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Self-Hosting Adguard Home: Network-Wide Ad Blocking

AdGuard Home blocks ads and trackers at the DNS level. One server protects every device on your network — no app installation required.

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What Is AdGuard Home?


AdGuard Home is a DNS server that blocks ads and trackers. Set it as your network's DNS server and every device is protected.


How It Works


1. Device makes a DNS query (e.g., ads.doubleclick.net)

2. AdGuard Home checks against blocklists

3. If blocked, returns empty response (no ad loads)

4. If allowed, resolves normally


Features


Blocking

  • Ad blocking (pre-configured lists)
  • Tracker blocking
  • Malware domain blocking
  • Adult content filtering
  • Custom blocklists and allowlists

    • DNS Features

  • DNS-over-HTTPS (DoH)
  • DNS-over-TLS (DoT)
  • DNS-over-QUIC (DoQ)
  • DNSSEC validation
  • Upstream DNS configuration

    • Dashboard

  • Query statistics
  • Top blocked domains
  • Top clients
  • Query log with filtering

    • Client Management

  • Per-client settings
  • Client groups
  • Different rules per device
  • Access control

    • AdGuard Home vs Pi-hole


  • AdGuard Home: Better UI, more DNS protocols, easier setup
  • Pi-hole: More mature, larger community, extension ecosystem
  • Both do the job well. AdGuard Home is the more modern option.

    • Deployment


    1. Deploy AdGuard Home on TinyPod

    2. Configure your router's DNS to point to AdGuard Home

    3. All devices automatically protected

    4. Customize blocklists as needed


    Resources: 1 CPU, 128 MB RAM.


    AdGuard Home is the single easiest way to improve privacy and reduce ads across all your devices.