AdGuard VPN

AdGuard VPN, developed by AdGuard with its headquarters registered in Nicosia, Cyprus, is a fairly new VPN in the field of online privacy and security. AdGuard VPN is designed to provide a user-friendly experience, combining ad-blocking features with secure browsing. We’ll thoroughly examine its features and performance, offering guidance to help you make an informed decision about your online privacy needs.

Privacy

The primary concern when considering the purchase of any VPN service revolves around its logging and privacy policy. AdGuard VPN’s privacy policy explicitly states that it does not share or sell users’ personal data; however, a closer examination raises questions. The comprehensive privacy policy reveals that AdGuard collects certain information from users who opt for their software. It also outlines the collection of usage data related to the VPN service, including the duration and volume of traffic. This data collection raises concerns about privacy infringement, potentially undermining the core purpose of using a VPN. While the policy mentions safety measures for personal data, it lacks clarity regarding data retention periods. For users particularly concerned about VPN logging and privacy policies, a prudent decision regarding the purchase of AdGuard VPN is advisable. In my personal view, selecting a VPN service that adheres to a strict zero-log policy and provides a transparent privacy policy is imperative. You can read AdGuard VPN Privacy Policy by clicking this link.

Security

When evaluating a VPN service, the security mechanisms and measures it employs are as crucial as its privacy policy. In contrast to using popular open-source protocols like WireGuard or OpenVPN, AdGuard has opted to develop its proprietary VPN protocol, which is closed-source. You can review the functionality of the AdGuard VPN Protocol on their official website. The concern here isn’t necessarily the implementation of a proprietary VPN protocol but rather its closed-source nature, lacking independent audit reports. AdGuard provides its rationale for developing this proprietary protocol, highlighting perceived disadvantages of WireGuard and OpenVPN. However, a VPN provider should ideally offer users the choice of selecting their preferred protocol. AdGuard VPN utilizes AES-256, an industry-standard encryption algorithm known for both security and speed, alongside the HTTP/2 transport protocol and QUIC protocol to enhance the efficiency of their VPN service.

Speed and Performance

High-speed performance is a paramount consideration when selecting a VPN service, and AdGuard does not disappoint in this regard. Take a glance at the chart below to assess the VPN speeds across various servers. While the download speeds exhibit exceptional performance, it’s worth noting that upload speeds could benefit from improvement to enhance the user experience. Refer below the speed tests conducted on servers in Germany, United States and United Kingdom.

* Tested on 100 Mbps optical fibre connection.

AdGuard performs exceptionally well with consistently stable VPN connections. In my extensive testing, I rarely experienced any VPN connection drops. The overall software performance is smooth without any hiccups.

Variable DNS Leak Results

Any reputable VPN service provider should ensure that DNS queries remain secure when users are connected to their VPN. I conducted comprehensive DNS leak tests on AdGuard VPN using various websites, yielding intriguing findings. When testing for DNS leaks using bash.ws, the results suggested the possibility of DNS leakage, as AdGuard VPN employs different ISPs for DNS and internet access. Although it suggests the possibility of However, other websites like dnsleaktest.org and dnsleaktest.com produced similar results, which, importantly, did not result in actual DNS leaks.

Server Network Coverage

AdGuard VPN boasts servers in 53 countries, spanning over 65+ locations. While this number may appear modest in comparison to other leading VPN providers, the speed delivered by these servers compensates for the quantity. It’s important to note that in the free version of AdGuard VPN, speeds and traffic are capped at 20 Mbps and 3GB per month, respectively, whereas paid users enjoy unrestricted speed and unlimited traffic.

User Interface

AdGuard offers a user-friendly and straightforward interface that ensures ease of navigation for its users. Whether you’re running the VPN software on Windows or a smartphone, you’ll find a simple screen with server selection and Connect/Disconnect options. Connecting to a server is surprisingly quick and efficient. However, one limitation is that the UI on both Windows and smartphones doesn’t display the currently connected IP address when using the VPN service. The interface also includes two other tab options: Exclusions for websites and apps, and settings with additional features, which we’ll cover in detail later. Overall, AdGuard VPN’s user interface is sleek, uncluttered, provides useful information, and is perfect for users on the go.

Device Compatibility

AdGuard VPN is compatible with various platforms, including Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and popular browsers such as Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Opera through browser extensions. While this range of supported devices is substantial, there is room for expansion to include Linux, routers, Smart TVs, gaming consoles, and other devices.

Simultaneous Connections

A quality VPN should offer the flexibility to connect to multiple devices simultaneously, catering to the user’s needs. AdGuard excels in this aspect, offering simultaneous connections for up to 2 devices in its free version and up to 10 devices for its paid version.

Pricing

A VPN should be affordable, allowing users to enjoy the privacy and services offered without imposing a significant cost. AdGuard offers three cost-effective pricing plans: $2.99/month for 2 years, $3.99/month for 1 year, and $11.99/month for 1 month. It’s worth noting that AdGuard provides a 30-day money-back guarantee for its subscriptions of 1 year or longer.

Additional Features

AdGuard provides exceptional features to its users in its VPN service. We will cover most of these additional features here in brief to our readers so they can make a choice while purchasing VPN.

Website Exclusions

There may be situations where you don’t require VPN access or specific websites don’t permit VPN usage. This can occur when using maps, making online purchases, accessing banking websites, or streaming services. AdGuard addresses this by offering a handy Website Exclusions feature. You can easily add websites to the exclusion list and selectively allow or disallow them. When this action is taken, the VPN service will operate everywhere except for the websites listed in the exclusion. I’ve thoroughly tested this feature on both Windows and smartphones for websites and apps, and it functions seamlessly without any issues.

Custom DNS Selection

Relying on your ISP’s default DNS server isn’t a secure practice, as your ISP typically has access to your browsing history. One of the standout features of AdGuard VPN is its custom DNS functionality. It offers a wide array of custom DNS servers that you can select based on your specific requirements. I highly recommend using the AdGuard DNS Server, which effectively blocks ads, trackers, and malware from your devices when visiting any website. With the AdGuard VPN app, you have the flexibility to choose a secure and encrypted DNS server from well-known providers like AdGuard DNS, Cisco, Cloudflare, Google, or Quad9, or even add your own custom DNS server.

Integration with AdGuard Ad Blocker

AdGuard takes VPN to the next level by combining its VPN software with the AdGuard Ad Blocker. The Ad Blocker not only stops ads, trackers, and malware on websites but also within apps on both Android and iOS smartphones. It achieves this by creating a local VPN server. However, smartphones typically can’t run two VPNs simultaneously. This is where AdGuard VPN’s integration comes in handy. You can use both Ad Blocker and AdGuard VPN together for seamless ad blocking and VPN protection. To set it up, just install both AdGuard Adblocker and AdGuard VPN, and choose the Integrated mode. I’ve tested this extensively, and it works well without slowing down your device or causing any issues.

QUIC Protocol Support

QUIC, which stands for Quick UDP Internet Connections, represents a modern transport protocol meticulously designed for secure and efficient internet communication. Operating atop the User Datagram Protocol (UDP), QUIC is renowned for its exceptional speed and minimal latency. It combines the features of both the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and Transport Layer Security (TLS), ensuring reliable and encrypted connections. QUIC’s claim to fame lies in its remarkable capacity to reduce latency in real-time applications, such as video streaming and online gaming. In contrast to TCP, where a lost data packet necessitates a wait for the rest to proceed, QUIC allows data to be processed without any specific order. Even if the initial data packet is lost due to a weak signal, the subsequent data can be processed without delay. AdGuard has successfully incorporated the QUIC protocol into its VPN app, enhancing connection quality and catering to users with slower internet speeds. It’s important to note that this implementation remains experimental on Windows and smartphone devices.

Kill Switch

A kill switch is a pivotal feature in VPN (Virtual Private Network) software, ensuring the preservation of your online privacy and security, even in the event of an unexpected VPN connection drop. This feature proves invaluable when you’re connected to public Wi-Fi networks in places like malls, cafes, or airports. In scenarios where a VPN connection unexpectedly drops due to mobile network issues or public Wi-Fi hiccups, the kill switch acts as a protective barrier, shielding you from potential exposure of sensitive information to cybercriminals. It serves as a safety net that promptly ‘kills’ or blocks all internet traffic if the VPN connection falters, preventing any data transmission over your regular, unsecured connection. AdGuard offers this critical feature to ensure that your information remains secure and private, safeguarding against unforeseen connection disruptions.

Customer Support

AdGuard offers commendable customer support. I’ve reached out to their technical support team with various queries and issues, and the experience has been quite satisfactory. They demonstrated an understanding of the concerns I raised and promptly provided solutions or resolved the issues. While their customer support is generally good, there is room for improvement in terms of response time.

Final Verdict

AdGuard VPN is a feature-rich privacy solution that combines ad-blocking with secure browsing. Although the VPN is relatively new, it provides a vast range of features compared to its competitors at a compelling cost. With its proprietary VPN protocol, strong encryption, and support for multiple operating modes, it offers versatility and protection. AdGuard VPN’s affordability, combined with its impressive features, makes it a good choice for individuals.

However, it’s important to note some areas for improvement. The privacy policy is somewhat vague, and the closed-source proprietary VPN protocol lacks transparency and audit reports, which may raise concerns for some users. Additionally, there is room for expansion in terms of server locations and protocol options.

On the positive side, AdGuard VPN excels in terms of speed, provides a user-friendly interface, and offers unique features like integrated ad-blocking, website exclusions, and customizable DNS servers. The ability to run both the ad blocker and VPN simultaneously is a noteworthy advantage.

In conclusion, AdGuard VPN is a promising option for users seeking a balance between privacy, security, and affordability. However, individuals with strict privacy requirements may want to consider VPNs with more transparent policies and audit reports.

Stay secure online with AdGuard VPN, offering reliable protection and privacy for your internet browsing.

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