AdLock vs AdGuard vs uBlock Origin in 2026

Given how pervasive and annoying ads are, ad blockers have become a necessity these days. It is difficult to live without ad blockers, no matter which device you use. As it happens, AdLock, AdGuard, and uBlock are three names you’d typically see recommended as reliable ad blockers.

However, choosing an ad blocker that meets the various blocking/protection needs can be confusing. On the bright side, a detailed comparison of these three popular options can clarify things. We wanted to do this as hands-on as possible.

AdLock, AdGuard & uBlock Overview

AdLock is a system-wide ad blocker available for Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Android TV, and browsers like Chrome, Safari, and Firefox. It is designed to detect and block ads, banners, pop-ups, and other intrusive content. The ad-blocker utility also claims to protect your devices and browsing from threats like malware. You can choose between free and paid options from AdLock.

AdGuard is another ad blocker utility that works across your devices. It claims to block all kinds of ads on the Internet and protect your privacy and security. AdGuard also says it can improve page load speed and help you avoid tracking scripts. It is available for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and Android TV, as well as browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera, and Safari.

uBlock Origin (and uBlock Origin Lite) is a free, open-source browser extension designed for ad blocking and content filtering. It is available for Google Chrome, Safari, Opera, Firefox, and many Chromium-based web browsers. Though there have been a few limitations in the past, thousands rely on uBlock Origin and uBlock Origin Lite for a less disruptive web experience.

Our Testing Methodology

We spent the last two weeks testing AdLock, AdGuard, and uBlock on our M2 MacBook Air running the latest version of macOS Tahoe.

We followed strict yet hands-on evaluation criteria to see which among the three options offered the best ad-blocking experience. Here are a few things we valued:

• Ad-blocking effectiveness
• Performance and resource usage
• Privacy and data handling
• Platform and device support
• Cost and licensing

Now that you know what is being evaluated and why, shall we move towards testing and analysis?

Feature-by-Feature Comparison

First, we shall compare how AdLock, AdGuard, and uBlock perform in ad blocking and other features.

Ad and Tracker Blocking Effectiveness

AdLock is a system-wide ad and tracker-blocking solution that works really well. We tested its performance on various browsers, and the results were impressive. AdLock successfully blocked ads and trackers across all the browsers we tested, but it could do a better job of hiding ad containers. AdLock was quite effective at removing YouTube video ads as well. Note that you have to add lesser-known browsers to the list yourself, whereas popular ones like Chrome and Firefox are automatically filtered for ads. AdLock also makes it easy to manage multiple block/allow lists.

AdGuard also does an effective job blocking ads across web browsers. We tested on a similar set of browsing apps, and the ad blocker removed pop-up ads and other intrusive elements. However, like AdLock, AdGuard should also be able to rearrange or hide the ad placeholder. We also faced minor issues with video ads on YouTube. Though AdGuard sometimes blocked YouTube ads, there were times when the ad-blocker didn’t work. We also appreciate the multiple ad-blocking options that AdGuard ships with. In the end, we’d say the AdGuard experience is decent enough.

We felt that uBlock Origin and uBlock Origin Lite do the best job of blocking ads. It’s one thing to install the uBlock extension individually in different browsers. However, we tested the extensions in Arc, Chrome, Safari, and Firefox, and the experience was near-perfect across all of them. In addition to avoiding ads in the first place, uBlock Origin intelligently hides placeholders, so the website looks pretty organized in the end. This extension lets us remove certain elements from a page, create a custom filter, or choose a different filtering level for specific websites, which is handy.

We believe uBlock Origin and uBlock Origin Lite are the definite winners in this department.

Customization and Filter Control

AdLock doesn’t offer much control over ad or tracker blocking. Sure, you can change the way traffic from an app is handled, but you don’t get list-level controls. It would have been nice to see options such as dynamic filtering, custom rules/syntax, and priority control. This is not to say that AdLock underperforms. Instead, it doesn’t give you much room to customize this blocking operation.

AdGuard takes a middle ground when it comes to customization options. You have access to a wide variety of filtering lists, and you can add custom rules as you wish. Given how simple the syntax is, you can set up a system with minimal effort. Though you get options for per-site overrides and importing options, you still do not get options like dynamic filtering. You may read our full AdGuard review here.

We found the uBlock Origin experience to be pretty impressive in terms of customization and filter control. We have complete control over the process, and there are options like easy lists and regional lists. Because you can set up network filtering rules, you can be more precise when it comes to deciding what is allowed and what is not.

In short, uBlock Origin offers the best options when you want maximum control; AdGuard takes a deserved second spot.

Ease of Use

AdLock is probably the easiest-to-use option in this list. You don’t have to worry about configurations or additional extensions once you install the macOS app. Instead, everything you open using a browser would be protected. In our testing, we found AdLock the easiest to recommend for beginners.

AdGuard also remains easy to use, primarily thanks to the one-time setup. However, we needed more time to ensure that AdGuard works fine. Video ad blocking on YouTube required some additional steps, too. From a setup perspective, however, AdGuard seems alright.

uBlock Origin and uBlock Origin Lite would get the last spot on this list for some reasons. One: You need to install the respective extensions in all browsers individually. Moreover, configuring the appropriate blocking level for specific websites can take some time.

AdLock takes the cake in this aspect.

Security and Privacy Considerations

Here’s how these ad-blocking utilities compare when it comes to protecting your security and privacy.

Anti-Tracking and Anti-Phishing

In terms of anti-tracking protection, uBlock Origin and AdGuard offer advanced features. Conversely, AdLock essentially relies on a basic system. However, if you want phishing protection, you should rely on AdGuard, as it offers built-in protection and commendable fingerprinting protection. On the other hand, the other two options, like AdLock and uBlock Origin, will keep things basic when it comes to fingerprinting protection and behavioral tracking defense.

Malware and Threat Protection

Please note that these tools do not offer dedicated protection from malware. Instead, they are designed to notify you when you visit a potentially harmful website.

While limited, AdLock offers protection against malicious websites via lists. However, the tool cannot protect you from exploits. AdGuard, on the other hand, offers more dedicated options, thanks to a proper engine. We received multiple notifications and blocks while attempting to access ill-reputed websites. Thanks to its integrated approach, AdGuard can also offer protection against combined threats. With uBlock Origin, you don’t get many options, as it relies only on filter lists.

Therefore, if you are looking for integrated protection, you should check out AdGuard.

DNS and Network-Level Filtering

Though AdLock offers DNS filtering and network-level filtering, it uses a partner DNS server. As a result, you don’t get many customization options. We found fewer options with uBlock since it deals with content on a webpage, not network-level settings.

AdGuard, on the other hand, offers greater power in DNS filtering and network-level control. You may also want to use the dedicated AdGuard app for granular control over how things work. In short, if you want a DNS service that blocks ads, you may want to choose AdGuard.

Performance and Stability Testing

AdLock isn’t particularly resource-intensive. We found it lightweight enough for multitasking. So, even if your Mac has limited resources, you won’t have trouble using AdLock in the background. It happens because the filtering system is so simple.

Compared to AdLock, AdGuard has a rather heavy system for filtering because it uses a combination of DNS and local VPN. As a result, AdGuard takes a bit more system resources, but it is not enough to slow down your Mac per se. Yet, multitasking takes a hit, especially if you use custom rules/syntax.

uBlock Origin, once again, dominates here. Even on a RAM-hogging browser like Google Chrome, uBlock Origin is so well-optimized that you don’t have to worry about multitasking. At the same time, you can get sufficient room for customization.

Use-Case–Based Recommendations

Here’s how we recommend based on different use cases.

• Best for Power Users: uBlock Origin
• Best for Beginners: AdLock
• Best for Mobile and Cross-Device Use: AdGuard
• Best for System-Wide Blocking: AdGuard

Pricing and Value Comparison

AdLock is a premium app you can get for as low as $1.05 per month (with 5-year billing). It lets you use the app on up to five devices. The company offers a 30-day money-back guarantee and 24*7 support. You can get AdLock through a Setapp subscription.

The macOS AdGuard app is available only with a paid license, which costs $2.49 per year. You can also choose a lifetime plan for $79.99. AdGuard offers a 60-day money-back guarantee for all purchases, and the Personal and Family plans support 3 and 9 devices, respectively.

uBlock Origin and uBlock Origin Lite are entirely free and open source. You don’t have to worry about licenses or device limits. However, keep in mind that you don’t get to install uBlock on your Mac or expect a system-wide protection layer for ads and trackers.

Pros and Cons Summary

AdLock: Key Pros and Cons

Pros

• Very easy to install and use.
• Affordable subscription and lifetime plans.
• Provides system-wide ad blocking.
• Good basic ad and tracker removal.

Cons

• Limited advanced customization features.
• Less robust malware and phishing protection compared to competitors.

AdGuard: Key Pros and Cons

Pros

• Comprehensive protection including ads, trackers, and phishing.
• System-wide blocking beyond just browsers.
• User-friendly interface with solid customization options.
• Supports DNS and encrypted network filtering.

Cons

• Full functionality requires a paid license.
• Uses more system resources than lighter blockers.

uBlock Origin: Key Pros and Cons

Pros

• Free and open source with no paid tiers.
• Very low CPU and memory usage.
• Highly customizable with advanced filtering controls.
• Strong tracker blocking when proper lists are enabled.

Cons

• Advanced features can be confusing for beginners.
• Works only at the browser level (no system-wide protection).

Final Verdict

Here’s what we can recommend after some thorough testing.

• If you want a browser-level ad blocker that works smoothly, uBlock Origin is an easy choice. You don’t have to worry about a license or payment plans. It does an impressive job blocking ads, trackers, pop-ups, etc. It continues to receive regular updates from the developer.
• If you are looking for a simple setup and system-wide ad blocking, however, you may want to consider what AdLock offers. It offers a curated set of features and leaves room for minimal customization. You get to stay away from most types of ads on the web.
• AdGuard seems to be the best option for both professional users and experts. In addition to blocking almost every type of ad, AdGuard protects you from phishing and other attacks as well. You get granular control over filters and everything.

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