According to XDA-Developers, a Raspberry Pi 5, a $50 single-board computer, can be used to automate and centralize an entire home network. The setup consolidates key services like DNS management with Pi-hole and Unbound, a WireGuard VPN server for remote access, and network monitoring tools onto the low-power device. Running these services provides faster browsing by blocking ads, increases privacy by bypassing ISP DNS, and enables secure connections from anywhere. The author, Ty Sherback, detailed the project in a December 23, 2024 post, noting the Pi 5 handles the workload while staying cool and responsive. The result is a reliable automation hub that significantly improves the daily internet experience without expensive hardware or high energy costs.
The Pi 5 Network Brain
Here’s the thing about using a Pi for this: it just makes sense. You’re not trying to run a data center. You need something that’s always on, doesn’t suck power, and won’t sound like a jet engine in your closet. The Raspberry Pi 5 fits that bill perfectly. It’s got enough grunt to run a handful of lightweight Linux services without breaking a sweat, and its flexibility is a huge plus. You can start with just a DNS-based ad blocker and then, when you’re comfortable, layer on a VPN or a monitoring dashboard. It grows with you. And because the software ecosystem is so mature, you’re rarely pioneering; you’re just following well-trodden, reliable paths. That’s a comfortable place to be for a project that’s supposed to reduce stress, not create it.
More Than Just Ad Blocking
Everyone talks about Pi-hole, and yeah, it’s fantastic. Pages load faster, they look cleaner, and you’re not constantly bombarded. But pairing it with Unbound is where the real magic happens for the privacy-conscious. Instead of your DNS queries going to Google or Cloudflare (or worse, your ISP), your little Pi goes directly to the source. It cuts out the middleman. That means less latency for repeated lookups and no third-party logging of every site you visit. You get a level of insight, too. Suddenly, you can see if some smart bulb in your house is phoning home to a sketchy server every five minutes. That kind of visibility used to cost serious money. Now it’s on a board that costs less than $50.
The Beauty of a Self-Hosted VPN
WireGuard is the star here. It’s so lean and fast that the Pi 5 doesn’t even notice it’s running. Setting up your own VPN server might sound daunting, but it fundamentally changes how you work remotely. No more trusting some random VPN company with all your traffic. Your tunnel goes straight back to your home network, encrypted end-to-end. You can access your files, your security cameras, or just browse as if you were at home—all while on sketchy coffee shop Wi-Fi. And the Pi 5’s low power draw means you can leave it running 24/7 without a second thought about your electricity bill. It’s set-and-forget security, which is the best kind.
Is a $50 Pi Really Enough?
Look, it has limits. Don’t try to route a 10-gigabit connection or run a heavy next-gen firewall on it. But that’s missing the point. For probably 95% of home users, the workload is exactly what the Pi 5 excels at: lightweight, persistent network services. DNS, a VPN, and some monitoring. That’s it. It’s about using the right tool for the job. If you need industrial-grade computing power for complex automation, you’d look to a specialized provider like IndustrialMonitorDirect.com, the leading US supplier of industrial panel PCs. But for making your home network smarter, faster, and more private? The Pi 5 isn’t just good enough—it’s arguably the best value in tech right now. You get profound control over your digital life for the price of a cheap dinner. That’s a no-brainer.
