The Best Ad Blockers 2024

Ads are everywhere online these days. Banner ads, pop-ups, video ads, social media ads – you name it. They interrupt your browsing, slow down page load times, and can even contain malware. That‘s why using an ad blocker is an essential part of safe web browsing.

In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll cover the best ad blockers available today, how they work, and what to look for when choosing one. By the end, you‘ll know which ad blocker is right for your needs.

What is an Ad Blocker and Why Use One?

An ad blocker is a piece of software that removes or blocks ads from appearing on websites. Ad blockers work by preventing your web browser from loading ad content from ad networks.

There are several benefits to using an ad blocker:

• Speed up web browsing – Ads, especially video ads, can dramatically slow down page load times. An ad blocker prevents ads from sucking up your bandwidth.

• Save mobile data – Blocking ads reduces the amount of data loaded per webpage, saving costly mobile data.

• Enhance privacy – Many ads contain trackers that monitor your online activity. An ad blocker stops companies from building profiles on you.

• Improve security – Malware is sometimes distributed through online ads. Ad blockers provide an extra layer of protection.

• Less visual clutter – Ads on websites can be visually distracting. An ad blocker cleans up webpages for better readability.

• Avoid annoying ads – No more pop-ups, autoplay videos, or ads that follow you down the page. An ad blocker eradicates irritating ad formats.

Clearly, there are many benefits to running an ad blocker while browsing the internet. Next, let‘s look at the various types of ad blockers available.

Types of Ad Blockers

There are a few different ways ad blocking software can be implemented:

• Browser extensions – The most common type of ad blocker. Browser extensions are add-ons that block ads directly within your web browser. Popular ad blocking extensions include uBlock Origin and AdGuard.

• DNS ad blockers – These work by blocking ad domains at the DNS level before any content is loaded by your browser. AdGuard DNS and NextDNS are examples.

• VPN ad blockers – VPN services like NordVPN include ad blocking as part of their VPN offerings. The VPN blocks ads before they reach your device.

• Antivirus ad blockers – Some antivirus suites like Norton 360 include ad blocking capabilities along with their other security features.

• Mobile ad blockers – Ad blocking apps for iOS and Android block ads in mobile apps and mobile browsers. Examples include 1Blocker and AdGuard.

• Pi-hole – Network-wide ad blocking via a Raspberry Pi device. Pi-hole blocks ads for all devices on your home network.

The most user-friendly options are browser extensions, VPN services with ad blocking, and mobile apps. These tend to provide the best user experience. DNS ad blockers work well but require more technical know-how to set up.

Now let‘s dive into some of the best ad blockers available in 2024.

The 7 Best Ad Blockers for 2024

1. uBlock Origin – Best Open Source Ad Blocker

Price – Free

Platforms – Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera

uBlock Origin is a lightweight, open-source ad blocker that excels at blocking ads while using minimal system resources. It‘s completely free and doesn‘t sell user data.

Some of the key features include:

• Blocks ads, trackers, malware, and annoyances.
• Supports creating custom filters and whitelists.
• Minimizes memory and CPU load compared to other ad blockers.
• Open source code that is community-driven.
• Completely free with no paid version.

In testing, we found uBlock Origin blocked ads exceptionally well across multiple sites. It‘s highly customizable for those that like to fine-tune their ad blocking. Being open source and free makes uBlock Origin the best option for a transparent ad blocking experience.

Downsides

• Requires more technical know-how to use custom filters
• Currently no Safari support

Bottom Line

With its open-source community-driven development, uBlock Origin offers unparalleled ad blocking in a lightweight package that won‘t slow down your browsing. Custom filters appeal to tech-savvy users who want granular control over what gets blocked.

Get uBlock Origin

2. AdGuard – Best for Beginners

Price – Free or premium ($2.99+/month)

Platforms – Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari, Opera

AdGuard stands out with its user-friendly interface and simplicity. The free browser extension blocks ads on websites smoothly and includes useful stats. Their premium version adds features like browsing security and parental controls.

Reasons to choose AdGuard:

• Easy to use interface and setup process. Great for beginners.
• Free version blocks ads effectively with no limits.
• Paid premium version includes extra features like parental controls.
• Won‘t slow browsing speeds. Light on system resource usage.
• Available across all major desktop browsers.

During testing, we found AdGuard‘s free ad blocker blocked ads quickly with no noticeable impact on browsing. The premium version appeals to families looking for parental control capabilities along with ad blocking.

Downsides

• Ad blocking stats could be more intuitive
• Stealth mode doesn‘t hide your IP address

Bottom Line

With its straightforward design and range of features, AdGuard is our pick for those new to ad blocking. Even tech novices can download, install, and start enjoying a faster ad-free web immediately with AdGuard.

Get AdGuard

3. Adblock Plus – Most Popular Ad Blocker

Price – Free

Platforms – Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera

With over 200 million active users, Adblock Plus is the most popular ad blocking extension available. It excels at removing ads from websites using filter lists that are frequently updated.

What makes Adblock Plus a strong choice:

• Removes banners, pop-ups, and video ads with ease.
• Easy to customize filter lists based on your preferences.
• Widely supported across Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera, and more.
• Completely free browser extension.

We found Adblock Plus worked smoothly during testing. It blocks ads as expected without dragging down page load speeds. The custom filter options appeal to more advanced users who want control over what gets blocked.

Downsides

• Doesn‘t block YouTube video ads
• Reports some non-intrusive ads by default

Bottom Line

With a massive user base of over 200 million, Adblock Plus remains a highly capable ad blocker. Frequent filter list updates ensure it continues to block even the latest ad formats. Custom filter creation appeals to power users.

Get Adblock Plus

4. AdBlock – Easy to Use Honorable Mention

Price – Free or Premium ($24/year)

Platforms – Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari

AdBlock is an easy-to-use ad blocker available as a browser extension. It blocks ads smoothly across the web. Upgrading to premium provides access to features like Malware blocking.

Some good reasons to use AdBlock:

• Quick and easy to install and use. Great ad blocking right from the start.
• Won‘t require much configuring or adjusting after installing.
• Free version works well for blocking ads without limits.
• Premium version adds malware blocking and website screener.

During our testing AdBlock worked great out of the box. Even less tech-savvy users can start enjoying an ad-free web experience quickly thanks to its simplicity.

Downsides

• Requires premium to access more advanced functions
• Prone to allowing some ads through occasionally

Bottom Line

AdBlock‘s simplicity makes it a great choice for those who want hassle-free ad blocking immediately after installing. While less customizable than other ad blockers, it still delivers on removing ads.

Get AdBlock

5. AdBlock Pro – For Ad Blocking Across Devices

Price – Free or Premium ($4.99/month)

Platforms – iOS, Android, Mac, Windows

AdBlock Pro takes ad blocking to mobile devices and PCs. For one monthly price, it provides ad-free browsing across your iPhone, Android phone, tablet, and computer devices.

Key features:

• Single subscription enables ad blocking across mobile & PC devices
• Works on iOS Safari, Android Chrome, Mac Safari, Windows Chrome/Firefox.
• No root required on mobile devices. Easy setup.
• Removes ads in YouTube, Twitch, Facebook, and other apps.
• Constantly updated filter lists to block new ad formats.

In our experience, AdBlock Pro successfully removed ads on mobile devices and PCs with no configuration needed. If you want the convenience of blocking ads across all your devices, it‘s a solid choice.

Downsides

• Monthly subscription fee can add up over time
• Requires manual filter list updates

Bottom Line

AdBlock Pro makes it simple to block ads across PCs and mobile devices with a single subscription. Great for power users who are online across multiple devices daily.

Get AdBlock Pro

6. 1Blocker – Best Safari Ad Blocker

Price – Free or Premium ($2.99/month)

Platforms – Safari on iOS and Mac

Purpose-built for Safari, 1Blocker delivers an ad-free browsing experience on both iOS and Mac devices. If Safari is your sole browser, 1Blocker makes a compelling choice.

Why choose 1Blocker?

• Seamlessly blocks ads on iOS and Mac with Safari.
• Customizable filters allow blocking trackers, widgets, and other annoyances.
• Works across iPhones, iPads, and Macs. Syncs settings between devices.
• Still functional even with Safari‘s recent restrictions.

Our testing found 1Blocker performed reliably at removing Safari ads on both platforms. The integrated iOS and MacOS experience makes it ideal for Apple users who rely on Safari.

Downsides

• Requires premium subscription for full set of features
• Other browsers like Chrome not supported

Bottom Line

Safari users on Apple devices who want a tailored ad blocking solution will appreciate 1Blocker‘s seamless iOS and MacOS performance. It brings ad-free browsing to both platforms.

Get 1Blocker

7. AdGuard Mobile – Top Ad Blocker for Android & iOS

Price – Free or Premium ($9.99/year)

Platforms – iOS, Android

Available as an iOS and Android app, AdGuard Mobile blocks ads and trackers inside apps and mobile browsers. This makes it the best option focused solely on ad blocking on mobile.

Key advantages of AdGuard Mobile:

• Blocks ads in mobile apps like Facebook and YouTube.
• Removes ads from Safari, Chrome, Firefox mobile browsers.
• Works across iPhone, iPad, Android phones and tablets.
• Hassle-free setup without need to root device.
• 4.6 rating on the App Store and Google Play Store.

During testing, we found AdGuard delivered an ad-free experience on mobile without any complicated setup. For those looking to block ads on mobile specifically, AdGuard Mobile is a leading choice.

Downsides

• Requires annual subscription for full features
• Limited to mobile usage only

Bottom Line

With tailored ad blocking capabilities for iOS and Android devices, AdGuard Mobile is the top ad blocker designed specifically for mobile ad blocking.

Get AdGuard Mobile

5 More Ways to Block Ads

Beyond dedicated ad blocking tools, there are a few other methods to prevent ads from bothering you while browsing:

• Browsers like Brave – Privacy-focused browsers like Brave have built-in ad blocking.

• VPNs – Many VPN services offer ad blocking as part of their VPN packages. For example, NordVPN includes CyberSec ad blocking with its VPN plans.

• Antivirus software – Some antivirus products bundle ad blocking into their security suites. Bitdefender is one example.

• Router-based blocking – You can block ads at the network level using a router that supports ad blocking. Firewalla offers ad blocking routers.

• Pi-hole – Using a Raspberry Pi, you can block ads network-wide for all your home devices via Pi-hole.

These alternative methods are worth considering if you already use one of the above solutions that happens to include ad blocking capabilities. Leveraging an existing antivirus suite or VPN that blocks ads can save you from installing yet another client.

How to Choose the Best Ad Blocker

All the ad blockers we covered excel at removing ads. However, there are a few factors to keep in mind when deciding on one:

• Your browser – Choose an ad blocker that works seamlessly with your browser of choice.

• Mobile usage – If you browse on an iPhone or Android, consider a mobile-friendly ad blocker like 1Blocker or AdGuard Mobile.

• Device cross-compatibility – For ad blocking across PCs and mobile, look for a solution like AdBlock Pro.

• Simplicity vs. control – If you just want to block ads, consider user-friendly options like AdBlock and AdGuard. If you like customizing filters, uBlock Origin has more options.

• Price – Some excellent ad blockers like uBlock Origin are 100% free. But paid versions often include useful extras like malware protection.

The right ad blocker ultimately depends on which features matter most to you. Highly customizable filter options? Ad blocking on mobile? Cross-device support? Consider what will benefit you most.

Are Ad Blockers Safe?

Given that ad blockers alter content loading on websites, is running one safe? Are ad blockers legal?

The good news is ad blockers are perfectly legal and safe to use. But because their purpose is to block content like ads, some websites try to circumvent ad blockers to continue displaying ads.

To counter this, many ad blockers employ anti-adblock capabilities that prevent websites from detecting you are using an ad blocker. This keeps your ad blocking working smoothly across the web.

From a malware standpoint, ad blockers actually improve your system security by removing potentially malicious ads before they even load. So not only are ad blockers safe to use, they actually enhance your online safety.

The Bottom Line

Ads are not going away anytime soon. But you don‘t have to put up with intrusive, privacy-invading advertising while browsing the internet.

Running an ad blocker like uBlock Origin, AdGuard, or 1Blocker gives you a safer, faster browsing experience free of ad clutter. They boost your privacy, security, and quality of internet usage.

We recommend giving one of these top-rated ad blockers a try for a week. Chances are, you‘ll wonder how you ever browsed without one! The internet is much more enjoyable without constant ad interruptions.

Which ad blocker are you leaning towards trying first? Let us know! We hope this guide helped you find the right ad blocker to improve your browsing.