Updated September 29, 2026 · ShieldCue Editorial Team
AdGuard vs ESET
What sets them apart
| Compare |  AdGuard |  ESET |
|---|---|---|
| Devices | 10 | 3 to 25Higher |
| Jurisdiction | CY | BR |
| Protocols | Doh, Dot, Doq, Dnscrypt | WireGuard, IKEv2, OpenVPN UDP, OpenVPN TCP, Stealth, Wstunnel |
| Features | Split tunnelling, Obfuscation | Kill switch, Split tunnelling, ObfuscationCovers more |
| Platforms | Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, Android TV, iOS, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera, Safari, Yandex BrowserCovers more | Windows, MacOS, Android, iOS |
| Server countries | Not confirmed | 40 to 70 |
| Streaming services | Not confirmed | Various streaming platforms |
| Longest plan (months) | 24 months | Not confirmed |
Same on both: Money-back period (30 days).
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Key differences
- AdGuard scores higher overall: 9.4 vs 9.2.
- Devices is higher at ESET: 3 to 25 vs 10.
- Protocols: only AdGuard offers Doh, Dot, Doq.
- Protocols: only ESET offers WireGuard, IKEv2, OpenVPN UDP.
- Features: only ESET offers Kill switch.
- Platforms: only AdGuard offers Linux, Android TV, Chrome.
- Support channels: only ESET offers Phone.
- Founded is lower at ESET: 1992 vs 2009.
- Features: only ESET offers Travel.
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.
ESET
ESET suits households that want antivirus, a VPN and parental controls in one plan, with device counts of 3 to 25 on shared subscriptions. Buyers who put server reach first may prefer Namecheap, since ESET's 40 to 70 sits below the wider VPN field.
Score breakdown
| Area | AdGuard | ESET |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.1 | Not confirmed |
| Offer | 9.6Higher | 9.0 |
| Privacy | 9.4 | 9.5HigherCompany is ESET, spol. s r.o., headquartered and registered in BR, founded 1992, with support across email, help centre and community. |
By the numbers
| Fact | AdGuard | ESET |
|---|---|---|
| Devices | 10 | 3 to 25 |
| Money-back period | 30 days | 30 days |
Licences and countries
| Country | AdGuard | ESET |
|---|---|---|
| Headquarters | Cyprus | Brazil |
Choosing between them
Pick AdGuard if offer and platforms matter most.
Pick ESET if devices and features matter most.
A third option
OpenVPN Access Server has devices at 2 to 2,000, against 10 for AdGuard and 3 to 25 for ESET.
OpenVPN Access Server reviewEvery fact side by side
| Fact | AdGuard | ESET |
|---|---|---|
| Features | No logs, Streaming | No logs, Streaming, TravelCovers more |
| Audience | Not confirmed | Business |
| Pricing model | Free | Not confirmed |
| Legal entity | ADGUARD SOFTWARE LIMITED | ESET, spol. s r.o. |
| Headquarters | Cyprus | Brazil |
| Founded | 2009 | 1992Lower |
| Support channels | Email, Help centre, Community | Email, Help centre, Community, PhoneCovers more |
Antivirus
| Fact | AdGuard | ESET |
|---|---|---|
| First-year price | Not confirmed | R$64.22 |
| Free version | Not confirmed | Yes |
| Extras | Not confirmed | VPN, Parental controls |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | AdGuard | ESET | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Devices | 10at the median | 3 to 25highest quarter | 10 |
| Server countries | Not confirmed | 40 to 70above the median | 62 |
| Money-back period | 30 daysat the median | 30 daysat the median | 30 days |
| Longest plan (months) | 24 monthsabove the median | Not confirmed | 12 months |
Median across 139 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.
ESET
Pros
- Antivirus plans bundle a VPN and parental controls as vpn and parental controls.
- The VPN supports WireGuard, IKEv2 and OpenVPN UDP plus kill switch, split tunnelling and obfuscation for routing and connection control.
- Plans cover 3 to 25 with a money back window of 30 days.
Cons
- The first year price of BRL 64.22 sits above the €49.95 median across the site.
- Server reach stops at 40 to 70, short of the 86.75 upper quartile on the site.
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.
ESET
Who it suits
- Households sharing one plan across 3 to 25.
- Families that want parental controls in the same subscription.
- Small business users covered by a business focused provider.
Who should look elsewhere
- Travelers who need broader server reach, since Namecheap lists from 100.
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
ESET
Current offer
Discount code
ESET Customer Month: up to 40% off
Promotional banner on the ESET Brasil home and plans pages; applies to ESET HOME Security plans in Brazil
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Free trial
Free 30-day trial of ESET HOME Security: 30 days
Download from the ESET Brasil site; FAQ also says the 30-day return policy gives a full refund of the purchase price.
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Country by country
| Country | AdGuard | ESET |
|---|---|---|
| Brazil | No | Yes |
| Canada | No | Yes |
| United States | No | Yes |
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.
ESET
How much does ESET cost?+
The first year price is BRL 64.22. Long term plan prices across the site sit at a median of €3.97, so weigh those against the introductory figure rather than assuming one carries the other.
Who is ESET aimed at?+
ESET is built for a business audience, and its protection plans carry a VPN and parental controls as extras. Devices per plan range across 3 to 25, so a household can share one plan without separate subscriptions.