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AdGuard alternatives: 6 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave AdGuard: full apps are paid, and full Android app is installed outside Google Play. We ranked 6 alternatives by how directly each one replaces AdGuard, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. uBlock Origin currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1uBlock Origin logouBlock OriginOpen sourceYesBrowser extension, Android5 of 566.5
2AdGuard Home logoAdGuard HomeOpen sourceYesSelf-hosted, Linux, Windows +13 of 362.6
3NextDNS logoNextDNSFree plan + paidNoWeb, Windows, macOS +34 of 459.6
4AdLock logoAdLockPaidNoWindows, macOS, Android +13 of 357.2
51Blocker logo1BlockerFree plan + paidNoiOS, macOS4 of 455.3
6Blokada logoBlokadaFree plan + paidYesAndroid, iOS4 of 453.6
  1. uBlock Origin logo

    1. uBlock OriginTop pick

    Best for: Firefox users who want the most capable, lightweight browser blocker available

    Open sourceBrowser extension, Android

    66.5

    score / 100

    Why switch from AdGuard

    Free and open source, if you only need blocking in the browser.

    Pros

    • Very efficient on CPU and memory
    • Deep controls: custom filters, element picker, dynamic filtering
    • No acceptable-ads programme, no donations sought

    Cons

    • Removed from the Chrome Web Store; Chromium support is ending
    • Advanced mode is easy to misconfigure
    • Browser-only, so it can't block ads inside apps
    Visit uBlock Origin Compare with AdGuardDetails and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.3100
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is uBlock Origin a good AdGuard alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    License
    GPLv3
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Donations
    None sought
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Chrome Web Store
    Removed 31 August 2026
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Best browser
    Firefox
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Default lists
    EasyList, EasyPrivacy and uBO lists
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
  2. AdGuard Home logo

    2. AdGuard Home

    Best for: Home-lab users who want network-wide blocking with a polished dashboard

    Open sourceSelf-hostableSelf-hosted, Linux, Windows, macOS

    62.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from AdGuard

    AdGuard's free, open-source network-wide blocker you host yourself.

    Pros

    • Covers every device on the network, including smart TVs
    • Encrypted DNS support built in
    • Single binary or Docker image, easy to set up

    Cons

    • Can't block ads served from the same domain as content
    • Needs an always-on device on your network
    • Protection stops when devices leave home unless you expose it
    Visit AdGuard Home Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.387
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is AdGuard Home a good AdGuard alternative?

    Verified facts

    3 of 3 verified
    Open source
    Yes, free
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Docker
    Official image
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Method
    DNS sinkholing
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
  3. NextDNS logo

    3. NextDNS

    Best for: People who want Pi-hole-style blocking on all devices without running a server

    Free plan + paidWeb, Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS

    59.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from AdGuard

    Cloud DNS filtering for all devices without installing a filtering app.

    Pros

    • Works everywhere, including on mobile data
    • All features available on the free plan
    • Very cheap paid plan with unlimited queries

    Cons

    • Free plan stops blocking after 300,000 queries a month
    • DNS queries are handled by a third party
    • Can't remove ads served from the same domain as content
    Visit NextDNS Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.377
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is NextDNS a good AdGuard alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Free plan
    300,000 queries/month
    Checked Oct 25, 2026nextdns.io(opens source in a new tab)
    Over quota
    Resolves without blocking
    Checked Oct 25, 2026nextdns.io(opens source in a new tab)
    Paid plan
    Unlimited queries
    Checked Oct 25, 2026nextdns.io(opens source in a new tab)
    Payment methods
    Cards, PayPal, crypto
    Checked Oct 25, 2026nextdns.io(opens source in a new tab)
  4. AdLock logo

    4. AdLock

    Best for: Households wanting a paid blocker for Windows, Mac, Android and iOS under one licence

    PaidWindows, macOS, Android, iOS

    57.2

    score / 100

    Why switch from AdGuard

    Similar paid system-wide blocker for Windows, Mac, Android and iOS.

    Pros

    • Blocks ads in apps and games, not just browsers
    • One licence covers five devices
    • No acceptable-ads allowlisting

    Cons

    • Closed source and paid only
    • Fewer advanced options than AdGuard
    • HTTPS filtering requires trusting the vendor
    Visit AdLock Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.369
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is AdLock a good AdGuard alternative?

    Verified facts

    3 of 3 verified
    Devices per licence
    5
    Checked Oct 25, 2026adlock.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    Windows, macOS, iOS, Android
    Checked Oct 25, 2026adlock.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Acceptable ads
    Not supported
    Checked Oct 25, 2026adlock.com(opens source in a new tab)
  5. 1Blocker logo

    5. 1Blocker

    Best for: iPhone, iPad and Mac users who mostly browse in Safari

    Free plan + paidiOS, macOS

    55.3

    score / 100

    Why switch from AdGuard

    Native Safari blocker for iPhone, iPad and Mac users.

    Pros

    • Native Safari blocking with no browsing slowdown
    • Filtering happens locally on the device
    • One purchase covers iPhone, iPad and Mac

    Cons

    • Safari only; limited by Apple's content-blocker rules
    • Best features need a paid upgrade
    • Weaker against YouTube ads than script-based blockers
    Visit 1Blocker Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.363
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is 1Blocker a good AdGuard alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Platforms
    iPhone, iPad, Mac, Vision Pro
    Checked Oct 25, 20261blocker.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Built-in rules
    100,000+ ad rules
    Checked Oct 25, 20261blocker.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Processing
    Local, on device
    Checked Oct 25, 20261blocker.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Family Sharing
    Supported
    Checked Oct 25, 20261blocker.com(opens source in a new tab)
  6. Blokada logo

    6. Blokada

    Best for: Android users who want free system-wide blocking without root

    Free plan + paidOpen sourceAndroid, iOS

    53.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from AdGuard

    Free open-source system-wide blocker for Android.

    Pros

    • Free, open-source system-wide blocking on Android
    • No root or jailbreak needed
    • Optional WireGuard VPN and parental-control apps

    Cons

    • Free version is Android only
    • Cloud, VPN and family features are paid
    • Multiple app editions can be confusing
    Visit Blokada Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.357
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Blokada a good AdGuard alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Free version
    Blokada 5, free and open source
    Checked Oct 25, 2026blokada.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Root required
    No
    Checked Oct 25, 2026blokada.org(opens source in a new tab)
    VPN devices
    Up to 5 (Blokada Plus)
    Checked Oct 25, 2026blokada.org(opens source in a new tab)
    VPN protocol
    WireGuard
    Checked Oct 25, 2026blokada.org(opens source in a new tab)

The best AdGuard alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

uBlock Origin logo

Best AdGuard alternative for most people

uBlock Origin

Free and open source, if you only need blocking in the browser.

AdGuard Home logo

Best AdGuard alternative for a free option

AdGuard Home

AdGuard's free, open-source network-wide blocker you host yourself.

NextDNS logo

Best AdGuard alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

NextDNS

Cloud DNS filtering for all devices without installing a filtering app.

Blokada logo

Best AdGuard alternative for open source

Blokada

Free open-source system-wide blocker for Android.

AdGuard Home logo

Best AdGuard alternative for self-hosting

AdGuard Home

AdGuard's free, open-source network-wide blocker you host yourself.

AdLock logo

Best AdGuard alternative for Mac

AdLock

Similar paid system-wide blocker for Windows, Mac, Android and iOS.

AdGuard Home logo

Best AdGuard alternative for Windows

AdGuard Home

AdGuard's free, open-source network-wide blocker you host yourself.

AdGuard Home logo

Best AdGuard alternative for Linux

AdGuard Home

AdGuard's free, open-source network-wide blocker you host yourself.

NextDNS logo

Best AdGuard alternative for iPhone and Android

NextDNS

Cloud DNS filtering for all devices without installing a filtering app.

NextDNS logo

Best AdGuard alternative for working in the browser

NextDNS

Cloud DNS filtering for all devices without installing a filtering app.

AdGuard alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to AdGuard?

uBlock Origin ranks first right now. Free and open source, if you only need blocking in the browser. AdGuard Home and NextDNS follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to AdGuard?

Yes. uBlock Origin (open source), AdGuard Home (open source), NextDNS (free plan + paid) and 1Blocker (free plan + paid) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to AdGuard?

Yes: uBlock Origin, AdGuard Home and Blokada. AdGuard Home can also be self-hosted.

Which AdGuard alternatives work on Linux?

AdGuard Home and NextDNS run on Linux.

Why do people switch from AdGuard?

The complaints we hear most: full apps are paid; full Android app is installed outside Google Play; local HTTPS filtering requires trusting a root certificate.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces AdGuard, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.