Pi-hole vs Proxy-cheap
A detailed comparison to help you choose between Pi-hole and Proxy-cheap.
Pi-hole Network-wide ad blocker for Raspberry Pi. | Proxy-cheap Budget-friendly proxy servers | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.7 (498 reviews) | 3.5 (206 reviews) |
| Pricing Model | free | paid |
| Starting Price | Free | From $0/mo |
| Best For | Best for users wanting to block ads and trackers across the web | Best for users seeking privacy and security tools |
| Free Tier | ||
| API Access | ||
| Team Features | ||
| Open Source | ||
| Tags | — | — |
| Visit Proxy-cheap → |
Pi-hole
Pros
- + Network-wide blocking for all DNS-using devices
- + Responsive admin dashboard with per-client visibility
- + Group-based policies for clients and block rules
- + Optional DHCP server when router is limited
- + Upstream encrypted DNS supported via dnscrypt-proxy
Cons
- - DNS-level blocking can’t remove same-domain ads
- - Client-side DoH or VPN can bypass filtering
- - Query logging can expose sensitive browsing metadata
- - Requires self-hosting, updates, and basic ops skills
- - Past v6 WebUI/API DoS advisory (patched later)
Proxy-cheap
Pros
- + Multiple proxy types (residential, mobile, ISP, datacenter)
- + Supports HTTP, HTTPS, and SOCKS protocols
- + Advertises coverage across 180+ countries
- + Pay-as-you-go billing for rotating residential
- + Refund policy lists clear eligibility thresholds
Cons
- - Independent test reported very low completion under load
- - Not a VPN; requires per-app proxy configuration
- - KYC requirements can block balance refunds
- - Unsupported-use list limits some destinations and services
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