Updated September 29, 2026 · ShieldCue Editorial Team
AdGuard vs NordVPN Threat Protection
AdGuard vs NordVPN Threat Protection: the differences
| Compare |  AdGuard |  NordVPN Threat Protection |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | YesHas it | No |
| Platforms | Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, Android TV, iOS, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera, Safari, Yandex Browser | Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Android TV, Apple TV |
| Protocols | Doh, Dot, Doq, Dnscrypt | OpenVPN, NordLynx, NordWhisper |
| Logging policy | Traffic filtered locally on device; AdGuard does not know which sites you visit | No logs: VPN servers keep no logs, with independent no-log audits |
| Privacy tool type | Ad blocker, Private dnsCovers more | Ad blocker |
| Price from | Not confirmed | €14.99 |
| Free plan limits | Free AdGuard DNS Starter plan by default; AdGuard Content Blocker free but with features limited compared to AdGuard for Android | Not confirmed |
| Jurisdiction | CY | Not confirmed |
| Open source | Yes | Not confirmed |
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Key differences
- AdGuard scores higher overall: 9.4 vs 8.8.
- Free plan: only AdGuard.
- Platforms: only AdGuard offers Opera, Safari, Yandex Browser.
- Platforms: only NordVPN Threat Protection offers Apple TV.
- Protocols: only AdGuard offers Doh, Dot, Doq.
- Protocols: only NordVPN Threat Protection offers OpenVPN, NordLynx, NordWhisper.
- Support channels: only AdGuard offers Email, Community.
- Support channels: only NordVPN Threat Protection offers Chat.
- Founded is lower at AdGuard: 2009 vs 2012.
- 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.
NordVPN Threat Protection
NordVPN Threat Protection bundles a VPN, ad blocking and a password manager under one paid subscription, with 10 devices on the same account. It suits readers who want one toolset rather than separate products, and less so anyone hoping to try a tier at no cost.
Score breakdown
| Area | AdGuard | NordVPN Threat Protection |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.1Higher | 8.1Entry price of €14.99 ranks 115 of 131 brands, against a €6.84 median. |
| Offer | 9.6Higher | 9.2 |
| Privacy | 9.4Higher | 9.1 |
Where they rank in our lists
| Ranking | AdGuard | NordVPN Threat Protection |
|---|---|---|
| VPNs | 18 of 232 | 2 of 232 |
| Privacy tools | 18 of 280 | 2 of 280 |
| Ad blockers and private DNS | 10 of 63 | 2 of 63 |
| Free VPNs | 14 of 189 | 2 of 189 |
Licences and countries
| Country | AdGuard | NordVPN Threat Protection |
|---|---|---|
| Headquarters | Cyprus | Lithuania |
Where these facts come from
AdGuard
- adguard.com: 8 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- adguard-dns.io: 5 facts, checked September 26, 2026
NordVPN Threat Protection
- nordvpn.com: 10 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | AdGuard | NordVPN Threat Protection |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Free | Not confirmed |
| Legal entity | ADGUARD SOFTWARE LIMITED | Nord Security |
| Headquarters | Cyprus | Lithuania |
| Founded | 2009Lower | 2012 |
| Support channels | Email, Help centre, Community | Help centre, Chat |
VPN
| Fact | AdGuard | NordVPN Threat Protection |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly price | Not confirmed | €14.99 |
| Long-term plan price | Not confirmed | €3.49 |
| Devices | 10 | 10 |
| Server countries | Not confirmed | 150 |
| No-logs audit | Not confirmed | Independent no-logs verification, first in 2018 and verified four more times since; auditor not named on the page |
| Features | No logs, Streaming | No logs, Streaming, TravelCovers more |
| Renewal price | Not confirmed | €139.08 to €269.88 |
| Money-back period | 30 days | 30 days |
| Features | Split tunnelling, Obfuscation | Kill switch, Split tunnelling, Multi hop, ObfuscationCovers more |
| Owner | Not confirmed | Nord Security |
| Longest plan (months) | 24 months | 27 monthsHigher |
Antivirus
| Fact | AdGuard | NordVPN Threat Protection |
|---|---|---|
| First-year price | Not confirmed | €65.88 to €103.08 |
| Free version | Not confirmed | No |
| Extras | Not confirmed | VPN, Password manager |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | AdGuard | NordVPN Threat Protection | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price from | Not confirmed | €14.99highest quarter | €7.50 |
Median across 50 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.
NordVPN Threat Protection
Pros
- Long-term plans drop to €3.49 a month against €14.99 on monthly billing.
- VPN servers keep no logs, a policy backed by independent no-log audits.
- A single subscription covers vpn and password manager, so the VPN and password manager arrive as a set.
Cons
- The free plan and the free version are both marked no, so every tier needs payment.
- Phone and email are not among its support channels (help centre and chat).
- Renewal runs €139.08 to €269.88 against a first year of €65.88 to €103.08.
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.
NordVPN Threat Protection
Who it suits
- Readers who want traffic encryption and ad blocking on one account rather than separate products.
- Households that will connect more than one gadget, since a single account covers 10 devices.
- People who travel or watch streaming services abroad, as no logs, streaming and travel covers no-logs, streaming and travel.
Who should look elsewhere
- Apple Hide My Email, at $0.99, if masking an email address is the only job.
- EasyOptOuts, at $19.99, for readers after data removal rather than VPN protection.
- Apple Inc., at $0.99, if the goal is iCloud account features rather than a VPN and ad blocker.
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
NordVPN Threat Protection
Current offer
First period offer
2-year Basic plan with 3 extra months: EUR 3.49 per month for the first 27 months
Introductory price valid for the first period only; renews at EUR 139.08/year; VAT may apply
Source, checked September 26, 2026
First period offer
2-year Complete plan with 3 extra months: EUR 4.49 per month for the first 27 months
Introductory price valid for the first period only; renews at EUR 219.48/year; VAT may apply
Source, checked September 26, 2026
First period offer
2-year Ultra plan with 3 extra months: EUR 6.59 per month for the first 27 months
Introductory price valid for the first period only; renews at EUR 269.88/year; VAT may apply
Source, checked September 26, 2026
First period offer
1-year plan discount: Basic EUR 5.49, Complete EUR 6.49, Ultra EUR 8.59 per month for the first 12 months
Introductory price valid for the first period only; VAT may apply
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Free trial
30-day money-back guarantee: Full refund if not 100 percent satisfied within 30 days
All plans; refund must be requested within 30 days of initial purchase via 24/7 customer support
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.
NordVPN Threat Protection
How much does NordVPN Threat Protection cost?+
The monthly plan runs at €14.99, and the longest term brings that down to €3.49 a month over 27 months. The first year is billed at €65.88 to €103.08, with a 30 day money back period attached.
What does it cost at renewal?+
The headline long-term rate covers the first term, then the renewal price runs €139.08 to €269.88 for a comparable term. Set against a first year of €65.88 to €103.08, that step is large, so anyone staying several years should weigh both figures before committing.
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