AdGuard is an advanced internet filter that removes ads and trackers. It also blocks phishing, malware, and web analytics. Overall, it offers good protection against malicious parts of the internet.
It is my recommended ad blocker because it has a very fine-tuned filter. It operates as a standalone application and works silently in the background.
AdGuard works on every browser and application which communicates over the internet, including browsers like Brave and Vivaldi.
Thus, AdGuard is similar to the free Pi-Hole server, but it is easier to install, and it doesn’t require a separate machine for self-hosting. AdGuard is also more useful than modifying a host file. Unlike a host file, it can block “www.newspaper.com/trackers.js” without also blocking “newspaper.com”. Moreover, some programs will bypass host files altogether.
AdGuard also includes a browser extension that let you easily filter web page elements and add blocking exceptions.
AdGuard is made by AdGuard Software Limited — a company founded in 2009 and headquartered in Cyprus.
This is their statement on information collection:
Our general principle is to collect only the information that is necessary to provide you with full functionality of our products and for licensing. And we never share any of your data with third-parties. For the full privacy policy, visit the dedicated page.
In 2017 AdGuard became an organizational member of The Electronic Frontier Foundation — the leading nonprofit organization defending civil liberties in the digital world.
Link: AdGuard
