# AdGuard Home

AdGuard Home is self-hosted network-wide DNS filtering software that blocks ads, trackers, and certain unwanted domains for every device using your network. It works as a DNS server (often on your router, NAS, VPS, or a small board like a Raspberry Pi) and gives you a web UI to manage filters, logs, and parental controls.

### Key facts

* **Type:** Self-hosted DNS sinkhole / DNS filtering software
* **License:** Free and open source (GPL)
* **Scope:** Network-wide (covers all devices using its DNS)
* **Primary functions:** Ad & tracker blocking, parental control, basic security
* **Deployment targets:** Router, Raspberry Pi, server/VPS, many Linux-based systems
* **Website**: [AdGuard](https://adguard.com/)

### How it works

AdGuard Home runs as a DNS resolver on your network. When a device asks for a domain (like `ads.example.com`), AdGuard Home checks the request against its filter lists. If the domain is on a blocklist, it returns a “sinkhole” or invalid address, so the connection to that ad or tracker never happens. If not blocked, it forwards the query to upstream DNS servers you choose (e.g., AdGuard DNS, Cloudflare, etc.).

### Features and capabilities

* **Ad/tracker blocking:** Uses filter lists similar to browser ad-blockers (EasyList, AdGuard filters, etc.).
* **Parental control & safe search:** Can block adult content and enforce safe search on major search engines.
* **Malware & phishing protection:** Optional lists to block malicious domains.
* **Per-client rules:** Different devices (kids’ tablets, smart TVs, work laptop) can have different policies.
* **DNS privacy:** Supports encrypted upstream DNS (DoH/DoT/DoQ via compatible resolvers), reducing ISP snooping.

### Typical deployment and use cases

Common setups include running AdGuard Home on a home router, on a Raspberry Pi, or in a container on a home server. You then point your router’s DNS to it so every device (phones, laptops, IoT gadgets, TVs) benefits without installing extra apps. It’s often compared with Pi-hole; both are DNS sinkholes with web dashboards, but AdGuard Home leans into a more polished UI and integrated parental-control and DNS-privacy options.

### Limitations

Because filtering happens at DNS level, it can’t block everything: same-domain ads (e.g., `example.com/ads.js`), in-app native ads, or some CDN-heavy sites may still show ads. It also doesn’t replace a full firewall or IDS; it’s best seen as a strong first layer of network-wide content and tracking control rather than a complete security solution.