Head to head
NovaBlock vs AdGuard: An Honest 2026 Comparison
A powerful commercial suite spanning extensions, desktop apps and DNS. The extension is free; the standalone apps are paid.
All core protection is free, forever. Premium never gates your protection.
Key differences
- •AdGuard's flagship product is the paid desktop/mobile app, not the extension.
- •The extension is free but is not the main experience the company optimizes for.
- •NovaBlock is browser-first: MV3-native, no separate app to install.
- •Both handle cookie banners and YouTube ads reliably.
NovaBlock vs AdGuard — feature comparison
| Feature | NovaBlock | AdGuard |
|---|---|---|
| Blocks ads, trackers, pop-ups | Yes | Yes |
| Cookie banner removal | Yes, built-in | Yes |
| YouTube ad blocking | Yes, dedicated module | Yes |
| Manifest V3 native | Yes | Yes |
| Anti-fingerprinting | Yes (Privacy Shield) | Partial |
| Free core | Free forever | Extension free; app paid |
| Premium tier | €4 / month, 7-day trial | €2.49–€5.99/mo (app) |
| Telemetry | None | Varies — check policy |
Our honest verdict
AdGuard's desktop apps are excellent if you want system-wide filtering across every browser. If you just want a great browser blocker, NovaBlock is lighter and free forever without app upsells.
FAQ
Do I need the AdGuard desktop app?+
Only if you want to filter traffic outside your browser. For browser-only blocking, the extension — or NovaBlock — is enough.
Is AdGuard's free extension as good as the paid app?+
It covers most ad and tracker blocking. The paid app adds DNS filtering, stealth mode and coverage of non-browser apps.
Switch to NovaBlock in 30 seconds
Free forever core protection. Install with one click — no account, no config.