AdGuard VPN

AdGuard VPN Review: A Mixed Bag with Room for Improvement Overall Score: 50.75/93.5 (D Tier) By Tom Spark, VPN Expert Executive Summary: After extensive testing of AdGuard VPN across multiple devices and use cases, I've found it to be a mediocre VPN service that shows promise but falls short in several crucial areas. While it offers some solid privacy features and decent streaming capabilities, its high price point, below-average speeds, and lack of essential features make it difficult to recommend over top-tier competitors. Comprehensive Overview: AdGuard VPN is a relatively new player in the VPN market, launched by the team behind the popular AdGuard ad-blocking software. The service operates servers in 40+ countries and offers apps for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and browser extensions. While it integrates well with other AdGuard products, it struggles to compete with established VPN providers in terms of features and performance. Detailed Category Analysis: 1. Pricing & Value (4.5/10): The pricing structure is one of AdGuard VPN's biggest weaknesses. At $12.99/month for a monthly plan and $59.99 for an annual subscription, it's significantly more expensive than industry leaders like NordVPN ($3.71/month) or Surfshark ($2.49/month) on long-term plans. The value proposition becomes even harder to justify given the limited feature set and performance issues. 2. Features (7.75/15): AdGuard VPN offers a basic but functional feature set: + Kill switch on all platforms + Split tunneling support + DNS leak protection - No WireGuard protocol - No port forwarding - No dedicated IPs - Limited server network compared to competitors The absence of WireGuard protocol is particularly disappointing in 2024, as it's become an industry standard for its superior speed and security. 3. Speed & Performance (6/10): My speed tests revealed consistently below-average performance: - Average speed reduction: 45-60% - Base connection: 500Mbps - VPN connected speeds: 200-275Mbps - High latency on distant servers (100ms+ increase) These results lag significantly behind top providers like ExpressVPN and NordVPN, which typically maintain 75-85% of base speeds. 4. Privacy & Trust (12.5/16): AdGuard VPN's privacy policy is commendable: + No-logs policy + Based in Cyprus (privacy-friendly jurisdiction) + Regular transparency reports + Independent security audits - Proprietary protocol instead of industry standards - Closed-source applications While their commitment to privacy appears strong, the lack of open-source applications and use of a proprietary protocol raises some transparency concerns. 5. Customer Support (0/5): The support experience is severely lacking: - No 24/7 live chat - Slow email response times (12+ hours) - Limited knowledge base - No video tutorials - Basic FAQs only This is one area where AdGuard VPN needs significant improvement to compete with industry standards. 6. Streaming Capabilities (7.5/15): Mixed results in streaming tests: + Works with Netflix US + Unblocks BBC iPlayer + Disney+ accessible - Inconsistent Amazon Prime Video access - Frequent buffering on 4K content - Limited specialized streaming servers 7. Ethics & Transparency (7.5/10): AdGuard demonstrates good ethical practices: + Regular transparency reports + Clear ownership structure + No significant controversies - Limited third-party audits - Closed-source software 8. GUI & User Experience (5/10): The interface is functional but basic: + Clean design + Easy server selection - Limited customization options - No advanced features interface - Occasional connection stability issues Real-World Testing Results: During my three-week testing period, I encountered several notable issues: - Frequent connection drops on mobile devices - Inconsistent speeds during peak hours - DNS leaks on Windows app (fixed after manual configuration) - Limited server options in Asia-Pacific region Security Analysis: The security setup is adequate but not exceptional: + AES-256 encryption + Custom protocol (AGVPN) - No WireGuard support - Limited protocol options - Basic leak protection Torrenting Performance: While torrenting is supported, performance is mediocre: - Average download speeds: 3-4 MB/s (on a 500Mbps connection) - No port forwarding - Limited P2P-optimized servers Missing Features: Several crucial features are notably absent: - No multi-hop connections - No dedicated IPs - No specialized servers - No advanced security features - No RAM-only servers Conclusion: AdGuard VPN is best suited for: 1. Existing AdGuard software users seeking integration 2. Basic users who prioritize privacy over speed 3. Occasional VPN users with modest requirements However, for power users, streamers, or those seeking the best value, I recommend looking elsewhere. Services like NordVPN, ExpressVPN, or Surfshark offer better features, performance, and value for money. The service shows potential but needs significant improvements in speed, feature set, and pricing to compete with established providers. Until these improvements are made, it remains a D-tier VPN that's difficult to recommend except in specific use cases. For most users, I'd recommend considering alternatives that offer better value and performance. AdGuard VPN feels like a service still in its early stages, needing substantial development to compete in today's competitive VPN market.