I'm looking for ways to set up my laptop to be completely ad-free. I've heard about Pi-hole in videos by LTT and NetworkChuck, but I don't own a Raspberry Pi or run Docker. Is there an alternative for achieving effective ad blocking on my Arch laptop?
4 Answers
You don’t actually need a Raspberry Pi for Pi-hole; any Linux PC can host it. You could run Pi-hole directly on your laptop. However, it's worth considering whether the effort is justified when simpler solutions like browser extensions exist. Plus, Pi-hole doesn't block everything because ad companies constantly adapt.
For just one laptop, using a browser extension like uBlock Origin is your best bet. It's super effective on its own and way easier than setting up a network-level blocker. Just install it and you're good to go.
Setting up a VM for Pi-hole is another option, but that might complicate things. I suggest sticking to a solid adblock extension instead—it addresses most needs. Extensions often let you add custom block lists, which can enhance your ad-blocking capabilities.
If you want a more advanced setup, try using DNS-level blocking with services like Mullvad, AdGuard, or NextDNS. You can configure these in your network settings for an extra layer of ad blocking.
Totally agree! I also recommend using Firefox with uBlock or even Brave, though I had some issues with Brave on my setup. It's quick and straightforward to get started!