1 excels in privacy and speed, it may lack some advanced features offered by competitors, such as granular parental controls or custom filtering.
  • Transparency Concerns
    Despite assurances, some users remain skeptical about the transparency of Cloudflare’s operations and data handling policies.
  • Potential Configuration Issues
    Some users might encounter issues when configuring 1.1.1.1 with specific routers or network setups, requiring manual intervention.
  • Dependency on Cloudflare
    Relying on 1.1.1.1 means depending on Cloudflare's infrastructure, which may not be ideal for users wary of centralized services.
  • No Ad Blocking
    Unlike some other DNS services, 1.1.1.1 does not offer built-in ad blocking, which could be a downside for users seeking an ad-free browsing experience.

Pi-hole features and specs

  • Ad Blocking
    Pi-hole effectively blocks unwanted advertisements across all devices on the network, enhancing the user experience by reducing clutter and improving page load times.
  • Privacy Protection
    Pi-hole helps protect user privacy by preventing ads and trackers from collecting data on browsing habits.
  • Low-Cost Solution
    Pi-hole can be run on inexpensive hardware like a Raspberry Pi, making it a cost-effective solution for network-wide ad blocking.
  • Customizable
    Users can create custom blocklists and whitelists, allowing for a tailored ad-blocking experience.
  • Network-Wide Coverage
    Since Pi-hole acts as a DNS sinkhole, it applies its filtering to all devices connected to the network without needing individual configurations.
  • Resource Efficient
    Pi-hole is lightweight and consumes minimal system resources, allowing it to run efficiently on small, low-power devices.
  • Open Source
    As an open-source project, Pi-hole benefits from community contributions, transparency, and regular updates.

Possible disadvantages of Pi-hole

  • Requires Technical Knowledge
    Setting up and maintaining Pi-hole may require a certain level of technical expertise, which could be a barrier for non-technical users.
  • Possible Overblocking
    Pi-hole may block legitimate content inadvertently, which can necessitate manual adjustments to the blocklists or whitelists.
  • Dependency on Device
    If the device running Pi-hole fails or experiences issues, DNS resolution could be disrupted for all connected devices.
  • Compatibility Issues
    Some web services and applications may not function correctly if they rely on content that Pi-hole blocks.
  • Limited Blocking Methods
    Pi-hole primarily blocks content through DNS filtering. More sophisticated ads that bypass DNS-based blocking mechanisms may not be effectively blocked.
  • Manual Updates Needed
    Users may need to manually update blocklists and Pi-hole software to ensure optimal performance and security.

Analysis of 1.1.1.1

Overall verdict

  • Yes, 1.1.1.1 is considered a good DNS service due to its strong focus on privacy, speed, and security. It is a solid choice for individuals looking to improve their internet browsing experience by using a reputable and efficient DNS provider.

Why this product is good

  • 1.1.1.1 is a public DNS server operated by Cloudflare in partnership with APNIC. It is designed to provide a fast and private DNS resolution service, prioritizing user privacy and speed. Unlike some other DNS services, 1.1.1.1 does not log your IP address, which enhances user privacy. Additionally, Cloudflare has a strong reputation for security and performance, which further adds to the service's reliability and trustworthiness.

Recommended for

  • Individuals seeking enhanced privacy when browsing the internet.
  • Users looking for faster DNS resolution to possibly improve web page loading speeds.
  • Anyone who wants a reliable and trustworthy alternative to their ISP's DNS server.
  • Privacy-conscious users wanting a DNS service that does not log IP addresses.

1.1.1.1 videos

1.1.1.1 - What You Need to Know

Pi-hole videos

Block EVERY Online Ad with THIS - Pi-Hole on Raspberry Pi

More videos:

  • Review - I tried Pi-Hole for the first time... (DNS level Ad Blocker)
  • Review - Pi-hole -- Worth it? Gotchas?

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to 1.1.1.1 and Pi-hole)
Security & Privacy
13 13%
87% 87
DNS
100 100%
0% 0
Ad Blockers
0 0%
100% 100
DNS Tools
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare 1.1.1.1 and Pi-hole

1.1.1.1 Reviews

Best DNS servers of 2022: Boost your internet speed with these free, public services
The 1.1.1.1 website has some setup guidance, with simple tutorials covering Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux and routers. These are very generic - you get one set of instructions for all versions of Windows, for instance - but there are some pluses (IPv6 as well as IPv4 details) and you should be able to figure it out. Additionally, mobile users can use WARP which secures...
Best DNS Servers to Use for Free in 2022
Cloudflare has a subproduct called 1.1.1.1 with Warp. Warp is designed for mobile phones. The warp app is available for download on both android and IOS. The app is named 1.1.1.1: Faster and safer internet. 1.1.1.1 can function on both mobile phones and tablets. It replaces the connection between your device with an optimized protocol.
Best free DNS servers: 14 options to check out
A Cloudflare subproduct, 1.1.1.1 with Warp is designed for mobile devices. When you download the app on your smartphone or tablet, it “replaces the connection between your phone and the internet with a modern, optimized, protocol.” They also pledge never to sell your data, which is always a bonus.
Free Privacy App for Any Device.
The first is Warp from Cloudflare. Cloudflare have been advertising heavily their free service and DNS resolver. Advertising quicker speeds and “optimized routing”. Their service is backed by the huge company which protect many sites online. They protect several of my domains and have informed me of attacks as they happen.
Source: medium.com

Pi-hole Reviews

22 NextDNS Alternatives
Pi-hole App contains an informative web interface that shows stats on all the domains being queried on the network that you are using. Pi-hole - Network-wide Ad Blocking is a signifying ad-blocking platform that helps its global users to block all the harmful and unhealthy advertisements on your online networks. You can run Pi-hole in a container or deploy it right to...

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Pi-hole seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 1196 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

1.1.1.1 mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of 1.1.1.1 yet. Tracking of 1.1.1.1 recommendations started around Mar 2021.

Pi-hole mentions (1196)

  • Tools for thoughts1 Date:03/2025 Moderator:Daniel.J.Q.Goh
    This part can be link to Pi-Hole Before proceed to configuring VPN, recommended to get "Free DNS" for yourself at MyDNS to manage your own network. - Source: dev.to / 20 days ago
  • Using Raspberry Pi Computers For OSINT And Self-Quantification
    One of my favorite uses of a Raspberry Pi computer is Pi-hole. Which is promoted as a network-wide advertisement blocker. By installing Pi-hole on a RPi and attaching said device to your home LAN, a whole new world of OSINT and self-quantification is opened up. - Source: dev.to / 3 months ago
  • uBlock Origin is no longer available on the Chrome Store
    Time to set up Pi-Hole on my Rapsberry Pi 4 https://pi-hole.net/. - Source: Hacker News / 3 months ago
  • Sniffnet – monitor your Internet traffic
    Tools like https://pi-hole.net does this for the whole house. It comes with a default set of blocked domains and you can easily add to it. It acts as your local DNS for the network. - Source: Hacker News / 4 months ago
  • What if your computer beeps each time it sends data to Google?
    Https://pi-hole.net/ Easier than you might think to set up. Set and forget. Do it for your family and friends maybe. Sell routers pre-configured maybe. Not /the/ answer. Just one not-nothing step. - Source: Hacker News / 7 months ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing 1.1.1.1 and Pi-hole, you can also consider the following products

Quad9 - Quad9 is a free, recursive, anycast DNS platform that provides end users robust security protections, high-performance, and privacy.

NextDNS - Block ads, trackers and malicious websites on all your devices.

OpenDNS - OpenDNS provides faster and safer Internet access for your home or Business.

Blokada - The best ad blocker for Android. Free and open source.

AdGuard - Surf the Web Ad-Free and Safely. Shield up!

SponsorBlock - SponsorBlock is an open-source crowdsourced browser extension to skip sponsor segments in YouTube videos.