# The best ad blockers in 2021

[image:00747642-F883-4619-BA91-DF02CB14C3EA-28710-
000096F50BA48779/EK5MiERL33vXccgZ9zYqpW-1200-80.jpg]
Before Apple and Google turned their attention to privacy, the best ad blockers and
privacy extensions were doing their part to deliver a better web experience. These
extensions let you zap annoying pop-ads cluttering up your browser window so that
you could browse in peace.

These days, the makers of privacy safeguards have some welcome competition from the
folks who make Android and iOS. In iOS 14.5, Apple added the ability to block
specific apps from tracking you and more privacy boosters are coming in [iOS 15]
(https://www.tomsguide.com/news/ios-15-release-date-beta-and-all-the-new-iphone-
features). Likewise, Google has upped its [privacy features in Android 12]
(https://www.tomsguide.com/news/android-12-is-taking-privacy-seriously-with-a-new-
dashboard-and-more).

Privacy is very much on the minds of the best ad blockers, as they can safeguard
privacy as deftly as they stop ads from appearing. They can do away with cookies
and other ad trackers that capture data on the pages you view. Along with the [best
password managers](https://www.tomsguide.com/us/best-password-managers,review-
3785.html) and [best VPN](https://www.tomsguide.com/best-picks/best-vpn), an ad
blocker is an essential part of your online survival kit.

Just be aware that there are downsides to ad blockers — namely, they take away
revenue from publications like the one you're reading and risk the ability of media
to provide otherwise free content. But if you're willing to accept the trade-offs,
you'll find plenty of the best ad blockers — both extensions and apps — that let
you take control of your browsing experience on your computer as well as your
mobile device.

## What are the best ad blockers?

Finding the best ad blocker depends on which device you're using to browse the
internet, with ad blocking tools available for both PCs and mobile phones and
tablets. The very best ad blockers work with multiple devices, giving you a
seamless experience no matter where you're surfing. And to make our top picks
easier to peruse, we've divided these ad blockers by category.

AdBlock Plus is available across multiple platforms — desktop browsers as well as

Android and iOS — so it's likely going to be the first stop for lots of people. For
blocking ads on a desktop browser, try either AdBlock or Ghostery, which work with
a wide variety of browsers. Chrome supports a number of different ad blockers — we
suggest trying Popper or Stands FairAdBlocker.

While many ad blockers are available as extensions, some come in the form of
standalone products. AdGuard and AdLock are your best options here. Mobile users
will want to turn to either AdAway for Android or 1Blocker X for iOS. Firefox Focus
— an off-shoot of the standard Firefox browser that places a greater emphasis on
privacy — works on both mobile platforms.

## The best ad blockers you can get today

## 1. AdBlock Plus (Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Opera, Safari, Android, iOS)

[image:2A1ED0C3-7A28-4856-99B0-E622ECD6484E-28710-
000096F50B77024F/xKrFx7g5kxdsDdNgnWZEBL.jpeg]

[image:FBACFD8F-7AB2-4AAE-BFA9-0AAB252EC7A4-28710-
000096F50B4B80C9/qSRZ3aJTXuuCtgwdFutpiY.png]
(Image credit: Eyeo)

AdBlock Plus (ABP) is among the most popular ad blockers, with extensions available
for Firefox, Chrome, Safari, Edge and Opera. ABP features a quick setup, loading
preset filter lists that allow users to quickly block most ads, as well as the
option to filter malware and social media buttons.

Savvy users can chose additional block lists as well as set custom filters or
whitelist their favorite sites to keep their ad revenue in the black. AdBlock Plus
allows what it calls "non-intrusive advertising" through filters; that may irk some
users, though this feature can be disabled in settings.

On Android, the [AdBlock Browser](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?

id=org.adblockplus.browser&hl=en_US&gl=US) provides a Firefox-based browser
that blocks incoming advertising, while on iOS, the [AdBlock Plus app]
(https://apple.sjv.io/c/221109/473657/7613?subId1=tomsguide-us-
1278308624124998400&u=https%3A%2F%2Fapps.apple.com%2Fus%2Fapp%2Fadblock-plus-
for-safari-abp%2Fid1028871868) integrates with the content blocker system to
seamlessly block advertising on Safari with minimal setup.

*Download AdBlock Plus:* [Firefox](https://addons.mozilla.org/en-

US/firefox/addon/adblock-plus/) *,* [Chrome]
(https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/adblock-plus-free-ad-
bloc/cfhdojbkjhnklbpkdaibdccddilifddb?hl=en-US) *,* [Safari]
(https://adblockplus.org/ad-blocker-safari) *,* [Opera]
(https://addons.opera.com/en/extensions/details/adblock-plus/) *,* [Edge]
(https://go.redirectingat.com/?
id=92X1584493&xcust=tomsguide_us_7856338370055031000&xs=1&url=https%3A
%2F%2Fmicrosoftedge.microsoft.com%2Faddons%2Fdetail
%2Fgmgoamodcdcjnbaobigkjelfplakmdhh&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tomsguide.com
%2Fround-up%2Fbest-adblockers-privacy-extensions)

## 2. AdBlock (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge)

[image:38020951-D94C-4BE9-8128-C57428A47F03-28710-
000096F50B1D192D/Mb2H4JtUgktmcERf377V7R.jpeg]

(Image credit: GetAdBlock.com)

AdBlock (no relation to AdBlock Plus) is the other best ad-blocking browser
extension of note, available for users of Chrome, Firefox, Edge and Safari. AdBlock
uses a series of filter lists to automatically block ad content coming from known
ad servers and providers. Users can stick with the default block lists, subscribe
to additional ones, or even create their own, as well as whitelist their favorite
websites.

As one of the most downloaded Chrome and Safari extensions, AdBlock has the trust
of many users worldwide.

*Download AdBlock:* [Chrome](https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/adblock-

%E2%80%94-best-ad-blocker/gighmmpiobklfepjocnamgkkbiglidom?hl=en-US) *,* [Firefox]
(https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/adblock-for-firefox/) *,* [Safari]
(https://apple.sjv.io/c/221109/473657/7613?subId1=tomsguide-us-
7769539834549647000&u=https%3A%2F%2Fapps.apple.com%2Fus%2Fapp%2Fadblock-for-
safari%2Fid1402042596%3Fmt%3D12) *,* [Edge](https://go.redirectingat.com/?
id=92X1584493&xcust=tomsguide_us_1263183520208671000&xs=1&url=https%3A
%2F%2Fmicrosoftedge.microsoft.com%2Faddons%2Fdetail
%2Fndcileolkflehcjpmjnfbnaibdcgglog&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tomsguide.com
%2Fround-up%2Fbest-adblockers-privacy-extensions)

## 3. Poper Blocker (Chrome)

[image:FC4E77E3-1338-4E0E-AF64-996B28B2E99B-28710-
000096F50AEFCF5B/LVfmJREVjVJ4FYnRvMBYE.jpeg]

(Image credit: Poper Blocker)

Rather than be an all-in one blocking solution, Poper Blocker (aka Pop Up Blocker
For Chrome), is designed to complement other adblockers.

In this case, Poper Blocker focuses on blocking pop-ups, pop-unders, overlays,

timed and scroll pop-ups, and other varieties that might slip past other ad-
blocking extensions. Small notifications tell you when pop-ups are blocked. You
also can view your blocking stats, but otherwise, you can generally just keep Poper
Blocker running in the background with minimal impact alongside other adblocker
extensions.

*Download Poper Blocker:* [Chrome](https://poperblocker.com/)

## 4. Stands Fair AdBlocker (Chrome)

[image:7E238C04-40C5-4041-A2FC-8EE3A6689633-28710-
000096F50AC3C2F4/PFASoqXPzaWeZLk6NeyrmS.jpeg]

(Image credit: Stands)

For a fast and light ad-blocking plugin, Chrome users can turn to Stands Fair
AdBlocker. The extension does precisely what it promises, blocking ads and pop-ups
from cluttering up your browser view while also preventing any tracking from going
on.

Stand's Fair AdBlocker gives you control over the type of ads you can block,
specifying everything from autoplay video ads, YouTube ads, expanding ads and more.
It can even block Facebook ads if you want.

The "Fair" part of AdBlocker comes into play by giving you the ability to allow
certain types of ads or even whitelist ad-supported websites you don't want to
shortchange of badly needed revenue. This is one ad blocker that doesn't take a
scorched earth approach to its stated purpose.

*Download Stands Fair AdBlocker:* [Chrome]

(https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/fair-
adblocker/lgblnfidahcdcjddiepkckcfdhpknnjh)

## 5. uBlock Origin (Chrome, Firefox)

[image:33E83CDA-EB46-461D-AA8B-D4842A23C198-28710-
000096F50AA0851B/LbrqA2RMyMUWC3SN6GWvYZ.jpg]

(Image credit: Ublock Origin)

Ublock Origin is a browser-based ad blocker that focuses on simple, efficient

blocking with a low resource overhead. The extension comes loaded with a number of
filter lists for known advertising and malware sources, with extra filter lists
available and the option to read and create your own custom filters from hosts
files.
*Download Ublock Origin:* [Chrome]
(https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/ublock-
origin/cjpalhdlnbpafiamejdnhcphjbkeiagm?hl=en) *,* [Firefox]
(https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/ublock-origin/)

## 6. Ghostery (Chrome, Firefox, Opera, Edge)

[image:7AFDBBFB-201A-419C-A743-862B53B86102-28710-
000096F50A7BCB44/LbpMC4f6MVg7uoCDrvW35h.jpeg]

(Image credit: Ghostery)

Like the other extensions on our list of the best ad blockers, Ghostery can remove
ads from webpages, so you can focus on content and browse more efficiently. But the
real value in Ghostery lies in its privacy protection features. You can use
Ghostery to view trackers, which lets you see who's trying to collect data on you.
With Ghostery, you can also stop that tracking from taking place. If you really
want to safeguard your privacy, you can turn to Ghostery's Enhanced Anti Tracking
to anonymize your data.

Ghostery's a free download that offers basic web protection. More advanced
protection starts at $4.99 a month and the $11.99 monthly tier comes with a built-
in VPN. There are also versions of Ghostery that work with [Android]
(https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?
id=com.ghostery.android.ghostery&hl=en_US) and [iOS]
(https://apple.sjv.io/c/221109/473657/7613?subId1=tomsguide-us-
2074279351206339300&u=https%3A%2F%2Fapps.apple.com%2Fus%2Fapp%2Fghostery-
privacy-browser%2Fid472789016) devices.

*Download Ghostery:* [Chrome](https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/ghostery-

%E2%80%93-privacy-ad-blo/mlomiejdfkolichcflejclcbmpeaniij?hl=en) *,* [Firefox]
(https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/ghostery/) *,* [Opera]
(https://addons.opera.com/en/extensions/details/ghostery/) *,* [Edge]
(https://go.redirectingat.com/?
id=92X1584493&xcust=tomsguide_us_3722889814689902600&xs=1&url=https%3A
%2F%2Fmicrosoftedge.microsoft.com%2Faddons%2Fdetail%2Fghostery-%25E2%2580%2593-
privacy-ad-blo%2Ffclbdkbhjlgkbpfldjodgjncejkkjcme&sref=https%3A%2F
%2Fwww.tomsguide.com%2Fround-up%2Fbest-adblockers-privacy-extensions)

## The best ad-blocking stand-alone applications

## 1. AdGuard (Windows, Mac, Android, iOS)

[image:12B17C1F-B5A2-48CB-BFB7-ED469AA93727-28710-
000096F50A50FAF2/xsdxAQDGGsriNyb6uBiTZ9.jpeg]

(Image credit: AdGuard)

Uses looking for a more robust experience can try out the subscription-based
AdGuard, which provides desktop and mobile options to reduce the ads you see when
surfing online.

AdGuard on Windows and Mac covers popular browsers, with highly configurable
options for ads, content, and tracker blocking, as well as a parental controls
module for restricting adult content. AdGuard for Android is a no-root ad-blocker
that blocks advertising on apps and games, though you’ll have to install it from
AdGuard’s site instead of through Google Play. AdGuard for iOS works with Safari to
effectively filter ads on the default browser.
*Download AdGuard:* [Windows](https://adguard.com/en/adguard-windows/overview.html)
*,* [Mac](https://adguard.com/en/adguard-mac/overview.html) *,* [Android]
(https://adguard.com/en/adguard-android/overview.html) *,* [iOS]
(https://apple.sjv.io/c/221109/473657/7613?subId1=tomsguide-us-
1255610582579480300&u=https%3A%2F%2Fapps.apple.com%2Fapp%2Fapple-store
%2Fid1047223162)

## 2. AdLock (Windows, $22 per year; Android, $11 per year)

[image:BB309113-3366-48B8-91D7-5CCC3CE30441-28710-
000096F50A318974/z6mCYv5Bee3zU7WE9NarnV.jpg]

(Image credit: AdLock)

AdLock avoids the browser-based route, instead opting to run as a separate program
to be able to block not only browser-based ads, but also advertising in other
programs like Skype or games.

The app runs in the background, using filters to block ads, popups, and autoplaying
videos, speeding up loading times and applying Safe Browsing features to
automatically block sites that are known to be unsafe.

For obvious reasons, the mobile version is unavailable on the Google Play Store, so
you'll need to sideload the app if you want to get AdLock into your Android device.

*Download AdLock:* [Windows](https://adlock.com/adlock-for-windows/) *,* [Chrome]

(https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/adlock-adblock-privacy-
pr/aemffjkmgcepimloclpkecifcnipnodh) *,* [Android](https://adlock.com/adlock-for-
android/)

## 3. Wipr (macOS, iOS; $1.99)

[image:8BBA67E3-8C29-42D0-B52F-BC6BE1E340D9-28710-
000096F50A130F1A/omUZPoEmhZrDMoeyVsgdDd.jpg]

(Image credit: Giorgio Calderolla)

If you’re a Safari fan, Wipr may be the best ad blocker for both your Mac and
iPhone. The app is available for both iOS and macOS — costing $1.99 from either
Apple App Store — and it promises to work with Safari as well as apps that use
Safari for displaying web pages.

You’ll find a full array of features with Wipr, which not only blocks apps and
trackers, but cryptocurrency miners, EU cookie and GDPR notices and anything else
that gets in your way of surfing the web. Its blocklist gets updated twice a week,
and there’s little configuration; the idea is that you load Wipr and forget that
it’s there while it does its job in the background.

With Wipr, pages should load faster in Safari, which will be particularly welcome
if you’re surfing from an iPhone, where ads and trackers can bog down your
browser’s speed.

*Download Wipr:* [macOS](https://apple.sjv.io/c/221109/473657/7613?

subId1=tomsguide-us-1013602296824392300&u=https%3A%2F%2Fapps.apple.com%2Fus
%2Fapp%2Fwipr%2Fid1320666476%3Fmt%3D12) *,* [iOS]
(https://apple.sjv.io/c/221109/473657/7613?subId1=tomsguide-us-
8753556425622420000&u=https%3A%2F%2Fapps.apple.com%2Fus%2Fapp%2Fwipr
%2Fid1030595027%3Fmt%3D8)
## Ad-blocking mobile apps

## 1. AdAway (Android)

[image:4F6EBB75-F415-4A11-B900-3B0A11105872-28710-
000096F509D37D49/ANUZhu2wMRkciAi2FfTbTP.jpg]

(Image credit: AdAway)

Android users with a rooted device can check out AdAway, a free and open source ad-
blocker that works on the host's file level. That way, when an app or webpage makes
a request to a particular ad provider, it instead goes to a blank IP address
(127.0.0.1), saving your bandwidth and keeping you from being spammed by
advertising.

AdAway lets you use hosts files from a variety of sources, or one of your making,
with options to blacklist or whitelist particular addresses and add your own
redirects.

You will need to allow installing third party apps (or download AdAway through the
F-Droid app), as AdAway isn't available in the Google Play store.

*Download AdAway:* [Android](https://f-droid.org/en/packages/org.adaway/)

## 2. 1Blocker X (iOS)

[image:8E03F783-F262-4D4B-ACED-C620C109CDFB-28710-
000096F509BB210E/EboedLxSNUo2FF3XKJE7Lb.jpeg]

(Image credit: Salavat Khanov)

1Blocker was one of the first really good ad blockers on iOS when Apple opened up
that functionality on iPhones and iPads, and 1Blocker X is an overhaul optimized
for Safari.

The app is designed to make browsing faster and more secure by blocking ads,
popups, trackers and other online cruft. Rather than blocking content of a
downloaded page, 1Blocker works with Safari's content blocker API to tell the
browser what to block in advance, saving time and resources.

1Blocker X features more than 115,000 blocker rules, custom regional adblocking
settings, and easy-to-use custom rules settings. The app is a free download, with
premium features available as in-app purchases.

*Download 1Blocker X:* [iOS](https://apple.sjv.io/c/221109/473657/7613?

subId1=tomsguide-us-1952530931641297000&u=https%3A%2F%2Fapps.apple.com%2Fus
%2Fapp%2F1blocker-for-safari%2Fid1365531024)

## 3. Firefox Focus (Android, iOS)

[image:846674ED-7766-433F-BFC8-21F7C88A760A-28710-
000096F5098B3655/xECzEUox4WzckTnT54GBXf.jpg]

(Image credit: Firefox)

Firefox Focus is another addition to Mozilla's family of browsers. This one's a

privacy-oriented version of Firefox that bakes in ad-blocking and anti-tracking
into a light and functional package. Firefox Focus blocks ads and speeds up
browsing, while also working in privacy-friendly features like automatic history
and cookie clearing.

Users can selectively block ads, analytics, content and social trackers with easy
toggles, turn on a "stealth" mode, and set a default search engine.

Our look at the [best Android browsers](https://www.tomsguide.com/us/best-android-

browsers,review-6448.html) has more on the various flavors of Firefox.

*Download Firefox Focus:* [Android](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?

id=org.mozilla.focus&hl=en_US) *,* [iOS]
(https://apple.sjv.io/c/221109/473657/7613?subId1=tomsguide-us-
1244598052741594000&u=https%3A%2F%2Fapps.apple.com%2Fus%2Fapp%2Ffirefox-focus-
privacy-browser%2Fid1055677337)

## Other privacy-focused extensions and apps

## 1. Opera (Desktop, Android, iOS)

[image:D7E76DEB-62AC-49E0-BA90-DF268D86C49C-28710-
000096F5096FC719/gbPvyLr4zXwp77PbQ7KaD9.jpeg]

(Image credit: Opera)

The Opera browser bakes in ad-blocking features into the browser without the need
for an extra add-on, while also offering privacy-friendly tools such as an
unlimited, built-in VPN service, incognito mode, fraud and malware warnings for
suspicious links and pages, and more. In addition, you can further customize
Opera's capabilities with a wide array of extensions.

Mobile users need not fret, as the Android version comes with just about everything
the desktop version has but built for touch-screen interfaces. On iOS, the mobile
version of Opera is listed in Apple's App Store as Opera Touch.

*Download Opera:* [Mac or Windows](https://www.opera.com/computer) *,* [Android]

(https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.opera.browser&hl=en_US) *,*
[iOS](https://apple.sjv.io/c/221109/473657/7613?subId1=tomsguide-us-
6411268212040935000&u=https%3A%2F%2Fapps.apple.com%2Fus%2Fapp%2Fopera-touch-
web-browser%2Fid1411869974)

## 2. Privacy Badger (Chrome, Firefox, Opera)

[image:18C678AC-8CC1-4B11-B9F3-E8EB95C8615D-28710-
000096F509499E9A/ARCnKG86XngRbuYU6ctPzP.jpeg]

(Image credit: EFF.org)

The Electronic Frontier Foundation's Privacy Badger browser extension was born from
the EFF's concerns about the business models of some privacy tools and ad blockers.

Privacy Badger functions similarly to extensions like AdBlock Plus (on which it was
based), observing the various tracking tools that advertisers and other third
parties might use to track your online activities and selectively blocking them
from executing. Built-in learning algorithms adapt to the sites you visit and take
any new tracking tools discovered into account.

While not explicitly an ad blocker, Privacy Badger does also block some
advertising, depending on how aggressively the ads track you across websites.

*Download Privacy Badger:* [Chrome]

(https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/privacy-
badger/pkehgijcmpdhfbdbbnkijodmdjhbjlgp?hl=en-US) *,* [Firefox]
(https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/privacy-badger17/) *,* [Opera]
(https://addons.opera.com/en/extensions/details/privacy-badger/)

## 3. Tor Browser (Desktop, Android)

[image:19BD3DE7-F9D6-4451-B019-9E2B7D52D3DE-28710-
000096F509272631/csuvDMCvUShrdsgYXDCfE9.jpg]

(Image credit: Tor Project)

The Tor network helps anonymize your internet activity by bouncing the data you
send and receive through a distributed anonymous network of routers to foil a
common online surveillance technique called traffic analysis, which can reveal the
sites you visit or who you're communicating with.

The Tor Browser is an all-in-one package that includes everything you need to surf
the net through the Tor network in an easy-to-install portable package. The package
includes a modified version of Firefox with privacy aids such as NoScript baked in,
and an automatic setup aid that makes it easy to connect to and create new Tor
circuits.

On the desktop, you can grab a version of Tor Browser for Windows, macOS or Linux.
There's also a version of Tor Browser for Android, which replaces the previous
OrBot + OrFox combination recommended for browsing Tor on Android.

*Download Tor Browser:* [Desktop](https://www.torproject.org/download/) *,*

[Android](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?
id=org.torproject.torbrowser&hl=en_US)

## 4. Onion Browser (iOS)

[image:A753131C-B3A0-4FF3-828A-B00FA891DBA2-28710-
000096F5090534E9/muRcqLodPaVmZDKhgo2dud.jpeg]

(Image credit: Onion Browser)

iOS users aren’t left out when it comes to browsing the Tor anonymizer network,
with the Onion Browser among the more popular options on Apple’s mobile OS.

Previously a premium app, Onion Browser has since moved to a donation model,
opening up access to everyone who wants to download the app, without compromising
security or features. The usual caveats apply: Browsing through Tor will slow down
the web experience, and some features, like video streams and video files won’t
work in order to preserve anonymity.

*Download Onion Browser:* [iOS](https://apple.sjv.io/c/221109/473657/7613?

subId1=tomsguide-us-6953939882804263000&u=https%3A%2F%2Fapps.apple.com%2Fus
%2Fapp%2Fonion-browser%2Fid519296448)

## How to choose the best ad blocker for you

Many of the best ad blockers are available for free, either as extensions or as
standalone apps, though a few, like AdLock, charge a fee. Determine if the free
services provide enough ad-blocking to meet your needs or whether a paid app
delivers more for your money. You should also figure out if a browser extension
will take care of your ad-blocking needs or whether you should consider switching
browsers to one with more built-in privacy features.
You can narrow down your choice in ad blockers by deciding specifically what you're
looking to accomplish with such an app or extension. Do you just want to stop
annoying pop-up ads from appearing or do you want the full range of services,
including privacy features and an end to ad-tracking? Grab the ad blocker that
ticks off all the boxes on your wishlist.

Some ad blockers, such as AdBlock Plus include filters and the ability to let in
non-obtrusive advertising. Others, like AdBlocker Ultimate, take a more aggressive
approach. Find out which one best suits your needs and comfort level.

[The best ad blockers in 2021](https://www.tomsguide.com/round-up/best-adblockers-

privacy-extensions)

#Web #Clipped #Resource #Info