Updated September 29, 2026 · ShieldCue Editorial Team
AdGuard vs HideMy.name
What sets them apart
| Compare |  AdGuard |  HideMy.name |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan limits | Free AdGuard DNS Starter plan by default; AdGuard Content Blocker free but with features limited compared to AdGuard for Android | 24 hours, no registration, access code by email only |
| Platforms | Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, Android TV, iOS, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera, Safari, Yandex Browser | Windows, Android, iOS, MacOS, Linux, Router |
| Protocols | Doh, Dot, Doq, Dnscrypt | OpenVPN, WireGuard |
| Logging policy | Traffic filtered locally on device; AdGuard does not know which sites you visit | Non-persistent connection log (random username and assigned IP) for troubleshooting only, cleared every few hours; browsing activity not recorded; email address is the only required data |
| Jurisdiction | CY | GB |
| Price from | Not confirmed | $11 |
| Open source | Yes | Not confirmed |
| Privacy tool type | Ad blocker, Private dns | Not confirmed |
Same on both: Free plan (Yes).
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Key differences
- AdGuard scores higher overall: 9.4 vs 8.9.
- Platforms: only AdGuard offers Android TV, Chrome, Firefox.
- Platforms: only HideMy.name offers Router.
- Protocols: only AdGuard offers Doh, Dot, Doq.
- Protocols: only HideMy.name offers OpenVPN, WireGuard.
- Pricing model: only HideMy.name offers Budget.
Our verdict on each
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.
HideMy.name
HideMy.name suits privacy minded shoppers who want a trial before commitment and support across desktop and mobile. You get connections on devices of 5 across server countries of 42 with protocols of OpenVPN and WireGuard plus help through support of email, phone and help centre every day.
Score breakdown
| Area | AdGuard | HideMy.name |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.1Higher | 8.7Monthly outlay of $11 with long term price of $4 shapes entry value |
| Offer | 9.6Higher | 8.8Coverage across Windows, Android and iOS with tools of kill switch, split tunnelling and multi hop defines day to day use |
| Privacy | 9.4 | 9.4Jurisdiction noted as GB with stated no logs approach shapes confidence |
Licences and countries
| Country | AdGuard | HideMy.name |
|---|---|---|
| Headquarters | Cyprus | Not confirmed |
Side by side, item by item
| Protocols | AdGuard | HideMy.name |
|---|---|---|
| Doh | Yes | No |
| Dot | Yes | No |
| Doq | Yes | No |
| Dnscrypt | Yes | No |
Where they rank in our lists
| Ranking | AdGuard | HideMy.name |
|---|---|---|
| VPNs | 18 of 232 | 16 of 232 |
| Privacy tools | 18 of 280 | 15 of 280 |
| Free VPNs | 14 of 189 | 12 of 189 |
Where these facts come from
AdGuard
- adguard.com: 8 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- adguard-dns.io: 5 facts, checked September 26, 2026
HideMy.name
- hidemy.name: 8 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | AdGuard | HideMy.name |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Free | Free, BudgetCovers more |
| Legal entity | ADGUARD SOFTWARE LIMITED | Not confirmed |
| Headquarters | Cyprus | Not confirmed |
| Founded | 2009 | Not confirmed |
| Support channels | Email, Help centre, Community | Not confirmed |
VPN
| Fact | AdGuard | HideMy.name |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly price | Not confirmed | $11 |
| Long-term plan price | Not confirmed | $4 |
| Devices | 10Higher | 5 |
| Server countries | Not confirmed | 42 |
| Features | No logs, StreamingCovers more | No logs |
| Money-back period | 30 days | 30 days |
| Features | Split tunnelling, Obfuscation | Kill switch, Split tunnelling, Multi hop |
| Streaming services | Not confirmed | PlayStation Network (PSN), Xbox Live |
| Longest plan (months) | 24 monthsHigher | 12 months |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | AdGuard | HideMy.name | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price from | Not confirmed | $11above the median | $8 |
Median across 82 listed providers.
Pros and cons
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.
HideMy.name
Pros
- Trial access with limits of 24 hours, no registration, access code by email only lets you check fit before paying
- Covers platforms of Windows, Android and iOS with allowance of 5 for home and travel use
- Includes privacy tools of kill switch, split tunnelling and multi hop alongside protocols of OpenVPN and WireGuard
Cons
- Server reach of 42 sits below the typical peer level of 45, which may matter for varied routing
- Device allowance of 5 sits below the peer typical level of 6.5, unlike ESET Brasil with 3 to 25
- Long term option lasts 12 with price of $4, giving a shorter commitment window than extended rivals offer
Who each suits
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.
HideMy.name
Who it suits
- You value phone plus email help through email, phone and help centre while Ivacy offers a different support mix
- You want trial limits of 24 hours, no registration, access code by email only to assess fit while FastestVPN leans toward paid entry from the start
Who should look elsewhere
- You need far larger simultaneous use than 5, so ESET Brasil with 3 to 25 may fit better
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
HideMy.name
Current offer
Free trial
Test VPN access for 24 hours: 24 hours free
No registration required; access code sent by email; paid subscription required to continue after the trial
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Questions about each
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.
HideMy.name
What will you pay on the monthly plan versus the long term plan+
The monthly plan price is $11 while the long term plan price is $4 for the plan length of 12. You keep entry and renewal thinking separate, since the longer span lowers the average outlay across the term.
Where can you install it and how many devices are covered+
You can run service on platforms of Windows, Android and iOS and share use across devices of 5. That mix covers desktop, mobile and router use, so you can protect home and travel setups under the same allowance.