AdGuard Pro windows program or uBlock Origin firefox addon ?
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Share practical recommendations that address the author's needs.
General Guidance on Combining Blockers in Firefox
Without knowing exactly which second tool is being compared to uBlock Origin, here is some general, safe guidance that applies to most cases in Firefox.
Running Multiple Content Blockers
In most cases, running two full ad-blocking or content-filtering extensions at the same time is not recommended. Common issues include:
- Increased resource usage since both extensions parse and filter the same web requests
- Potential conflicts when both try to modify or block the same page elements
- Redundant filtering that provides no real added protection
uBlock Origin and Firefox’s Built-In Protections
uBlock Origin is widely regarded in the community as one of the most comprehensive and efficient content blockers available, and it is generally not necessary to add another third-party ad blocker alongside it.
However, uBlock Origin works fine together with Firefox’s native features, such as:
- Enhanced Tracking Protection (built into Firefox, found in Settings > Privacy & Security)
- DNS-level protections, if configured separately (for example, through a filtering DNS provider)
These are not extensions competing for the same job, so there is no conflict running them alongside uBlock Origin.
Recommendation
For most users, uBlock Origin alone (properly configured with default or trusted filter lists) combined with Firefox’s built-in Enhanced Tracking Protection is sufficient. Adding a second dedicated ad-blocking extension is typically unnecessary and may cause more problems than benefits.
If a specific second tool was mentioned earlier in the thread, clarifying its exact name would help confirm whether it overlaps functionally with uBlock Origin.
I'd advise you against Adguard Windows. First, it does not play well with other security products (Eset, Avast, AvG, Norton and Bit defender). Second it has https filtering which breaks the security of your connections.
You can use unlock and use NextDNS or Adguard DNS DNS over Https in your browser settings
You can use unlock and use NextDNS or Adguard DNS DNS over Https in your browser settings
My vote goes for uBlock Origin.
While AdGuard for Windows does offer system-level filtering, it can't do any cosmetic filtering in programs, just block access to advertising networks domains. Exactly like how DNS works. For same reason, AdGuard extension is required in web browsers too.
If you use AdGuard/Control D DNS or any other ad blocking DNS in Windows you essentially get what AdGuard for Windows does for free. And uBlock Origin is more advanced tool that gives you way more control than what AdGuard can.
Regarding HTTPS filtering, pretty much all antivirus software has it too. Except I trust AdGuard with their HTTPS filtering more. They are the only company that is transparent what it does, how it works and mentioned all side-effects. None of the antivirus companies did that and except say "it makes you better protected".
While AdGuard for Windows does offer system-level filtering, it can't do any cosmetic filtering in programs, just block access to advertising networks domains. Exactly like how DNS works. For same reason, AdGuard extension is required in web browsers too.
If you use AdGuard/Control D DNS or any other ad blocking DNS in Windows you essentially get what AdGuard for Windows does for free. And uBlock Origin is more advanced tool that gives you way more control than what AdGuard can.
That's because AdGuard integrates in the system deeply, just like antivirus software does.
Regarding HTTPS filtering, pretty much all antivirus software has it too. Except I trust AdGuard with their HTTPS filtering more. They are the only company that is transparent what it does, how it works and mentioned all side-effects. None of the antivirus companies did that and except say "it makes you better protected".
Not all antivirus software use https scanning. Webroot, Trend Micro, MD, Emsisoft and McAfee do not use https scanning. Calling breaking the security and encryption of your connections a side effect is an understatement.
Adguard itself talked about the "cons" Of https scanning.
For those interested. This is a study conducted in 2017 about the security implications of Https interception.
If one decides to disable https filtering in Adguard Desktop, that would render using Adguard Desktop useless in the first place because most websites now use https.
In AG for Windows you can exclude individual apps from https filtering. On sites is https filtering a normal procedure for ad- and tracker blockers, regardless if the blockers are browserextensions or desktop apps. The difference between both is that extensions benefit from the decryption by the browser. It's the only way to control unwanted elements of a site. And of course AG for Windows can handle cosmetic filtering. Not only by filterlists, but also manual by the AG Assistent, a browserextension that's part of AG for Windows. Nevertheless, uBO is also an excellent choice, but is limited to the browser where it is installed.
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Using Adguard DNS systemwide is better in terms of security and performance. One can also use Adguard DNS CLI.
On DNS level isn't granular control possible. A site is granted or blocked. No cosmetic filtering. So it's not the best solution for adblocking. It's o.k. for blocking tracking - and malicious sites. It can be a useful addition. I use NextDNS.
For cosmetic filtering I rely on the browser built-in Adblocker such as the one included in Vivaldi. Other browsers such as Waterfox and Helium ship with UBlock Origon
Can uBlock Origin control cookies too or depends ?
uBlock Origin can reject cookies and hide notices, but complete control over cookies you have in your web browser.
For instance, Firefox has Total Cookie Protection feature that separates cookies per page, so they can't track you across the web. Each website only gets access to cookies coming from their domain, and nothing else. Firefox also has ability to completely block 3rd party cookies as well as clean them on browser exit. Pretty much what AdGuard does. I'm not sure if that's the case with other browsers though.
In a Firefox-only setup, I think uBlock Origin together with Firefox's built-in protections (Enhanced Tracking Protection and Total Cookie Protection) already meets most users' needs for ad blocking and privacy.
uBlock Origin can also use several AdGuard filter lists (Base, Tracking Protection, Social Media, etc.), so you can benefit from many of the same filtering rules without running another blocker alongside it.
If you want an extra layer beyond the browser, I'd rather use a filtering DNS such as NextDNS or AdGuard DNS. It adds system-wide domain blocking without interfering with the browser or antivirus, although it doesn't provide cosmetic filtering.
For most Firefox users, uBlock Origin plus Firefox's native protections are already a very complete setup.
uBlock Origin can also use several AdGuard filter lists (Base, Tracking Protection, Social Media, etc.), so you can benefit from many of the same filtering rules without running another blocker alongside it.
If you want an extra layer beyond the browser, I'd rather use a filtering DNS such as NextDNS or AdGuard DNS. It adds system-wide domain blocking without interfering with the browser or antivirus, although it doesn't provide cosmetic filtering.
For most Firefox users, uBlock Origin plus Firefox's native protections are already a very complete setup.
As you said, it's experimental. I had it enabled in V7 Stable and recently in V8 RC (with a better but not perfect interface). I can't feel any difference in browsing or otherwise. AG for Windows simply does what it has to do. I don't know about tests, but I haven't looked for it.
I've used it for years on five computers, four phones, and two tablets without any problems. The only issue I had turned out to be a bad interaction between AdGuard and ESET, which prevented a website I need for work from verifying my digital certificate.
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Yes. That stopped blocking the acces to Windows certificate repository from the website.
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