Twitch.tv has become one of the premier live streaming platforms, especially for gaming content. However, frequent ads during streams have frustrated many users. In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll cover the best ad blockers to use with Twitch in 2024.
Contents
Why Use an Ad Blocker for Twitch?
Twitch inserts pre-roll, mid-roll, and display ads throughout streams. These disruptive ads can detract from the viewing experience. Reasons to use an ad blocker include:
- Avoid annoying disruptions during streams
- Speed up page load times by blocking trackers
- Enhance privacy by preventing ad targeting
- Unclutter streams and chat with fewer visual ads
- Take control of your viewing experience
Blocking ads also reduces data usage on mobile. Of course, blocking ads prevents creators from earning ad revenue. So consider whitelisting your favorite streamers or sending a donation if you block their ads.
Best Ad Blockers for Twitch
After extensive testing, we found these to be the top ad blocking tools for Twitch in 2024:
1. uBlock Origin – Best Free Desktop Ad Blocker
uBlock Origin is a powerful, open-source ad blocker available as a browser extension. With strong ad blocking capabilities and extra tools like anti-tracking, uBlock Origin is one of the best choices for blocking Twitch ads.
Platforms: Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera
Key Features:
- Open-source ad blocker with frequent updates
- Blocks video, banner, and pop-up ads
- Additional tracking and malware protection
- Low memory and CPU footprint
- Easy to customize filter lists
Pros
- Completely free
- Works on multiple browsers
- Very effective at removing Twitch ads
- Lots of configuration options
Cons
- Requires some technical knowledge to customize
- Not available on mobile
2. AdGuard – Best Cross-Platform Ad Blocker
AdGuard has ad blocking extensions for all major browsers along with apps for iOS and Android. This makes it easy to block ads across devices.
Platforms: Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera, Safari, iOS, Android
Key Features:
- Blocks all common ad types
- Tracker and malware blocking
- Apps available for mobile
- Allows acceptable ads
- Parental control options
Pros
- Ad blocking on desktop and mobile
- Simple design with great performance
- Can whitelist channels
- Affordable premium version
Cons
- Free version shows some ads
- Fewer filter list options
3. Adblock Plus – Most Popular Ad Blocker
With over 200 million active users, Adblock Plus remains one of the most popular ad blockers. It provides a simple way to remove distracting ads from Twitch.
Platforms: Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera, Safari
Key Features:
- Blocks banner, video and text ads
- Whitelist channels or sites
- "Acceptable ads" option
- Simple on/off toggle
Pros
- Easy to add and customize filter lists
- Wide browser support
- Long track record of blocking ads
- Lightweight extension
Cons
- Allows some non-intrusive ads by default
- Limited configuration compared to other blockers
4. Brave Browser – Best Privacy-Focused Option
Brave is an open-source browser focused on privacy. It blocks ads and trackers by default, providing a smooth ad-free Twitch experience.
Platforms: Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android
Key Features:
- Built-in ad blocker, anti-tracking and HTTPS
- Customizable shield settings
- Chrome extension support
- Native ad-blocking on mobile
- Earns rewards for viewing privacy-respecting ads
Pros
- Ad blocking works right away without extensions
- Strong privacy protections included
- Rewards program
- Syncs settings across devices
Cons
- Less flexible customization for power users
- Some sites may break with full blocking enabled
5. AdBlock Browser – Specialized for Mobile
AdBlock Browser offers an easy way to block Twitch ads on your phone or tablet. It‘s based on Firefox for Android with ad blocking built-in.
Platform: Android
Key Features:
- Blocks ads automatically in browser
- Support for filter lists like EasyList
- Video ad blocking
- Additional tracking protection
Pros
- Simple ad blocking without extensions
- Made specifically for mobile
- Also available on iOS
Cons
- Limited to mobile browser
- Less configurable than extensions
How to Choose the Best Twitch Ad Blocker
With many options available, consider these factors to select the right ad blocker for your needs:
- Platforms – Browser extension, mobile app, etc.
- Effectiveness – Ability to remove video ads, display ads, etc.
- Configuration – Adding filter lists, custom rules, etc.
- Resources – Memory and CPU usage.
- Cost – Free or paid subscriptions.
- Privacy – Tracker/malware blocking.
- Whitelisting – Selectively allowing ads on certain channels.
- Mobile support – Ad blocking on phones and tablets.
Balancing these factors will help you find the best ad blocker for your Twitch viewing. For most users, we recommend starting with uBlock Origin or AdGuard. Both provide excellent ad blocking with easy customization.
Brave also works nicely if you want ad blocking by default in a privacy-first browser. On mobile devices, try AdBlock Browser for Android or 1Blocker on iOS.
How to Set Up an Ad Blocker for Twitch
Installing an ad blocker takes just a few minutes. Here are the basic steps:
Browser Extensions
- Download the browser extension, such as uBlock Origin or AdGuard.
- Open your browser extensions page and enable the ad blocker.
- The ad blocker will automatically start working as you surf Twitch.
- Check for the ad blocker icon in your toolbar to toggle blocking on/off.
- Optionally customize filter lists and site-specific rules.
Mobile Apps
- Download the mobile ad blocking app from the Google Play or App Store. AdGuard and 1Blocker are good choices.
- Open the app and enable ad blocking.
- Use the app‘s browser to surf Twitch ad-free.
- Configure any options to fine-tune your blocking experience.
Brave Browser
- Download and install Brave on your desktop or mobile device.
- Brave will block ads by default as you browse Twitch.
- Customize shield settings in the BraveRewards menu if desired.
Once set up properly, you should see zero ads when watching Twitch streams. The stream layout will appear cleaner without disruptive ads.
Don‘t forget to support your favorite streamers in other ways if you block their ads. Whitelisting channels, buying merch, or sending donations are some options.
The Bottom Line
Adding an ad blocker greatly improves the Twitch viewing experience by removing intrusive ads. Top choices like uBlock Origin, AdGuard, and Brave give you back control. Take a few minutes to install a quality ad blocker, customize it to your needs, and enjoy ad-free Twitch streaming.
