# My Dual Adblocking Setup: AdGuard + ControlD = Champion Browsing

Recently, I decided to overhaul my approach to adblocking and tested several options. After a bit of trial and error, **AdGuard** emerged as my go-to solution on iPhone — especially because content blocking is *limited* to Safari due to iOS restrictions. Chrome (and every browser other than Safari, really) just can’t do native or extension-based content blocking on iOS, which is *super annoying* for anyone who prefers Chrome’s syncing ecosystem.

For Windows and Mac, I stuck with **Chrome** — paired with the AdGuard Chrome extension. This combo has been genuinely effective so far. My web is noticeably quieter, cleaner, and faster.

Still going strong in the background is [**ControlD**](https://medium.com/@brianolsonsec/enhancing-home-network-security-with-controld-a-comprehensive-guide-to-dns-home-72408c10c768) as my DNS provider, which contributes an extra layer of ad/tracker blocking across all my devices. ControlD costs just $20/year (hard to beat for the broad privacy protections and fine-tuned filtering). Between AdGuard and ControlD, the *online experience is pretty fantastic* — fewer interruptions, less tracking, and cleaner pages all around.

### Cost Breakdown & Tips

* **AdGuard License:** At some point, I picked up a lifetime AdGuard license (honestly, can’t recall exactly what I paid), but it’s currently $80 for individuals. They’re known to roll out massive sales, so if you’re interested, *keep an eye out around Black Friday and other holidays*. You might snag lifetime access for half price!
    
* **ControlD:** Standard pricing is $20/year. Offers lots of customizable blocking beyond the standard DNS-level ads, including trackers, malware, and parental controls.
    

### Quick Tips for Adblocking Pros

* **iOS = Safari Only:** No real way around this. If you love Chrome on mobile, stick with DNS-based blocking like ControlD for best results.
    
* **Layering Works:** DNS blocking + browser-based extension = much higher success rate, fewer annoying circumvention attempts from advertisers.
    
* **Holiday Sales:** Perfect time to score lifetime deals; bookmark vendor sites and sign up for email alerts!
    
* **Bonus:** Better security posture, fewer malvertising risks, and WAY less tracking.
    

If you’re interested in wholesale blocking at the network layer, I wrote an article earlier this year specifically about [ControlD here](https://medium.com/@brianolsonsec/enhancing-home-network-security-with-controld-a-comprehensive-guide-to-dns-home-72408c10c768).

Update: I've discovered that AdGuard often provides significant discounts—sometimes up to 90% off on lifetime licenses. These deals are typically available through resellers rather than directly on AdGuard’s official site, so it's worth keeping an eye out if you're interested in purchasing.

*If you have any recent experiences or tips with other adblockers or DNS services, let me know — I’m always hunting for better privacy and performance tweaks.*