Battle Ublock Origin vs Adguard Chrome extension

HarborFront

Level 71
Verified
Top Poster
Content Creator
Oct 9, 2016
6,014
Why Adguard Adblocker (extension) is better than uBlock Origin: Most user friendly choice.

Best for:
  • New users, busy people
  • Ease of use
  • Users who don't want to deal with broken websites
  • Balanced settings with changeable options (ie. toggle for search ads)

Yes, uBlock Origin may be more capable, but it's not the most user friendly for all the types of users.

It's true. On android I tested uBO vs Adguard Adblocker extensions on Mull and Kiwi browsers

uBO, being the more flexible one, is very difficult to set for different sites with some broken images/videos. Adguard Adblocker is just set and forget with all the images/videos on the sites appearing. No headache when comes to the use of it.

One thing I cannot get it. How to block CSP reports in FF for android (and FF-fork Mull browser as well) without the use of uBO extension?
 
Last edited:
F

ForgottenSeer 97327

@HarborFront thanks for upping this thread alive

I like the two extensions and usually switch from one to the other.

Regarding the MV3 versions: uBO is faster, AG is way more mature with also more user configurable options.

Regarding the MV2 versions:

1. AdGuard
(agree with @lnk it is the most user friendly option and the best choice for average and set and forget PC type of user)
Substantial advantages:
1. Is really set and forget (even adds language filters automatically)
2. Maintains its own filters, reducing the chance of website breakage
3. Offers the best filter AdBlock format compatibility (digests its own, uBO filter format and ABP format)

Minor advantages:
1. Has the most advanced element blocker/option to block ads manually using AG's 'block an ad' wizzard
2. Has the easiest to use logger (to add rules or create exceptions)
3. Includes Google Safe browsing option which is only a bonus for people using Edge Browsing - Chrome and Firefox use this option, so for these mainstream browser it is useless
4. Includes Stealth option (sets expiration date of cookies, which is only a bonus for people using Chrome - other mainstream browsers offer a option to delete all at browser close)
5. Is a company with paid subscription model and over 120 employees and often offers innovations first (because of their resources and manpower).
6. Has an option to use optimized filters (reducing overhead)
7. Has an option to allow functional ads. Although disliked by purists, this is a valued option for online shoppers (my wife values AG over uBO for this reason) to be informed about promotions on website they visit to buy something.

Disadvantages:
1. Allows to embed and import scriptlets in the filters (which could be a security risk)
2. Less focus on performance (good is enough, AG usually scores top 3 of fastest adblockers), so less attractive for geeks
3. Most of their development team resides in Russia, for some people this is a deal breaker, others don't really care (AG dared to post with #NoToWar tag)

2. uBlockOrigin (the best choice for PC-enthousiasts, hardcore adblockers, geeks and tweakers)
Substantial advantages
1. Purist attitude of developer towards security and privacy (resulting in more hard core privacy and security options)
2. Purist attitude of developer towards performance (resulting in the fastest, leanest adBlock extension avialable)
3. Processes more filter formats (imports ABP-format, Host format and its own dynamic format filters) providing the broadest scope of filters to play with
4. Is not as picky as other adblockers in the source format (imports filters without adblock version and other meta data) providing the best filter tweaking options of all adblockers
As an example: you can use AdGuard's base filter, or alternatively only add s subset of this filter (e.g. AdGuard's adserver's subfilter from Github), most other adblockers won't import this subfilter because this subfilter lacks a proper filter header (telling which adbloc version required, what the title is, what the expiration time, etc).
5. Offers a configurable pop-up menu (with loads of options)
6. Has dynamic filtering with an easy to tweak point and click option in popup menu

Minor advantages:
1. Has an extra block popup function in its own popup
2. Has an extra block popunder rule option in static filters
3. Has added From TO syntax for greater flexibility of static rules and easier conversion from dynamic to static rules
4. Offers stronger protection in Firefox (when on Windows Firefox lags behind Chromium based browsers in terms of security features).
5. Offers to add malware filter lists, but the effectiveness of those low update lists is minimal when using the browsers own browsing protection, a DNS with malware/phishing protection or an extension of a well known antivirus using cloud look-up.

Disadvantages:
1. Is a one-man band project, so the future depends on very limited manpower
2. uBO's own filters are not well maintained (because of the scarce manpower the focus is on correcting website breakage and not deleting old and obsolete rules)
3. Has the largest number of rules in the default filter set, so takes mini seconds longer for cold start and taking selfies (optimizing the ruleset). On slow hardware this might nihilate uBO's speed advantage over AdGuard. To uBO's credit in recent updates, a lot of badly maintained filterlist were removed (making it a tiny disadvantage)
 
Last edited by a moderator:

HarborFront

Level 71
Verified
Top Poster
Content Creator
Oct 9, 2016
6,014
Moving away from uBO in my FF, LW and Ungoogled Chromium browsers

Since I'm having Adguard for Windows desktop app and I just installed the Adguard Browser Assistant (not the Adguard Adblocker extension) I figure I just move away from using uBO.

Also, installed Ping Blocker to handle hyperlink auditing, beacon and CSP reports in my Ungoogled Chromium browser. No issue in FF and LW to block them.

Saves my headache when using uBO in blocking individual site
 
Last edited:

transformer69

Level 1
Mar 17, 2023
18
I've been using Adguard extension on Firefox for couple of months now and I very much prefer it over uBlock. It works well in my entry level laptop. Pages load noticeably faster and it doesn't stutter anymore on full hd youtube videos. The internal settings are a lot more friendly for me.
Also using their public dns for blocking in app ads in android. But for my browser's internal DoH settings, I'm a fan of Rethink dns.
 

ChoiceVoice

Level 6
Verified
Oct 10, 2014
280
and adguard paid has fantastic controls for safeguarding your children online, it can globally block porn and lock safe searching (and password protected!).
 
  • Like
Reactions: HarborFront

About us

  • MalwareTips is a community-driven platform providing the latest information and resources on malware and cyber threats. Our team of experienced professionals and passionate volunteers work to keep the internet safe and secure. We provide accurate, up-to-date information and strive to build a strong and supportive community dedicated to cybersecurity.

User Menu

Follow us

Follow us on Facebook or Twitter to know first about the latest cybersecurity incidents and malware threats.

Top