Updated September 29, 2026 · ShieldCue Editorial Team
AdBlocker Ultimate vs AdGuard
AdBlocker Ultimate
AdGuard
Higher score in this comparison
What sets them apart
| Compare | AdBlocker UltimateReviewVisitVisit | AdGuardReviewVisitVisit |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan limits | Free browser extension; paid app for system-wide blocking | Free AdGuard DNS Starter plan by default; AdGuard Content Blocker free but with features limited compared to AdGuard for Android |
| Platforms | Windows, MacOS, Android, iOS, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera, Yandex | Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, Android TV, iOS, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera, Safari, Yandex Browser |
| Protocols | Doh, Dot, Dnscrypt | Doh, Dot, Doq, DnscryptCovers more |
| Logging policy | No excess data collection | Traffic filtered locally on device; AdGuard does not know which sites you visit |
| Jurisdiction | BG | CY |
| Open source | No | YesHas it |
| Privacy tool type | Ad blocker | Ad blocker, Private dnsCovers more |
Same on both: Free plan (Yes).
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Key differences
- AdGuard scores higher overall: 9.4 vs 8.9.
- Platforms: only AdBlocker Ultimate offers Yandex.
- Platforms: only AdGuard offers Linux, Android TV, Safari.
- Protocols: only AdGuard offers Doq.
- Support channels: only AdGuard offers Community.
- Open source: only AdGuard.
- Privacy tool type: only AdGuard offers Private dns.
Our verdict on each
AdBlocker Ultimate
AdBlocker Ultimate suits everyday browser users who want blocking at no charge before considering system wide cover. It earns 8.9 overall in this comparison, with free extension access that keeps entry simple for multi browser households looking for lighter upkeep.
AdGuard
AdGuard fits readers who want ad blocking and DNS protection in the same place, with a free plan for the basics and an open source VPN alongside it. A paid AdGuard plan covers 10 devices, and the longest subscription term is 24 with a money back window of 30 days.
Score breakdown
| Area | AdBlocker Ultimate | AdGuard |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.0Entry stays low because access splits as Free browser extension; paid app for system-wide blocking | 9.1Higher |
| Offer | 9.1Offer centers on free use shown by model free | 9.6Higher |
| Privacy | 8.3Trust reflects stated wording No excess data collection alongside jurisdiction BG | 9.4Higher |
Feature by feature
| Protocols | AdBlocker Ultimate | AdGuard |
|---|---|---|
| Doh | Yes | Yes |
| Dot | Yes | Yes |
| Doq | No | Yes |
| Dnscrypt | Yes | Yes |
Licences and countries
| Country | AdBlocker Ultimate | AdGuard |
|---|---|---|
| Headquarters | Bulgaria | Cyprus |
What we checked
AdBlocker Ultimate
- adblockultimate.com: 10 facts, checked September 29, 2026
- adavoid.org: 2 facts, checked September 29, 2026
AdGuard
- adguard.com: 8 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- adguard-dns.io: 5 facts, checked September 26, 2026
How they place
| Ranking | AdBlocker Ultimate | AdGuard |
|---|---|---|
| Privacy tools | 32 of 281 | 17 of 281 |
| Ad blockers and private DNS | 15 of 63 | 9 of 63 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | AdBlocker Ultimate | AdGuard |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Free | Free |
| Legal entity | AdAvoid Ltd | ADGUARD SOFTWARE LIMITED |
| Headquarters | Bulgaria | Cyprus |
| Founded | Not confirmed | 2009 |
| Support channels | Email, Help centre | Email, Help centre, CommunityCovers more |
VPN
| Fact | AdBlocker Ultimate | AdGuard |
|---|---|---|
| Devices | Not confirmed | 10 |
| Features | Not confirmed | No logs, Streaming |
| Money-back period | Not confirmed | 30 days |
| Features | Not confirmed | Split tunnelling, Obfuscation |
| Longest plan (months) | Not confirmed | 24 months |
Pros and cons
AdBlocker Ultimate
Pros
- Wide coverage across Windows, macOS and Android for desktop, mobile and browser use
- DNS privacy options include doh, dot and dnscrypt on supported Android builds
- Focused ad blocking scope via ad blocker that keeps setup clear
Cons
- Closed review path, as open source is no, which limits outside code checks
- Support runs on email and help centre only, which limits direct contact routes
AdGuard
Pros
- Traffic is filtered locally on device, so AdGuard does not know which sites you visit, and the software is open source.
- The free plan is the default and covers DNS blocking, while the free Content Blocker drops features next to the full Android app.
- Apps and extensions cover Windows, macOS and Linux, keeping one set of rules across phones, desktops and browsers.
Cons
- Support runs on email, help centre and community only, so most questions end up in the help centre or the community.
- The free Content Blocker drops features next to the full Android app, so phone users may end up paying for it.
Who each suits
AdBlocker Ultimate
Who it suits
- Everyday browser readers who want free blocking before paying for wider cover
- Multi browser households that want the same ad blocker across desktop and mobile
Who should look elsewhere
- Choose DeleteMe for data broker removal rather than browser ad blocking
- Choose addy.io for masked mail handling rather than page level ad blocking
AdGuard
Who it suits
- Readers who want an ad blocker, private DNS and a VPN from a single company.
- People who want filtering to happen on device on open source software.
- Households with several devices to cover, since the VPN plan covers 10.
Who should look elsewhere
- Apple Hide My Email, whose aliases are free with an Apple Account, when the email address is the only thing to hide.
- EasyOptOuts, which has no free plan, when a free tier to try first matters.
Current offers
AdGuard
Current offer
Free trial
AdGuard for Windows 14-day trial period: 14 days
Included with the AdGuard for Windows v8.0 download
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Free trial
Try Premium free for 7 days in AdGuard for iOS: 7 days
In-app offer before purchasing an iOS subscription; no payment taken during the trial
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Bonus
AdGuard DNS Personal plan free for AdGuard VPN customers: Free AdGuard DNS Personal subscription
Requires an active AdGuard VPN subscription; activated from the AdGuard account
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Bonus
Free AdGuard license for contributors and developers: Free license key
For community contributors (translations, beta testing, filters, knowledge base) and developers requesting a developer license
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Questions about each
AdBlocker Ultimate
Does AdBlocker Ultimate have a free plan+
Yes. The model is listed as free, so browser blocking starts without charge. Paid app cover is separate for system wide blocking, so check which placement matches the devices used for daily browsing.
What are the limits of the free version+
Limits are described as Free browser extension; paid app for system-wide blocking. That means browser extension use is free, while full system wide blocking sits in the paid app. Readers who only need browser cover can stay free, while wider cover needs the paid tier.
AdGuard
Is there a free AdGuard plan?+
Yes, and the free plan is the default. It covers DNS blocking, while the free Content Blocker drops features next to the full Android app. The starter apps already run on Windows, macOS and Linux, so you can try blocking on a phone, a desktop or a browser before paying.
What does the paid VPN plan include?+
The paid AdGuard VPN plan covers 10 devices at a time, and the longest subscription term runs 24. Its feature set includes no logs and streaming and split tunnelling and obfuscation, and a money back window of 30 days sits behind the purchase if the fit is wrong.
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