Updated September 28, 2026 · ShieldCue Editorial Team
AdGuard vs Kaspersky
Where AdGuard and Kaspersky differ
| Compare |  AdGuard |  Kaspersky |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan limits | Free AdGuard DNS Starter plan by default; AdGuard Content Blocker free but with features limited compared to AdGuard for Android | Free antivirus version for Android only; premium VPN, identity protection and password manager require a paid plan |
| Platforms | Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, Android TV, iOS, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera, Safari, Yandex BrowserCovers more | Windows, MacOS, Android, iOS, Linux |
| Protocols | Doh, Dot, Doq, Dnscrypt | WireGuard |
| Jurisdiction | CY | RU |
| Privacy tool type | Ad blocker, Private dnsCovers more | Ad blocker |
| Logging policy | Traffic filtered locally on device; AdGuard does not know which sites you visit | Not confirmed |
| Open source | Yes | Not confirmed |
Same on both: Free plan (Yes).
We earn a commission when you sign up through links on this site. Partner status can affect where a brand appears in our rankings.
Key differences
- Kaspersky scores higher overall: 9.5 vs 9.4.
- Platforms: only AdGuard offers Android TV, Chrome, Firefox.
- Protocols: only AdGuard offers Doh, Dot, Doq.
- Protocols: only Kaspersky offers WireGuard.
- Support channels: only Kaspersky offers Phone.
- Founded is lower at Kaspersky: 1997 vs 2009.
- Privacy tool type: only AdGuard offers Private dns.
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.
Kaspersky
Kaspersky suits households and small businesses who want one subscription covering antivirus, a VPN, a password manager and parental controls. Its bundles span 10 devices and Windows, macOS and Android, with server reach across 93 countries and a SOC 2 Type II audit behind SOC 2 Type II audit by an independent accounting firm, 2026.
Score breakdown
| Area | AdGuard | Kaspersky |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.1 | Not confirmed |
| Offer | 9.6 | 9.7Higher |
| Privacy | 9.4Higher | 9.0 |
Feature by feature
| Protocols | AdGuard | Kaspersky |
|---|---|---|
| Doh | Yes | No |
| Dot | Yes | No |
| Doq | Yes | No |
| Dnscrypt | Yes | No |
Where they rank in our lists
| Ranking | AdGuard | Kaspersky |
|---|---|---|
| VPNs | 18 of 232 | 4 of 232 |
| Privacy tools | 18 of 280 | 3 of 280 |
| Ad blockers and private DNS | 10 of 63 | 3 of 63 |
| Parental control apps | 7 of 59 | 2 of 59 |
| Free VPNs | 14 of 189 | 3 of 189 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | AdGuard | Kaspersky |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Free | Free |
| Legal entity | ADGUARD SOFTWARE LIMITED | AO Kaspersky Lab |
| Headquarters | Cyprus | Switzerland |
| Founded | 2009 | 1997Lower |
| Support channels | Email, Help centre, Community | Email, Phone, Help centre, CommunityCovers more |
VPN
| Fact | AdGuard | Kaspersky |
|---|---|---|
| Devices | 10 | 10 |
| Server countries | Not confirmed | 93 |
| No-logs audit | Not confirmed | SOC 2 Type II audit by an independent accounting firm, 2026 |
| Features | No logs, Streaming | Streaming, Travel |
| Audience | Not confirmed | Business |
| Money-back period | 30 days | 30 days |
| Features | Split tunnelling, Obfuscation | Screen time, Web filter, Location |
| Streaming services | Not confirmed | Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+ |
| Owner | Not confirmed | Privately owned; CEO Eugene Kaspersky |
| Longest plan (months) | 24 months | Not confirmed |
Password managers
| Fact | AdGuard | Kaspersky |
|---|---|---|
| Family plan | Not confirmed | Security plan licence shareable with family members in one account |
| Passkeys | Not confirmed | Yes |
| Encryption | Not confirmed | AES-256-bit, key derived from master password with PBKDF2 |
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.
Kaspersky
Pros
- Bundles a VPN, password manager and parental controls with antivirus in a single subscription.
- Covers Windows, macOS and Android, with VPN server reach across 93 countries.
- Password manager uses AES-256-bit, key derived from master password with PBKDF2 encryption and supports passkeys.
Cons
- The free antivirus build covers Android only, and the premium VPN, identity protection and password manager need a paid plan.
- The provider is Privately owned; CEO Eugene Kaspersky, with a AO Kaspersky Lab legal entity in a RU jurisdiction.
- Price at renewal is separate from the entry price, and long term plans sit at €3.97 a month against a €7.89 monthly median.
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.
Kaspersky
Who it suits
- Households that want antivirus, a VPN, a password manager and parental controls in one place.
- Small businesses that need a single security bundle rather than separate tools.
- Travelers and streamers who value streaming and travel VPN coverage.
Who should look elsewhere
- Apple Inc., which covers Apple platforms such as iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, visionOS and watchOS and fits people already inside its ecosystem.
- Comodo (Xcitium), which runs on Windows and Linux and suits buyers who want protection on Windows and Linux only.
- ESET Brasil, whose coverage of Windows, Windows Server and macOS suits buyers in Brazil who need a local store listing.
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
Kaspersky
Current offer
Bonus
Kaspersky Safe Kids free for 1 year with Standard, Plus and Premium plans (limited time offer): Kaspersky Safe Kids 1 year free
Marked as a limited time offer; shown alongside the Standard, Plus and Premium plans; 30-day money-back guarantee applies
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Free trial
Kaspersky Standard free trial: 30 days free
Free 30-day trial of Kaspersky Standard; compatible with Windows, macOS, Android, iOS
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Country by country
| Country | AdGuard | Kaspersky |
|---|---|---|
| Algeria | No | Yes |
| Argentina | No | Yes |
| Australia | No | Yes |
| Austria | No | Yes |
| Belgium | No | Yes |
| Brazil | No | Yes |
| Bulgaria | No | Yes |
| Canada | No | Yes |
8 of 47 countries where either is available.
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.
Kaspersky
What does Kaspersky cover in a single subscription?+
A paid plan bundles antivirus with the extras Kaspersky lists as vpn, password manager and parental controls. That means the VPN, password manager and parental controls come in the same subscription, and parental controls add screen time, web filter and location tools such as screen time and location limits.
Is there a free Kaspersky antivirus?+
Yes, but the free build is limited. The free antivirus version covers Android only, and the premium VPN, identity protection and password manager require a paid plan. The password manager does have a free plan, and passkeys are supported there.
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