Updated September 28, 2026 · ShieldCue Editorial Team
AdGuard DNS vs Mullvad DNS
AdGuard DNS vs Mullvad DNS: the differences
| Compare |  AdGuard DNS |  Mullvad DNS |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | YesHas it | No |
| Platforms | Windows, MacOS, Android, iOS, Linux, RoutersCovers more | Windows, MacOS, Linux, iOS, Android |
| Protocols | Doh, Dot, Doq, DnscryptCovers more | Doh, Dot |
| Logging policy | Query log off unless the user enables it; only minimum necessary data collected | No activity logs or metadata stored; minimal data retention |
| Jurisdiction | CY | SE |
| Privacy tool type | Private dns, Ad blocker | Browser, Private dns, Search |
| Price from | Not confirmed | €5 |
| Free plan limits | Free Starter plan by default; public AdGuard DNS servers usable free without account | Not confirmed |
Same on both: Open source (Yes).
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Key differences
- AdGuard DNS scores higher overall: 9.3 vs 8.9.
- Free plan: only AdGuard DNS.
- Platforms: only AdGuard DNS offers Routers.
- Protocols: only AdGuard DNS offers Doq, Dnscrypt.
- Privacy tool type: only AdGuard DNS offers Ad blocker.
- Privacy tool type: only Mullvad DNS offers Browser, Search.
Our verdict on each
AdGuard DNS
AdGuard DNS suits anyone who wants network level ad blocking without paying, because the public servers work with no account. Registered in Cyprus, the service from Adguard Software Ltd. has run since 2009, while most paid ad blockers in the same category start above €4.38.
Mullvad DNS
Mullvad DNS is the pick for readers who want a browser, private DNS and search covered by one subscription with no logs kept. Entry sits at €5, under the €6.84 median for listed rivals, and the software is open source.
Score breakdown
| Area | AdGuard DNS | Mullvad DNS |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.1Higher | 8.5Starts at €5 against a €6.84 median, with no free plan. |
| Offer | 9.4Higher | 8.9 |
| Privacy | 9.4 | 9.4 |
Where they rank in our lists
| Ranking | AdGuard DNS | Mullvad DNS |
|---|---|---|
| Privacy tools | 70 of 280 | 152 of 280 |
| Ad blockers and private DNS | 26 of 63 | 48 of 63 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | AdGuard DNS | Mullvad DNS |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Free | Not confirmed |
| Legal entity | Adguard Software Ltd. | Mullvad VPN AB |
| Headquarters | Cyprus | Sweden |
| Founded | 2009 | 2009 |
| Support channels | Email, Help centre, Community | Email, Help centre, Community |
Parental controls
| Fact | AdGuard DNS | Mullvad DNS |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Screen time, Web filter | Not confirmed |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | AdGuard DNS | Mullvad DNS | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price from | Not confirmed | €5below the median | €7.50 |
Median across 50 listed providers.
Pros and cons
AdGuard DNS
Pros
- The public AdGuard DNS servers are usable free without an account, so filtering can start before you sign up.
- The query log is off unless you switch it on, and only the minimum necessary data is collected.
- One setting covers Windows, macOS and Android, routers included, so phones and desktops share the same filtering.
Cons
- Support runs on email, help centre and community only, with no phone line and no live chat.
- The feature list is short, screen time and web filter, so this stays a simple filter rather than a deep control panel.
Mullvad DNS
Pros
- One subscription covers browser, private dns and search, so DNS and search sit alongside the browser
- No activity logs or metadata stored, and data retention is kept minimal
- Open source, so the software can be inspected by anyone
Cons
- There is no free plan, so the €5 entry price is the only way in
- Support runs on email, help centre and community only, with no live chat or phone line
- The service falls under SE law as Mullvad VPN AB, so readers elsewhere have no local entity to approach
Who each suits
AdGuard DNS
Who it suits
- Anyone who wants ad blocking applied at the network rather than in one browser.
- Households that want a single filter across Windows, macOS and Android instead of setting up each device.
- Parents who want the screen time and web filtering entries in screen time and web filter on the same plan.
Who should look elsewhere
- Apple Hide My Email, if the job is email aliasing: its free plan limits cover Sign in with Apple aliases free with an Apple Account, with a paid storage tier needed to change the forward to address.
- Apple Inc. for the same aliasing route, where changing the forward to address sits behind iCloud+.
- EasyOptOuts, whose free plan is listed as no, so there is no free tier to sit beside this one.
Mullvad DNS
Who it suits
- People who want DNS lookups and search kept private, not just browsing
- Readers who put open source software and short data retention above brand recognition
- Anyone willing to pay a small monthly fee with no free tier to try
Who should look elsewhere
- Apple Hide My Email, if all you need is address masking rather than private DNS
- Apple Inc., if you would rather keep privacy tools inside an existing device ecosystem
- EasyOptOuts, if your goal is removing broker records rather than hiding lookups
Current offers
Mullvad DNS
Current offer
Discount code
10% discount on payments in accepted cryptocurrencies: 10%
Applies to payments made with accepted cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash and Monero, due to lower fees and less administration. The brand states it never holds sales or other discounts. No refunds on cash or crypto payments.
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Questions about each
AdGuard DNS
Is there a free plan, and what does it include?+
Yes. A free plan exists, a Free Starter plan is the default, and the public AdGuard DNS servers are usable free without an account. The pricing model is listed as free, so the free tier is the standard starting point rather than a trial that ends.
What does AdGuard DNS actually filter?+
It works at the DNS layer, and the privacy types listed are private dns and ad blocker, so blocking applies to lookups from every app and device on the network rather than to pages open in one browser. Because of that, the filter also reaches background traffic.
Mullvad DNS
What does Mullvad DNS cost to start?+
The subscription begins at €5. The operator is Mullvad VPN AB, based in Sweden, so the figure is quoted in euro rather than converted per market. Set it beside the €6.84 median entry price across the brands listed here.
Is there a free plan or an introductory discount?+
There is no free plan, and no opening discount either. One flat rate applies from the first payment onwards. Most of the field does offer a free tier, since 72.3% of the brands listed provide one, so Mullvad DNS asks for a payment before you can try it.