Hackers are using various tactics like malvertising to perform cyber attacks. In addition, advertisements track your activities and ruin your browsing experience. Therefore, it is advisable to use an ad blocker to remove all kinds of ads and pop-ups.
Below is a quick list of the ten best ad blockers. It includes both free and paid service providers, so choose a suitable one according to your budget and needs.
- AdLock – You can browse apps, instant messages, and games without seeing ads.
- AdBlock – Prevents advertisements from tracking you on Facebook, Twitch, and YouTube.
- AdGuard – Has a parental control feature that blocks access to inappropriate websites.
- AdBlocker Ultimate – Removes intrusive pop-ups, banners, and video ads in apps and browsers.
- Ghostery – It blocks commericals and trackers on all or selected websites and improves page speed.
- AdFender – The service provider blocks ads and stops certain information from getting leaked to the web servers.
- UBlock Origin – Blocks ads and cookies make you a targeted advertisement victim.
- AdBlock Plus – It helps eliminate flashing banners, pop-ups, and video ads.
- AdMuncher – You can virtually block ads on all browsers, and it has a free and premium plan.
- 1Blocker – The best ad-blocker for Apple devices to block all unwanted ads and trackers.
Pop-up ads are intrusive, ruin the browsing experience, and increase hardware loads. They are even the most significant source of income for some people. They are known to install malware and spyware on your device and risk your digital safety. However, you can keep browsing activities safe and stop these pop-ups from annoying you using an adblocker.
Ad blockers are the perfect and obvious solution to removing unwanted web ads. Most ad blockers are premium, but there are quite a few free ones that you can use without investing. However, be careful when choosing free ad blockers, as most of them collect and sell your data or work as a source to deploy malware, trackers, and viruses on your device.
Why do you need an ad blocker? Is it safe to use?
Marketing companies rely significantly on online advertisements to reach the right target audience. They collect information about your browsing activities, likes, dislikes, and preferences via cookies, trackers, and browsers and later target you with personalized ads. The most concerning part of this process is that all this happens without your consent.
The ads on your screen are annoying as they cover the content, are repeated several times, and are even malicious. This puts your privacy at stake. The best way to prevent them is to use a legitimate ad-blocker.
An ad blocker is an efficient way to block ads and browse the web without interruption. Moreover, an ad-blocker is safe to use in many ways:
- It saves your bandwidth and improves browsing speed.
- Some ad-blockers even protect from malware and spyware and thus ensure a safe and secure browsing experience.
- The ad blockers come with customizable options to enhance your overall user experience.
- It stops trackers from collecting your personal information.
All the points above clarify that there’s no harm in using an ad-blocker. You only care about using an ad-blocker that’s well-reputed and reliable. Make sure you make the right choice because otherwise, you can put your safety at risk.
10 Best ad blockers to use in 2024
After hours of testing and research, below is a quick list of the ten best free ad-blockers that improve your privacy and browsing speeds:
1. AdLock
- Website URL: adlock.com
- Filters HTTPS connections
- Blocks ads from videos
- Saves battery power
- Numerous add-on features
- Functions of Android, Apple, and Windows devices
AdLock is the best free ad-blocker that allows users to use it as a standalone app on their device or as a browser extension. It is among the most comprehensive ad-blocking software that blocks pop-up, video, and crypto-mining ads that might collect personal information and ruin your browsing experience. With AdLock, you can browse apps, instant messages, and games without seeing ads.
The ad blocker filters HTTPS connections and blocks harmful links and websites you attempt to access. Besides blocking ads, it hides your identity and tracks bugs and spyware to maintain your online presence. It doesn’t load unnecessary work and saves battery power and mobile data. The ad blocker filters the incoming internet traffic and controls the usage of different applications.
The software is easy to use and install. You only need to download it on your device and start using it. It is available for Android, iOS, MacOS, and Windows platforms. Though it doesn’t have a free version, you can buy the pro version and avail yourself of the 30-day money-back guarantee offer.
Overall, AdLock is reliable and performs exceptionally well in blocking ads, but there’s only one thing that the users don’t like about it. The tool doesn’t offer a live chat feature, and the users can’t get an instant reply to their queries.
2. AdBlock
- Website URL: getadblock.com
- Blocks ads from social media sites
- Totally free
- Blocks third-party trackers
- Various customizable features
- Compatible with Android, iOS, Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Safari
AdBlock is a lightweight ad blocker that wipes out advertisements, including banners, pop-ups, and video ads. It also prevents ads from tracking and interrupting your browsing experience on Facebook, Twitch, and YouTube. The ad blocker also improves your page load speed and enables you to enjoy a faster internet speed.
The most impressive thing about AdBlock is that it uses a set of rules called the Cryptocurrency Mining Protection List that tells where to block website ads and trackers. The filter list is enabled by default, and you can use it to protect your device from websites that utilize your computer resources to mine for cryptocurrency. Moreover, the ad-blocker saves you from malware and other malicious advertisements. Apart from this, AdBlock comes with various customization options in the settings menu. You can configure the settings as needed and enhance your browsing experience.
AdBlock is a great ad blocker with various customizable options. It is easy to download and use on Android and iOS devices for free. You can even use it as a browser extension on Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Firefox, and Safari. However, compared to its rivals, AdBlock lacks other advanced features.
3. AdGuard
- Website URL: adguard.com/en/welcome.html
- Works for both apps and browsers
- Hides your activities from trackers
- Improves page loading speed
- Parental control
- Compatible with Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows
AdGuard is an efficient ad blocker that blocks every type of ad, from banners to pop-ups and video ads, and ensures an uninterrupted surfing experience. When tested, the ad blocker lived up to all its claims. The software uses unnoticeable background filters along with cosmetic processing, so you see only clean pages when the content appears on the screen.
The ad blocker comes with various adjustable features that make it a perfect option for maintaining a high level of security and privacy on the web. For example, you can use the anti-phishing and anti-malware features and enjoy secure browsing. It scans and blocks every page against the database for harmful and malicious content. It also blocks third-party cookies and other trackers that secretly spy on your browsing activities.
With AdGuard ad-blocker, you can even protect your children from online threats. Its parental control feature blocks access to inappropriate websites and deletes obscene materials from search results. You can also create a customizable blocklist to ensure your kids’ safe web browsing experience.
Moreover, AdGuard offers a VPN that allows you to hide your online identity and browse more safely.
However, the VPN product doesn’t come for free, nor does the ad-blocker itself. However, you can always benefit from the 60-day money-back guarantee offer and test the service on all major operating systems and devices.
4. AdBlocker Ultimate
- Website URL: adblockultimate.net
- Blocks all types of ads
- Ghost Mode
- Prevent trackers
- Stay safe from online threats
- Works with Android, iOS, Windows, and browser extensions
AdBlocker Ultimate is an open-source ad or pop-up blocker. It is one of the most popular ad-blocking software that blocks ads and trackers while surfing social networking sites like Facebook and YouTube.
The software is easy to use and download. Like other reliable ad-blockers, it also offers features that maintain security and ensure an excellent user experience. Moreover, it has an impressive ghost mode feature that makes your online presence invisible and leaves no room for trackers to track your activities.
Adblock Ultimate blocks access to malicious domains to prevent phishing or malware attacks. You can configure the settings and enable the dark mode to reduce the pressure on your eyes with a dark interface.
The ad blocker works with browsers and desktop-based apps, including Android and iOS platforms. The browser comes with two different subscription plans. One is for personal use and allows up to three device connections, while the other is for family use and 12 device connections. However, if you’re hesitant about investing in a premium plan, you can use it for free by availing of the 30-day money-back guarantee offer.
5. Ghostery
- Website URL: www.ghostery.com
- Stop trackers
- Speed up web pages
- Shows zero ads
- Forensic tracker analysis
- Works on all browsers and mobile apps
Ghostery is a renowned ad blocker that blocks ads and trackers on all or selected websites. The smarter ad-blocking feature automatically boosts and optimizes the page loading speed. Using it as a browser extension keeps you informed and updated about the companies tracking you by listing the trackers on every website you visit.
The tool even offers a custom blocking feature, which allows you to decide when and what to block. Another good thing about this ad blocker is that it removes data points that can identify you and risk your digital privacy. Since it’s open-source, you can easily find the transparency report on GitHub and satisfy yourself with its credibility.
The ad-blocker has an excellent customer support team. If you experience any problems, you can contact the support team by submitting a tracker. It also has a resourceful FAQ section that answers many of your questions.
6. AdFender
- Website URL: adfender.com
- Blocks all types of ads
- Improves speed
- Remove profiling cookies
- Prevent trackers from data mining
- Works on Windows and other supported browsers
AdFender also ranks as the best free ad-blocker that you can consider using. It blocks ads and stops certain information from getting leaked to the web servers. It also filters out various types of content and saves much of your bandwidth, enhancing the page loading and browsing speeds.
The ad blocker comes with several advanced features that boost your online security. For example, it uses the man-in-the-middle attack approach to filter secure HTTPS connections and prevent you from accessing malicious sites. The AdFender anonymizer is another excellent feature of the software.
It protects users from hackers and other snooping eyes while using a public Wi-Fi network at a cafe or coffee shop. The anonymizer routes your data traffic via the Tor network and prevents anyone from viewing your location or the websites you visit. This fantastic feature makes you more anonymous and private online and is rarely found in any other ad blocker.
AdFender ensures a good user experience on Windows, Chrome, Firefox, Opera, and Microsoft Edge. You can use the free trial if you first want to try out the ad-blocker features. However, the ad-blocker does not support other popular platforms like Android, iOS, and MacOS, disappointing users.
7. uBlock Origin
- Website URL: ublockorigin.com
- Blocks all ads, even from social media sites
- Open source and free to use
- Allows whitelisting
- Protects from tracking
- Supports various browsers
uBlock Origin is an efficient ad blocker you can use as a browser extension, not a standalone app. It is a reliable pop-up adware blocker that helps eliminate annoying and unwanted banner and video ads. Though it has limited customizable features, whatever it offers is enough to enjoy a secure browsing experience.
The ad-blocker has an EasyList filter that automatically removes unwanted content from the web page without impacting your browsing speeds. It also blocks cookies that might collect data related to your browsing history, and later, you become a victim of targeted advertisements. In addition, the supplementary filter list deletes web bugs and tracking scripts and protects your data from stealing.
The ad blocker is free and easy to use. You need to download the extension on Chrome, Firefox, Mac, and Safari and enhance your user experience.
8.AdBlock Plus
- Website URL: adblockplus.org
- Free and open source
- Disable tracking on mobile devices
- Loads the web pages faster
- Prevents from malvertising
- Works on Android and other supported browsers
AdBlock Plus allows users to eliminate flashing banners, pop-ups, and video ads and ensures a secure web browsing experience. By blocking out these ads, this ad-blocker saves bandwidth and helps to improve web page loading speed. With this ad-blocker, you can even avoid online tracking and malware from infecting your device and maintain your online security.
AdBlock Plus lacks customizable features. It doesn’t mean this makes it less, anyhow. By default, it blocks ads depending on the browser’s language settings. You can even create your own list to block any specific types of ads.
The tool works exceptionally well on Android, Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari, and Yandex browser. However, it earns revenue through the Acceptable Ads initiative meaning you’ll see non-intrusive ads managed by an independent committee, and many users don’t like this.
9. Ad Muncher
- Website URL: www.admuncher.com
- Offers free and paid plans
- Blocks third-party tracking systems
- Comes as a software app instead of an extension
- Blocks all types of ads
- Works on all popular browsers
Ad Muncher is another of the best ad blockers, offering a free and premium plan. You can even buy the pro version and browse the web without worrying about pop-up ads and trackers, but the free version is enough to ensure an ad-free browsing experience. You can virtually block ads on all browsers, but you must install it on your device since it is an app and not a browser extension.
The ad-blocker works perfectly on Chrome, Firefox, Opera, Safari, Netscape, Flock, and Maxthon. It kills all unwanted pop-up and video ads and filters out the background, plugins, and wallpapers among the contents of the web pages. Also, it saves bandwidth and speeds up the page loading speed.
10. 1Blocker
- Website URL: 1blocker.com
- Block intrusive ads and sneaky trackers
- Improves speeds
- Advanced customization
- Whitelist synchronization
- Works only on iOS and Mac devices
If you’re looking for the best free ad blocker for iPhone, you should try using 1Blocker. You can download it from the Apple App Store and block all unwanted ads that ruin your browsing experience. It even prevents you from third-party trackers and boosts your digital privacy.
The ad-blocker offers customization features like creating custom rules to block any URL or hide any website element by CSS. However, the only thing users don’t like about 1Blocker is that it isn’t available for any other device or platform.
What is the best free adblocker?
Ad blockers have become essential tools for blocking intrusive and malicious ads and ensuring a safe and secure web browsing experience. All the ad blockers mentioned above are reliable and can be used in one way or another, but the best among them is AdBlock. It filters out annoying ads, improves page loading and browsing speeds, and protects your online identity.
Other than AdBlock, AdGuard and AdFender also ensure the best user experience. Both of them are feature-packed and provide excellent functionality. AdGuard has an added VPN feature that increases digital privacy and other benefits.
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About the Author
Farwa is an experienced InfoSec writer and cybersecurity journalist skilled in writing articles related to cybersecurity, AI, DevOps, Big Data, Cloud security, VPNs, IAM, and Cloud Computing. Also a contributor on Tripwire.com, Infosecurity Magazine, Security Boulevard, DevOps.com, and CPO Magazine.
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