Updated September 28, 2026 · ShieldCue Editorial Team
AdGuard vs Opera
Where AdGuard and Opera differ
| Compare |  AdGuard |  Opera |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan limits | Free AdGuard DNS Starter plan by default; AdGuard Content Blocker free but with features limited compared to AdGuard for Android | Free of charge, ad-supported; free built-in VPN and AI chat included |
| Platforms | Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, Android TV, iOS, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera, Safari, Yandex Browser | Windows, MacOS, Linux, Chromebook, Android, iOS |
| Protocols | Doh, Dot, Doq, Dnscrypt | Lightway |
| Logging policy | Traffic filtered locally on device; AdGuard does not know which sites you visit | Built-in free VPN and VPN Pro are no-log; Opera collects usage and ad-related data but states it does not log or store full browsing history |
| Jurisdiction | CY | NO |
| Privacy tool type | Ad blocker, Private dns | Browser, Ad blocker |
| Price from | Not confirmed | $8 |
| Open source | Yes | Not confirmed |
Same on both: Free plan (Yes).
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Key differences
- AdGuard scores higher overall: 9.4 vs 9.2.
- Platforms: only AdGuard offers Android TV, Chrome, Firefox.
- Platforms: only Opera offers Chromebook.
- Protocols: only AdGuard offers Doh, Dot, Doq.
- Protocols: only Opera offers Lightway.
- Support channels: only Opera offers Chat.
- Founded is lower at Opera: 1995 vs 2009.
- Privacy tool type: only AdGuard offers Private dns.
- Privacy tool type: only Opera offers Browser.
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.
Opera
Opera packs a browser, an ad blocker and a free built-in VPN into a single download, which suits everyday browsing on a budget. VPN Pro costs $8 a month and falls to $4 a month on its 12 month term, and the free plan keeps the VPN included.
Score breakdown
| Area | AdGuard | Opera |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.1Higher | 9.0Entry price of $8 sits high among the 131 brands compared on price from, with an ad supported free plan underneath it. |
| Offer | 9.6Higher | 9.1 |
| Privacy | 9.4 | 9.9Higher |
Which one suits you
Pick AdGuard if offer matter most.
Pick Opera if privacy matter most.
Where these facts come from
AdGuard
- adguard.com: 8 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- adguard-dns.io: 5 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Opera
- opera.com: 13 facts, checked September 26, 2026
How they place
| Ranking | AdGuard | Opera |
|---|---|---|
| VPNs | 18 of 232 | 28 of 232 |
| Privacy tools | 18 of 280 | 27 of 280 |
| Ad blockers and private DNS | 10 of 63 | 14 of 63 |
| Free VPNs | 14 of 189 | 24 of 189 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | AdGuard | Opera |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Free | Free |
| Legal entity | ADGUARD SOFTWARE LIMITED | Opera Norway AS |
| Headquarters | Cyprus | Norway |
| Founded | 2009 | 1995Lower |
| Support channels | Email, Help centre, Community | Email, Chat, Help centre, CommunityCovers more |
VPN
| Fact | AdGuard | Opera |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly price | Not confirmed | $8 |
| Long-term plan price | Not confirmed | $4 |
| Devices | 10Higher | 6 |
| Server countries | Not confirmed | 48 |
| No-logs audit | Not confirmed | Deloitte 2024 |
| Features | No logs, Streaming | No logs, Travel |
| Money-back period | 30 days | 30 days |
| Features | Split tunnelling, Obfuscation | Not confirmed |
| Owner | Not confirmed | Opera Norway AS |
| Longest plan (months) | 24 monthsHigher | 12 months |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | AdGuard | Opera | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price from | Not confirmed | $8at 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.
Opera
Pros
- The free plan costs nothing, is ad supported, and still carries the built-in VPN and AI chat.
- Both the free VPN and VPN Pro are no-log, and the free browser VPN no-log claim was audited by Deloitte 2024.
- VPN Pro reaches 48 server countries over Lightway, with 6 devices covered.
Cons
- The free plan is ad supported, and Opera collects usage and ad related data, so ads sit in the mix alongside the free VPN.
- VPN Pro covers 6 devices, near the lower end of a site range of 1 to 50.
- The $8 entry price leaves Opera at 73 of 131 brands on price from.
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.
Opera
Who it suits
- People who want a browser with the VPN already inside it and left on at no cost.
- Readers who weigh an audited no-log claim highly, with Deloitte 2024 on record for the free browser VPN.
- Households that want the same tools across Windows, macOS and Linux.
Who should look elsewhere
- Readers after an email hiding tool on its own: Apple Hide My Email starts at $0.99.
- Readers who want a data removal subscription instead, where EasyOptOuts starts at $19.99.
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
Opera
Current offer
Free trial
VPN Pro free trial: 7 days
Offered at Opera's discretion; unless cancelled before the trial ends the payment method is charged for the selected subscription period
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.
Opera
How much does VPN Pro cost?+
VPN Pro opens at $8, and the monthly rate is $8. The longest term runs 12 months. On price from, Opera sits 73 of 131 brands, so entry price is its weakest cost point.
What does the free plan include?+
The free plan costs nothing and shows ads, and it keeps the built-in VPN along with AI chat. The features listed for the free tier are no logs and travel, and the pricing model is free.
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