uBlock Origin vs. AdGuard 2024: Free Blocker or Premium Guardian?

uBlock Origin and AdGuard are two of the best ad blockers available today, having become indispensable tools for many internet users seeking respite from intrusive ads and trackers that disrupt online browsing experiences.

Known for its no-nonsense approach, uBlock Origin offers a light and efficient means of blocking ads without complications as a free browser extension. In contrast, AdGuard supplies an avalanche of extra features, making it ideal for anyone craving all-encompassing protection across numerous devices and platforms.

In this evaluation, we’ll plunge into a detailed comparison of uBlock Origin and AdGuard, going over their features, pricing, and more.

uBlock Origin vs. AdGuard

uBlock Origin is renowned for being an open-source ad blocker that is light and efficient. It’s compatible with various browser extensions and completely free.

Meanwhile, AdGuard is brimming with different features, such as DNS-level ad blocking, parental controls, browsing security, and an advanced virtual private network (VPN). This makes it ideal for anyone who needs robust protection across multiple devices and is willing to invest in a premium solution for enhanced security.

Best for	Browsers	Multiple devices
Price	Free	From $2.49/mo (billed annually)
Ads blocked on Forbes	18	14
Does it block YouTube ads?
Compatibility	Chrome, Firefox, Microsoft Edge, Opera, Safari (before version 13), Chromium	macOS, Windows, iOS, Android, Android TV, Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Microsoft Edge, Opera, Yandex
Mobile compatibility	Only as an add-on for Firefox on Android	Android, iOS
Learn more	Get uBlock Origin Read uBlock Origin Review	Get AdGuard Read AdGuard Review

uBlock Origin pros and cons

AdGuard pros and cons

uBlock Origin vs. AdGuard: prices

	Our Pick
Price range	Free	$2.49/mo (billed annually) or $79.99/lifetime
Best value plan	N/A	Lifetime plan for $79.99
Free version available
Money-back guarantee	N/A	Yes — 60 days
Learn more	Get uBlock Origin Read uBlock Origin Review	Get AdGuard Read AdGuard Review

When it comes to pricing, uBlock Origin stands out as it’s completely free. There are no hidden costs or premium versions, making it an excellent choice for those who need effective ad blocking without spending a penny.

This simplicity and zero-cost approach make it accessible to everyone, especially those who prefer a straightforward solution.

On the other hand, AdGuard offers a range of pricing plans, starting at $2.49/mo (billed annually) and going up to a one-time payment of $79.99 for a lifetime subscription.

The monthly plans are great for people who want to test the waters without a long-term commitment, while the lifetime plan offers significant savings for those looking for a permanent solution.

The lifetime plan is particularly appealing, as it covers multiple devices and includes premium features like DNS-level ad blocking, parental controls, and a VPN. This comprehensive protection may justify the one-time cost, making it a cost-effective choice in the long run.

Additionally, AdGuard provides a 60-day money-back guarantee, allowing individuals to try the premium features risk free. This money-back guarantee is a strong selling point, giving potential customers the confidence to invest in AdGuard knowing they can get a refund if it doesn’t meet their expectations.

uBlock Origin vs AdGuard: features

Feature		Our Pick
Whitelisting
Blacklisting
Ads blocked counter
Bypasses paywalls
Block pop-up ads
Block tracking
Block video ads
Block banner ads
Block push ads
Learn more	Get uBlock Origin Read uBlock Origin Review	Get AdGuard Read AdGuard Review

Both uBlock Origin and AdGuard offer robust ad-blocking capabilities, including whitelisting, blocking specific elements, and blocking various ad types such as pop-ups, video promotions, and push notices.

Both ad blockers failed to pass hard paywalls that are needed to view content from popular news outlets like The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, and The Atlantic. However, they both are capable of passing soft paywalls, like those found on local news sites.

One of the principal disparities between these two browser expansions is their approach to blocking ads and tracers. uBlock Origin is an open-source ad blocker with a lean design that’s efficient. It’s ideal for individuals who want a straightforward ad blocker that doesn't heavily consume computer resources, thus helping conserve battery life.

In contrast, AdGuard provides a plethora of options, like DNS-level ad blocking and parental controls, rendering it perfect for folks who need extensive security across multiple devices.

This extra functionality does come at a cost, though, since it’s not free and requires more system resources. However, AdGuard offers more progressive features and better overall safeguarding.

Both ad blockers can block YouTube ads, which is a considerable benefit for YouTube lovers who frequently engage with the platform. They also do an excellent job at blocking tracers, improving user privacy, and providing a smoother browsing experience.

Read our full guide to learn more details on how ad blockers work.

uBlock Origin vs AdGuard: test results

Feature	Our Pick
Adblock Tester score	96/100	100/100
Cover Your Tracks score	2/3	2/3
Can You Block It score	3/3	3/3
YouTube ads blocked
Paywalls bypassed
Learn more	Get uBlock Origin Read uBlock Origin Review	Get AdGuard Read AdGuard Review

We conducted extensive tests on both uBlock Origin and AdGuard using tools like Adblock Tester, Cover Your Tracks, and Can You Block It.

uBlock Origin achieved a perfect score of 96/100 on the Adblock Tester, demonstrating its excellent capability in blocking various types of ads and trackers. AdGuard also performed impressively, scoring 100/100.

The slight difference in the Windows score was due to a few minor issues in blocking certain error monitoring scripts, which are less critical than blocking ads.

In the Cover Your Tracks test, both ad blockers scored 2/3, effectively blocking tracking ads and invisible trackers. However, they both fell short of protecting against fingerprinting, a common challenge for most ad blockers.

In the Can You Block It test, both uBlock Origin and AdGuard successfully blocked all tested ads, including banner ads, interstitial ads, and YouTube ads.

uBlock Origin vs AdGuard: compatibility and customer support

		Our Pick
Windows
macOS
Android	Only as an add-on for Firefox on Android
iOS
Linux
Browser extensions	Yes — Chrome, Firefox, Microsoft Edge, Opera, Safari (before version 13), and Chromium	Yes — Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari, Opera, Yandex
24/7 customer support
Customer support options	Online guides, forums	Email, online guides, forums
Learn more	Get uBlock Origin Read uBlock Origin Review	Get AdGuard Read AdGuard Review

Both uBlock Origin and AdGuard present broad compatibility across multiple devices. However, AdGuard takes the lead in terms of its compatibility with mobile devices.

While uBlock Origin performs well for browsers, its lack of mobile compatibility is an enormous downside for anybody working on phones, laptops, or desktops.

As far as the client interface goes, uBlock Origin is direct and simple to utilize, rendering it an ideal choice for people who favor simplicity. However, a few of its highlighted features do require a learning curve to a small degree, particularly for those who are new to ad blockers.

AdGuard gives a sleeker and more intuitive interface along with customizable settings that can be adjusted without much trouble. This makes it less demanding for people to explore and modify their preferences.

When it comes to customer support, both uBlock Origin and AdGuard offer several options, including community forums and online documentation. However, neither offers 24/7 customer support, which could be a limitation for anyone needing immediate assistance.

AdGuard does provide additional support options like email and a comprehensive FAQ section, which can be beneficial for troubleshooting and getting quick answers to common issues. Meanwhile, GitHub can help uBlock Origin users sort out common issues.

uBlock Origin vs AdGuard FAQs

uBlock Origin vs AdGuard: Which is better?

We chose AdGuard as our winner since it excels with extensive protection and robust capabilities across all your devices.

AdGuard delivers a powerful suite of tools that protect various devices, including mobile, with additional features such as parental controls and a VPN. Its wide compatibility on mobile devices make it a favorite ad blocker.

Plus, AdGuard's lifetime plan ensures long-term value, which is great for taking advantage of its robust features.

uBlock Origin is all about efficiency, delivering a straightforward ad-blocking experience for your browser with minimal system resource use. It's a master at blocking multiple ad types, including those pesky YouTube ads.

While it may lack options for mobile devices or tools like parental controls, it's the perfect choice for those who want simple, efficient desktop blocking. We also loved that uBlock Origin gets the job done for free, and it’s open-source too.

uBlock Origin vs AdGuard alternatives

If uBlock Origin and AdGuard don’t quite meet your needs, there are several other excellent ad blockers worth considering. These alternatives offer unique features and benefits, ensuring you can find the perfect solution for a smoother, ad-free browsing experience.

Here are some of our top recommendations.

• NordVPN Threat Protection: This powerful anti-malware tool blocks intrusive ads and trackers while scanning suspicious files and sites for malware across devices and platforms for complete online protection.
  
  Get NordVPN Threat Protection | Read Our NordVPN Threat Protection Review

• Surfshark CleanWeb: Surfshark CleanWeb 2.0's robust ad blocking, tracker stopping, data breach alerts, and malware filtering seamlessly optimizes browsing and enhances online safety when paired with Surfshark VPN for complete protection.
  
  Get Surfshark CleanWeb | Read Our Surfshark CleanWeb Review

• AdLock: AdLock provides powerful ad-blocking capabilities across multiple platforms through free browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Safari and paid versions for Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows devices, ensuring a clean and secure browsing experience across all.
  
  Get AdLock | Read Our AdLock Review

Ad blocker
Best for	Best for blocking YouTube ads	Best for streaming	Best overall
Price	Paid plan costs $1.59/mo (billed annually)	Paid plans start at $1.99/mo (billed every two years)	Starts at $3.59/mo (billed every two years)
Blocks YouTube ads
Learn more	Get Total Adblock	Get Surfshark CleanWeb Ad Blocking	Get NordVPN Threat Protection