It seems like PG only recommends it for iOS. Why not Android, Windows, and MacOS?
I noticed that Adguard on iOS installs a VPN profile, but it doesn’t seem like I’m forced to use it. I can use Proton/Mullvad and Adguard will work with Safari. Is this possible with Android and the other OS, I rather not use Adguard’s pseudo VPN connection. If Adguard on Android, Windows, and Mac can filter ads and annoyances while permitting me to use Mullvad would be ideal.
If you miss commas in key places, it’s hard to fully understand what and how you mean what you wrote. Grammar matters for unambiguous communication and absolute comprehension.
Also, are you referring to AdGuard VPN or DNS here? And what do you mean by Adguard’s pseudonymous VPN connection? If you use its VPN, it’s a proper VPN. If you use their DNS, then it’s encrypted DNS without any VPN like capability.
Proton and Mullvad both have built in ad/tracker blockers. You should also use eg. Brave or Firefox with uBlock Origin.
If you want more advanced blocking while still being able to use Wireguard, you can try the Rethink app.
AdGuard is most useful on iOS as it appears to be the best Safari Content Blocker provider. Although uBO Lite for iOS is in limited beta and may be a nice replacement/alternative in the future.
Proton isn’t very good from experience. Mullvad seems better based on my limited testing so far.
I don’t think unlock Origin is available on iOS.
I’m just trying to understand why PG only recommend Adguard for iOS and not the others.
To state it differently:
AdGuard is only recommended due to its Safari Content Blocker provider.
Proton and Mullvad only do DNS based filtering.
Just because PG doesn’t officially recommend it on other platforms doesn’t mean it’s not worth using or a great product on all platforms. It’s indeed a great tool on all platforms and does what it says it will and works well.
As to why exactly, that’s a good question. Perhaps one from their team can answer that.
So that’s what I’m trying to understand and learn by engaging this community.
Adguard’s branding is very confusing. No, I’m not talking about theirnoaid DNS and VPN services.
Ah, I see. Is Adguard’s content filtering only available for Safari and not the other iOS browsers even though they use WebKit?
Does Adguard have content filtering technology for other OS as well? I’m not interested in using Adguard DNS or VPN.
I do use adgaurd on android as it blocks ads and rubbish in apps.
Of course, there is Firefox and uBlockOrigin for browsing on mobile.
Even I’m surprised it’s not on the android apps option for those that don’t want a vpn, but want to just block ads.
I’m sorry, but I’m confused by what you just said. Are you saying that on Android, we have to use Adguard with VPN on to block the ads? If so, how come Adguard can do this without using its VPN?
AdGuard was recommended for iOS because there was no uBlock Origin/uBlock Origin Lite here. Now, uBOL is in limited beta, so it might be removed from the recommendations once uBOL matures. Otherwise, it will probably make sense to recommend it for other platforms too.
I’ll assume you’re using the AdGuard adblocker, not their VPN. AdGuard adblocker has optional systemwide DNS filtering through a local VPN tunnel (note that none of your data is sent anywhere, unlike a true VPN). This allows limited coarse blocking for system traffic and app traffic.
AdGuard for Android is more limited because Android mobile Chromium doesn’t support adblockers. Some browsers integrate support for extensions that allow it to work, namely Samsung and Yandex browsers, but none of these are particularly private options. You’re probably better off with Brave or maybe Cromite there, although you can use them together with AdGuard’s local DNS filtering too, which is supported on Android.
On desktop browsers, just install AdGuard from the chrome/firefox web stores. For systemwide adblocking on Windows, you can use AdGuard for Windows. It also has a version that supports desktop Safari called AdGuard for Safari (note that this only works with desktop Safari, no iOS/iPadOS. For systemwide adblocking on macOS, you can use AdGuard for Mac.
It’s really confusing imo.
Is there a way to install AdGuard on iOS and not install that VPN profile? I know I have to enable that VPN in order to do DNS filtering. I don’t use it so I’d rather not have to install it if I don’t have to.
I’ve been playing with Cromite and it seems like its adblocking is worse than Brave. I also don’t see a lot of content filtering support unlike Brave or Firefox and its extensions.
I’m not sure why you mentioned Safari on Windows as it doesn’t exist.
Thanks for the help.
This is the default. You can only install VPN profiles if you have premium and have decided to enable DNS filtering.
AdGuard for Safari is on macOS. “It” in “It also has a version that supports desktop Safari called AdGuard for Safari” refers to AdGuard, not Windows.
I don’t know what you mean by premium. I paid for the app, but I have no intention of using the VPN profile. I installed it anyway.
The standard adblocking in AdGuard is free. For advanced adblocking, necessary to block ads on youtube.com and facebook.com, and for the systemwide adblocking we’ve been talking about, you’ll need to buy their premium. I assume you bought AdGuard Pro from the iOS app store, in which case you already have the premium.
Rethink does a great job that is somewhat overlooked and/or under praised.
Yes, adgaurd creates a local-only VPN to block ads. It doesn’t connect a VPN. It creates a local VPN to force Internet traffic through the filters.
I do believe there is a proxy option but from experience in the past, it was quite a pain to set up and not every app would use it, and thus still serve adverts.
I tried their DNS and VPN services and refunded after a short time. I will not recommend them to anyone. The DNS service that they are offering is not something that can be compared to Control D or NextDNS. Your DNS queries will do a world tour. They will go through Cloudflare and Google DNS servers instead of their own DNS servers.
VPN product? Kill switch is not working. When you lock your Windows, their VPN app just disconnects itself but it is not killing any of the active connections. If you are downloading something and you trust your VPN for your privacy, don’t do that for Adguard.
Paid subscriber to AdGuard DNS service for over 2 years now, on iOS exclusively. I have nothing but great things to say about it.
The way I set it up is it’s basically the exact same setup I have on uBlock Origin in Firefox on my desktop, but now on my iPhone.
It’s great. Highly customizable, all the controls I use and love in uBlock, DNS connection works great, it has an option to restart connection when you switch between wifi and phone data, etc.
Definitely worth a few bucks a year as a subscription.
When you install the app, it automatically installs Safari blockers, DNS and VPN. The latter two can only be turned on if you pay for the appropriate subscription. I use the DNS but never tried their VPN. I much prefer Mullvad