Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Pi-hole VS ClouDNS

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

Note: These products don't have any matching categories. If you think this is a mistake, please edit the details of one of the products and suggest appropriate categories.

Pi-hole logo Pi-hole

Pi-hole is a multi-platform, network-wide ad blocker.

ClouDNS logo ClouDNS

ClouDNS is a platform that allows users to keep their websites, data, and network security all the time.
  • Pi-hole Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-12
  • ClouDNS Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-09-19

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.

ClouDNS features and specs

  • Feature-rich
    ClouDNS offers a wide range of DNS services including DDoS protection, Anycast DNS, GeoDNS, and DNSSEC, catering to varied business needs.
  • Global Network
    With numerous points of presence (PoPs) around the globe, ClouDNS ensures low latency and high availability.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    The web interface is intuitive and easy to navigate, making it accessible for users with different levels of DNS management experience.
  • Responsive Support
    ClouDNS has a dedicated support team available 24/7 through various channels, including chat and email.
  • Scalability
    Offers multiple pricing plans, including a generous free tier, which allows businesses to scale their services as they grow.
  • API Access
    Provides RESTful API access for automation, which is useful for advanced users.

Possible disadvantages of ClouDNS

  • Pricing
    Advanced features are locked behind higher-tier plans, which might not be feasible for small businesses or individuals with limited budgets.
  • Learning Curve
    Despite the user-friendly interface, some advanced features might require a learning curve, especially for users new to DNS management.
  • Limited Free Tier
    The free tier, while helpful, has significant limitations such as fewer zones and records, which may be restrictive for some users.
  • No Built-in CDN
    Unlike some other DNS providers, ClouDNS does not offer integrated Content Delivery Network (CDN) services, which may be a drawback for users seeking an all-in-one solution.

Analysis of ClouDNS

Overall verdict

  • Overall, ClouDNS is a reputable and cost-effective option for individuals and businesses looking for reliable DNS services.

Why this product is good

  • ClouDNS is often considered a good choice for DNS services due to its affordability, reliability, and variety of DNS solutions. It provides a wide range of services including free DNS hosting, DDoS protection, and managed DNS options. Additionally, ClouDNS has a user-friendly interface and customer support that is praised by many users.

Recommended for

    ClouDNS is recommended for small to medium-sized businesses, individuals looking for cost-effective DNS solutions, and anyone who requires additional DDoS protection for their websites.

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?

ClouDNS videos

TrueNAS CORE - How to Enable Remote Access for Nextcloud using Dynamic DNS (DDNS) with ClouDNS

More videos:

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Pi-hole and ClouDNS)
Security & Privacy
100 100%
0% 0
Cloud Computing
0 0%
100% 100
Ad Blockers
100 100%
0% 0
Domain Name Registrar
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

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

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...

ClouDNS Reviews

The Best Free Dynamic DNS Providers for Home Users
Creating an account with ClouDNS is quick and straightforward. Once logged in, the dashboard provides an organized view of domain names, DNS hosting, monitoring records, SSL certificates, and Google Workspace accounts. When it comes to DNS hosting, you have the flexibility to choose from available name servers with both IPv4 and IPv6 addresses.
The Best Dynamic DNS Providers
ClouDNS is a DNS and DDNS solution provider that can create URLs for A IPv4, and AAAA IPv6 records. With ClouDNS you can sign in to your user account through the website, go to the dashboard and select the DNS zone you want to configure a DDNS. Notifications let you know whenever A or AAAA records change.

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Pi-hole seems to be a lot more popular than ClouDNS. While we know about 1196 links to Pi-hole, we've tracked only 1 mention of ClouDNS. 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.

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 / 19 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
View more

ClouDNS mentions (1)

What are some alternatives?

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

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

Amazon Route 53 - Amazon Route 53 is a highly available and scalable DNS web service.

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

DNSimple - Domain Name Service with low cost hosted DNS, an easy to use web interface, and a REST API for automation. Hosting DNS has never been so simple.

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

DNS Made Easy - DNS performance, reliability, and security have never been easier.