Pi-hole
6.3#4 in dns server softwareFree planFree planWebAPILinuxSelf-hosted
VisitPi-hole vs PowerDNS Authoritative Server
PowerDNS Authoritative Server
6.3#5 in dns server softwareFrom $9,800 a year ($816.67 a month)APILinuxSelf-hosted
VisitWhat both publish
| Fact | Pi-hole | PowerDNS Authoritative Server |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Pi-hole is a DNS sinkhole that protects devices from unwanted content without installing client-side software. | The Authoritative Server hosts domain names and answers DNS queries for records it serves. |
| Security | Pi-hole creates a self-signed certificate during installation to encrypt its web interface and API, though browsers do not trust that certificate by default. | The API uses a configured static API key sent in the X-API-Key header. |
| Support | The project is maintained by volunteer developers and accepts donations, issue reports, feature suggestions, and pull requests. | Commercial support is available under SLAs, with service levels ranging from office hours to 24/7 and assistance with deployment and configuration. |
Pi-hole plans
- Pi-holeFree
PowerDNS Authoritative Server plans
- Basic (PowerDNS Authoritative Essentials)$9,800 a year
- Advanced (PowerDNS Authoritative Essentials)$13,600 a year
- Pro (PowerDNS Authoritative Essentials)$17,400 a year
Pick Pi-hole if…
Pi-hole suits people who want DNS-based content blocking for an entire network and can run software on supported Linux hardware or in Docker. It also fits users who want configurable filtering, query reporting, or API access.
Pick PowerDNS Authoritative Server if…
You want what its maker publishes above — check its page for the details.