8 Best Chrome Ad Blockers: Tested & Reviewed (2024)

Compare the best ad blockers, including free and commercial options. Find the top pop-up blockers for web browsers, Android, iOS, and more.
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Key Takeaways

We are going to review and evaluate the 8 best ad blockers available on the market today.

Pop-up blockers are software programs that block ads on the Internet. Since many websites and apps use ads as a monetization strategy, the emergence of ad blockers is something of a natural progression.

While there are arguments for and against pop-up blockers in general, they can help people have a better online experience.

What is an ad blocker?

An ad blocker is software that blocks ads on the Internet. Whether it's a website or your favorite mobile game, pop-up blockers can stop ads from showing up.

Uses

Many websites and applications offer their content for free. To earn money, the publisher displays advertisements to generate revenue. However, in some cases, these ads may interfere with the usability of the website or application.

Ad blockers can restore the user experience of these sites and applications by preventing ads from being displayed.

General characteristics

Due to the competitive ad blocker market, many of them are equipped with a lot of additional features. Acceptable ads and the white list are the functions that are worth considering. They make it possible to display non-intrusive advertisements.

Content filtering is another useful feature that you may be interested in. It helps prevent the display of inappropriate content.

Factors to consider

With a number of different products available on the market, the competition is too fierce. Price is something that needs to be taken into consideration.

The free versions generally allow some form of acceptable advertising, which also allows websites to make money. On the other hand, you can expect to pay an annual fee if you want to block everything.

According to the research conducted by eMarketer, fewer and fewer people are using ad blockers. In the United States, one in four people use an ad blocker, which, for the most part, is installed on desktops and laptops. In fact, research has shown that while the number of Internet users continues to increase, the evolution over the years continues to decrease, as illustrated in the graph below. In addition, the Search for Statista shows that the loss of revenue due to pop-up blockers is expected to reach 12.12 billion USD in 2022.

Adblocker usage report
Expert tip: If you're looking for an ad blocker for the whole family, consider choosing one that also offers filtering for inappropriate content.

Protect your online privacy with a good VPN

For targeted advertising, information is collected using tracking cookies. This may also be referred to as ad tracking. Websites use IP retargeting tactics for marketing purposes and for this they may keep IP address records. S

If you don't like these promotions and think it's a bit disturbing, then VPNs like Nord VPN and IPVanish can help you in this area. They give you secure and private access to the internet.

1) NordVPN.

NordVPN encrypts your Internet connection and ensures online privacy and security. It hides your IP. It provides double protection by changing the IP twice and covering web traffic with an additional layer of security.

With CyberSec, you can block ads, avoid malware-hosting websites, and control botnets. The price of NordVPN starts at $3.30 per month for a 2-year plan.

2) IPVanish.

IPVanish can stop geotargeting in its tracks. It helps prevent online marketers, search engines, and websites from analyzing your IP address and location.

No matter what network you're using, IPVanish keeps traffic private and secure. It provides advanced encryption, no traffic logs, access to censored media, unmetered device connections, etc. Its price starts at $4.00 per month.

List of the best ad blockers

1) TotalAdblock.

The best for Chrome extension and one-click ad blocking.

TotalAdblock

TotalAdBlock is the tool you need to enjoy a completely ad-free browsing experience. This tool is known to automatically block all ads and trackers on the Internet. It can easily detect and remove ads on popular platforms like YouTube, Facebook, CNN, and more.

With its chrome extension, the ad blocking process is greatly simplified through adequate automation. TotalAdBlock is perfect for detecting and blocking both ads and the tracking server. As such, it has our highest recommendation.

Features

  • Ad blocking
  • Optimize page load speed
  • Block trackers
  • Chrome extension

Pricing

  • Free, $29/year for a premium upgrade.

TotalAdBlock works with the same level of finesse that you'd expect from some of the best ad blockers out there online today.

After a simple installation, it only takes one click to block all ads on the web pages you open. The chrome extension only makes the job of blocking ads easier. In addition, TotalAdBlock's service is absolutely free.

2) AdLock.

The best way to remove pop-ups and other ads on all major browsers.

AdLock

AdLock offers a browser extension free for Chrome and Safari that blocks all ads. However, these extensions only work on the browser where they are installed.

To block ads on other programs, AdLock also offers AdLock for Windows and Android. For only 20 dollars a year, you can forget about ads on your computer and/or smartphone, no matter what application you use.

Features

  • Supported platforms: Windows, Android, iOS, and macOS versions
  • Ad-blocking extension for Chrome and Safari.
  • Ad-blocking software for Windows and Android that blocks ads on Skype, YouTube, games, and other applications.
  • Protect your personal data.

Pricing

  • Free extensions for Chrome and Safari.
  • Android: $20 per year or $50 for life
  • Desktop (Windows): $40 per year or $100 for life
  • Both: $30 per year or $75 for life
  • All prices are exclusive of taxes.
  • All paid products have a 30-day money-back guarantee.

AdLock is a great solution for those who are tired of ads outside of the browser frame. It's not free, however, with a 30-day money-back guarantee, you can try it out and decide if it's worth the effort or not.

3) AdGuard

The best way to get rid of trackers and online ads while protecting your computer from malicious software.

AdGuard

AdGuard offers a number of different products for ad blocking and safe browsing. You can get it in the form of a browser extension or an application. They have products for Mac, Windows, Android, and iOS.

It also has a home solution that protects all the devices in your home, as well as AdGuard DNS. This service is free and does not require an application to be installed. It works by simply changing the DNS settings on any device.

Features

  • Numerous products including browser extensions, AdGuard DNS, AdGuard for Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android.
  • Ad blocking, safe browsing, and parental controls.
  • AdGuard Home protects your entire network by blocking ads and tracking.

Pricing

  • $79.99 for life or $2.49 per month.
  • Prices do not include taxes.
  • AdGuard DNS: Free
  • 14-day free trial

AdGuard offers numerous ways to block ads on most devices. Users can choose how to protect their data and get rid of ads in the way they prefer. AdGuard also has parental controls that allow you to prevent your children from viewing adult content.

4) Adblock Plus.

The best solution to block pop-ups and ads on websites.

Adblock Plus

AdBlock Plus is one of the most popular ad blockers. It works with numerous desktop and mobile browsers, including Firefox, Safari, Chrome, and Opera. With AdBlock Plus, it is possible to create additional block lists and custom filters.

They also support the white list, which allows you to choose which websites the pop-up blocker should not work on. The “Acceptable ads” feature allows non-intrusive ads to pass, but it's easy to turn it off. Businesses that want to be added to the acceptable advertising whitelist can request it by completing a form.

Features

  • Ad blocking on all desktop and mobile browsers (Samsung Internet, Safari, Firefox).
  • Ad-blocking browser for Android and iOS.
  • Businesses can request to be whitelisted for acceptable ads.

Pricing

  • Free for small entities.
  • Large entities: 30% of additional revenue created by whitelisting their acceptable ads

AdBlock Plus allows you to browse the Internet faster and without interruption. It's free and open-source. The “Acceptable Ads” feature allows you to see only non-intrusive ads and businesses can ask to be whitelisted. This feature is free for small businesses, but larger businesses need to pay fees.

5) AdBlock.

The best way to block annoying ads, improve browser speed, and protect yourself.

AdblockSurf the web without annoying pop ups and ads

AdBlock is a free, open-source pop-up blocker. It's one of the most popular ad blockers in the world and is available on Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari, iOS, and Android.

It uses filter lists that are set by default for all users, but it's possible to create your own list or whitelist the websites you want. AdBlock is part of the Acceptable Ads program, which only lets non-intrusive ads pass through.

Features

  • Works on most desktop (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari) and mobile (iOS and Android) browsers.
  • Blocks ads, pop-ups, malware, YouTube ads and cryptocurrency mining.
  • Part of the Acceptable Ads program.

Pricing

  • Free

Adblock is trusted by 65 million users. It's free, open-source, and allows you to customize your filter lists. It blocks all ads and pop-ups, including those on social media.

6) Ghostery.

Best for Making Your Web Browsing Experience Faster, Cleaner, and Safer.

Ghostery

Ghostery is a free, open-source ad blocker. It uses smart blocking technology that optimizes your browsing experience by blocking ads and stopping trackers. Its user-friendly interface allows you to customize what you want to block and it can also provide you with analytics.

Ghostery works with Cliqz, Firefox, Chrome, Opera, and Edge. They also have privacy browsers for Android and iOS smartphones.

Features

  • Personalized ad blocking.
  • Track analysis.
  • Privacy browser for Android and iOS.

Pricing

  • Free

Ghostery is a great free pop-up blocker to block ads. It stands out for its ability to stop trackers and keep your data more secure than ever. Its mobile browsers allow you to browse the Internet more securely than ever on your smartphone.

7) Opera browser.

One of the best for secure and smooth browsing with VPN and ad blocking.

Opera Web Browser

Opera is a free internet browser with a built-in VPN and ad-blocking add-ons, meaning you don't need to get additional extensions and it's completely free for everyone. The browser is available for both desktop and mobile devices.

Besides blocking ads, it also issues warnings about malware and fraudulent pages and links. Other extensions are also available if you want to customize it further.

Features

  • Free VPN built in.
  • Integrated ad blocker.
  • Also available for Android and iOS.

Pricing

  • Free

Opera is a secure, ad-free Internet browser. This is probably the easiest way to get rid of ads as all you need to do is download the browser and install it.

8) uBlock Origin.

The best for filtering content, including blocking ads across browsers.

uBlock Origin

uBlock Origin is an effective browser extension that works with Chrome and Firefox. It is light, not very memory intensive and offers thousands of filters.

uBlock Origin is open-source, so you can create new lists and filters from host files. Users can also choose to whitelist websites that they don't want to block from working.

Features

  • Blocks ads and malware
  • Easy to remember, it doesn't slow down your computer.
  • Customizable filters and white lists.

Pricing

  • Free

uBlock Origin is the best option for those who don't want to slow down their computers by using an ad blocker. It's lightweight but powerful enough to block all annoying ads.

9) AdBlocker Ultimate.

The best for removing ads and focusing your attention on the content you want.

AdBlocker Ultimate

AdBlocker Ultimate offers free and paid products. Their free products include an open-source browser extension that is compatible with Chrome, Mozilla, Opera, Safari, and Edge. They also have a free browser for Android called AdBlocker Ultimate Browser and a mobile app for Safari on iOS.

Their Android browser offers advanced paid features. Their paid service is a Windows PC application that blocks ads throughout the system, not just on the browser.

Features

  • Free browser extensions to block ads and protect privacy.
  • Safe, ad-free mobile browsers.
  • Windows application that works outside of the browser.

Pricing

  • Free
  • Lifespan: 74.95
  • Monthly: 4.95
  • Free trial: 14 days

AdBlocker Ultimate blocks all ads, malicious websites, and trackers. In addition to its free and open-source browser extensions, AdBlocker also offers a paid Windows application that works independently of the browser.

FAQs

What is a DNS ad blocker?

Ad blockers that use DNS to block ads are something of a new breed, but they're proving to be quite effective at their job. Their mode of operation is also very simple.

When a website or application requests to display an advertisement, that request must go through a DNS server. The DNS server basically tells the website where the ad is located. Adblockers change the DNS to recognize and block these requests.

What ads are acceptable?

Acceptable ads are those that are deemed to be non-intrusive. Because many free websites and apps rely on ad revenue to stay up and running, by allowing acceptable ads, you can keep these resources available without affecting the quality of your experience.

Conclusion

Ad blockers come in all shapes and sizes. With lots of free and paid versions out there, it can be quite difficult to choose which one works best. At the end of the day, we need to remember the purpose of pop-up blockers, which is to give users the experience they deserve.

However, we also need to find a balance, understanding that publishers offering free content need to make money.

While AdGuard isn't part of the acceptable ads program, its suite of products can actually help users take control of their online experience. With DNS filtering that offers network-wide control, AdGuard goes a step further by introducing parental controls to filter content that is inappropriate for children.

🏆 Best compromise : AdBlock Plus

Not only is Adblock Plus free, it also offers acceptable ads. Instead of charging the user, AdBlock Plus charges big companies that want to be part of its acceptable ads program, saving you money while allowing businesses that rely on ad revenue to continue offering you free content for years to come.

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