uBlock Origin Lite vs AdGuard AdBlocker
Pick uBlock Origin Lite if you want open-source code and the default lists uBlock Origin made popular. Pick AdGuard AdBlocker if you want phishing-site checks and a rules editor. Both are free extensions, both are open source and both are built for Chrome's Manifest V3. For most people, uBlock Origin Lite is our pick.
uBlock Origin Lite vs AdGuard at a glance
| Feature | uBlock Origin Lite | AdGuard AdBlocker |
|---|---|---|
| Main job | Blocks ads and trackers, using uBlock Origin’s default lists | Blocks ads and trackers, with phishing-site checks |
| Maintained by | Raymond Hill, the author of uBlock Origin | AdGuard |
| Open source | Yes, GPL v3, on GitHub (uBlockOrigin/uBOL-home) | Yes, the code is public on GitHub |
| Filter lists | uBlock Origin's default lists; they update only when the extension updates | On MV3, filters ship inside each extension version |
| Manifest V3 | Yes, a separate MV3 extension by uBlock Origin's developer | Yes, fully MV3 since version 5.0.91 (September 2024) |
| How it blocks | Declarative rules via declarativeNetRequest, no persistent background process | Not stated |
| Phishing-site checks | Not stated | Yes, using Safe Browsing with hash prefixes, per its privacy notice |
| Account needed | No account; the project has no home server | No account setup needed, per AdGuard |
| Price | Free | Free extension |
| Best for | Open-source filtering with no account | Ad and tracker blocking with phishing checks |
Which is better, uBlock Origin Lite or AdGuard?
For most people, uBlock Origin Lite. It is open source, made by Raymond Hill, the author of uBlock Origin, and uses uBlock Origin's default lists. The trade-off is that Manifest V3 limits what it can do, and the developer says so. AdGuard AdBlocker is a strong second if you want phishing-site checks and a rules editor.
On features they differ: AdGuard adds phishing-site checks and a rules editor, and uBlock Origin Lite offers three filtering modes.
Is uBlock Origin Lite the same as uBlock Origin?
No. The original uBlock Origin was removed from the Chrome Web Store on 31 August 2026, according to its own README. uBlock Origin Lite is a separate, lighter Manifest V3 extension by the same developer, not an automatic replacement. It uses the same default filter lists but applies them through Chrome's declarative content-blocking API.
Does AdGuard AdBlocker work with Manifest V3?
Yes. AdGuard AdBlocker has been fully MV3 since version 5.0.91 (September 2024). Manifest V3 is Chrome's current extension platform. On MV3, AdGuard's filters only update when a new version ships, and the changelog marks some older features as MV2-only. It is a free extension, and AdGuard's own paid apps are separate products.
Is AdGuard AdBlocker open source?
Yes. AdGuard says its extension is free and open source, and its code is public on GitHub. uBlock Origin Lite is also open source, under GPL v3, in the uBlockOrigin/uBOL-home repository. Public code does not separate the two, so choose on features such as phishing checks, filtering modes and the rules editor.
Which one protects against malware?
Only AdGuard AdBlocker describes a phishing-site check. Its privacy notice says the check uses Safe Browsing with hash prefixes. We did not find a similar check described for uBlock Origin Lite, so compare them with that in mind. Neither replaces keeping Chrome updated and installing fewer, well-checked extensions.
Good to know
Pick one ad blocker, not both. Our pages don't cover running the two side by side, and each extension you add is one more thing with access to your browser. If you want a commercial blocker with an optional Premium instead, AdBlock and Adblock Plus are also on our list. Both have Acceptable Ads on by default, so turn it off if you want more blocked.
Read more
Both are third-party extensions, not built by Xplorekit. We link to the official Chrome Web Store listings. We don't show ratings or user counts because we can't verify them.