What are the best ad blockers?

Question

27

Options
Considered

596

User
Recs.

Oct 1, 2023

Last
Updated

Here’s the Deal

The Best 1 of 22 OptionsWhy?

Best ad blockers	Price	Blocking	Supported platforms
94 uBlock Origin	Free	Browser Only	Browser Addon
80 AdAway	free	System-wide	-
73 Adguard AdBlocker	Paid	-	-
68 Pi-hole	FREE	All configured Networks/ Network-wide	-
-- Blokada	free	-	Android, Android TV

See Full List

21 Other Options Considered

AdAway

Top Pro

Doesn't consume CPU time or memory

The app updates the host file periodically but doesn't need to run in the background in order to block ads, which is especially convenient for older phones. See More

Top Con

Won't block same domain ads

Because the host file can only redirect domains, if the ad and content are on the same domain the ad will be displayed. See More

slantedexpanded's Experience

One of the best if not the best ad-blockers for android. One does need to be rooted whether with magisk or otherwise. See More

Specs

Platforms:Android (Host-file)

Blocking:System-wide

Top Pro

System wide blocking

Uses the hosts files to block ads, so it works for everything. See More

Top Con

Needs root (by design)

Needs root to be able to install this adblocker. Without root it ain't working. See More

Holo Deck's Experience

I use Adadway since years and it is the best way to block ads on android it does not only blocks ads inside your browser but also in the most free android apps on the play store. iOS and Android might be good for many users but a rooted LineageOS with microG and AdAway is unbeatable! See More

Top Pro

System-wide blocking

Uses the host files to block ads, so it works for everything. See More

Top Pro

Can use systemless host

Can be used without modifying the system if rooted with magisk. See More

Top Pro

Can use custom host files

Lots of people keep their own updated host files used for blocking ads and ad away supports loading them in or even adding their source for auto loading.. See More

See All

Adguard AdBlocker

Top Pro

Easy to use

Get the paid version which you can try completly free for two weeks. See More

Top Con

Slow

Like any browser extension, it slows down your browser. See More

WittyTelipinu's Experience

Best blocker See More

Specs

Platforms:Windows, Linux, Mac, iOS, Android, Browser

Top Pro

Easy to use but also provides top notch protection

Not complex. However, the protection makes it seem like it is. See More

Top Con

Unable to use a VPN when using this software concurrently

This is because of how the filtering and blocking process on almost all non-root block options amongst apps work. The app makes use of the VPN protocol locally to block ads and thus you won't be able to use a VPN at the same time. See More

maxart2007's Experience

Use free chrome extension and bought full PC version with endless license. It's just great, full desktop version even filters ads before they get into your browser which is better than extensions. See More

Top Pro

Offers an operating system-level solution in addition to per-browser extensions

While most ad blockers can only help you while viewing web pages and only in one specific browser inside which they're installed, AdGuard offers a Windows application which runs in the background of your system and blocks ads on all browsers and native applications from only a single process. See More

Top Con

Commercial

It not really nice to route all your sensible data through their servers. See More

Ruth 's Experience

Before using Adguard, I used UBlock Origin. IMO, Adguard is easier to use while also providing excellent protection. Just as with Origin, all ads are blocked. With the right filters, your computer is well protected. Nothing gets through that you don't let get through. I am considering upgrading to Premium. See More

Top Pro

Stealth mode

offers options to prevent user tracking like removing url tracking parameters disable browsing api (webrtc, push, location) remove/modify identifying browser request headers See More

Top Con

Just a browser addon

It is just a browser addon so it will only work with the supported browsers and you have to install it for all browsers separately. See More

AuthenticVulcan's Experience

Very good UX/UI for anyone to use. See More

Top Pro

Option to allow useful ads

Top Con

Blocks some websites

Occasionally blocks access to some unrelated websites which heavily uses Javascript. See More

top vidéos's Experience

The best Extension fod adblocking and malicious for chrome and all devices : Mac & Win & Android & Ios & google chrome See More

Top Pro

Split VPN Tunneling compatible

You can run AdGuard for your adblocking, and another VPN service at the same time. See More

See All

Pi-hole

Top Pro

You can select a DNS like 1.1.1.1 or 8.8.8.8 and others

Top Con

Requires some advanced devOps skills

The tutorial and installation is pretty straight-forward but requires some technical chops to install. You should be comfortable with the Linux command line. See More

emopausal's Experience

Have been using pi-hole now for over a year on my LAN that has over 20 computers of various OS's attached. (Linux, Android, ChromeOS and even a Win7 box!). See More

Specs

Platforms:Router / Local Hardware

Blocking:All configured Networks/ Network-wide

Top Pro

Does not need a Pi

You can install this on any posix device that can run bash scripts eg your linux or unix server it also can run on windows with the subsystem for linux or with a docker container. See More

Top Con

Can inadvertantly block sites that are required for other web-based services

For example, using pi-hole for websites that rely on 3rd-party sites can be broken by pi-hole if the 3P site references black-listed sites. See More

ColorfulTeshub's Experience

Good, but you will need a Linux See More

Top Pro

Blocks ads for all network devices and browsers

No need to install blockers at the browser or OS level. Pi-hole works at the DNS (network) level so you only have to maintain and manage one authority. See More

Top Con

Unreliable because of Pi architecture

If you use it with a Pi, however, Pi-hole can run on any POSix device that can run curses like: Any Unix/Linux server, Windows servers with the Linux subsystem, routers, even toasters if they run on Linux. See More

ConfidentThetis's Experience

The major problem is this run on a Raspberry Pi. Pi's are incredibly horrible to setup as router with Wifi as NAT port and just a single half-baked gigabit port for LAN. Pi's are also verry unreliable 24/7 due to SD card storage. See More

Top Pro

Frequent updates are easily applied

It takes one mouse-click to keep pi-hole updated and current with new blocked-site lists. See More

Top Con

Setup horror

Top Pro

Low-cost deployment

Installs on a $35 Raspberry PI SBC. Open-source software (donations accepted). See More

Top Con

Pages

It blocks the ads but doesn't delete the location of an ad. See More

Top Pro

Can whitelist blocked sites on the fly

If a blocked site comes up and pihole is set to display the block page, you can add it to the whitelist there and then. See More

Top Pro

Can be used with a vpn from anywhere in the world

Top Pro

Easy installer

It includes an easy shell installer. See More

Top Pro

Regex blocking

Supports now regex blocking. See More

See All

Blokada

Top Pro

Free and open source

Top Con

Cannot use with VPN

Because Blokada works by using an internal VPN to act as a filter, it is not possible to use Blokada if you're using an actual VPN. See More

SpiritedAuseklis's Experience

Added a real no log VPN (paid). See More

Specs

Supported platforms:Android, Android TV

Top Pro

No root

It works over a local VPN so it does not need a rooted device. See More

Top Con

Needs more system resources

It needs more system resources than ADAway for example because it runs in the background. See More

Holo Deck's Experience

Probably the best way if you don't want to root your phone. It blocks ADs across all browsers and in the most Android applications. See More

Top Pro

Great features

Blokada works across all of your apps, not only the browser! It doesn't require root, supports both wifi and mobile networks, and is perfectly safe and simple to use. Just turn it on, and it will do the job silently! If there are problems with one specific app, just bypass it. See More

Top Con

-

Top Pro

Blocks ads

Blokada efficiently blocks ads, tracking and malware. It saves your data plan, makes your device faster and protects your privacy. See More

Top Pro

Blocks Ads

Blokada efficiently blocks ads, tracking and malware. It saves your data plan, makes your device faster and protects your privacy. See More

Top Pro

No ROOT required

Top Pro

Secure

See All

AdBlocker Ultimate

Top Pro

Completely free

Top Con

Just a browser addon

It is just a browser addon so it will only work with the supported browsers and you have to install it for all browsers separately. See More

CalmSkythes's Experience

Best by all means. Tested all others but this was the most smooth and effective. See More

Specs

Platforms:Browser Addon, Windows (whole system)

Cost:Free (browser), from $2.50/mo or $74.95 lifetime (Windows)

Top Pro

Best Youtube ad blocking

Top Con

Element hiding helper has occasional hiccups.

EarnestEunostus's Experience

Added it to 64-Bit Firefox 62.0.3 running on 64-Bit Windows 10 Pro with 8GB of RAM. Started to experience a slowdown of all open aps after about 15 minutes of browsing. Task manager was showing multiple instances of Firefox using a total of 1.8 GB of memory. Disabling it and restarting Firefox got rid of the problem. See More

Top Pro

Free and open source

Anyone can improve and audit the code. Licensed with a gplv3 license. See More

Top Con

Memory hog that gets worse the longer it runs

Happened with 64-Bit Firefox 62.0.3 running on Desktop PC with 64-Bit Windows 10 Pro with 8GB of RAM. See More

ConfidentThetis's Experience

Best in blocking Youtube ads See More

Top Pro

Supports most popular browsers

AdBlocker Ultimate works on Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Opera, Internet Explorer, Safari and Yandex.Browser. See More

Top Con

Slow

Like any browser extension it slows down your browser. See More

Yanis's Experience

AdBlock is the boss See More

Top Pro

No acceptable ads

Unlike other adblockers, AdBlocker Ultimate doesn't have any whitelisted websites, ad networks or advertising agencies. See More

Top Pro

Avoids awful looping problems on Firefox one sees with Adblock Plus and uBlock

See All

Privoxy

Top Pro

Lightweight

Once configured, it works for all software that's installed on the PC. See More

Specs

Platforms:Windows, macOS, Unix-like, iOS, Android (Proxy)

Blocking:All configured applications

Seven AdClear

Platforms:Android (local VPN)

Blocking:System-wide

Unified Hosts

Platforms:any (host-file)

Blocking:system-wide

Free Adblocker Browser

Top Con

Does not work system-wide

It does not block ads inside apps like host file or vpn based ad blockers. See More

Top Pro

Blocks all ads

You don't get interrupted or annoyed while browsing. See More

Oksana Vengrovska's Experience

It is the best adblocker for Android devices - a browser with an integrated adblocker, no additional plugins required. See More

Specs

Platforms:Android (Browser)

Blocking:Browser Only

Top Con

Not really free

To use advanced options you have to pay. See More

Top Pro

Friendly interface

Top Pro

Blocks trackers and keeps your online privacy protected

Because no trackers are downloaded to your device, advertisers and third parties can't track what you are doing online. See More

Top Pro

Less data consumption, therefore - less money for mobile trafic

Almost 50% of data consumption goes to downloading ads and trackers. And you have to pay for this. With Free Adblocker Browser, you don't have this problem. You get more at a smaller cost. See More

Top Pro

Doesn't ruin the page when it refreshes

It reloads the last loaded webpage when it tries to refresh and you don't have internet service. See More

Top Pro

Ensures fast browsing

Because no ads and trackers are downloaded, pages load very quickly. See More

Top Pro

Super fast

Top Pro

Keeps you safe from malware, viruses, and other scams

The Browser warns you if the website can bring some damage to your device. See More

See All

Adblock Latitude

Add Video or Image

ABPrime

Add Video or Image

Ghostery

Top Pro

Blocks many ads

As a side-effect of stopping trackers, Ghostery also disables many annoying advertisements, and with less of a performance hit than the various AdBlocks (especially when using both). See More

Top Con

Sells user data

Helps advertisers by selling user data. Though this can be turned off. See More

DevotedHelernus's Experience

Shady past. See More

Specs

Platforms:Browser Addon or Modified Browser

Blocking:Browser Only

Top Pro

Prevents you from getting tracked

Top Con

Slow

Like any browser extension it slows down your browser. See More

Top Pro

Now open source

On March 18, 2018 Ghostery announced that they went open-source. See the announcement. See More

Top Con

Just a browser addon

It is just a browser addon so it will only work with the supported browsers and you have to install it for all browsers separately. See More

See All

Privacy Badger

Multi Language Support:Yes

Compatibility:Firefox and Chrome

See All Specs

Magic Lasso Adblock

Add Video or Image

adaware

Add Video or Image

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score 247 · Accepted Answer

uBlock Origin

Top Pro

Open source

No secret code, anyone can check the code at anytime. See More

Top Con

A bit hard to use for novices

You can easily screw up dynamic filtering, which sucks. See More

CharmingCottyto's Experience

Powerful tool in the hand of power users!!!....hack...unlock...block...and many others....Not recomended for ignorants and stupids!! See More

Specs

Blocking:Browser Only

Supported platforms:Browser Addon

Browsers::Available on Chrome,Firefox,Opera & Edge Stores. Can be used in brave & vivaldi with chrome store

Top Pro

Lightweight

Low memory footprint compared to most other ad blockers. See More

Top Con

Interface is simple but a bit outdated

Easy to use but its interface isn't as nice or streamlined. See More

cosmo's Experience

This is, by far, the snappiest and most comprehensive adblocker out there. There really isn't a reason to use anything else. See More

Top Pro

Does not sell whitelisting position to advertisers

Unlike Wladimir Palant's AdBlock Plus and EyeO corporation: the opposite of privacy, honor, and adblocking philosophy. See More

Top Con

Just an extention

If it was across platforms, it would've been better. See More

ShojiVR's Experience

Better alternative of adblock plus with less resource usage and effectiveness See More

Top Pro

Works out of the box

No configuration needed, but still possible to whitelist certain sites. See More

Top Con

Slow

Like any browser extension, it slows down your browser. See More

Miroslav's Experience

Very good against global mass surveillance :) Recommended by privacy tools. Unlike AdBlock Plus, uBlock does not allow so-called "acceptable ads". See More

Top Pro

Simple interface

Top Con

Bad UX

Makes many websites seem scary or broken, causing a lot of accidentally blocking of websites making usable websites into broken state. See More

Tech Chungus's Experience

It isn't just an adblocker. It blocks ads, trackers, webRTC leaks, CSS reports, can block javascript and remote fonts, etc. With advanced mode, you can block certain elements on certain sites. Best tool EVER! See More

Top Pro

Option to zap elements

Element zapper mode allows to interactively and temporarily remove one or more elements on the current page. [Source](interactively remove one or more elements on the current page. Removing an element is always temporary, i.e. the removed elements will be back when the page is reloaded.) See More

Top Con

Just a browser addon

It is just a browser addon so it will only work with the supported browsers and you have to install it for all browsers separately. See More

JoyousHeqet's Experience

uy See More

Top Pro

Prevents ads from loading in the first place, saving bandwidth and making webpages load faster

Unlike many other adblockers, uBlock doesn't just hide ads, it keeps them from being loaded in the first place. As a result, you'll use less bandwidth while browsing, and webpages will load faster overall. See More

Top Con

CPU nightmare

It does consume plenty of your cpu resources. See More

HealthySucellus's Experience

g00d See More

Top Pro

Show number of requests blocked

The extension popup shows the number and percentage of network requests uBlock blocked on the current page and since you installed it. Source image See More

Top Con

Causes short but regular and unworkable loops on Firefox 57 and Windows 10

AuthenticVulcan's Experience

The UI/UX is terrible. Scary for anyone without technical experience making me the only one using it. See More

Top Pro

Is more than an adblocker

It blocks much more than ads: also trackers and other annoying stuff. You can also choose to block elements temporarily or permanently, too. See More

Top Con

No pre-made whitelist

There's no built-in whitelist of useful ads. If you want useful ads, you have to whitelist them manually. See More

SuaveGhatotkacha's Experience

el mejor bloqueador See More

Top Pro

Lots of advanced features

For example, you can add more items to your HOST files like disable social tracking. See More

Top Pro

Promised to remain commercial interest free

uBlock will remain free from any commercial as stated by the creator. uBlock is meant to be strictly for the users and completely free. See More

Top Pro

Option to enhance with User Scripting

On those interweb browsers supporting User Scripts. See More

Top Pro

Elastic filters

It can read and create filters from file hosts. See More

Top Pro

Blocks cryptominers

Cryptominers are javascript adverts which utilize your CPU to mine cryptocurrency for the advert owners. This can be a huge drain on your CPU as well as it's lifetime if these adverts are not blocked. See More

Top Pro

Inspect real-time network traffic

Opening the logger allows to inspect real-time network traffic. Source See More

Top Pro

Detects skimming

Skimming means replacing links so that they are rerouted, this is mostly a more friendly way to make money than showing ads. See More

Top Pro

Show number of domains connected (established and blocked)

The extension popup shows the number of distinct domains that tried to connect and the number of distinct domains that succeeded to connect (have not been blocked) on the current page. Source See More

Top Pro

Can be used on Firefox Mobile

Top Pro

Thoughtful UI

Its non-invasive design shows you how many times something's been blocked on a given web page – that number quickly jumps to the double- if not triple-digits in some cases. See More

The Best 1 of 22 OptionsWhy?

My Recommendation for uBlock Origin

My Recommendation for uBlock Origin

Open source

A bit hard to use for novices

Lightweight

Interface is simple but a bit outdated

Does not sell whitelisting position to advertisers

Just an extention

Works out of the box

Slow

Simple interface

Bad UX

Option to zap elements

Just a browser addon

Prevents ads from loading in the first place, saving bandwidth and making webpages load faster

CPU nightmare

Show number of requests blocked

Causes short but regular and unworkable loops on Firefox 57 and Windows 10

Is more than an adblocker

No pre-made whitelist

Lots of advanced features

Promised to remain commercial interest free

Option to enhance with User Scripting

Elastic filters

Blocks cryptominers

Inspect real-time network traffic

Detects skimming

Show number of domains connected (established and blocked)

Can be used on Firefox Mobile

Thoughtful UI

Whitelisting of websites or singular pages

Edge version

21 Other Options Considered

My Recommendation for AdAway

My Recommendation for AdAway

Doesn't consume CPU time or memory

Won't block same domain ads

System wide blocking

Needs root (by design)

System-wide blocking

Can use systemless host

Can use custom host files

My Recommendation for Adguard AdBlocker

My Recommendation for Adguard AdBlocker

Easy to use

Slow

Easy to use but also provides top notch protection

Unable to use a VPN when using this software concurrently

Offers an operating system-level solution in addition to per-browser extensions

Commercial

Stealth mode

Just a browser addon

Option to allow useful ads

Blocks some websites

Split VPN Tunneling compatible

My Recommendation for Pi-hole

My Recommendation for Pi-hole

You can select a DNS like 1.1.1.1 or 8.8.8.8 and others

Requires some advanced devOps skills

Does not need a Pi

Can inadvertantly block sites that are required for other web-based services

Blocks ads for all network devices and browsers

Unreliable because of Pi architecture

Frequent updates are easily applied

Setup horror

Low-cost deployment

Pages

Can whitelist blocked sites on the fly

Can be used with a vpn from anywhere in the world

Easy installer

Regex blocking

My Recommendation for Blokada

My Recommendation for Blokada

Free and open source

Cannot use with VPN

No root

Needs more system resources

Great features

-