safari ad blocker ublock origin

uBlock Origin - Free, open-source ad content blocker.

Easy on cpu and memory..

Github (gorhill/uBlock)

uBlock Origin is not just an “ad blocker“, it's a wide-spectrum content blocker with CPU and memory efficiency as a primary feature.

Open-source ad blocker

The uBlock Origin is a free and open-source, cross-platform browser extension for content filtering—primarily aimed at neutralizing privacy invasion in an efficient, user-friendly method.

CPU and memory efficiency

Globally, uBlock Origin could save consumers more than $1.8 billion/year( study ). Open source ad blockers are a potentially effective technology for energy conservation.

Various browsers support

uBlock Origin’s extension is available for several of the most widely used browsers, including: Chrome, Chromium, MS Edge, Opera, Firefox and all Safari releases prior to 13.

About uBlock Origin

In 2014 uBlock Origin’s founder, original author and lead developer, Raymond Hill, created the original uBlock extension, with its development initiated by forking the codebase of HTTP Switchboard with a separate blocking extension, uMatrix, which had been previously designed for advanced users. The initial uBlock was developed by Raymond Hill in order to enable community-maintained block lists while simultaneously adding additional features and upgrading the code quality to proper release standards. First released in June 2014 as an exclusive Chrome and Opera extension, in late 2015 the initial uBlock extension expanded to other browsers under its current name – uBlock Origin. (occasionally represented globally as – uBlock₀).

Following this 2015 introduction, a collaborative comsource and Sourcepoint industry research survey reported an 833% growth rate over a 10-month period ending in August 2016, the most rapid growth among any industry software publicly listed at that time. This report attributed this enormous surge to collective user demand for “pure” blockers with the capacity to operate outside the “acceptable advertising” program used by AdBlock, and other industry extensions.

Quickly gaining traction throughout the entire ad-blocking industry, the uBlock Origin Firefox version collected over 5 million active users, with its Chrome extension subsequently compiling over 10 million active users. Developer Nik Rolls then officially released uBlock Origin for the Microsoft Edge browser in December 2016.

In January 2017, uBlock Origin was added to the repositories for Debian 9 , and Ubuntu (16.04), and the uBlock Origin extension was awarded the prestigious IoT honor of “Pick of the Month” by Mozilla.

As of 2024, uBlock Origin continues to be maintained and actively developed by founder and lead developer Raymond Hill.

The uBlock Origin extension remains an industry leading, open-source, cross-platform browser extension with software developed specifically for multiple platform use, and as of 2024, uBlock Origin’s extension is available for several of the most widely used browsers, including: Chrome, Chromium, Edge, Opera, Firefox and all Safari releases prior to 13.

The uBlock Origin project still specifically refuses donations at this time, and instead advises all of its clients, users and supporters to donate to block list maintainers.

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The Ultimate Superuser’s Guide to uBlock Origin

uBlock Origin is the most powerful and versatile ad blocker available. Unfortunately, the design is also a little obscure. This guide will explain the ins and outs of uBlock Origin’s advanced features, including adding custom lists, creating custom user filters, setting up dynamic blocking rules, and adjusting rules for uBlock Origin on specific domains with the advanced user interface.

Installing uBlock Origin

Setting up advanced options, dynamic filtering rules, saving and reverting filtering rules, third-party scripts and frames, viewing and editing dynamic rules, removing elements with static rules, finding and using custom filter lists, storing and syncing rules.

A pre-built version of the uBlock Origin extension is available for Google Chrome , Firefox , Safari , Microsoft Edge and Opera . You can also build the extension manually from source for Firefox and Chrome.

Also read: uBlock Origin – Better Than AdBlock Plus?

A quick warning : uBlock Origin is not and has never been connected to ublock.org or the uBlock extension. The Origin part in the name is very important in distinguishing between these two unrelated projects that once shared a similar codebase. ublock.org and the uBlock extension should be avoided, as they are imitators that purposefully confuse the market to steal data and deceive users. Be sure you have uBlock Origin and not uBlock.

Before we can do anything interesting with uBlock Origin, we need to enable advanced settings. Make sure to check out the required reading before you proceed. If you lack the troubleshooting experience to manage these types of decisions, consider reading up on how cookies work before you start tinkering with their functionality. Otherwise, expect the unexpected!

1. Click on the uBlock Origin extension’s icon.

2. Click the Settings icon.

3. Tick the box next to “I am an advanced user.”

Once you have advanced settings enabled, you can adjust blocking settings on a granular level.

Filtering is handled in uBlock Origin at two levels: globally and locally. Global rules apply to all URLs, while local rules are for the current URL only.

The first column specifies the URL that the content originates from.

The second column indicates global settings, which are inherited by the specific URLs.

The third column indicates local rules for the current URL.

If you mouse over a box in the “global” or “local” rules column, you’ll see red, grey, and green thirds.

Click on the red third to set a blocking rule for the associated content type. The green third permits the corresponding element. The grey third sets a “noop” rule, which stands for “no operation.” This setting will prevent uBlock Origin from taking action on the associated content. Setting a “noop” filter will override global settings for a specific URL.

At the top of the window are content types. These can be blocked at the global and URL-specific level. These are blunt filters but useful nonetheless.

Under the content types are the URLs loaded on the current webpage. A plus icon indicates that content from that URL is being permitted. A minus icon indicates that content from the URL is being blocked. You can sometimes see a mixture of pluses and minuses for one URL, which indicates that some of the content is permitted while other content is blocked.

You can also look at the color coding next to the URL. Green indicates that content from that URL is permitted. Yellow indicates that some content from that URL is blocked. Red indicates that all content from the URL will be blocked.

Settings an inherited based on specificity. For example, global content type rules have the lowest priority. Rules set on filtering lists have a medium priority ranking: they can override global settings, but not URL-specific user settings. The highest priority is given to URL-specific local rules set by the user.

Changes you make to filtering rules are automatically reset the next time you visit a website. To make your settings permanent, click the lock icon.

To revert to the last saved state, click the eraser icon.

In general, it’s a good idea to block third-party scripts and frames by default. This protects both your privacy and your eyeballs. It can also break websites, so keep a quick finger on the “noop” override.

To block third-party scripts and frames, click the red third of the box next to each in the global column. This will automatically block all third-party scripts and frames on every URL.

If a website breaks, you can set a “noop” override to permit third-party scripts and frames. Click the grey box in the local rules column to set a “noop” rule and override the global blocking rule for this URL.

This noop rule will only apply to the current URL.

Alternatively, you can also hunt down the URL of the blocked resource and permit that resource specifically. This is easiest with the third-party frame has a clear origin, like a YouTube or Twitter embed. If you permit those frames globally and save the rule, those URL-specific filters will trump the global content type filters.

By balancing global and local filters with content type filters, you can set sensible online privacy settings while permitting content you don’t find as objectionable.

To view the filters that you’ve already set, look at uBlock Origin’s Settings page under the My Rules tab. Here, you’ll see the rules you’ve set in two lists. The list on the left is for permanent rules and the list on the right is for temporary rules, as indicated by their headings.

The text contents of the right-most temporary rule column can be edited directly with the cursor, mouse, and keyboard. If uBlock Origin detects a difference between the two columns, you’ll see contextual buttons labeled “Revert” and “Commit” that offer the option to sync the columns with one another. Click “Revert” to copy the unchanged contents of the permanent rule list to the temporary rules list. Click “Commit” to copy the change from the temporary rules list to the permanent rules list.

You’ll notice that the text formatting of the rules follows specific conventions. The syntax is like so:

If you follow the dynamic filtering rules syntax guide on uBlock Origin’s GitHub page, you can change and set rules with text strings directly from this pane.

Also read: How to Get More Out of Your Adblocker

If you want to remove elements from the page using graphical tools, you can access that feature by setting cosmetic rules. These rules remove DOM elements based on a graphically-based node selection by the user. If you see something on a website that bothers you, like a email subscription banner, an ad-block detector, or anything else offensive to your sensibilities, you can remove it this way.

Temporary Rules: Element Zapper

There are two different ways to set cosmetic rules in uBlock Origin. The first is with the Element Zapper, accessed through the lightning bolt icon on uBlock Origin’s extension dropdown pane.

This tool sets a temporary rule removing the specified DOM element. With the next browser session, the element will return. To create a rule, click the element zapper icon, and then click on the page element you want to remove. As you mouse over various DOM elements, they’ll be colored yellow to indicate what element is currently selected. Once the right element is selected, click to remove the selected element instantly. No confirmation box will appear after clicking

The element zapper will do its best to pick the element you’ve selected, but you might need to dance your mouse around a bit to get the element you’re hoping for. It will attempt to adhere to the largest DOM object that its algorithm can locate and select.

Permanent Rules: Element Picker

To set a permanent rule, use the Element Picker, represented by the eyedropper icon to the right of the lightning bolt.

This will activate an interface similar to the element zapper, but now DOM elements will be highlighted in red instead of yellow.

When you click on the red highlighted element, a text box will appear in the lower-right, previewing the class or ID of the selected element. It’s this text-based class or ID match that will be used to remove the element in the future. And since many sites obfuscate their code to make ad blocking more difficult, you may need to refine the element picker’s automatic selection from time to time. You can also use this tool to select “layers” of the DOM that are completely obscured or exist only in DOM logic.

To select a different element, mouse over its name in the yellow box below the white text box. Click on the text to see the associated element highlighted in red.

When the correct element is selected, click the “Create” button to create the rule and remove the element. You can also click the adjacent “Pick” button to return to the element picker if you selected the wrong part of the page.

In the future you can find the rule in uBlock Origin’s settings under the “My Filters” tab. New rules will appear at the bottom of the list with their data and timestamp.

If you want to ignore a rule, you can type an exclamation point at the beginning of the line to comment out the element rule. You can also see additional static filer syntax in uBlock Origin’s documentation on GitHub.

uBlock Origin comes with some preset filter lists, but there are many more you can add. The easiest way to add more filters is to browse FilterLists .

If you find a filter list you want to add to uBlock Origin’s filters, click “Details” and then “Subscribe.” This will automatically download and include the list in uBlock Origin’s blocking rules for websites visited in the future. Only lists with the uBlock Origin icon can be added to uBlock Origin in this way.

These filters will then appear under the “Filter Lists” tab in uBlock Origin’s options page. They can be viewed and toggled from that page in the future.

To make a local backup of your uBlock Origin rules, you can save your settings out to a file. Find the dialog options at the bottom of the main uBlock Origin settings tab.

If you want to use the browser-based cloud storage for extensions, you can tick the “Enable cloud storage” option on the main page of uBlock Origin’s settings. This will allow you to upload data within the extension’s small file space within the browser. This only syncs with other copies of the same browser, however.

If you upload your uBlock Origin settings in Firefox, you cannot then download them in Chrome on another computer. As a result, sharing configurations through files is the most reliable method of the time being. To sync your rules among multiple browsers and computers, you can share the backup configuration text file over a cloud storage service.

uBlock Origin isn’t exactly an ad blocker. It’s a wide-spectrum content blocker. That means it can control what comes into your browser no matter its origin. That makes it extremely powerful, and extremely easy to mess up. So take care with what you do, and if something breaks, be prepared to fix it.

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Alexander Fox is a tech and science writer based in Philadelphia, PA with one cat, three Macs and more USB cables than he could ever use.

uBlock Origin—everything you need to know about the ad blocker

Rare is the browser extension that can satisfy both passive and power users. But that’s an essential part of uBlock Origin ’s brilliance—it is an ad blocker you could recommend to your most tech forward friend as easily as you could to someone who’s just emerged from the jungle lost for the past 20 years. 

uBlock Origin by Raymond Hill

Finally, an efficient wide-spectrum content blocker. Easy on CPU and memory.

Users: 7,171,378

This extension is not currently available.

If you install uBlock Origin and do nothing else, right out of the box it will block nearly all types of internet advertising—everything from big blinking banners to search ads and video pre-rolls and all the rest. However if you want extremely granular levels of content control, uBlock Origin can accommodate via advanced settings. 

We’ll try to split the middle here and walk through a few of the extension’s most intriguing features and options…

Does using uBlock Origin actually speed up my web experience? 

Yes. Not only do web pages load faster because the extension blocks unwanted ads from loading, but uBlock Origin utilizes a uniquely lightweight approach to content filtering so it imposes minimal impact on memory consumption. It is generally accepted that uBlock Origin offers the most performative speed boost among top ad blockers. 

But don’t ad blockers also break pages? 

Occasionally that can occur, where a page breaks if certain content is blocked or some websites will even detect the presence of an ad blocker and halt passage. 

Fortunately this doesn’t happen as frequently with uBlock Origin as it might with other ad blockers and the extension is also extremely effective at bypassing anti-ad blockers (yes, an ongoing battle rages between ad tech and content blocking software). But if uBlock Origin does happen to break a page you want to access it’s easy to turn off content blocking for specific pages you trust or perhaps even want to see their ads.

Show us a few tips & tricks

Let’s take a look at some high level settings and what you can do with them. 

• Lightning bolt button enables Element Zapper , which lets you temporarily remove page elements by simply mousing over them and clicking. For example, this is convenient for removing embedded gifs or for hiding disturbing images you may encounter in some news articles.
• Eye dropper button enables Element Picker , which lets you permanently remove page elements. For example, if you find Facebook Stories a complete waste of time, just activate Element Picker, mouse over/click the Stories section of the page, select “Create” and presto—The End of Facebook Stories.    

The five buttons on this row will only affect the page you’re on.

• Pop-up button blocks—you guessed it—pop-ups
• Film button blocks large media elements like embedded video, audio, or images
• Eye slash button disables cosmetic filtering , which is on by default and elegantly reformats your pages when ads are removed, but if you’d prefer to see pages laid out as they were intended (with just empty spaces instead of ads) then you have that option
• “Aa” button blocks remote fonts from loading on the page
• “</>” button disables JavaScript on the page

Does uBlock Origin protect against malware? 

In addition to using various advertising block lists, uBlock Origin also leverages potent lists of known malware sources, so it automatically blocks those for you as well. To be clear, there is no software that can offer 100% malware protection, but it doesn’t hurt to give yourself enhanced protections like this. 

All of the content block lists are actively maintained by volunteers who believe in the mission of providing users with more choice and control over the content they see online. “uBlock Origin stands uncompromisingly for all users’ best interests, it’s not monetized, and its development and maintenance is driven only by volunteers who share the same view,” says uBlock Origin founder and developer Raymond Hill. “As long as I am the maintainer of [uBlock Origin], this will not change.”

We could go into a lot more detail about uBlock Origin —how you can create your own custom filter lists, how you can set it to block only media of a certain size, cloud storage sync, and so on—but power users will discover these delights on their own. Hopefully we’ve provided enough insight here to help you make an informed choice about exploring uBlock Origin, whether it be your first ad blocker or just the latest. 

If you’d like to check out other amazing ad blocker options, please see What’s the best ad blocker for you?

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Ublock Origin Safari – Your Ultimate Guide!

Exploring the world of ad blockers for Safari has been quite a journey for me. One standout tool that caught my attention is Ublock Origin Safari.

Ublock Origin Safari is a helpful tool that stops annoying ads and trackers when you browse the internet. It makes web pages load faster, saves data, and gives you a cleaner and more private online experience.

Let’s dive into its features, and its growth story, and even explore a couple of alternatives that caught my eye. Also, a few things to watch out for when considering uBlock Origin for Safari.

Table of Contents

About Ublock Origin Safari – An Overview!

In 2014, Raymond Hill created the original uBlock extension, aiming to improve it by combining features from HTTP Switchboard and another extension called uMatrix.

Released in June 2014 for Chrome and Opera, it later expanded to other browsers in 2015 as uBlock Origin.

This ad-blocker gained popularity, with over 10 million users on Chrome and 5 million on Firefox. It’s maintained by Raymond Hill and available on various browsers like Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera, and Safari.

As of 2024, uBlock Origin is widely used and appreciated for its effectiveness in blocking unwanted content online.

How To Use Ublock Origin On Safari? – Follow These Steps!

• Visit the Safari Extensions Gallery: Open Safari, and visit the Safari Extensions Gallery by clicking on Safari Extensions” at the bottom of the page.
• Search for ublock Origin: In the Extensions Gallery, use the search bar to look for “uBlock Origin.
• Install uBlock Origin: Once you find uBlock Origin in the search results, click on it, and then click on the “Install Now” button. Follow any extra steps they tell you to finish installing it.
• Enable uBlock Origin: After installation, uBlock Origin might be disabled by default. To enable it, go to Safari’s preferences, navigate to the Extensions tab, and make sure the checkbox next to uBlock Origin is checked.
• Configure uBlock Origin settings (optional): You can access ublock Origin’s settings by clicking on the uBlock icon in the Safari toolbar. Here, you can customize the extension’s settings according to your preferences.

Remember that Safari updates and changes in extension policies may affect the installation process. So ensure you are using the latest version of Safari and check for any updates to uBlock Origin if needed.

Rapid Growth And Industry Impact – Must Know!

After uBlock Origin was introduced in 2015, it became really popular. A survey by Comsource and Sourcepoint found that it grew by a massive 833% in just 10 months, ending in August 2016.

This kind of growth was unusual in the software world back then because people wanted a strong ad-blocker that didn’t follow the rules of acceptable advertising used by other blockers like AdBlock. People loved uBlock Origin and it quickly became well-known in the ad-blocking world.

The version of Firefox has more than 5 million users. The one for Chrome has over 10 million users. Seeing this demand, developer Nik Rolls officially made uBlock Origin available for the Microsoft Edge browser in December 2016.

Recognition And Awards – Your Online Security!

People noticed how good uBlock Origin was. In January 2017, it became available in special places for Debian 9 and Ubuntu (16.04).

It got a big award from Mozilla, called Pick of the Month, which shows how much it helps keep the internet safe. Mozilla recognized uBlock Origin for its important contribution to online security.

Continued Development And Maintenance – Their Promise!

In 2024, uBlock Origin is still taken care of by its creator, Raymond Hill. Unlike some tools that become outdated, uBlock Origin is regularly updated. They make sure it keeps up with the changes on the internet, so people can always have a smooth browsing experience.

Cross-Platform Excellence – Let’s Go!

A cool thing about uBlock Origin is that it works on many different browsers. It’s not just for one you can use it on Chrome, Chromium, Edge, Opera, Firefox, and even Safari (before version 13). So, no matter which browser you like, uBlock Origin can help you out.

User-Friendly Interface – Best Feature For You!

What makes uBlock Origin special is how easy it is to use. You don’t need to be a computer pro to understand it. Just a few clicks, and you can add it to your browser. Plus, you can change how it works to fit what you like.

Moreover, it’s designed in a way that even if you’re new to blocking ads, it’s simple to understand and use.

Alternative Adblocker For Safari – Meet Your Internet Helper!

Safari users meet your new sidekick – adguard.

If you’re looking for something similar to uBlock Origin on Safari, a good alternative is AdGuard.It works like a helper for your Safari browser, blocking annoying ads and pop-ups.

Just like uBlock Origin, it keeps your online experience clean and smooth by stopping unwanted stuff from showing up while you’re browsing. You can easily get it from the Safari Extensions Gallery and enjoy a more pleasant time on the internet.

AdLock – The Easy Ad Blocker with Extra Privacy!

If you use Safari and want an ad blocker like uBlock Origin, give AdLock a try! It does the same job and has some cool extras. AdLock not only stops ads and pop-ups but also blocks trackers that might invade your privacy. It helps you browse the internet better, keeping your personal info safe.

What’s nice is that AdLock is easy to use. You can pick which ads to block, and it remembers your choices for all websites. Plus, it shows you how much data it saves by stopping annoying ads.AdLock is also buddies with Safari, so it works smoothly with the latest version.

It’s a handy tool to make your online experience better and safer!”

What Are The Advantages And Disadvantages Of Ublock Origin Safari – Let’s Explore!

Advantages:.

• No More Annoying Ads: Say goodbye to irritating ads and pop-ups that can disrupt your web surfing.
• Faster Loading Times: With uBlock Origin, web pages load faster because it stops unnecessary elements from loading.
• Enhanced Privacy: It blocks trackers and scripts, keeping your online activities more private and secure.
• User-Friendly: Simple to use, even if you’re not a tech whiz. It only takes a few clicks, and you’re good to go!
• Customizable: You can choose which content to block or allow, tailoring your browsing experience to your preferences.
• Low on Resources: uBlock Origin does its job without slowing down your computer, using resources efficiently.

Disadvantages:

• Website Compatibility: Some websites may not function correctly when uBlock Origin is active, as it might block certain elements that the website requires.
• Customization Complexity: While the extension is generally user-friendly, extensive customization might be a bit complex for users who are not familiar with advanced settings.
• Occasional False Positives: uBlock Origin might mistakenly block elements that are not ads, resulting in a less-than-optimal browsing experience on certain websites.
• Regular Updates Required: To ensure optimal performance, uBlock Origin requires regular updates. Failing to update may lead to compatibility issues with newer browser versions.

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. is it safe to use ublock origin.

uBlock Origin is safe to use as it helps block annoying ads and trackers while you browse. It doesn’t collect your personal information and is widely trusted by users. Just install, and enjoy a safer and smoother online experience.

2. Does uBlock Origin collect your personal data?

No, uBlock Origin doesn’t take your data. It’s designed to block ads and trackers while respecting your privacy. Your personal information is not collected or shared when you use uBlock Origin.

3. Does uBlock Origin protect against malware?

Yes, uBlock Origin helps block malware by preventing malicious content from loading on web pages. It adds an extra layer of protection to your browsing experience, keeping your device safer from online threats. Just install it and enjoy a more secure internet experience.

Conclusion:

To sum up all the above discussion

uBlock Origin Safari stops annoying ads, speeds up web pages, and keeps things private. While it’s cool and easy to use, There are also other buddies like AdGuard and AdLock, offering a smooth and safe online ride.

So, whether it’s uBlock Origin or its pals, happy browsing ahead!

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The best ad blockers in 2024

Say goodbye to irritating online advertising with the best ad blockers

Best in-browser ad blockers

Best ad-blocking apps, best ad-blocking mobile apps, other privacy-focused extensions and apps.

The best ad blockers are crucial to survive on the modern internet. It often feels like it's impossible to go anywhere online without being harassed by pop-ups, tracker cookies, malvertising and all sort of digital nasties that seem hell-bent on ruining your browsing. The worse part is that these things still plague you if your browsing is above-board — putting you at risk.

Thankfully there's no shortage of apps and browser extensions that can block ads and keep you safer when you're online. Blocking ads and all the other irrelevant stuff that you may encounter. Combined with the best antivirus software and the best VPNs , a good ad-blocker gives you a perfect arsenal of tools to offer as much protection as possible. Even the FBI recommends using an ad-blocker for protection.

The only thing you need to figure out is which ad-blocker is right for you. There are so many to choose from, and whether you are willing to live with the downsides. Most free sites rely on advertising revenue to survive, including Tom's Guide. But if you're happy with the trade-off, we've got a thorough list of the best ad blockers and privacy tools — with options for every browser and platform.

The best ad blockers you can get today

1. adblock plus (chrome, edge, firefox, opera, safari, android, ios).

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 provides a Firefox-based browser that blocks incoming advertising, while on iOS, the AdBlock Plus app integrates with the content blocker system to seamlessly block advertising on Safari with minimal setup.

Download AdBlock Plus: Firefox , Chrome , Safari , Opera , Edge

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

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 , Firefox , Safari , Edge

3. uBlock Origin (Chrome, Firefox)

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 , Firefox

4. Poper Blocker (Chrome)

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

5. Stands Fair AdBlocker (Chrome)

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

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

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 and iOS devices.

Download Ghostery: Chrome , Firefox , Opera , Safari , Edge

7. Adblocker for YouTube (Chrome, Firefox)

YouTube has gotten more aggressive with ads, so the makers of ad-blocking extensions have followed suit. Adblocker for YouTube is a Chrome extension that promises to automatically block YouTube ads, whether we're talking about the pre-roll ad appearing before your video or any text and banner ads that appear on the video itself.

If you prefer Firefox to Chrome, there's also an AdBlocker for YouTube extension that works on that browser. Same name, different developer apparently, but the functionality of stripping out video and display ads remains. This version works on Android devices too.

Download Adblocker for YouTube: Chrome , Firefox

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

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 , Mac , Android , iOS

2. AdLock ($33 per year)

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. iOS users can download AdLock directly from Apple's App Store.

Download AdLock: Windows , Chrome ,  Android , Mac , iOS

3. Wipr (macOS, iOS; $1.99)

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 , iOS

1. 1Blocker (iOS)

1Blocker was one of the first really good ad blockers on iOS when Apple opened up that functionality on iPhones and iPads; the apps has since been 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 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: iOS

2. Firefox Focus (Android, iOS)

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 has more on the various flavors of Firefox.

Download Firefox Focus: Android , iOS

3. AdClear (Android, iOS)

AdClear — or AdClear Plus if you're searching for the iOS version — offers the kind of mobile ad blocking in browsers that similar apps provide. But AdClear takes it one step farther by also blocking ads in apps. 

AdClear achieves this through a DNS changer feature that routes traffic through a VPN. AdClear doesn't catch everything in all apps, and in our experience, some apps ran a little slower. But this free download can put a stop to ads interrupting what you're trying to do whether in an app or a browser.

Download AdClear: Android , iOS

1. Decentraleyes (Chrome, Firefox)

Some times, blocking ads can also prevent websites fromn pulling needed resoruces and libraries from third-party sources, breaking web pages in the process. Decentraleyes tries to stop that from happening by acting as a local content delivery network emulator to serve up the files that websites need. By doing so, this extension can stop websites from sending out requests to the likes of Google Hosted Libraries.

Think of Decentraleyes as a complement to ad blockers. In fact, the extension specifically says it can work with uBlock Origin and AdBlock Plus, both of which we recommend up above.

Download Decentraleyes: Chrome , Firefox

2. Opera (Desktop, Android, iOS)

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. (Incidentally, we've got a guide on how you can use Opera to block ads on the iPhone .)

Download Opera: Mac or Windows , Android , iOS

3. Privacy Badger (Chrome, Firefox, Opera)

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 , Firefox , Opera

4. Tor Browser (Desktop, Android)

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 , Android

5. Onion Browser (iOS)

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

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.

As we noted at the outset, there's also an ethical component to ad blockers. Do you feel comfortable keeping ad revenue out of the hands of sites you enjoy and use for free? As good as the best ad blockers are, that's still a trade-off you need to consider when deciding whether to install one as a browser extension or as a standalone app. 

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Monte Carlo Masters live streams 2024: How to watch tennis online, seeds, schedule

• kep55 I'm waiting for an ad blocker that will spoof the websites into thinking there is no ad blocker in place. More and more sites are incorporating code that disables the site entirely or many of the features if an adblocker is in use. Reply

kep55 said: I'm waiting for an ad blocker that will spoof the websites into thinking there is no ad blocker in place. More and more sites are incorporating code that disables the site entirely or many of the features if an adblocker is in use.

• View All 2 Comments

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uBlock Origin for Safari

An efficient blocker add-on for various browsers. Fast, potent, and lean.

What is uBlock Origin?

An efficient blocker: easy on memory and CPU footprint, and yet can load and enforce thousands more filters than other popular blockers out there. uBlock Origin is free and open source. It's made for users by users. No donations sought by any uBlock Origin projects.

Usage: The big power button in the popup is to permanently disable/enable uBlock for the current web site. It applies to the current web site only, it is not a global power button.

This website only hosts the prebuilt extension for Safari. You can find the original uBlock Origin for Safari project by el1t here , and the original uBlock Origin project by gorhill here .

Install uBlock Origin for Safari

Download the file bellow, double click on it and click on `Trust` when you are asked `Are you sure you want to install the extension “uBlock Origin”?`.

uBlock Origin for Safari was created by Ellis Tsung . Website by Rémi Prévost , Mike McQuaid and Danielle Lalonde .

uBlock Origin

29.1K ratings

Finally, an efficient blocker. Easy on CPU and memory.

IMPORTANT: uBlock Origin is completely unrelated to the site "ublock.org". uBlock Origin is not an "ad blocker", it's a wide-spectrum content blocker with CPU and memory efficiency as a primary feature. *** Out of the box, these lists of filters are loaded and enforced: - uBlock Origin filter lists - EasyList (ads) - EasyPrivacy (tracking) - Peter Lowe’s Ad server list (ads and tracking) - Online Malicious URL Blocklist More lists are available for you to select if you wish: - Annoyances (cookie warnings, overlays, etc.) - hosts-based lists - And many others Additionally, you can point-and-click to block JavaScript locally or globally, create your own global or local rules to override entries from filter lists, and many more advanced features. *** Free. Open source with public license (GPLv3) For users by users. If ever you really do want to contribute something, think about the people working hard to maintain the filter lists you are using, which were made available to use by all for free. *** Documentation: https://github.com/gorhill/uBlock#ublock-origin Project change log: https://github.com/gorhill/uBlock/releases Contributors @ Github: https://github.com/gorhill/uBlock/graphs/contributors Contributors @ Crowdin: https://crowdin.net/project/ublock

4.7 out of 5 29.1K ratings Google doesn't verify reviews. Learn more about results and reviews.

Ghost Apr 4, 2024

I can't watch youtube or use the internet without uBlock i really appreciate your work guys i've been recommending it to family and friends

Hammurabi Apr 4, 2024

THANK YOU 😘❤️🌹😘🌹❤️😍

This developer declares that your data is

• Not being sold to third parties, outside of the approved use cases
• Not being used or transferred for purposes that are unrelated to the item's core functionality
• Not being used or transferred to determine creditworthiness or for lending purposes

TTV AdEraser

TTV AdEraser aims to remove livestream ads as well as add some useful features to our favourite streaming site.

TTV LOL PRO

TTV LOL PRO removes most livestream ads from Twitch.

Alternate Player for Twitch.tv

Alternate player of live broadcasts for Twitch.tv website.

A no-nonsense ad blocker

SponsorBlock for YouTube - Skip Sponsorships

Skip sponsorships, subscription begging and more on YouTube videos. Report sponsors on videos you watch to save others' time.

Privacy Badger

Privacy Badger automatically learns to block invisible trackers.

Decentraleyes

Protects you against tracking through "free", centralized, content delivery.

Point & click to forbid/allow any class of requests made by your browser. Use it to block scripts, iframes, ads, facebook, etc.

Stream Cleaner

The Stream Cleaner extension helps you block Twitch.tv ads.

Reddit Enhancement Suite

A suite of modules that enhance your Reddit browsing experience

uBlock Origin Lite

A permission-less content blocker. Blocks ads, trackers, miners, and more immediately upon installation.

A no-nonsense ad blocker

Your web experience has never been this fast and efficient.

• no sneaky tracking
• no overhead
• memory efficient
• lightweight

Add uBlock to your browser

Set and forget.

Add uBlock to your browser to automatically block ads, pop ups, and trackers. Browse faster.

The Best Ad Blockers for 2024

There are big differences among popular ad blockers. we put them to the test to see which one is best for cleaning up your browsing experience..

uBlock Origin

Privacy badger, adblock plus.

Ads are ugly, they make websites look and perform worse, and their weird tricks—like appearing suddenly or autoplaying videos—can be extremely irritating. Ad blockers seek to rein in those problems and make the web a little bit better. We look through some of the best-known names in the ad-blocking business to help you find the right one for your needs.

Why You Should Block Ads

While legitimate ads can be annoying enough, some ads are deceptive or even dangerous. Some take over your screen, claiming to be from law enforcement and demanding you pay a hefty (and spurious) fine. Some online ads pretend to be from antivirus scanners, proclaiming you've been infected and need to download their malware protection solution, which might itself be malicious or simply a way to scare you into buying a subscription you don't need.

Although it’s rare, we've seen cases where legitimate sites and ad networks were hijacked by attackers. The bad guys submit ads carrying malicious code or pointing to malicious sites, which are accepted and displayed on trusted websites. The practice is called malvertising , and it's perhaps the most compelling reason to try and keep web ads out of your life.

Finally, nearly all advertising in this modern age is built on the privacy-eroding practices of surveillance capitalism . Ever wonder why you see the same ads follow you across different sites? How is Instagram able to show you extremely targeted ads? It's because gathering information about you and your activities is big business. Ad blockers not only keep you from seeing some ads, but the best ad blockers also block the trackers and other tools advertisers use to spy on you.

Many modern browsers have tracker blocking built in. Firefox blocks many trackers in its default mode. Other browsers, including Brave, Opera, and Vivaldi, include ad blockers as well.

How We Test Ad Blockers

All our testing was done on a macBook Pro running macOS 11.6.4. We tested each ad blocker in Chrome version 100. We only tested Chrome extensions, as it remains the world's most popular browser. Note, however, that most of the ad blockers we tested are available for multiple browsers .

To evaluate each service, we wanted both an objective measurement and subjective impressions. On the subjective side, we browsed PCMag's homepage and a review page to see which elements were blocked and whether the site functioned as intended. We also considered the design of each ad blocker, giving preference to well-designed, pleasant looking options.

On the objective side, we used each ad blocker's self-reported analytics on the same pages to see how each performed. We also sought out replicable tests for comparison. We settled on Adblock-Tester to compare how each service blocked ad elements and the EFF's Cover Your Tracks , which focuses on web trackers and browser fingerprinting —an insidious practice that uses unique characteristics of your machine to ID you online for targeted advertising. 

How They Stack Up

Our test results are a mixed bag, which indicates that the differences between how these services work is significant. The one that blocks the most ads may not be the one that works in a way makes sense for you.

Adblock-Tester tests against several features, from standard display ads to error reporting and so on. Scores are presented out of 100. Cover Your Tracks is different, and it looks at three criteria: if your browser blocks tracker ads, if your browser blocks invisible trackers, and how unique a fingerprint your browser presents. A unique fingerprint means you're easy to identify to advertisers.

You can see how all the products we tested compare in the chart below:

For its high scores and sheer breadth of customization options, uBlock Origin is the best ad blocker we tested. Ghostery, which also has a standalone privacy suite , deserves a look for its excellent design and strong scores. We're also giving special attention to Privacy Badger, which performed almost as well as other ad blockers but with a unique, privacy-first approach.

You Can Trust Our Reviews

Deeper dive: our top tested picks.

Last alphabetically but first in our hearts, uBlock Origin is our top choice for ad-blockers. If it's an ad, uBlock Origin can block it. Hell, even if it's not an ad, uBlock Origin can probably still block it with its Element Zapper mode. It also boasts a remarkable (if overwhelming) degree of customization that internet pros will love, but luckily it is tuned to work very well in its default state, too.

Granted, uBlock Origin did not block the most ads on the PCMag homepage. In fact, it was the least among the top four contenders. However, it blew the others out of the water on the PCMag review page. We didn't see ads on YouTube with uBlock Origin, and it got stellar scores with adblock-tester and Cover Your Tracks. For sheer brute force ad-blocking, uBlock Origin is the best.

Privacy Badger goes in a different direction from the other ad blockers we tested. Created by the nonprofit Electronic Frontier Foundation , Privacy Badger doesn't explicitly block ads. What it does do is block trackers , typically after it has encountered those trackers a few times. Because tracking users between websites is such an integral part of advertising, blocking trackers ends up blocking most ads.

However, that uniqueness meant that it didn't nab the best raw scores in our testing. On the PCMag homepage and review page, Privacy Badger never took the top spot, but it was never at the bottom either. With YouTube, we saw pre-roll ads and window ads—the only ad blocker of the bunch to allow this. Its Cover Your Tracks score was unsurprisingly impressive, but its adblock-tester results were not good.

Despite these caveats, we think Privacy Badger's behavioral approach is very compelling. We highly recommend this one, especially if you're concerned more about privacy than ad blocking.

Ghostery brings strong design and protection together into a smart package that does a good job blocking ads and provides enormous insight into what is tracking you and how. We were also impressed that it earned a perfect score from adblocker-tester and did a good job blocking trackers. It did not, however, outperform uBlock, Privacy Badger, or AdBlock Plus in terms of sheer number of ads blocked.

Along with uBlock Origin, Ghostery has an extremely customizable experience. Along with its powerful analytics, you get fine-grained control over what appears in your web browser. And it will look great, too, as Ghostery has the best design of all the ad blockers we tested. To get access to even more data, you will have to pay but its free package is strong on its own.

In the past, Ghostery was criticized for sharing analytics data with advertisers. The company's FAQ now says that it does not share data with any third parties.

Adblock Plus is among the old guard of ad blockers, and it's easy to see why it has lasted so long. It's easy to use, free, and effective. In our testing, it blocked the most ads on the PCMag home page, and had the second best score on a PCMag review page. Adblock also suppressed pre-roll and windowed ads on the YouTube videos we tested. It has a good Adblock-Tester score, but didn't perform well with Cover Your Tracker—a test that looks at tracker blocking and browser fingerprinting, specifically.

Along with uBlock Origin, Adblock Plus is one of two products we tested that let you highlight and suppress specific elements on a webpage—not just ads. Don't like seeing a byline on a PCMag review? You can make it vanish with a click. It's a powerful feature, although not one most people are likely to use.

One issue we have with Adblock Plus makes is its Acceptable Ads standard, which is not without controversy . While we appreciate the benefits of allowing some ads and or tracking elements on a page, we believe it should be the user that makes that decision. Note that Google has a similar initiative .

AdLock has a premium subscription, but it advertises itself as a comprehensive and free ad blocker. When we initially tested AdLock, we found that it didn't block any ads on our test pages. The company suggested clearing the browser's cache and cookies, restarting, and trying again. We did this, and were pleased to find that AdLock started functioning—albeit with the lowest results on our test pages. We should note, however, that no other ad blockers we tested required these extra steps, and it's unlikely an average user would know to do so. It appears to block ads on YouTube and managed good scores with Adblock-Tester and Cover Your Tracks. Perhaps the paid version works better.

Buying Guide: The Best Ad Blockers for 2024

Ad blockers for youtube.

Our research informed us that a great many of you are curious about blocking ads on YouTube in particular, so we test each service's efficacy in blocking YouTube ads.

YouTube is monetized in several ways. Pre-roll ads run before the video begins, and interstitial ads interrupt the entertainment during playback. Small ad windows also appear at the bottom of videos. That's not to mention any other tracking or analytics elements Google uses. Not all these elements appear every time for every video, however.

To get some sense of each ad blocker's YouTube ad blocking powers, we loaded five videos from the popular Defunctland series on YouTube and watched for pre-roll ads and ad windows over the video.

In our search for ad blocking perfection, we ran across two Chrome extensions:

• Adblocker for YouTube
• Adblock for YouTube

We found both the YouTube specific ad blockers to be lackluster as general privacy tools. Both failed the EFF's Cover Your Tracks test, and both scored a 40/100 on Adblock-Tester. On PCMag's homepage and review pages, both failed to block ads. They did work equally well for YouTube, and we saw no pre-roll ads or windowed ads.

We don't recommend either Adblocker for YouTube or Adblock for YouTube, as they have too narrow a focus. However, if you absolutely had to choose one, we recommend Adblock for YouTube . The other option was itself chockablock with ads.

Beyond Ad Blockers

Ad blockers are useful tools, but there's more you can do to secure your privacy and security online. 

First, use the privacy features in your browser . Firefox has built its name on being an independent and privacy focused tool, but other browsers like Brave and Safari have integrated tools to protect your privacy online. Learn what tools are available and how to use them.

Second, consider installing a VPN . A VPN uses encryption to secure all the web traffic between your device and a server controlled by the VPN company. It keeps your ISP from spying on (and profiting from) your online activities and makes it harder (but not impossible) for advertisers to track you online. Many VPNs claim to include ad-blocking tools, but we prefer standalone ad blockers.

Finally, malware and account takeovers are the biggest threat to your security online. Use antivirus software along with an ad blocker for maximum protection. Use a password manager to create unique and complex passwords for each site and service you use. Wherever possible, enable multi-factor authentication to keep bad guys from taking over your accounts.

More Inside PCMag.com

• The Best VPN Services for 2024
• 10 Essential Apps for Ironclad Online Privacy
• Stop Trackers Dead: The Best Private Browsers for 2024

About Max Eddy

Since my start in 2008, I've covered a wide variety of topics from space missions to fax service reviews. At PCMag, much of my work has been focused on security and privacy services, as well as a video game or two. I also write the occasional security columns, focused on making information security practical for normal people. I helped organize the Ziff Davis Creators Guild union and currently serve as its Unit Chair.

More From Max Eddy

• The Best VPN Extensions for Chrome in 2024
• The Best VPNs for Your Chromebook
• The Best VPNs for Gaming in 2024
• The Best Free VPNs for 2024
• The Best Cheap VPNs for 2024

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uBlock Origin - An efficient blocker for Chromium, Firefox, and Safari. Fast and lean.

RobFreiburger/uBlock-Safari

Folders and files, repository files navigation.

uBlock Origin for Safari

pronounced you-block origin ( /ˈjuːˌblɒk/ ) — you decide what enters your browser.

An efficient blocker add-on for various browsers. Fast, potent, and lean.

Regarding this Safari port

The majority of this code is shared with upstream . Platform specific portions are under development. Much of the platform shim from the original uBlock Safari version is still being used.

Installation

Release history, further documentation.

Until relatively stable, this extension must be installed manually .

Compatible with Safari 10, untested on older versions.

To benefit from uBlock Origin's higher efficiency, it's advised that you don't use other inefficient blockers at the same time (such as AdBlock or Adblock Plus). uBlock₀ will do as well or better than most popular ad blockers.

To build and load an unpacked extension for development:

• Clone uBlock-Safari and uAssets into the same parent directory
• Build by running ./tools/make-safari.sh in uBlock-Safari 's directory
• In Safari, load the Extension Builder (Develop > Show Extension Builder)
• Click the + button in the bottom left corner and "Add Extension"
• Select dist/build/uBlock.safariextension
• Click install and enter your password
• You will have to reinstall from this panel every time you restart Safari

If you don't see a Develop menu in Safari, you can run defaults write com.apple.Safari IncludeDevelopMenu -bool true or go to Preferences > Advanced > Show Develop menu in menu bar .

Example clone and build:

See the releases pages for a history of releases and highlights for each release.

Visit the upstream uBlock Origin wiki for further documentation.

uBlock Origin's manifesto .

Free. Open source. For users by users. No donations sought.

Without the preset lists of filters, this extension is nothing. So if ever you really do want to contribute something, think about the people working hard to maintain the filter lists you are using, which were made available to use by all for free.

You can contribute by helping translate uBlock₀ on Crowdin .

• JavaScript 93.7%

PCMag editors select and review products independently . If you buy through affiliate links, we may earn commissions, which help support our testing .

The Best Ad Blockers for 2024

There are big differences among popular ad blockers. we put them to the test to see which one is best for cleaning up your browsing experience..

uBlock Origin

Privacy badger, adblock plus.

Ads are ugly, they make websites look and perform worse, and their weird tricks—like appearing suddenly or autoplaying videos—can be extremely irritating. Ad blockers seek to rein in those problems and make the web a little bit better. We look through some of the best-known names in the ad-blocking business to help you find the right one for your needs.

Why You Should Block Ads

While legitimate ads can be annoying enough, some ads are deceptive or even dangerous. Some take over your screen, claiming to be from law enforcement and demanding you pay a hefty (and spurious) fine. Some online ads pretend to be from antivirus scanners, proclaiming you've been infected and need to download their malware protection solution, which might itself be malicious or simply a way to scare you into buying a subscription you don't need.

Although it’s rare, we've seen cases where legitimate sites and ad networks were hijacked by attackers. The bad guys submit ads carrying malicious code or pointing to malicious sites, which are accepted and displayed on trusted websites. The practice is called malvertising , and it's perhaps the most compelling reason to try and keep web ads out of your life.

Finally, nearly all advertising in this modern age is built on the privacy-eroding practices of surveillance capitalism . Ever wonder why you see the same ads follow you across different sites? How is Instagram able to show you extremely targeted ads? It's because gathering information about you and your activities is big business. Ad blockers not only keep you from seeing some ads, but the best ad blockers also block the trackers and other tools advertisers use to spy on you.

Many modern browsers have tracker blocking built in. Firefox blocks many trackers in its default mode. Other browsers, including Brave, Opera, and Vivaldi, include ad blockers as well.

How We Test Ad Blockers

All our testing was done on a macBook Pro running macOS 11.6.4. We tested each ad blocker in Chrome version 100. We only tested Chrome extensions, as it remains the world's most popular browser. Note, however, that most of the ad blockers we tested are available for multiple browsers .

To evaluate each service, we wanted both an objective measurement and subjective impressions. On the subjective side, we browsed PCMag's homepage and a review page to see which elements were blocked and whether the site functioned as intended. We also considered the design of each ad blocker, giving preference to well-designed, pleasant looking options.

On the objective side, we used each ad blocker's self-reported analytics on the same pages to see how each performed. We also sought out replicable tests for comparison. We settled on Adblock-Tester to compare how each service blocked ad elements and the EFF's Cover Your Tracks , which focuses on web trackers and browser fingerprinting —an insidious practice that uses unique characteristics of your machine to ID you online for targeted advertising. 

How They Stack Up

Our test results are a mixed bag, which indicates that the differences between how these services work is significant. The one that blocks the most ads may not be the one that works in a way makes sense for you.

Adblock-Tester tests against several features, from standard display ads to error reporting and so on. Scores are presented out of 100. Cover Your Tracks is different, and it looks at three criteria: if your browser blocks tracker ads, if your browser blocks invisible trackers, and how unique a fingerprint your browser presents. A unique fingerprint means you're easy to identify to advertisers.

You can see how all the products we tested compare in the chart below:

For its high scores and sheer breadth of customization options, uBlock Origin is the best ad blocker we tested. Ghostery, which also has a standalone privacy suite , deserves a look for its excellent design and strong scores. We're also giving special attention to Privacy Badger, which performed almost as well as other ad blockers but with a unique, privacy-first approach.

You Can Trust Our Reviews

Deeper dive: our top tested picks.

Last alphabetically but first in our hearts, uBlock Origin is our top choice for ad-blockers. If it's an ad, uBlock Origin can block it. Hell, even if it's not an ad, uBlock Origin can probably still block it with its Element Zapper mode. It also boasts a remarkable (if overwhelming) degree of customization that internet pros will love, but luckily it is tuned to work very well in its default state, too.

Granted, uBlock Origin did not block the most ads on the PCMag homepage. In fact, it was the least among the top four contenders. However, it blew the others out of the water on the PCMag review page. We didn't see ads on YouTube with uBlock Origin, and it got stellar scores with adblock-tester and Cover Your Tracks. For sheer brute force ad-blocking, uBlock Origin is the best.

Privacy Badger goes in a different direction from the other ad blockers we tested. Created by the nonprofit Electronic Frontier Foundation , Privacy Badger doesn't explicitly block ads. What it does do is block trackers , typically after it has encountered those trackers a few times. Because tracking users between websites is such an integral part of advertising, blocking trackers ends up blocking most ads.

However, that uniqueness meant that it didn't nab the best raw scores in our testing. On the PCMag homepage and review page, Privacy Badger never took the top spot, but it was never at the bottom either. With YouTube, we saw pre-roll ads and window ads—the only ad blocker of the bunch to allow this. Its Cover Your Tracks score was unsurprisingly impressive, but its adblock-tester results were not good.

Despite these caveats, we think Privacy Badger's behavioral approach is very compelling. We highly recommend this one, especially if you're concerned more about privacy than ad blocking.

Ghostery brings strong design and protection together into a smart package that does a good job blocking ads and provides enormous insight into what is tracking you and how. We were also impressed that it earned a perfect score from adblocker-tester and did a good job blocking trackers. It did not, however, outperform uBlock, Privacy Badger, or AdBlock Plus in terms of sheer number of ads blocked.

Along with uBlock Origin, Ghostery has an extremely customizable experience. Along with its powerful analytics, you get fine-grained control over what appears in your web browser. And it will look great, too, as Ghostery has the best design of all the ad blockers we tested. To get access to even more data, you will have to pay but its free package is strong on its own.

In the past, Ghostery was criticized for sharing analytics data with advertisers. The company's FAQ now says that it does not share data with any third parties.

Adblock Plus is among the old guard of ad blockers, and it's easy to see why it has lasted so long. It's easy to use, free, and effective. In our testing, it blocked the most ads on the PCMag home page, and had the second best score on a PCMag review page. Adblock also suppressed pre-roll and windowed ads on the YouTube videos we tested. It has a good Adblock-Tester score, but didn't perform well with Cover Your Tracker—a test that looks at tracker blocking and browser fingerprinting, specifically.

Along with uBlock Origin, Adblock Plus is one of two products we tested that let you highlight and suppress specific elements on a webpage—not just ads. Don't like seeing a byline on a PCMag review? You can make it vanish with a click. It's a powerful feature, although not one most people are likely to use.

One issue we have with Adblock Plus makes is its Acceptable Ads standard, which is not without controversy . While we appreciate the benefits of allowing some ads and or tracking elements on a page, we believe it should be the user that makes that decision. Note that Google has a similar initiative .

AdLock has a premium subscription, but it advertises itself as a comprehensive and free ad blocker. When we initially tested AdLock, we found that it didn't block any ads on our test pages. The company suggested clearing the browser's cache and cookies, restarting, and trying again. We did this, and were pleased to find that AdLock started functioning—albeit with the lowest results on our test pages. We should note, however, that no other ad blockers we tested required these extra steps, and it's unlikely an average user would know to do so. It appears to block ads on YouTube and managed good scores with Adblock-Tester and Cover Your Tracks. Perhaps the paid version works better.

Buying Guide: The Best Ad Blockers for 2024

Ad blockers for youtube.

Our research informed us that a great many of you are curious about blocking ads on YouTube in particular, so we test each service's efficacy in blocking YouTube ads.

YouTube is monetized in several ways. Pre-roll ads run before the video begins, and interstitial ads interrupt the entertainment during playback. Small ad windows also appear at the bottom of videos. That's not to mention any other tracking or analytics elements Google uses. Not all these elements appear every time for every video, however.

To get some sense of each ad blocker's YouTube ad blocking powers, we loaded five videos from the popular Defunctland series on YouTube and watched for pre-roll ads and ad windows over the video.

In our search for ad blocking perfection, we ran across two Chrome extensions:

• Adblocker for YouTube
• Adblock for YouTube

We found both the YouTube specific ad blockers to be lackluster as general privacy tools. Both failed the EFF's Cover Your Tracks test, and both scored a 40/100 on Adblock-Tester. On PCMag's homepage and review pages, both failed to block ads. They did work equally well for YouTube, and we saw no pre-roll ads or windowed ads.

We don't recommend either Adblocker for YouTube or Adblock for YouTube, as they have too narrow a focus. However, if you absolutely had to choose one, we recommend Adblock for YouTube . The other option was itself chockablock with ads.

Beyond Ad Blockers

Ad blockers are useful tools, but there's more you can do to secure your privacy and security online. 

First, use the privacy features in your browser . Firefox has built its name on being an independent and privacy focused tool, but other browsers like Brave and Safari have integrated tools to protect your privacy online. Learn what tools are available and how to use them.

Second, consider installing a VPN . A VPN uses encryption to secure all the web traffic between your device and a server controlled by the VPN company. It keeps your ISP from spying on (and profiting from) your online activities and makes it harder (but not impossible) for advertisers to track you online. Many VPNs claim to include ad-blocking tools, but we prefer standalone ad blockers.

Finally, malware and account takeovers are the biggest threat to your security online. Use antivirus software along with an ad blocker for maximum protection. Use a password manager to create unique and complex passwords for each site and service you use. Wherever possible, enable multi-factor authentication to keep bad guys from taking over your accounts.

More Inside PCMag.com

• The Best VPN Services for 2024
• 10 Essential Apps for Ironclad Online Privacy
• Stop Trackers Dead: The Best Private Browsers for 2024

About Max Eddy

Since my start in 2008, I've covered a wide variety of topics from space missions to fax service reviews. At PCMag, much of my work has been focused on security and privacy services, as well as a video game or two. I also write the occasional security columns, focused on making information security practical for normal people. I helped organize the Ziff Davis Creators Guild union and currently serve as its Unit Chair.

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