Alternatives to Adblock Fast

A lightweight DNS-based ad blocker for OpenWrt routers using dnsmasq, smartdns, Unbound or BIND. The listings below can replace it for an important use case. Each note says what changes if you switch.

Replacements

Listings that take over the same core job as Adblock Fast.

  • OpenWrt adblock

    A DNS-based ad and abuse domain blocking package for OpenWrt routers, covering every device on the network.

    FreeOpen sourceLinuxCommand line

    OpenWrt adblock also runs on OpenWrt routers and is installed from the standard package feeds, with a command-line interface and many configuration options.

  • Pi-hole

    A DNS server for your home network that refuses to look up ad and tracker domains, for every device at once.

    FreeOpen sourceLinuxSelf-hostedWeb

    Pi-hole runs on a separate Linux machine instead of the router, adding a web interface, DNS caching and optional DHCP serving for the network.

  • AdGuard Home

    Network-wide ad and tracker blocking in a single binary, with encrypted DNS built in rather than bolted on.

    FreeOpen sourceWindowsmacOSLinuxWebSelf-hosted

    AdGuard Home runs as one binary on many systems with a web interface, encrypted DNS serving and per-client rules, instead of relying on the router's resolver.

  • Diversion

    A DNS-based ad blocker that runs on Asus routers with Asuswrt-Merlin firmware.

    FreeProprietarySelf-hostedCommand line

    Diversion provides router-based ad blocking for Asus routers on Asuswrt-Merlin firmware rather than OpenWrt, and is not open source.

  • pfBlockerNG

    A pfSense package that adds IP blocklists, country blocking and DNS blocklists to the firewall.

    FreeProprietarySelf-hosted

    pfBlockerNG moves blocking to a pfSense firewall, adding IP blocklists and country blocking alongside DNS blocklists, though setup is more involved.

  • Blocky

    Lightweight DNS proxy with blocklists, written for container deployments.

    FreeOpen sourceWindowsmacOSLinuxSelf-hostedCommand line

    Blocky is a lightweight DNS proxy with blocklists and per-client rules, suited to containers and small boards rather than tied to OpenWrt.

Similar software

Related functionality, not a direct replacement.