BlackGuard vs PhoenixAC
PhoenixAC is the budget-and-lifetime option: it sells one-time licenses rather than a subscription, from $35 for a 30-day (1-month) license up to a $235 lifetime license, with 3+ years in the space, solid and no-frills. BlackGuard adds an AI-first engine (behavioral + vision, 6 detection categories) from a $20/mo subscription with a 14-day guarantee.
| BlackGuard | PhoenixAC | |
|---|---|---|
| Detection approach | AI-first: behavioral + vision | Standard detection |
| Detection categories | All 6 | All AC features |
| Starting price | $20/mo | $35 one-time (30-day license), up to $235 lifetime |
| Money-back | 14-day | None |
| HWID ban-evasion alerting | Yes | Verify |
Current pricing
Prices as of August 24, 2026, sourced directly from phoenix-ac.com/store.
- Bronze: $35 (1-month license)
- Silver: $70/quarter (list $105)
- Gold: $135/year (list $420)
- Diamond: $235 lifetime
Phoenix-AC's quarterly, yearly, and lifetime licenses work out cheaper per month than the $35 30-day entry if you commit longer; BlackGuard's $20/mo has no prepay requirement and a 14-day money-back guarantee.
Where BlackGuard wins
- Subscription with a guarantee, vs a one-time license: BlackGuard is $20/mo with a 14-day money-back guarantee Phoenix doesn't list (Phoenix's cheapest is a $35 one-time 30-day license).
- AI-first dual engine + Vision AI, vs Phoenix's standard detection.
- Modern, transparent pipeline with minimal tick impact.
Where PhoenixAC is strong
Price and simplicity: the $235 Diamond lifetime license is attractive if you want a low one-time cost, and Phoenix has 3+ years of operation. If a cheap lifetime license is the goal, Phoenix's Diamond tier is hard to beat on raw cost.
Bottom line. Want modern AI detection with a guarantee and everything included? BlackGuard. Want the cheapest lifetime license? PhoenixAC.
Other comparisons
Full guide: all FiveM anti-cheats compared.