Quick take
Already sold on AdGuard?
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Short answer: AdGuard comes in two forms. The free browser extension blocks ads and trackers in your browser like other extensions. The paid AdGuard apps for Windows, macOS, Android and iOS filter ads and trackers system-wide — in other apps as well as browsers — and include cosmetic filtering that hides leftover blank spaces. Licenses cost roughly $30 a year for three devices or about $66 a year for nine, with lifetime options. It's a strong choice if you want app-level blocking rather than DNS-only filtering.
Free vs. paid
| Free extension | Paid AdGuard apps |
|---|---|---|
Where it blocks | Supported browsers | All apps and browsers on the device |
Cosmetic filtering | Yes, in browser | Yes, system-wide where possible |
HTTPS filtering | No | Yes (optional, uses a local certificate) |
Extra features | Basic | Stealth Mode privacy options, parental controls, browsing security, per-app rules |
Price | Free | Personal (3 devices) ~$29.88/year; Family (9 devices) ~$65.88/year; lifetime licenses available |
Prices vary by promotion and region; check AdGuard's site.
How AdGuard's system-wide filtering works
The desktop and Android apps route traffic through a local filter on your device. With HTTPS filtering enabled, AdGuard installs a local certificate so it can inspect and filter encrypted traffic — which is how it removes ads inside apps and hides page elements DNS-based tools can't touch. It excludes sensitive categories (banking, healthcare) by default. Understand this trade-off before enabling it: you're trusting the AdGuard app with decrypted traffic on your own device.
On iOS, Apple's restrictions limit AdGuard to Safari content blocking plus DNS-level protection.
AdGuard DNS
AdGuard also offers AdGuard DNS, a DNS filtering service comparable to NextDNS, with public servers and paid personal plans with a dashboard. It's a separate product from the apps.
AdGuard vs. alternatives
- NextDNS: cheaper, covers every device including smart TVs, but can't do cosmetic or same-domain ad blocking.
- uBlock Origin: free and excellent in Firefox, browser-only.
- Brave: built-in browser blocking.
Our take: many people combine DNS filtering at home (NextDNS) with a browser blocker. AdGuard's paid apps make sense if you want ads removed inside apps on Windows, macOS or Android.
Weak spots
- HTTPS filtering requires trusting a local certificate.
- iOS is limited by Apple's platform rules.
- Licensing — some users report confusion over renewals and lifetime licenses; keep your purchase records.
Verdict
AdGuard's paid apps are among the most thorough ad and tracker blockers available, reaching places browser extensions and DNS filters can't. The free extension is a solid alternative to other browser blockers.
Frequently asked questions
Is AdGuard free?
The browser extension is free. System-wide blocking in the desktop and mobile apps requires a paid license.
Is AdGuard safe?
Yes, it's a long-established company. If you enable HTTPS filtering, understand that AdGuard inspects encrypted traffic locally on your device.
Does AdGuard block YouTube ads?
The browser extension and HTTPS filtering can block many YouTube ads; DNS-only filtering generally can't.
Sources
- AdBlock Tester, AdGuard free vs. premium in 2026 (license pricing and features)
- AdGuard, HTTPS filtering explained
The bottom line
