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Comparison · ClickGuard alternative ClickSambo vs ClickGuard: 2026 comparison

Both tools block fake clicks on Google Ads and Meta. The differences lie in what the plan limit counts, how each responds during an attack, and the conversion and lead data they handle.

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Competitor data: ClickGuard official pages and help centerReading time: 10 minutes

ClickSambo starter plan≈ $0 / month (€49)5,000 unique visitors per month
ClickGuard starter plan$0 / monthUp to $5,000 ad spend per month

Prices are for monthly billing. Both brands give about 20% off on annual billing; with annual billing ClickGuard's starter plan drops to $74/month, and quarterly billing gets 10% off. Plan and limit comparison

In short: ClickSambo or ClickGuard?

Choose ClickSambo for instant attack response and clean conversion data. It stands out with Circuit Breaker, two-layer conversion sending, Meta Instant Form lead validation and its mobile app. Dashboard and support are available in English, Turkish and Portuguese. The starter plan is €49/month.

Choose ClickGuard if you also run Microsoft Ads or want the limit to count ad spend. In the market since 2016; its Standard plan and above cover Google, Meta and Microsoft Ads together, with no cap on clicks. The starter plan is $89/month.

What is ClickGuard, and what does it do well?

ClickGuard (officially styled ClickGUARD) is an invalid-click protection tool that has been running since 2016. Its founder and CEO is Ralph Perrier. It relaunched with a new dashboard and brand identity in October 2025; according to the company, more than 3,000 businesses worldwide use it.

Three ad platforms

Google, Meta and Microsoft Ads are protected together on the Standard plan and above; on Lite you pick one of the three. Microsoft Ads is coverage ClickSambo doesn't offer yet.

Limits based on ad spend

Plans are tiered by monthly ad spend, and clicks are unlimited on every plan. Occasional spend spikes aren't penalized.

Placement exclusions

Low-quality app and domain placements on the Google Display Network are excluded via the Google Ads API, alongside IPs and IP ranges.

A broad rule set

Every click gets a bot probability score. VPN, IP range, geo-targeting, behavior and conversion-based exclusion rules can each be switched on or off.

Agency workspaces

Multiple client subscriptions are managed from one account; access permissions, billing and scheduled client reports sit in the same place.

Integrations and billing

HubSpot and Shopify integrations are mentioned. Invoices can be issued in US dollars, euros or pounds sterling, and every plan includes personal onboarding.

These strengths are based on ClickGuard's official pages and help center. You can see where ClickSambo differs in the table and feature sections below.

Feature Comparison

The table shows row by row how the two tools do the same job and where they differ. Where a feature depends on the plan, the plan name is shown as a label.

As of October 2026.
FeatureClickSamboClickGuard
Platforms
Google AdsYesAll plans; on Standard you choose Google Ads or Meta Ads. Connect an MCC (manager account) once to protect its sub-accountsYesAll plans; on Lite you choose a single platform. Search, Display, Video, Shopping and Performance Max
Meta (Facebook, Instagram)YesAll plans (with the platform choice on Standard). Exclusion audiences for ads that send users to your site; Instant Form leads are also scoredYesStandard and above (with the platform choice on Lite). Suspicious visitors are added to a custom audience that is excluded from your ad sets; Instant Form protection isn't mentioned on official pages
Microsoft Ads (Bing)NoNot supported yetYesIP and IP range exclusions, custom rules
Detection and blocking
Automatic IP blocking in Google AdsYesReal time; at the 500-IP limit old IPs make room for new attackersYesReal time; IP, IP range and audience exclusions are made via the Google Ads API
IP range blockingYesAll plans; ranges are detected and blocked automatically, with a single on/off toggle in settingsYesA separate IP range exclusion rule in the protection controls
Detection methodDevice fingerprinting (Stable Device ID), VPN, proxy, Tor and data-center detection, IP ranges, threshold rules and behavioral analysisA bot probability score for every click: behavioral data such as time on site and click speed, plus technical data such as location, IP and packet headers; VPN, behavior and conversion-based exclusions
Shutting a channel down mid-attackYesCircuit Breaker (monthly add-on): keyword, device and location breakers with safety railsPartialCustom rules that adjust bids or pause ads are mentioned for Microsoft Ads; a feature that temporarily shuts down a keyword, device or location in Google Ads isn't mentioned on official pages
Threshold settingsYesThe IP is blocked once allowed clicks within a time window are exceeded; comes with industry presets you can changeYesProtection controls and multi-targeting exclusions; the depth of controls is basic, standard or advanced depending on the plan
Placement exclusionsNoNot in the plans yet; fake-click rate is reported per placementYesApp and domain placements on the Display Network are excluded automatically
Stopping visitors before the site loadsYesShield: server-level entry control (no code needed, billed separately alongside an active plan)Bad bots are said to be separated from search engine crawlers and blocked automatically; official pages don't make clear whether this happens at site entry or through ad exclusions
Conversion data and leads
Sending conversions to GoogleYesPrimary: real and potential customer conversions (Premium). Secondary: user agent and click signal of fake traffic (all plans)ProConversion tracking and conversion-based exclusions on Pro and Custom; official pages don't mention sending Google a separate signal
Lead status feedback to MetaYesAll plans; every Instant Form lead is scored and reported back to Meta as Received, Qualified or DisqualifiedNoNot mentioned on official pages
Verified lead deliveryYesAll plans; Meta Instant Form leads are scored on 4 layers and delivered via signed webhook to your CRM or any system you choose, flagged as real or fakeHubSpot and Shopify integrations are mentioned; fake-lead validation isn't mentioned on official pages
Meta click reconciliationYesAll plans; clicks reported by Meta are compared with visits that actually reach the site; abnormal rates are flagged per adNot mentioned on official pages
Reporting
Google Ads Refund ReportYesProvides the data needed for a refund request in its own report format; downloads as Excel and comes with a form-filling guideEvery click is verified and logged, and every exclusion is documented; a ready-made template for refund claims isn't mentioned on official pages
Keyword, placement and country analysisYesFake-click rate by keyword, campaign, placement, device and countryYesKeyword and placement drill-down reports; device, IP, location and placement data per click
Meta competitor analysis (Facebook and Instagram)YesAll plans; similar pages and accounts ranked by followers, with your own position markedNot mentioned on official pages
Interaction analysis for marketplaces and listing sitesPremiumProfile-based engagement statistics via custom API integrationNot mentioned on official pages
UTM, page and action analysisYesSource, page, form, call and WhatsApp actions per visitorPartialPaid and organic clicks, visitor behavior and a traffic log are tracked; call and WhatsApp action tracking isn't mentioned on official pages
Data retentionNo time limit stated on official pagesLite 1 month, Standard 2 months, Pro and Custom 6 months
Mobile appYesiOS and Android: real-time monitoring, fake-click and lead notifications, Google Ads and Meta Ads account managementUnclearAn iOS and Android app was announced in 2021; current pricing and feature pages don't mention it
Agencies and support
Agency/Partner revenue modelYesPartner Wallet: payment links, collection tracking, 20% to 30% recurring commission, the agency sets the priceYesAffiliate program: 20% to 35% commission based on monthly sales count, recurring for 12 months per customer; 60-day cookie, no minimum payout
Managing multiple clientsYesMCC connection; domain report shared with the client by emailYesWorkspaces, access permissions, separate subscriptions and scheduled client reports; Pro or Custom recommended for multi-client use
Dashboard languageEnglish, Turkish, PortugueseDashboard language isn't stated on official pages; the site and help center are in English
Support24/7 WhatsApp, live chat and email, free setup helpEmail and message support; 24/7 according to the October 2025 announcement. Personal onboarding on every plan, a customer success manager on Custom

ClickGuard data was collected on October 26, 2026 from the pricing, features and affiliate pages on clickguard.com, its help center and the company's October 2025 press release. "Not mentioned on official pages" means the feature isn't referenced on those pages. If you spot a change, write to [email protected] and we'll update it.

Plan Comparison

Both brands have three main plans; ClickGuard also offers a Custom plan, quoted on request, for ad spend above $100K. Prices are for monthly billing.

ClickSambo plans
ClickSamboStandardPro PlusPremium
Monthly priceFrom ≈ $55 (€49)5K to 200K: ≈ $55 to $472 (€49 to €419)From ≈ $100 (€89)10K to 200K: ≈ $100 to $584 (€89 to €519)From ≈ $224 (€199)25K to 200K: ≈ $224 to $866 (€199 to €769)
Monthly price, billed annuallyFrom ≈ $44 (€39)5K to 200K: ≈ $44 to $377 (€39 to €335)From ≈ $80 (€71)10K to 200K: ≈ $80 to $467 (€71 to €415)From ≈ $179 (€159)25K to 200K: ≈ $179 to $693 (€159 to €615)
PlatformGoogle Ads or Meta AdsGoogle Ads and Meta AdsGoogle Ads and Meta Ads
Protections1 (1 website for Google Ads or 1 Meta ad account)3 to 20 depending on trafficUnlimited
Users35Unlimited
LimitMonthly unique visitors
HighlightsAutomatic IP and IP range blocking, VPN and proxy blocking, threshold settings, keyword, placement and location analysis, UTM reports, secondary conversion signal, refund report; Instant Form protection if Meta is chosenEverything in Standard plus both platforms together, advanced protection algorithms, behavioral analysis, anomaly detection, advanced reportingEverything in Pro Plus plus primary conversion sending, marketplace interaction analysis, cost optimization, premium-level protection
Traffic options (monthly billing)
  • 5K≈ $55 (€49)
  • 10K≈ $78 (€69)
  • 25K≈ $123 (€109)
  • 50K≈ $179 (€159)
  • 100K≈ $292 (€259)
  • 200K≈ $472 (€419)
  • 10K3 protections ≈ $100 (€89)
  • 25K5 protections ≈ $145 (€129)
  • 50K7 protections ≈ $202 (€179)
  • 100K10 protections ≈ $325 (€289)
  • 200K20 protections ≈ $584 (€519)
  • 25K≈ $224 (€199)
  • 50K≈ $292 (€259)
  • 100K≈ $483 (€429)
  • 200K≈ $866 (€769)
Traffic options (monthly, billed annually)
  • 5K≈ $44 (€39)
  • 10K≈ $62 (€55)
  • 25K≈ $98 (€87)
  • 50K≈ $143 (€127)
  • 100K≈ $233 (€207)
  • 200K≈ $377 (€335)
  • 10K3 protections ≈ $80 (€71)
  • 25K5 protections ≈ $116 (€103)
  • 50K7 protections ≈ $161 (€143)
  • 100K10 protections ≈ $260 (€231)
  • 200K20 protections ≈ $467 (€415)
  • 25K≈ $179 (€159)
  • 50K≈ $233 (€207)
  • 100K≈ $386 (€343)
  • 200K≈ $693 (€615)
Annual billing20% off
ClickGuard plans
ClickGuardLiteStandardPro
Monthly price$89Up to $5K ad spendFrom $14910K to 50K: $149 to $499From $19910K to 100K: $199 to $999
Monthly price, billed annually$74From $11910K to 50K: $119 to $399From $15910K to 100K: $159 to $799
Spend tiers (monthly billing)
  • 5K$89
  • 5K–10K$149
  • 15K$209
  • 20K$259
  • 30K$359
  • 40K$439
  • 50K$499
  • 5K–10K$199
  • 15K$284
  • 20K$359
  • 30K$509
  • 40K$599
  • 50K$699
  • 75K$899
  • 100K$999
Spend tiers (monthly, billed annually)
  • 5K$74
  • 5K–10K$119
  • 15K$167
  • 20K$207
  • 30K$287
  • 40K$351
  • 50K$399
  • 5K–10K$159
  • 15K$227
  • 20K$287
  • 30K$407
  • 40K$479
  • 50K$559
  • 75K$719
  • 100K$799
PlatformOne of Google, Meta or Microsoft AdsGoogle, Meta and Microsoft AdsGoogle, Meta and Microsoft Ads
Websites1Up to 3Unlimited
Ad accounts12 per websiteUnlimited
Users25Unlimited
LimitMonthly ad spend; clicks unlimited
Data retention1 month2 months6 months
HighlightsBasic reporting and protection controls, click and behavior tracking, agency management toolsEverything in Lite plus three platforms, standard reporting and protection controls, blacklist managementEverything in Standard plus advanced reporting and protection controls, conversion tracking
Billing period10% off quarterly, 20% off annually

The limits don't count the same thing

At ClickSambo, 5K means 5,000 unique visitors a month. At ClickGuard, 5K means $5,000 of ad spend a month, with no cap on clicks. In industries with a high cost per click, a spend limit fills up with relatively few visits; in low-cost, high-traffic accounts the visitor limit can fill up first.

What happens when you go over

ClickGuard says it doesn't penalize occasional spend spikes and recommends a better-fitting plan if spend regularly exceeds the limit. At ClickSambo, protection stops once the month's limit is reached; you continue by upgrading or waiting for the renewal date.

ClickGuard prices were taken on October 26, 2026 from the clickguard.com pricing page. The spend tiers were taken from the monthly and annual billing views of the page's slider. Standard tops out at $50K, Pro at $100K. For ad spend above $100K, the Custom plan is quoted on request and includes personal onboarding and a customer success manager.

For all ClickSambo plans and add-ons, see our pricing page; for ClickGuard plans, see ClickGuard's pricing page.

ClickSambo vs. ClickGuard on Independent Platforms

You can also compare the two tools side by side on independent software platforms built on user reviews.

G2ClickGuard vs ClickSamboSee the comparison →TrustRadiusClickGuard vs ClickSamboSee the comparison →SourceForgeClickGuard vs ClickSamboSee the comparison →SlashdotClickGuard vs ClickSamboSee the comparison →CapterraClickGuard vs ClickSamboSee the comparison →

When to choose ClickSambo, when to choose ClickGuard?

ClickSambo fits better if

  • You want the channel shut down automatically mid-attack.
  • You don't want Smart Bidding learning from bots.
  • You collect leads with Meta Instant Forms.
  • You want to see call and WhatsApp actions per visitor.
  • You're an agency reselling protection at your own price.
  • You want the dashboard and support in Turkish or Portuguese as well as English.
  • Your budget is tight: the starter plan is €49/month.

ClickGuard fits better if

  • You advertise on Microsoft Ads (Bing).
  • You want the limit to count ad spend.
  • Your cost per click is low and your click volume is high.
  • You want to automate placement exclusions on the Display Network.
  • You want a brand that has been around since 2016.
  • As an agency you need workspaces and permission management.
  • You want invoices in USD, EUR or GBP, with quarterly billing.

What sets ClickSambo apart

The features below either have no counterpart on ClickGuard's official pages or work differently in ClickSambo.

Google Ads

Circuit Breaker

IP blocking only goes so far. An excluded IP no longer sees your ad in search, but it can keep clicking by pasting the ad link straight into a browser; even if Google refunds those clicks later, the day's budget is gone. Circuit Breaker temporarily shuts down the keyword, device or location where the attack is concentrated via the Google Ads API and reopens it when time is up; the rest of the campaign stays live. You add it as a monthly add-on on top of your current plan.

  • Keyword: paused for 15 minutes after 10 fake clicks in 5 minutes.
  • Device: a -100% bid adjustment for 15 minutes after 20 fake mobile clicks in 5 minutes.
  • Location: excluded for 15 minutes after 15 fake clicks from one location in 5 minutes.

Thresholds are tuned per account; the last active keyword and the last active device are never shut down. For details, see our Circuit Breaker page.

09.09.2026 14:16bosch dishwasher repairreopened after 16 min Keyword breaker · 2 of 3 clicks in 5 minutes were fake, 67% · rest of the campaign stayed live
Google Ads

Two-layer conversion sending

Google's Smart Bidding looks for people who resemble whatever you send as a conversion. A conversion anyone can trigger, like a button click, counts bots as "successful" too, and your next ads go right back to them. ClickSambo sends Google two separate signals:

Negative Signal → To Google

Secondary conversion. The user agent and click signal of traffic flagged as fake. It shows Google this profile is fake without distorting your bidding goal. Google models this negative signal and learns not to show your ads to this and similar profiles in the future.

Bot clicks
VPN/Proxy traffic
0 sec duration
Click Farm
ClickSambo

Positive Signal → To Google

Primary conversion. Verified interactions from real and potential customers. The bidding algorithm targets people who look like them.

Time on page (30s+)
Scroll depth (50%+)
Form

The result: budget moves away from bot profiles toward real buyers. ClickGuard offers conversion tracking and conversion-based exclusion rules on its Pro and Custom plans; official pages don't mention it sending Google a separate negative or positive signal. The secondary signal is on every ClickSambo plan; primary conversion sending is on Premium.

Meta Ads

Instant Form lead validation

Instant Forms are filled in inside Facebook and Instagram, so code on your site can't see those submissions. ClickSambo checks every lead on four layers the moment it arrives and shows a risk score with the reason. The exclusion audience built from fake clicks on website ads also applies to your other ad sets.

  • Content: Is the name meaningful, is the phone valid, is the email disposable? Over 8,700 disposable email domains are recognized.
  • Behavior: Is the same person submitting repeatedly, do submissions arrive in a bot pattern?
  • Shared memory: Identities circulating across different advertisers' forms are compared using encrypted fingerprints only.
  • Ad context: Does the phone's country match the targeting, is there a flagged click on the same ad?

Lead statuses go back to Meta as Received, Qualified or Disqualified, so your next ads reach people who look like real customers. Instant Form protection is on every plan. Meta Ads Protection

Mobile

ClickSambo mobile app

Keep an eye on your ad account away from your desk. Clicks and fake traffic flow into the app in real time; when an attack is detected or a new lead comes in, you get an instant notification on your phone.

  • Real-time monitoring: Clicks and fake traffic stream live in the app.
  • Fake-click alerts: An instant alert when an attack is detected.
  • Lead notifications: Know right away when a new lead arrives.
  • One-tap blocking: Block a suspicious source from your phone.
  • Google Ads and Meta Ads account management: Manage both ad accounts from the app.
Download on theApp Store GET IT ONGoogle Play

For all of the app's features and screens, see our Mobile Apps page.

Agencies

Partner Wallet

A separate app for agencies and consultants who manage client accounts; it's available on the web today, with iOS and Android versions coming soon. You open the client account, send a 3, 6, 9 or 12-month payment link by WhatsApp or email, and track live who has paid and whose renewal is coming up. The payment calendar shows estimated earnings for the months ahead.

20%monthly revenue up to €1,999
25%monthly revenue €2,000 to €4,999
30%monthly revenue €5,000 and above

Commission recurs on every payment and renewal and reaches your account 15 business days after the client pays. The agency sets the price, and payment links work wherever your clients are. Partner Program

Managed service

Shield

Shield recognizes a fake visitor who clicked your ad before your site even opens, in about 3 seconds, and keeps them out. No code is added to your site, setup takes 1 day and we manage it. It works alongside an active protection plan and is billed separately. A real visitor blocked by mistake is let back in the same day. Fake visitors can't fill in your forms, inflate your reports or strain your server.

Ad clickThe visitor heads to your site
Shield≈ 3 sec server-level check
Real visitorEnters the site
Fake visitorKept out
  • No code needed
  • Set up in 1 day
  • Same-day fixes

For details, see our Shield page.

Switching from ClickGuard to ClickSambo

Switching takes about 5 minutes. During the trial you can compare the results of both tools.

Google Ads

  1. Create an account

    Add your domain. Your card isn't charged during the 7-day trial.

  2. Add the code

    Add it to your site or to Google Tag Manager. Our support team can set it up for free if you prefer.

  3. Connect Google Ads

    Tracking parameters are applied in one click. If the account already has a tracking template, ClickSambo doesn't overwrite it; our support team helps you merge the two.

  4. Protection active

    Fake clicks start being blocked in real time.

Extra protection
Circuit Breaker

Temporarily shuts down the keyword, device or location when an attack concentrates on it.

Shield

A managed service that stops fake visitors before your site even opens.

Meta Ads · Facebook and Instagram

  1. Log in with Meta

    Connect your Meta account under Account Settings › Connections.

  2. Choose ad account and pixel

    Choose your Meta ad account and pixel; if you don't have a pixel, create one from the dashboard.

  3. Update URL parameters

    Parameters are applied to all ads in one click; catalogue and dynamic ads are listed for manual review.

  4. Allow pages and feedback

    Choose your Facebook page for lead form protection and turn on Conversion Leads feedback.

  5. Protection active

    New ad sets are protected automatically.

Frequently asked questions

What is ClickGuard?

ClickGuard (ClickGUARD) is software that blocks invalid clicks on Google, Meta and Microsoft ads. It has been running since 2016, and its founder and CEO is Ralph Perrier. It relaunched with a new dashboard and brand identity in October 2025.

How much does ClickGuard cost?

As of October 26, 2026, on monthly billing Lite is $89 (up to $5K ad spend), Standard is $149 to $499 depending on spend (up to $50K) and Pro is $199 to $999 (up to $100K). On annual billing the monthly equivalent is $74 for Lite, $119 to $399 for Standard and $159 to $799 for Pro depending on spend; quarterly billing gets 10% off. Ad spend above $100K is quoted on the Custom plan.

What's the best ClickGuard alternative?

It depends on your needs. If you want a tool that protects Google Ads and Meta ads, shuts a channel down automatically mid-attack, sends Google clean conversion signals and validates Meta Instant Form leads, ClickSambo is a strong alternative. If Microsoft Ads protection is a must, look at tools that cover that network, such as ClickCease; see our ClickSambo vs ClickCease comparison too.

Is a spend-based or a visitor-based limit better?

It depends on your account. ClickGuard tiers its plans by monthly ad spend and doesn't cap clicks; ClickSambo counts monthly unique visitors. In industries with a high cost per click, the visitor limit usually fills up later; in low-cost, high-traffic accounts a spend limit can be more flexible.

How is ClickSambo's Circuit Breaker different from IP blocking?

IP blocking stops a single source; if the attacker changes IP, the clicks continue. When an attack piles up on a keyword, device or location, ClickSambo's Circuit Breaker shuts that channel down via the Google Ads API for adjustable periods and reopens it automatically when time is up. The rest of the campaign stays live, so your budget doesn't run out during the day.

Does ClickSambo support Microsoft Ads (Bing)?

No. ClickSambo currently covers Google Ads and Meta ads. If you need Microsoft Ads protection, a tool that supports that network, such as ClickGuard, is the better fit.

Which is better for agencies?

Both have agency tools. With ClickSambo's Partner Wallet, the agency sets its own price, sends a payment link and earns 20%, 25% or 30% commission on every payment and renewal. ClickGuard has workspaces and permission management; its affiliate program pays 20% to 35% commission based on sales count, for 12 months per customer.

Does ClickSambo have a mobile app?

Yes. With the ClickSambo iOS and Android app you monitor clicks in real time and get instant notifications for fake clicks and new leads. ClickGuard announced a mobile app in 2021; its current pricing and feature pages don't mention it.

Can I use both tools at the same time?

Two tracking codes can run on the site together. In Google Ads only one tracking template can be active at account level, so if the account already has another tool's template, the templates need to be merged when you connect ClickSambo; ClickSambo doesn't overwrite an existing template.

What happens if I exceed my plan limit?

At ClickSambo, if the monthly unique visitor limit is exceeded, protection stops and you continue by upgrading. ClickGuard says it doesn't penalize occasional spend spikes and recommends a better-fitting plan if spend regularly exceeds the limit.

Can I get a report for claiming invalid-click refunds from Google?

ClickSambo provides an Excel report you can attach to Google's Click Quality form: GCLIDs, timestamps, IPs that exceeded thresholds or used proxies, suspicious IP blocks and non-conversion data. ClickGuard logs every click and exclusion; a ready-made refund template isn't mentioned on its official pages. The advertiser submits the claim themselves.

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