AdGuard for Mac vs SaneHosts
AdGuard for Mac and SaneHosts both stop ads and trackers across your whole Mac, but they work at different layers. AdGuard filters web traffic itself. SaneHosts blocks domains through the /etc/hosts file, before any app connects. Here's an honest comparison of what each can and can't do. AdGuard facts come from AdGuard's own site, checked on 17 Oct 2026.
- ✓ Want the most complete ad blocking, including cosmetic and HTTPS filtering, on several devices: AdGuard.
- ✓ Want simple domain blocking in every app, with no root certificate, network driver or subscription: SaneHosts.
- ✓ Just want to try hosts blocking for free: install Steven Black's list by hand.
Side by side
| AdGuard for Mac | SaneHosts | |
|---|---|---|
| How it blocks | Filters traffic of browsers and apps through its own engine (network driver) | Points blocked domains to 0.0.0.0 in /etc/hosts |
| Works in every app | Yes, browsers and apps | Yes, for every listed domain |
| Hides leftover ad boxes in pages | Yes (cosmetic filtering) | No |
| Ads from the same domain as content | Can filter page content | Can't block |
| HTTPS filtering | Yes, optional, with its own root certificate | Not used |
| Phishing and fraud protection | Yes | Malware domains via blocklists |
| What it changes on your Mac | Network driver; root certificate if HTTPS filtering is on | The hosts file, after Touch ID or password approval; automatic backups |
| Price | 1-year or lifetime license; Personal 3 devices, Family 9 | $14.99 once |
| Trial / refund | 14-day trial; 30-day money back | 14-day trial, no card |
| Platforms | License works on Windows, macOS, Android and iOS | Mac (macOS 14+) |
| Latest version | 2.20 | 1.1.26 |
AdGuard shows current prices on its license page, and they change with promotions, so they're not repeated here. Sources, checked 17 Oct 2026: AdGuard for Mac overview, AdGuard licenses and FAQ. Something out of date? Email [email protected].
Which one fits you
AdGuard is a full ad blocker. It filters the traffic of every browser and app, applies cosmetic rules so pages don't show empty ad boxes, protects against phishing and fraud, and can filter encrypted HTTPS connections on your Mac by installing its own root certificate. One license covers several devices across Windows, macOS, Android and iOS. If you want the most thorough blocking, especially inside web pages, AdGuard does more than a hosts file can.
SaneHosts does one job: domain blocking through the hosts file. Pick a protection level, from Essentials (~170K entries: ads, trackers, malware) up to Kitchen Sink (~700K), and click activate. There's no network driver, no root certificate and no traffic passing through another app. macOS asks for Touch ID or your password before every change, backups are automatic, and the DNS cache is flushed for you. Hosts data stays on your Mac.
The trade-off is real: it can't hide leftover ad boxes or block ads served from the same domain as the content.
Start the 14-day trialmacOS 14 (Sonoma) or later. No credit card for the trial.
Questions people ask
Is SaneHosts an alternative to AdGuard for Mac?
For some people. AdGuard for Mac filters web traffic with a network driver, can filter HTTPS and hides leftover ad boxes on pages. SaneHosts only blocks domains through your Mac's hosts file. If domain blocking across every app is enough for you, SaneHosts does it for $14.99 once with no root certificate or network driver.
Does SaneHosts install a root certificate or network driver?
No. SaneHosts edits the system hosts file and macOS asks for Touch ID or your password before each change. AdGuard for Mac installs a network driver, and if you turn on HTTPS filtering it generates and installs its own root certificate.
Can a hosts file block YouTube ads?
Not reliably. A hosts file blocks whole domains, so it can't block ads served from the same domain as the content. AdGuard filters the content of pages too, and its site says it removes video ads, banners and pop-ups.
How much does AdGuard for Mac cost compared with SaneHosts?
AdGuard sells Personal (3 devices) and Family (9 devices) licenses as 1-year or lifetime purchases, and one license works on Windows, macOS, Android and iOS. Its 14-day trial and 30-day money-back guarantee are stated on its site. SaneHosts is $14.99 once for the Mac after a 14-day trial with no card.
Does SaneHosts use AdGuard's blocklists?
SaneHosts includes 200+ curated blocklists from Steven Black, Hagezi, AdGuard and more, applied as hosts entries. That's not the same as running AdGuard's app, which also uses cosmetic and HTTPS filtering.