Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

AdGuard VS OpenDNS

Compare AdGuard VS OpenDNS and see what are their differences

AdGuard logo AdGuard

Surf the Web Ad-Free and Safely. Shield up!

OpenDNS logo OpenDNS

OpenDNS provides faster and safer Internet access for your home or Business.
  • AdGuard Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-12

AdGuard is the best way to get rid of intrusive ads and online tracking, and to protect your computer from malware. Make your web surfing faster, safer and more comfortable with AdGuard!

  • OpenDNS Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-22

AdGuard features and specs

  • Effective Ad Blocking
    AdGuard effectively blocks intrusive ads, pop-ups, banner ads, and video ads, ensuring a smoother browsing experience.
  • Privacy Protection
    AdGuard helps protect user privacy by blocking third-party trackers, preventing websites from collecting personal data.
  • Customizability
    Users can customize the level of filtering and create their own rules to block specific types of content or to whitelist particular websites.
  • Cross-Platform Support
    AdGuard is available on multiple platforms, including Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and as browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, etc.
  • Additional Features
    In addition to ad blocking, AdGuard offers features like parental control, safe browsing, and spyware protection.

Possible disadvantages of AdGuard

  • Subscription Cost
    While offering free versions, most of AdGuard's advanced features require a paid subscription, which may not be suitable for all users.
  • Resource Usage
    AdGuard can consume a noticeable amount of system resources, which may affect the performance on less powerful devices.
  • Potential Website Breakage
    Some websites may not function properly when AdGuard is enabled, requiring users to manually whitelist such sites.
  • Learning Curve
    For users who want to fully utilize AdGuard's customizability, there is a learning curve associated with understanding and configuring its advanced settings.
  • Mobile App Limitations
    On iOS, AdGuard's functionality is somewhat limited compared to its Android counterpart due to Apple's restrictive policy on system-wide ad blockers.

OpenDNS features and specs

  • Improved Security
    OpenDNS offers robust protection against phishing attacks, malware, and botnets by blocking access to known malicious domains.
  • Enhanced Control
    Users get granular control over website access, enabling custom filtering to block inappropriate or unsafe sites, which is especially useful for parents and schools.
  • Faster DNS Resolution
    OpenDNS aims to provide faster domain name resolution, potentially reducing the time it takes to load websites compared to using ISPs' DNS services.
  • DNS Uptime
    With globally distributed servers, OpenDNS ensures high availability and reliability, minimizing the risk of DNS outages.
  • Detailed Analytics
    OpenDNS provides insightful web usage statistics and reports that can help identify trends and potential security threats.
  • Device Compatibility
    It is compatible with multiple platforms and devices, making it easy to configure on routers, computers, and mobile devices.
  • Ease of Use
    The service is straightforward to set up, often requiring only a simple change in DNS settings on your device or router.

Possible disadvantages of OpenDNS

  • Privacy Concerns
    By using OpenDNS, users are subject to its terms of service and privacy policy, which may involve data logging and sharing with third parties.
  • Limited Free Features
    The free version of OpenDNS has limited features compared to the premium offerings, which may not be sufficient for all users.
  • Potential Circumvention
    Tech-savvy users or devices can potentially circumvent OpenDNS filtering by manually changing DNS settings to another provider.
  • Dependency on Third-Party Service
    Relying on an external DNS service introduces an additional point of dependency, which could be problematic if the service experiences outages or disruptions.
  • Geographic Performance Variations
    Performance improvements in DNS resolution speed may vary based on geographic location due to the proximity of OpenDNS servers.
  • Complex Configuration for Advanced Features
    Utilizing some of the advanced features, like custom filtering and detailed analytics, may require a more complex configuration that could be challenging for non-technical users.
  • Limited control on Pure DNS Services
    Since OpenDNS modifies DNS requests for security and filtering purposes, users needing pure DNS services without any changes may find it restrictive.

AdGuard videos

AdGuard for Desktop and Android: Why We Use the Full Version

More videos:

  • Review - Bye Bye To Annoying Ads...Using AdGuard [Review]
  • Review - AdGuard Youtube ads killer and others Lifetime Deal

OpenDNS videos

OpenDNS - #2 - OpenDNS Review

More videos:

  • Tutorial - How to secure home network using OpenDNS
  • Review - IN DEPTH: openDNS

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to AdGuard and OpenDNS)
Security & Privacy
81 81%
19% 19
Ad Blockers
91 91%
9% 9
DNS Tools
0 0%
100% 100
Monitoring Tools
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare AdGuard and OpenDNS

AdGuard Reviews

The Best Ad Blockers for YouTube 2024
AdGuard’s Chrome extension was effective in removing multiple types of ads, such as pop-up ads and chatbots. We also tested the macOS application when using Safari and saw the same results: no ads. We used AdGuard while watching a few videos on YouTube and were pleasantly surprised not to encounter ads while using the platform. AdGuard was able to remove pop-up ads, video...
List of 10 Best Ad Blockers in 2024
In thе еvеr-еxpanding digital landscapе of 2024, AdGuard еmеrgеs as onе of thе bеst ad blockers availablе. With its powerful fеaturеs and robust pеrformancе, AdGuard еffеctivеly shiеlds usеrs from intrusivе and unwantеd advеrtisеmеnts across various platforms. This advanced tool еmploys a combination of filtеrs, including AdGuard’s own databasе, to block ads on wеbsitеs,...
Best Ad Blockers in 2023: Adblock Plus vs AdGuard vs uBlock Origin and More
I made sure to include several excellent browser extensions, which are all better than AdGuard. On the other hand, I also wanted to include a full-fledged desktop app, which is where AdGuard performs admirably, hence its place on the list.
10 Best FREE Anti Tracking Software In 2023 [TOP SELECTIVE]
AdGuard is a tool with various features which allow users to work efficiently without worrying about their data privacy. This tool provides a faster browser as it disables all ads and trackers on the browser, enabling a faster browsing speed.
Best AD Blockers for Android [ 2022 ]
Then Adguard is a great alternative Not only does it block ads on both your browser and apps, but it’s also the only ad blocker that removes the spaces where the ads used to be.

OpenDNS Reviews

Best Free Firewalls for Windows, Mac & Android in 2024
Note that OpenDNS Home works best alongside Windows’ built-in firewall. Since it’s not a complete firewall software, you’ll need another firewall to properly monitor incoming and outgoing traffic to help block network intrusions. All things considered, though, OpenDNS Home is a great free solution to improve online safety.
Source: www.wizcase.com
Best DNS servers of 2022: Boost your internet speed with these free, public services
Google's support site offers only very basic guidance targeted at experienced users, warning that "only users who are proficient with configuring operating system settings [should] make these changes." If you're unsure what you're doing, check the tutorials from a provider such as OpenDNS, remembering to replace its nameservers with Google's: 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4.
Best DNS Servers to Use for Free in 2022
Again, for users concerned about their children’s Internet safety, OpenDNS offers a service called OpenDNS FamilyShield that blocks adult content (available at the servers 208.67.222.123 and 208.67.220.123).
Best free DNS servers: 14 options to check out
Owned by Cisco, OpenDNS has two free options: Family Shield and Home. Family Shield is good for parents who want to make sure their kids can’t access inappropriate content. Home focuses on internet safety and performance.

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, AdGuard should be more popular than OpenDNS. It has been mentiond 87 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

AdGuard mentions (87)

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OpenDNS mentions (11)

  • Multiple DDNS configs?
    I've been using the DDNS option in the UI to sync with no-ip.com, so that I can remotely access my NAS via Wireguard, and this works great. However, my new router no longer supports DDNS without subscription. I need another DDNS client to sync with opendns.com, to get content filtering and parental controls, as my new router has no options for this. Source: over 1 year ago
  • Evaluating DNSfilter
    We have used opendns.com for this for years. Might take a look at them. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • What does this error message mean? How/where do I change the URL?
    Can you visit opendns.com on your home network? The problem likely that site is getting blocked, and can't use the API to get the public IP of your box. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Firefox detected a potential security threat and did not continue to calyxos.org
    This might be an issue with my DNS provider. I use opendns.com to filter my DNS queries. They're giving the following reasons for blocking the site... Source: about 2 years ago
  • Wi-Fi web filtering
    If all users need the same level of filtering, opendns.com is free and works great. You need a way to forward DNS requests to the Open DNS server, such as a typical Windows DNS. Source: almost 3 years ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing AdGuard and OpenDNS, you can also consider the following products

Adblock Plus - AdBlock Plus is a browser extension for Firefox, Chrome, Opera, and several other popular browsers that prevents intrusive ads like pop-ups and malicious code from appearing on websites you visit.

1.1.1.1 - The free app that makes your Internet safer.

uBlock Origin - Popular and efficient blocker for Chromium, Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Opera, Safari, Thunderbird.

Quad9 - Quad9 is a free, recursive, anycast DNS platform that provides end users robust security protections, high-performance, and privacy.

AdBlock - Ad blocker for Chrome, Safari and Opera on desktop and Safari for iOS devices.

NextDNS - Block ads, trackers and malicious websites on all your devices.