AdGuard Home is a network-level DNS server that blocks ads, trackers, and malicious domains for all devices on your LAN without requiring client-side apps. It provides a web UI for managing blocklists, custom rules, and DNS settings, and can act as a DNS resolver with support for encrypted upstreams.

Key Features

DNS-based blocking using filter lists (Adblock-style rules) plus custom allow/deny lists
Per-client controls and visibility (identify clients, view queries, and apply rules per device)
Built-in DHCP server (optional) for simple home-network deployments
Parental control features (e.g., safe search / adult content filtering options)
Encrypted DNS support for upstreams and clients (DNS-over-HTTPS, DNS-over-TLS, DNSCrypt)
DNS caching and local DNS rewrites (custom hostnames for local services)
Query log and statistics dashboard (top domains, clients, blocked requests)
Runs on many platforms (Linux, macOS, Windows, ARM SBCs) and as a Docker container

Use Cases

Replace ISP/router DNS with a local resolver to block ads and trackers on all devices
Provide safer DNS for families via safe-search and content filtering controls
Centralize DNS for homelabs with local hostnames and per-device allow/block rules

Limitations and Considerations

As a DNS-layer blocker, it cannot remove ads served from the same domain as content; effectiveness depends on lists and DNS-level constraints.

AdGuard Home is well-suited for home networks and homelabs that want centralized DNS management with privacy-focused blocking. Its per-client insights, encrypted DNS options, and straightforward web UI make it a common alternative to other DNS sinkhole solutions.