If you’ve ever looked for an ad blocker for your browser, chances are that AdGuard and AdBlock are two of the top search results you get on Google. They’ve been out for a long time and are both good at what they’re supposed to do.
Both AdBlock and AdGuard have been around since 2009. Which means they’ve been serving users for about 16 years. That comes with a level of reliability. But of course, not all ad blockers are created the same. If you’re stuck wondering which one to install, this article should help out, as we’re about to dive deep into the comparison.
Comparison Overview
| AdGuard | AdBlock | |
| ⭐ Rating | 9.6 out of 10 | 8.2 out of 5 |
| 💵 Price | $29.88/year, or $79.99/lifetime | $2/month |
| 🏷️ Free version | Yes | Yes |
| ▶️ Blocks YouTube Ads? | Yes | Yes |
| ⛔ Blocks Trackers? | Yes | Yes |
| 💻 Compatibility | Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge, Windows, macOS, Android, iOS | Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge, and iOS |
| Read AdGuard Full Review | Read AdBlock Full Review |
Pros and Cons
Pros and Cons of AdGuard
Pros
- Excellent ad blocker with almost perfect test scores
- Free and Open-Source
- Blocks scripts, analytics, and trackers
- Allows whitelisting and inverts whitelisting
- Compatible with a wide range of devices, including Raspberry Pi
- The free plan is packed with features
Cons
- No 24/7 live chat support
Pros and Cons of AdBlock
Pros
- Includes cryptomining protection filters
- Affordable Premium Pricing
- Good Customer Support
- Protects against malware
Cons
- Acceptable Ads Enabled by Default
- Cluttered Settings
- Inconsistent performance in third-party tests
Key Features
Ad Blocking Capabilities
Both AdGuard and AdBlock are great at one thing: blocking ads. But how they do it (and how well they do it) is where it gets interesting.
AdGuard
AdGuard takes a more holistic approach. It doesn’t just work in your browser, it works across your whole system if you’re using the desktop or mobile apps. That means it can block in-app ads, YouTube ads, floating videos, banner ads, social widgets, sponsored post, and search ads. It uses DNS-level filtering, HTTPS filtering and a large set of community-maintained blocklists. Add to that manual element blocking, custom rules and stealth mode, and you’ve got one of the most powerful ad-blocking engines out there. It even aced almost every benchmark with 100 on Adblock Tester and a 99% on d3ward.
AdBlock
AdBlock is great for browser-based ad blocking. It blocks pop-ups, video ads, floating overlays and social media widgets with ease. It even has a cryptomining filter. But it falls short on more advanced filters and can be inconsistent on some sites. By default it allows “Acceptable Ads” which means you’ll need to turn those off manually for full protection. Still it nails YouTube ads, passes benchmarks with high scores and is highly customisable for browser users.
Privacy and Security
When it comes to privacy, both AdGuard and AdBlock are designed to keep your browsing cleaner and more private. But one of them takes security a bit too seriously.
AdGuard
AdGuard blocks trackers, analytics scripts, and spyware domains alongside ads. It has a built-in module called Stealth Mode which hides your search queries, removes tracking parameters from URLs, masks your user agent, and can even block WebRTC leaks. Its HTTPS filtering lets it inspect encrypted traffic (if you allow it) which helps strip out trackers hidden in secure pages. On top of that AdGuard DNS and its apps can enforce encrypted DNS protocols so your DNS traffic is shielded from your ISP and other snoopers. They don’t log personal data and you can disable logs entirely or anonymise them in the app. It’s a pretty privacy-focused ecosystem all around.
AdBlock
AdBlock, on the other hand, is a browser-based ad blocker with basic tracker blocking capabilities. It supports filter lists like EasyPrivacy but there’s no stealth mode, no advanced fingerprinting protection and no encrypted DNS or system-level privacy features. AdBlock’s privacy policy is relatively safe but it’s owned by a for-profit company that has participated in ad partnerships including “Acceptable Ads” which raises a few eyebrows. You can disable this but it’s something to keep in mind.
Performance & Resource Usage
Performance-wise both AdGuard and AdBlock are lightweight but there’s a difference in how deep they go.
AdBlock being a browser extension only uses minimal system resources. It runs smoothly on most modern browsers but can lag on ad-heavy sites or slow down on very large filter lists.
AdGuard, especially the standalone app, is more powerful. Which means it uses slightly more CPU and memory. But it’s also more optimised. So pages load faster because ads and trackers are blocked before they even render.
In day-to-day use AdGuard feels snappier on ad-heavy websites. The DNS and app-based filtering also reduces browser workload so the system-wide impact is often negligible.
Bypass & Anti-Adblock Handling
Some websites have anti-adblocking measures. They detect blockers and try to stop you from viewing content.
AdBlock struggles here. It doesn’t come with built-in countermeasures and usually requires users to subscribe to extra filters like “Anti-Adblock Killer” or tinker with custom rules. And even then results are hit-or-miss.
AdGuard on the other hand has a dedicated userscript called AdGuard Extra. It’s designed to neutralise anti-adblock scripts, bypass block overlays and allow you to access content without disabling your protection. It’s integrated automatically when using AdGuard’s app or extension so most users won’t even notice it’s working, it just does.
If you frequently visit sites that fight back against ad blockers AdGuard offers a much more reliable experience with minimal manual effort.
Usability and Customisability
Installation and Setup
Both AdGuard and AdBlock are easy to get started with but offer different levels of setup depending on how deep you want to go.
AdBlock
AdBlock is the simplest option. It’s a browser extension. You go to the Chrome Web Store, Firefox Add-ons, or Edge Add-Ons, click “Add to browser,” and you’re done. No account needed. No learning curve. As long as you can install an extension, you can use AdBlock. It works out of the box with default filters.
AdGuard
AdGuard, meanwhile, gives you options. You can install the browser extension just like AdBlock. Which is quick, lightweight, and familiar. But if you want full-device ad blocking, you’ll want the standalone AdGuard app, which is available for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. This takes a little more effort. For desktop users, it involves downloading and running a native installer, configuring HTTPS filtering if you want to block ads inside encrypted pages, and optionally adding a trusted root certificate. On Android, AdGuard runs as a local VPN, filtering all traffic across apps and browsers. On iOS, it uses Safari content blocking and DNS filtering.
Moreover, AdGuard has other ad blocking products like AdGuard Home and AdGuard DNS that follow a different setup process with different requirements.
Ease of Use
Once installed, both run quietly in the background. But the way they present controls, settings and features is very different.
AdBlock
AdBlock is simple. The browser icon gives you a pop-up with just the essentials: how many ads were blocked, a quick on/off switch for the current site and access to the dashboard. The dashboard itself is clean if a bit basic. You can toggle filter lists, whitelist websites and disable the “Acceptable Ads” program. If you’re a set-it-and-forget-it kind of user, AdBlock is a breeze.
AdGuard
AdGuard gives you more to play with, especially in the standalone apps. The desktop dashboard is well organised, with modules for ad blocking, privacy protection, filter settings and Stealth Mode. You’ll also find toggles for parental controls, browsing security and app-specific filtering. It’s a lot more detailed but surprisingly approachable. Each option is explained with tooltips or help text and the layout is modern and responsive.
The browser extension version of AdGuard is also easy to use, with a clean pop-up menu and quick access to stats, filters and custom rules. But if you go for the full desktop or mobile app, there’s a short learning curve. Not steep but definitely more than AdBlock.
Customisability
This is where the two really part ways.
AdBlock
AdBlock has filter list toggles. You can enable or disable popular lists like EasyList, Fanboy’s Annoyances, or EasyPrivacy. You can also add your own custom filter URLs, block specific elements on a page, and whitelist websites. That’s enough for most people. But if you want to go deeper – say, use advanced rule syntax or manage filters per domain – you’ll hit the ceiling.
There’s no dynamic filtering, no scripting engine, and very limited rule editing. It’s not built for power users. You can do a bit more with dev tools or filter tweaks, but it’s not the kind of environment that encourages experimentation.
AdGuard
AdGuard, on the other hand, is built for customisation. You can:
- Add custom filters (host files, rule-based, or cosmetic)
- Create your own filtering rules using AdGuard’s syntax
- Block elements directly from the page using an element picker
- Enable DNS filtering and redirect domains
- Configure HTTPS filtering to inspect and block ads in encrypted pages
- Enable or disable specific filters per app, per domain, or per browser
On desktop, you also get Stealth Mode, where you can fine-tune privacy settings. You can hide your user agent to blocking WebRTC, remove tracking parameters, and spoof referrers. AdBlock doesn’t come close to this level of control.
Even on mobile, AdGuard gives you deep filtering options. On Android, you can block specific domains, create filtering rules, and even block ads in third-party apps and games. On iOS, it’s more limited due to platform restrictions, but you can still apply Safari content blockers, use DNS filtering and toggle rules from the app.
Pricing and Plans
Both AdGuard and AdBlock offer free versions, but their business models (and what you get for your money) are very different.
AdBlock
AdBlock is free. You can install the browser extension, block ads, toggle filter lists, and customize settings without paying a dime. They do encourage donations and you’ll often see a “Support AdBlock” message in the dashboard.
There’s also an optional Premium version. It doesn’t enhance ad blocking itself, but adds a few cosmetic and convenience features:
- Choose custom themes for the extension popup
- Sync settings across devices
- Replace blocked ads with images (like a cat, if that’s your thing)
- Block cookie warnings and other distractions
AdBlock Premium is $40/year. There used to be a cheaper $20/year plan without VPN. However, that plan is no longer available. At 40$ it is a harder sell.
AdGuard
AdGuard has multiple layers depending on how far you want to go. But the browser extension is free, just like AdBlock.
The full AdGuard app (for system-wide protection) is paid. For personal use it’s $29.88/year or $79.99 for a lifetime license (3 devices). Family plans cost $65.88 a year or $169.99 lifetime and covers up to 9 devices. These are already discounted prices, but you can get an additional 30% off if you use code CHECKADBLOCK30 at checkout.
Are they worth it?
If you’re sticking to browser-only, both are free and work. But if you want real power – like blocking ads in other apps, DNS-level filtering and advanced privacy tools – AdGuard’s paid apps offer way more value for the price. AdBlock Premium feels like a donation with perks, whereas AdGuard Premium feels like a full product upgrade.
Customer Support
Support isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when choosing an ad blocker. But when something breaks or doesn’t work as expected, it suddenly matters.
AdBlock
AdBlock’s support is mostly self-service. They have a searchable knowledge base with basic guides, FAQs and troubleshooting steps. If you run into a problem there’s a support form you can fill out. But don’t expect quick turnaround. No live chat or dedicated support line and responses can take a while, especially for free users.
AdGuard
AdGuard has way better support, especially for paying users. You get:
- A detailed help center with setup guides, app walkthroughs and troubleshooting docs
- A ticket-based support system with actual human responses
- Regular updates and community involvement via GitHub and forums
- Faster priority support for premium users
Even for free users, the AdGuard team is more responsive than what you get with free browser extensions.
Wrapping Up
In the end, both AdBlock and AdGuard are good choices. But they’re for different kinds of people.
If you want a free, simple browser extension that gets rid of most ads and doesn’t require much thinking, AdBlock is your guy. It’s popular, lightweight and easy to use. But it feels like it’s stuck in the past. No system-wide protection, limited privacy tools and very little room for power users to tweak.
AdGuard is more than a browser plugin. It has it’s seperate an ad-blocking universe. From browser extensions to mobile and desktop apps, to DNS-level filtering, it gives you deep control and consistent protection across everything you use. The free extension is already great and if you decide to upgrade the paid version actually feels like an upgrade. Not just a donation with a few themes slapped on.
So who wins? If you care about privacy, want to block ads in apps or just want more control, AdGuard is the winner. But if you just want the quickest way to clean browsing AdBlock still does the job.
Still not sure? You can also check out our best ad blockers of 2025 roundup to see how these two stack up against the rest.