1
Step 1Open the server Apps tab
Select the tutorial-vps VPS, open the Apps tab, and start a new app deployment. Keep sensitive server details hidden before capturing or sharing screenshots.
Back to all templates
Pi-hole
Infrastructure256MB+ RAM
Network-wide DNS ad blocker and privacy tool
dnsad-blockerprivacynetwork
Deploy Pi-hole in 3 Steps
1
Connect Your VPS
Add your server credentials to Server Compass
2
Select Pi-hole
Choose from our template library
3
Deploy & Configure
Fill in settings and click Deploy
No Docker knowledge required
Step-by-step deployment guide
Deploy Pi-hole on a VPS with Server Compass
Use the Pi-hole template in Server Compass to deploy a self-hosted DNS ad blocker on your VPS, then verify the admin UI in a browser.
About 10 minutesBrowser verified
2
Step 2Choose an app template
Click New App and choose the template deployment path so Server Compass can load the built-in catalog.
3
Step 3Search for Pi-hole
Use the template picker search to find Pi-hole in the Server Compass template catalog.
4
Step 4Select the Pi-hole template
Choose the Pi-hole template. Server Compass fills the DNS service, admin web UI, persistent config volumes, and public ports.
5
Step 5Review the Pi-hole settings
Confirm the app name and compose service. In this run, the app was named pihole-demo, used host web port 8080, and used DNS test port 5353.
6
Step 6Deploy Pi-hole
Review the generated compose settings, confirm the Pi-hole web port is available, and click Deploy.
7
Step 7Watch the deployment progress
Keep the deployment modal open while Server Compass uploads the compose file, pulls the Pi-hole image, starts the container, and verifies the stack.
8
Step 8Confirm Pi-hole is running
After deployment finishes, return to the Apps tab and confirm the Pi-hole app is marked Running with its application URL available.
9
Step 9Open Pi-hole in the browser
Open the admin URL in a browser. The Pi-hole login or dashboard screen confirms the web UI is reachable.
After Pi-hole Opens
- Use a strong admin password and keep the admin UI restricted to trusted networks.
- Point only intended clients or a private router/VPN to the Pi-hole DNS port.
- Review upstream DNS servers and blocklists before relying on the resolver.
- Back up the Pi-hole config volumes before moving or replacing the VPS.
- Use port 53 for production DNS only after confirming it does not conflict with the host resolver.
- Keep the Pi-hole image updated for dependency and security fixes.
Verified Result
The Pi-hole admin web interface loaded successfully from the deployed container.
Pi-hole deployment questions
What does the Pi-hole template deploy?
It deploys the Pi-hole container with persistent config volumes, a web admin port, and DNS TCP/UDP port mappings.
Which port did the tutorial use?
The tutorial used host web port 8080, which maps to the Pi-hole web UI on container port 80, and DNS test port 5353.
Can I enable authentication?
Yes. Pi-hole uses the admin password configured during deployment; restrict the admin UI to trusted networks as well.
Should this become a blog post?
No. The deployment guide should live on the Pi-hole template detail page and be linked from the reusable template deployment docs page.
Why Self-Host Pi-hole?
Pi-hole is a network-wide DNS sinkhole that blocks ads and trackers for every device on your network. Self-hosting a DNS-level ad blocker means phones, smart TVs, and IoT devices are all protected — not just devices with browser extensions.
Block ads on every device on your network — including smart TVs and phones
Significantly faster browsing by not loading ad content
Privacy protection by blocking tracking domains
Detailed query log showing exactly what your devices are requesting
Custom blocklists and whitelists for fine-grained control
Pi-hole vs Alternatives
Pi-hole vs Browser ad blockers
Browser extensions only protect that browser. Pi-hole blocks ads network-wide for all devices including smart TVs and phones.
Pi-hole vs AdGuard Home
Both are DNS-based blockers. Pi-hole has a larger community, more blocklists, and broader documentation.
Pi-hole vs NextDNS
NextDNS is cloud-hosted with query limits. Pi-hole runs locally with unlimited queries and no data leaving your network.
Why Deploy Pi-hole with Server Compass?
Server Compass deploys Pi-hole with persistent configuration for your blocklists and settings. Configure your router to use Pi-hole as DNS and every device on your network is protected instantly.
Download Server CompassAfter Deployment
After deploying Pi-hole with Server Compass, complete these steps to finish setup
1
Access admin panel
2
Change admin password
3
Configure clients to use Pi-hole as DNS server
Need help? Check out our documentation for detailed guides.
Pi-hole FAQ
Common questions about self-hosting Pi-hole
How do I deploy Pi-hole with Server Compass?
Simply download Server Compass, connect to your VPS, and select Pi-hole from the templates list. Fill in the required configuration and click Deploy. The entire process takes under 3 minutes.
What are the system requirements for Pi-hole?
Pi-hole requires a minimum of 256MB RAM. We recommend a VPS with at least 1024MB RAM for optimal performance. Any modern Linux server with Docker support will work.
Can I migrate my existing Pi-hole data?
Yes! Server Compass provides volume mapping that allows you to import existing data. You can also use standard Pi-hole backup and restore procedures.
How do I update Pi-hole to the latest version?
Server Compass makes updates easy. Simply click the Update button in your deployment dashboard, and the latest Pi-hole image will be pulled and deployed with zero downtime.
Is Pi-hole free to self-host?
Pi-hole is open-source software. You only pay for your VPS hosting (typically $5-20/month) and optionally Server Compass ($29 one-time). No subscription fees or per-seat pricing.
Ready to Self-Host Pi-hole?
Download Server Compass and deploy Pi-hole to your VPS in under 3 minutes. No Docker expertise required.
Download Server Compass