Comprehensive ad blocking in browsers, apps, and at the DNS level Robust privacy tools against trackers and data collectors Built-in security against phishing, malware, and malicious sites Parental controls for safe family browsing Cross-platform support with affordable lifetime licenses
Cons
Requires manual tweaks for maximum effectiveness Occasional false positives block legitimate content
AdGuard
Price: €
AdGuard is one of the most popular ad-blocking Windows applications out there. It comes in incredibly handy to eliminate intrusive ads, protect against online trackers, and guard against malware and phishing. Adding to the mix, it also offers parental controls for safer family browsing.
It truly brings a seamless, secure web experience right to your desktop. With over 160 million users worldwide and support for system-wide filtering in browsers and apps, it has a user-friendly interface with customizable modules to customize and provide protection levels for everyday use or advanced tweaks.
Powerful ad blocking and filtering
There are many ad blockers out there, some for browsers while others for operating systems. But the truth is, not many of them are powerful or actually useful. AdGuard, unlike the mentioned ones, is a powerful ad blocker. The main feature is the filtering engine. It is what allows it to stand out from the crowd, because that’s where all the data, all the rules, and all the blocklists are.
Whether you are browsing social media, streaming videos, or using apps, whether you want to filter by ad types like pop-ups, banners, or YouTube pre-rolls, or apply custom rules for trackers and annoyances, AdGuard will help you find the perfect ad-free setup for you.
Flexible privacy and security management
AdGuard allows users to create and manage protection profiles. The options within the profiles include modifying filter lists, adding allowlists, or disabling any modules you want. Disabling is often straightforward if you need a temporary exception.
AdGuard does DNS-level blocking and stealth mode to hide your data from analytics, streamlining privacy within the app itself. Despite this, there have been instances where it has come under scrutiny for its compatibility and Russian association.
Integrated security and community filters
The competitor’s edge is what makes AdGuard so good, which is the ecosystem. The number of built-in tools available within the app, the filters, the extensions, and everything else, is basically where it shines. Now that wouldn’t be complete without user rules, which are incredibly helpful before diving into customization.
Premium perks and family protection
AdGuard has a free version, but it also has a paid version, which unlocks advanced features, perks, and multi-device support. Once you purchase a plan, you gain full access to parental controls, VPN integration, and unlimited filters. The more you use the app to browse, the more protections you activate, and hence, more security and benefits.
Worth using?
AdGuard is an incredibly powerful application for people who are looking for ad blockers and to protect their privacy. It offers a massive selection of blocking tools all in one place.
Reviewed by Hamza Sadiq (editor rating 4 out of 5 stars)
on
Additional info
Minimum requirements
• Windows 11,10,8.1,8 • 1 GB RAM • Any of the major browsers