Wipr 2 is one of our favorite minimalist ad blockers on Apple devices. And AdGuard is one of our favorite ad blockers ever. Now, while both of them do the same job, they couldn’t be more different than each other.
While some of us get very excited about tools that allow us to tweak them to our liking, many people just want them to be out of sight, doing what they’re supposed to. Yeah, AdGuard is the tweakable, and Wipr 2 is the one that stays hidden. But that’s just the stuff on the surface. There’s so much more that sets these two apart from each other. And we are here to go through each of the categories one by one to see how different they really are.
| Wipr 2 | AdGuard | |
| ⭐ Rating | 8.5 out of 5 | 9.6 out of 10 |
| 💵 Price | $4.99/lifetime | $29.88/year, or $79.99/lifetime |
| 🏷️ Free version | No | Yes |
| ▶️ Blocks YouTube Ads? | Yes | Yes |
| ⛔ Blocks Trackers? | Yes | Yes |
| 💻 Compatibility | Safari, macOS, iOS, iPadOS | Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge, Windows, macOS, Android, iOS |
| Read Wipr 2 Full Review | Read AdGuard Full Review |
Pros and Cons
Pros & Cons of Wipr 2
Pros
- Simple and clutter-free interface.
- Seamless Safari Integration.
- Effective Ad Blocking.
- Avoids Detection.
- Lightweight and efficient.
- Affordable One-Time Payment
Cons
- No Universal Pause Button.
- Does not allow users to customise or adjust blocklists
- Works only on Safari.
- No Trial Version
Pros and Cons of AdGuard
Pros
- Excellent ad blocker with perfect test scores
- It’s free and open-source
- Blocks all scripts, analytics, and trackers
- Allows whitelisting and inverts whitelisting
- Compatible with a ton of devices
- The free plan is enough for a lot of users
Cons
- Limited support
Key Features
Ad Blocking Capabilities
Wipr 2 and AdGuard both do a phenomenal job of blocking ads, but how they do it and what they block are two different stories.
Wipr 2
Wipr 2 is heavily focused on simplicity and Safari integration. It’s a Safari content blocker, uses 5 blocklists (plus Wipr Extra), and does it all without user interaction. It blocks banner ads, floating ads, cookie pop-ups, YouTube video ads (even Shorts), and more. In benchmarks, it scored 100/100 on AdBlock Tester and 100% d3ward, which is almost unheard of. Even on tricky sites like “Can You Block It?” Wipr 2 blocked ads while avoiding detection.
AdGuard
AdGuard is more than just a content blocker. It blocks banner ads, pop-ups, YouTube ads, pre-rolls, sponsored posts, and in-app ads across browsers and apps. It uses DNS-level filtering, HTTPS inspection, cosmetic filtering, and regularly updated filter lists. AdGuard scored 100/100 on AdBlock Tester and 99% on d3ward. But unlike Wipr 2, AdGuard doesn’t stop at Safari, it blocks system-wide. On Android, it’s especially good at killing ads inside apps and games, something browser-only blockers like Wipr can’t do.
Privacy and Security
Other than just blocking ads AdGuard and Wipr 2 also protect your privacy by removing invisible trackers. And for the amount of data and traffic they process, they need to be safe for you to install them in the first place.
Wipr 2
Wipr 2 keeps it simple and local. It uses Safari’s native content blocking API, so Wipr itself never sees your browsing. No traffic inspection, no cloud processing, no accounts. It doesn’t track you, log anything, or try to be clever about privacy. It just doesn’t touch your data, period. That’s part of the appeal. It’s fast, private, and silent. But that also means it doesn’t do much beyond static rule blocking. No stealth mode, no cookie stripping, no fingerprinting resistance. For many users, that’s fine. But if you’re looking for something a bit more defensive, Wipr might feel a little too hands-off.
AdGuard
AdGuard, on the other hand, takes privacy seriously, and loudly. With Stealth Mode, you can hide your search queries, strip tracking parameters from URLs, block WebRTC leaks, spoof your user agent, and disable browser APIs often used for fingerprinting. On top of that, it supports encrypted DNS protocols and can block known spyware domains and telemetry servers at the network level. If you want to audit what’s being blocked, anonymise logs, or lock down your entire system’s outbound connections, AdGuard lets you do so.
Performance and Resource Usage
Wipr 2
Wipr 2 wins this category too easily. It is one of the lightest ad blockers out there. Since it uses Apple’s built-in content blocker API, all the filtering happens inside Safari itself. There are no background processes, no memory hogs, and no unnecessary CPU spikes. It doesn’t slow down page loads, drain your battery, or make your fans spin. In fact, you’ll barely know it’s there, which is exactly the point. If you’re on an iPhone, iPad, or Mac, Wipr 2 is pretty much as optimised as it gets.
AdGuard
AdGuard is still well-optimised, especially considering how much more it does. The browser extension is light and snappy. But you will notice a slightly higher CPU and RAM footprint if you’re using the full desktop or mobile app. These apps include DNS filtering, HTTPS inspection, and Stealth Mode. It’s nothing dramatic on modern systems, but on older devices, it can feel heavier than Wipr. That’s the tradeoff for deeper filtering and cross-platform coverage.
Bypass and Anti-Adblock Handling
Wipr 2
Despite being minimalistic, Wipr 2 does work at bypassing anti-adblock measures. Thanks to its tight integration with Safari’s content blocker API and well-maintained rules (including Wipr Extra), it can silently block ads on sites that detect adblockers. In fact, it passed the notoriously tough Can You Block It? test. So it’s doing more under the hood than most people think. It doesn’t use dynamic filtering or scripts, but how it blocks before content even loads helps it fly under the radar. It may not bypass every anti-adblock wall out there, but it’s surprisingly good for its size.
AdGuard
AdGuard takes a more aggressive approach. It uses a user script called AdGuard Extra to neutralise overlay pop-ups, re-enable blurred content, and disable scripts that try to block access. It’s a more dynamic system and often works on heavily guarded sites like news platforms or streaming services. If you run into an issue, you can also add custom rules or report the problem, and it will get patched quickly.
Usability and Customisability
Installation and Setup
Wipr 2
Wipr 2 has the simplest setup of any ad blocker on Apple devices. You download it from the App Store, open the app and it walks you through enabling it in Safari’s content blocker settings. That’s it. No profiles, no certificates, no config panels. It even updates its blocklists in the background with no user input. If you’re on iOS or macOS and want a true “set it and forget it” experience, this is it.
Most iOS ad blockers work the same way. If you’re looking for an ad blocker for your iPhone or iPad read, top 4 best ad blockers on iPhone.
AdGuard
AdGuard on the other hand gives you more options depending on what you want to use. The browser extension is just as easy to set up. Just download it from the extension store and you’re good to go. But if you’re using the standalone app for system wide filtering, setup is a bit more involved. On macOS you may need to install a root certificate to enable HTTPS filtering. On iOS it works by enabling Safari content blockers and optionally setting up AdGuard DNS via a configuration profile. It’s still user friendly but it assumes you’re okay with a little bit of tinkering for deeper protection.
Ease of Use
This is one of those rare matchups where both tools are super user-friendly, but for very different kinds of users.
Wipr 2
Wipr 2 is barebones. Once it’s set up, there’s no dashboard to mess with, no toggles, no settings. It doesn’t even have a UI beyond a short menu and status update. You don’t have to check on it, update it, or wonder if it’s working, it just is. If you’re someone who doesn’t want to think about ad blockers beyond installing one, Wipr is perfect. There’s absolutely zero micromanagement.
AdGuard
AdGuard on the other hand gives you all the controls. The browser extension has quick toggles for whitelisting, viewing blocked requests and enabling extra filters. The desktop app goes deeper, with modules for ad blocking, privacy protection, Stealth Mode, DNS filtering and logs. It’s not overwhelming. Everything is clean and explained, but there’s definitely more going on. It’s built for users who want to dive in and tweak.
Customisability
This is where Wipr and AdGuard diverge and live on entirely different planets.
Wipr 2
Wipr 2 has no customisation at all. That’s the point. You can’t change filter lists, create exceptions, add rules or choose what gets blocked. You get Wipr core blocklists and Wipr Extra and that’s it. It’s consistent, predictable and perfect for users who don’t want to touch anything. But if you ever want to whitelist a site or block a specific element manually, tough luck. Wipr 2 is proudly non-customisable.
AdGuard
AdGuard is the opposite. It’s built around the idea that every user should be able to fine tune their setup. You can import custom filter lists, write your own rules using AdGuard’s advanced syntax, block elements from the page using an element picker, or even set up DNS-level filtering with your own allow/block lists. On desktop you can control filtering per browser, per app or per domain. You also get tools like Stealth Mode, user scripts and DNS rewrites.
Pricing and Plans
Wipr 2 and AdGuard are both paid products – but how much they charge, what they offer, and who they’re built for – are worlds apart.
Wipr 2
Wipr is exclusive to the Apple ecosystem. You pay once and that’s it. No subscriptions, no upsells, no feature gating. You get all updates, Wipr Extra and blocklist maintenance for life. That one purchase covers everyone in your Apple family group through Family Sharing. For minimalists or casual users, that’s a pretty unbeatable deal as it only costs $4.99.
AdGuard
AdGuard’s pricing depends on how much power you need. The browser extension is free. But if you want the full desktop/mobile app with system-wide filtering, Stealth Mode and DNS support, you’ll have to pay. That’ll be $29.88 a year or $79.99 lifetime (covering 3 devices). Family plans are $65.88 a year or $169.99 lifetime (up to nine devices). There’s also a discount code: CHECKADBLOCK30 gets you an additional 30% off.
They also offer AdGuard DNS with its own freemium pricing, and bundle deals with AdGuard VPN.
Which one is Worth it?
If you’re on a tight budget or just want something clean and efficient for Safari, Wipr 2 is hard to beat. But if you’re looking for cross-platform protection and premium features, AdGuard is the better long-term investment, especially with that lifetime license. That’s where the value really lies.
Customer Support
Wipr 2
Wipr 2 is a solo-developed app and its support is as minimal as the app itself. There’s no help centre or support portal. If you need help you reach out to the developer via the email on the App Store page. The developer is pretty responsive and friendly. Especially considering it’s a one-person operation. There’s a basic FAQ on the website but no live chat, no ticket system and no social presence for support.
This works most of the time, because Wipr almost never breaks. But if you’re the kind of user who wants fast, hands-on troubleshooting or detailed technical guidance you might find it lacking.
AdGuard
AdGuard has a full support system. You get:
- A help centre with guides, FAQs and advanced walkthroughs
- A ticket-based system with actual human responses (usually within a day or two)
- Active community support on GitHub, Reddit and forums
- Priority support for premium users
Even free users get decent help and paid users get faster responses and more in-depth assistance.
Final Verdict
This one’s tough.
Wipr 2 is one of the best minimalist ad blockers out there. It’s fast, lightweight, invisible and perfect for Safari users who just want ads gone with zero effort. It’s amazing for something so hands off and the one time pricing makes it a no brainer if you live in the Apple ecosystem.
But then you’ve got AdGuard, which just… does more. It blocks ads across apps and browsers, gives you deep privacy controls and works on every platform you might use. From DNS level filtering to custom rules and Stealth Mode, AdGuard is as close as you get to a full blown privacy and ad blocking suite.
So if you want something that “just works” and you’re all in on Safari? Wipr 2 is great. But if you want something that covers every device, every browser, every kind of ad and gives you the tools to tweak your experience exactly how you want?
AdGuard is the winner here. But Wipr 2 punches way above it’s weight.
If you want to learn more about ad blockers on Safari, read best ad blockers on Safari in 2025.