uBlock Origin vs. AdGuard 2025: Free Blocker or Premium Guardian?

While uBlock Origin offers a light and efficient means of blocking ads, AdGuard supplies an avalanche of extra features, making it ideal for anyone craving all-encompassing protection across numerous devices and platforms — so we'll give it the win in that regard.

Unfortunately, with Chrome's recent crackdown on extensions, uBlock Origin has been forcibly removed from many people's browsers. If that's the case for you, AdGuard is the better choice — especially since it comes with a desktop app.

Let's plunge into the differences between two of the best ad blockers available today, going over their features, pricing, and more.

uBlock Origin vs. AdGuard compared

		Our Pick
Best for	Firefox users	Multiple devices
Price	Free	From $2.49/mo (billed annually)
AdBlock Tester score	96/100	100/100
Does it block YouTube ads?
Compatibility	Edge, Firefox, Opera	Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Opera, Safari
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

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

AdGuard pros and cons

Meanwhile, AdGuard is packed with various features for Windows, including DNS-level ad blocking, parental controls, browsing security, and an advanced virtual private network (VPN). It offers robust ad blocking protection across multiple devices and is best for people willing to invest in a premium solution for enhanced security.

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 ideal for individuals who want to test the waters without a long-term commitment. In contrast, the AdGuard lifetime plan provides significant savings for those seeking 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 bypass the hard paywalls required to view content from popular news outlets such as The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, and The Atlantic. However, they are both capable of bypassing soft paywalls, such as those found on local news sites.

One of the principal disparities between these two browser expansions is their approach to blocking ads and trackers. 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 offers more features, including DNS-level ad blocking and parental controls, making it ideal for individuals who require comprehensive 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 excel at blocking tracers, enhancing user privacy, and delivering a smoother browsing experience.

uBlock Origin vs AdGuard: test results

Feature	Our Pick
Adblock Tester score	96/100	100/100
Cover Your Tracks score	2/3	2.5/3
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.

AdGuard achieved a score of 100/100 on the Adblock Tester, demonstrating its advanced capability in blocking various types of ads and trackers. 

uBlock Origin scored 96/100, which is still strong and only marginally less than AdGuard.

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 effectively blocked tracking ads and invisible trackers. However, they both fell a bit 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	Edge, Firefox, Opera	Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Opera, Safari
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 a significant downside for anyone working on phones, laptops, or desktops.

As far as the client interface goes, uBlock Origin is direct and straightforward to use, making it an ideal choice for those who prefer simplicity. However, a few of its highlighted features do require a learning curve to some degree, particularly for those new to ad blockers.

AdGuard offers a sleek and intuitive interface, along with customizable settings that can be easily adjusted. 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 offers additional support options, including email and a comprehensive FAQ section, which can be beneficial for troubleshooting and obtaining quick answers to common issues. Meanwhile, GitHub can help uBlock Origin users sort out common issues.

FAQs

uBlock Origin vs AdGuard: Which is better?

We chose AdGuard as our winner because it excels in providing 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 makes it a favorite ad blocker. Additionally, AdGuard's lifetime plan offers long-term value, making it an ideal choice for leveraging its robust features.

Category		Our Pick
Value
Features
Test results
Compatibility & customer support
Learn more	Get uBlock Origin Read uBlock Origin Review	Get AdGuard Read AdGuard Review