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Head-to-head · Safari Extensions

AdGuard vs Dark Reader

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 2 checks side by side
Higher score AdGuard #1 in Safari Extensions 8.8/10 Free plan · 14-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 0 of 4 features Visit AdGuard
Dark Reader #5 in Safari Extensions 7.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 4 features Visit Dark Reader

AdGuard leads on 0 checks, Dark Reader on 1, and 1 is even. Who comes out ahead on the 2 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreAdGuard · 8.8/10
  • Free planboth
  • Free trialonly AdGuard
  • Most featuresDark Reader · 1 of 4

AdGuard scores higher on our rubric for safari extensions: 8.8 against 7.4 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #5.

Dark Reader offers open source; AdGuard doesn't.

AdGuard is the better fit for people wanting broad ad and tracker protection. Dark Reader is the better fit for users who want dark themes across websites.

  • AdGuard fits best

    People wanting broad ad and tracker protection

  • Dark Reader fits best

    Users who want dark themes across websites

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature AdGuard 8.8/10 Visit ↗ Dark Reader 7.4/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.8 7.4
Ranking #1 in Safari Extensions #5 in Safari Extensions
Best for People wanting broad ad and tracker protection Users who want dark themes across websites
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free plan + paid
Starting price — Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial 14 days —
Deployment Desktop, Mobile, Browser extension Browser extension, Mobile
Platforms Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Chrome extension Web, Chrome extension, iOS, macOS, Android
Support Email, Community, Docs · 24/7 Email, Docs
Built for Solo, Small business Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features AdGuard 0/4 · Dark Reader 1/4
Content blocking Not checked yet Not checked yet
Sync available Not checked yet Not checked yet
App Store listing Not checked yet Not checked yet
Open source — ✓ (best)
Specs
Supported devices Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Blocks ads and trackers in browsers and applications
  • Supports custom filter lists, user rules, and manual element blocking
  • Offers desktop and mobile coverage, including AdGuard Mini for Mac
  • Adjust brightness, contrast, sepia, and saturation
  • Set themes and custom filters per site, with domain-pattern lists
  • Offers Dynamic, Filter, Filter+, and Static theme modes
Cons
  • Safari support is through AdGuard Mini for Mac, not the standard extension
  • Paid licenses add device coverage, with Personal covering up to 3 devices
  • Some users may prefer a browser-only blocker to a wider filtering product
  • Focused on dark themes rather than ad or tracker blocking
  • Theme generation may need per-site adjustments
  • The Safari app is a separate paid-support route
Our verdict

AdGuard combines ad blocking and internet filtering for people who want protection beyond a single browser. Its desktop and mobile apps can block ads and tracking requests in browsers and applications, while its browser extensions focus on…

Read the review →

Dark Reader generates dark themes for web pages, giving people who prefer darker displays controls over how individual sites look. The main browser extension is classified as free and open source. It is available for Chrome, Firefox,…

Read the review →
  1. AdGuardSafari Extensions 8.8Free plan · 14-day trial
  2. Dark ReaderSafari Extensions 7.4Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • AdGuard — where it wins

    • Blocks ads and trackers in browsers and applications
    • Supports custom filter lists, user rules, and manual element blocking
    • Offers desktop and mobile coverage, including AdGuard Mini for Mac

    Where it doesn't

    • Safari support is through AdGuard Mini for Mac, not the standard extension
    • Paid licenses add device coverage, with Personal covering up to 3 devices
    • Some users may prefer a browser-only blocker to a wider filtering product

  • Dark Reader — where it wins

    • Adjust brightness, contrast, sepia, and saturation
    • Set themes and custom filters per site, with domain-pattern lists
    • Offers Dynamic, Filter, Filter+, and Static theme modes

    Where it doesn't

    • Focused on dark themes rather than ad or tracker blocking
    • Theme generation may need per-site adjustments
    • The Safari app is a separate paid-support route

More comparisons

All safari extensions comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update