AdGuard AdBlocker icon

AdGuard AdBlocker

A free, open-source ad and tracker blocker, fully on Manifest V3, with phishing-site checks.

Reviewed by Xplorekit's independent developer · Last checked · How we choose

Add to Chrome Free · Open source · Chrome Web Store

Why it's a strong pick

AdGuard AdBlocker is free and open source, and it adds phishing and malware-site checks to ad and tracker blocking. It has been fully MV3 since version 5.0.91 (September 2024). The trade-off is that on MV3 its filters only update when a new version ships, and some older features are missing.

What it does

AdGuard describes it as a fast, lightweight extension that blocks all types of ads and trackers on all web pages. That is the developer's claim, not ours. It also has a rules editor for your own filter rules.

Key features

  • Ads and trackers. One extension for both.
  • Phishing and malware checks. AdGuard's privacy notice says the check uses Safe Browsing with hash prefixes.
  • Rules editor. Version 5.5 (August 2026) added a new Rules Editor and $urltransform support.
  • Open source. The code is public on GitHub.
  • Custom filter updates. Version 5.4 (May 2026) let custom filters update on their own on MV3.

Who it's for

AdGuard AdBlocker suits people who want phishing-site checks inside the blocker and like an open-source codebase. It also fits people happy with MV3 limits. For the original uBlock Origin lists, see uBlock Origin Lite, and read our side-by-side comparison.

Is AdGuard AdBlocker free, and do I need an account?

The extension is free. AdGuard's own article says you can install it from the Chrome Web Store without account setup. AdGuard also sells paid apps for Windows, Mac, iOS and Android; those are separate products with their own prices, so check its site.

Does AdGuard AdBlocker collect data?

AdGuard's privacy notice says it asks for consent to send technical and interaction data at first launch, and that this is off by default. It says "Send statistics for ad filters usage" is also off by default, and that it does not share or sell personal information. Read the notice before installing.

What permissions does AdGuard AdBlocker ask for?

AdGuard's README lists webRequest, cookies, storage and unlimitedStorage, and on Manifest V3 adds declarativeNetRequest and declarativeNetRequestFeedback. That is not the full Chrome list, which includes site access. Check the install prompt for the complete, current list before you install, and compare it with what you expect.

How is it different from uBlock Origin Lite?

Both run on Manifest V3 and both are open source. AdGuard adds phishing-site checks and a rules editor. uBlock Origin Lite ships uBlock Origin's lists with three filtering modes. Our comparison page covers the differences in a table, so you can choose by what you need.

FAQ

Is it Manifest V3? Yes, fully, since version 5.0.91.

Can filters update remotely? AdGuard's README says no on MV3: "we cannot update our filters remotely".

Is it the same as the AdGuard apps? No. Those are separate paid products.

Good to know

On MV3, filters ship inside each extension version, so they are only as fresh as the latest release. The changelog also marks some stealth-mode cookie options as MV2-only. If you rely on a feature, check the settings after you install.

Other ad blockers to compare

AdGuard AdBlocker is one of 5 picks in our Ad Blockers guide:

Compare: uBlock Origin Lite vs AdGuard AdBlocker

See alternatives: Adblock Plus alternatives lists AdGuard as a pick. No AdGuard safety page exists yet.

This is a third-party extension, not built or maintained by Xplorekit. We link to the official Chrome Web Store listing. Install and permissions are between you and the extension's own publisher.