WyzGuys Tech Talk

Today’s article is the first of a two-part series from Jared Clarke of VPNandGo.com.  If advertising on your favorite websites is driving you crazy, one of these ad-blockers may be what you are looking for.

There are countless areas users are bombarded with annoying ads. It can be from websites, or you head over to YouTube and are halfway through an intriguing clip to find it paused and you have to sit through a strategically placed ad.

This ad blocker review looks at what is on offer and sees if they are all as good as they say about being the best advertisement blocker.

A lot of these ad blockers work differently and go about their business in different ways.

A pop-up ad remover does need to help retain privacy, and this review will find out which ones come out on top of the best ad blockers.

Best Ad Blockers

1. AdBlock

Best ad blocker for Opera, and claims to be the number #1 downloaded ad blocker extension for Safari and Chrome.

Website: https://getadblock.com

Best Features: Ads on Android are stopped before they can be downloaded. A toolbar button is added for ease of control.

New version uses less memory. Blocks ads in All videos, and all Flash Games. This makes it the best ad blocker for YouTube as well as just being a regular advert blocker.

Free or Paid – Free to use
Works With: All supporting browsers on and compatible devices.

• Chrome – https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/adblock/gighmmpiobklfepjocnamgkkbiglidom?hl=en-US
• Safari – https://getadblock.com/safari/
• Firefox – https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/adblock-for-firefox/
• IOS and/or Android – Only available through supporting browsers.

The best AdBlock extension blocks every type of ad. Users can whitelist pages that contain ads.

Types that are instantly blocked are Facebook ads, banner ads, social media links and YouTube ads. This delivers a distraction free environment while browsing.

The Chrome plugin AdBlock extension allows plenty of customization, where users can choose domains they don’t wish to have ads blocked. To do this, a filter is applied, and a supporting exception list.

As many websites use ads for their revenue, unobtrusive/ acceptable ads won’t be blocked. It receives regular updates of the extension itself, and the ad lists that it uses to perform blocks. Even with this, it is still a good ad blocking plugin Chrome users can select.

2. AdGuard

AdGuard is the best download adblock extension for the Yandex browser. Also, the ad blocker will also get rid of the white spaces where ads have been blocked

Website: https://adguard.com/en/adguard-browser-extension/overview.html
Best Features – You can set inverted whitelisting, here you can quickly change a whitelist to a blacklist. Blocks self-promoting ads. Blocks malicious or fake websites and has a built in location API blocker. This makes it a great Chrome extension to block ads.

Free or Paid – Free and Paid. Standard is $1.66 per month for PC or Mac. Premium includes mobile and standard packages, and costs $2.08 per month for 1 PC or Mac and one mobile device. Mobile is $0.83 per month for 1 Android or iOS device. Lifetime licenses are also available for more mobile devices. There is a 60-day refund available.

Works With: Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Microsoft Edge, Opera and Yandex

• Chrome – https://adguard.com/en/adguard-browser-extension/chrome/overview.html
• Safari – https://adguard.com/en/adguard-safari/overview.html
• Firefox – https://adguard.com/en/adguard-browser-extension/firefox/overview.html
• IOS and/or Android – https://adguard.com/en/adguard-ios/overview.html, https://adguard.com/en/adguard-android/overview.html

Uses a special integration mode when used with the desktop app in the AdGuard content blocker pro version.

AdGuard also works better on an Android phone or device when you don’t have root access.

The AdGuard ad blocker does what it says, but there is little to say what the benefits of the pro version are.

Is AdGuard safe with this confusion? It is, but in testing, it appears you only need the free version of the Android apps.

3. uBlock Origin

Being open source, uBlock for Firefox is the best supporting ad blocker extension. Lightweight and easy on system resources.

Website: https://github.com/gorhill/uBlock

Best Features – Not just the best Chrome ad blocker, it is a wide spectrum blocker/ general purpose blocker. Blocks ads, trackers and malware.

Free or Paid – Free

Works With: Pale Moon/ SeaMonkey, Microsoft Edge, and Chromium based browsers.

• Chrome – https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/ublock-origin/cjpalhdlnbpafiamejdnhcphjbkeiagm
• Safari – https://safari-extensions.apple.com/details/?id=com.el1t.uBlock-3NU33NW2M3
• Firefox – https://addons.mozilla.org/en-GB/firefox/addon/ublock-origin/
• IOS and or Android – N/A only available through browsers

The uBlock extension is straightforward to install from any of the app stores and takes no further configuration. There are enough filter lists already installed, and it offers malware protection as the standard.

Android users can turn off the uBlock ad blocker on a per site basis by clicking on the icon and hitting the large power button.

It is also possible to block page elements by right clicking on the offending ad and telling the extension to stop and further access.

Using uBlock has little effect on system resources, and it is one of the lightest tracking and ad blocking extensions there is.

It can also speed up page time quite considerably which is good for a free ad remover.

Not only this, but with the light resource use, it is one of the best ad blocking extensions for Chrome.

4. AdLock

Adlock works outside browsers because it isn’t a browser extension only. It can block adds in apps and is soon to have a parental tool as part of the package.

Website: https://adlock.com

Best Features – Claims to be the best Windows operating system Ad Blocker. The app blocks ads outside browsers, even if on skype or other none-browser applications

Free or Paid – Free browser extension for Chrome. Paid version for Android devices and Windows. Paid for app on Android costs $9 per year, per mobile device. Windows app costs $18 per year, per device. There is a 30-day money back guarantee.

Works With: Windows, Android and Chrome

• Chrome – https://adlock.com/adlock-for-chrome/
• Safari – No Safari support
• Firefox – No Firefox support
• IOS and/or Android – https://adlock.com/adlock-for-android/

What is AdLock if it isn’t an extension? AdLock is an ad blocker app, which has rocketed in popularity as one of the top apps for Android in the Google Play store.

It removes all known types of online advertisements regardless of what apps, games you are using. “Pop up banners, flashing banners, text ads, auto play, YouTube ads, Skype ads, video ads, etc.” are all included according to the AdLock website.

AdLock stops users visiting malicious sites and speeds up loading times dramatically. To test their claims, they offer a 14-day free trial.

5. Fair Ad blocker

Standout feature is the blocking of Facebook ads and Google search ads (Want to remove Google from your Life? Read our Google Alternatives Guide)

Website: https://www.standsapp.org

Best Features: Supports fair ads for a fair web. Allows users to create their own levels of fairness for advertisers and publishers.

Free or Paid – Free

Works With: Chrome only

• Chrome – https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/fair-adblocker/lgblnfidahcdcjddiepkckcfdhpknnjh?hl=en-US
• Safari – N/A
• Firefox – N/A
• IOS and/or Android – N/A unless Chrome used

The Stands Fair ad blocker stops all annoying ads, malware and tracking. It has little impact on performance and does as it was designed to do.

Users can tweak many settings. You enable or disable Facebook ads, Search ads, Web mail ads or sponsored links.

While not designed for mass ad blocking, you can use it for this, but with all the options, it is more than sufficient.

The Stands ad block does a good job, but, it does encourage users to whitelist specific ads from some sites, and some users may prefer to block all ads.

6. Trustnav Ad blocker

The ad blocker can be used solo as part of the Andorra security suite. There is a secondary “Safe search” Chrome extension.

Website: https://www.trustnav.com/en/adblocker

Best Features: You won’t see ads, and the ads won’t see you

Free or Paid – Free for extension. Security suite will come with a subscription cost, but not yet available.

Works With: Only works with Chrome and Firefox

• Chrome – https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/adblocker-by-trustnav/dgbldpiollgaehnlegmfhioconikkjjh?hl=en
• Safari – N/A
• Firefox – N/A
• IOS and/or Android – N/A

The adblocker by Trustnav claims to be the fastest ad block extension available. It rids your pages of banner ads, windows that pop-up, video ads, and it says it can stop advertising companies from tracking you.

The adblocker can come as part of the Trustnav Security Suite, which includes an antivirus and the safe search extension.

However, the antivirus isn’t available so you do need to use the extensions on their own.

The interface is very clean and simple, so much so, there is little fine-tuning users can do. You have the option of turning the ad blocker on or off and if you want it to block all ads, or just partial blocking.

In testing, it worked very well apart from a few autoplay ads that sneaked past the detection. It did show itself as one of the better ad blockers for Firefox.

7. AdBlocker Ultimate

Completely free, and blocks all ads. No whitelisted ads or sites. Stops tracking and malware domains

Website: https://adblockultimate.net

Best Features: Comes with a “Quick block” feature that can instantly block ads which do get through detection

Free or Paid – Free, although there is a contribution page for donations

Works With: Chrome, Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari, Opera and Yandex

• Chrome – https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/adblocker-ultimate/ohahllgiabjaoigichmmfljhkcfikeof
• Safari – https://apps.apple.com/us/app/adblocker-ultimate-block-all-ads-in-your-browser/id1113503428
• Firefox – https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/adblocker-ultimate/
• IOS and or Android – N/A only browsers supported

AdBlocker Ultimate takes a strong approach to ads. It stops them all, and in testing it appears to do just that.

It doesn’t matter on the kind of ads, be it text, banner, pop-up, pop-under, overlay, interstitial page ads, Facebook ads and web browser mail app ads.

The ad blocker doesn’t come with any whitelists, but users can add their own. Filters are included, but the extension hasn’t seen an update since 2016.

The company behind AdBlocker Ultimate has three key areas to put their focus.

Block ads, Don’t have any acceptable Ads (no sponsorship) and turn off tracking. Although it hasn’t seen an update for a few years, it is still the best pop-up blocker for Chrome.

It was hard to find any particular faults. It does what it says, and you still have the chance to right click on elements on a page to either block or disable filtering.

8. Adblock Plus

The Adblock Plus extension has over 10 million downloads from the Google Play store. This shows it is the most popular phone ad blocker, and one of the best ad blockers in Chrome Play Store.

Website: https://adblockplus.org

Best Features: Designed to only block intrusive ads and malware. Includes anti-adblock feature. On a none-rooted device, it can filter all Wi-Fi traffic.

Free or Paid – Free

Works With: Chrome, Firefox, Opera, Safari, Maxthon, Yandex, Internet Explorer, and Microsoft Edge. Dedicated extension for Samsung Galaxy internet.

• Chrome – https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.adblockplus.browser
• Safari – https://apps.apple.com/us/app/adblock-plus-abp-remove-ads-browse-faster-without-tracking/id1028871868
• Firefox – https://eyeo.to/adblockplus/firefox_install/
• IOS and or Android – https://apps.apple.com/app/adblock-browser-best-ad-blocker/id1015653330

One of the biggest questions regarding one of the most well-known ad blockers is what is the difference between AdBlock vs AdBlock plus?

While they are both different, they have many of the same features. They do both block many ads, and both use EasyList. With the amount of support for iOS, this could be the best ad blocker for Safari.

One major difference is that Chrome AdBlock Plus has been accused of whitelisting some larger advertisers in return for payment. AdBlock Plus is also easier to use and gives users the chance to disable the “Acceptable Ads” if they so wish.

There is also a free adblocker browser available for Android and iOS.

It performs as well as many other Safari ad blockers, but it comes with many user options that can be changed, but it is the best Android ad blocker by the numbers.

AdBlock Plus is one of the oldest ad blockers there is, and to a certain extent because of its checkered past with whitelisting. You may give this one a miss.

9. Ghostery

The Ghostery plugin comes with enhanced anti-tracking to anonymize user data for more privacy.

Website: https://www.ghostery.com

Best Features: Detailed tracker dashboard, smart blocking for website trackers, anti-phishing, historical data view

Free or Paid – Free or Ghostery plus for $2 per month. This delivers personalized themes and better support plus more.

Works With: Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Microsoft Edge, Opera, Cliqz 8.1

• Chrome – https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ghostery.android.ghostery&hl=en_US
• Safari – https://safari-extensions.apple.com/details/?id=com.betteradvertising.ghostery-HPY23A294X
• Firefox – https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/ghostery/
• IOS and or Android – Ad blocking Browsers
  • https://apps.apple.com/us/app/ghostery-privacy-browser/id472789016.
  • https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ghostery.android.ghostery&hl=en_US

While not entirely an ad blocker, there is a question about what is Ghostery? This Ghostery review looks at an extension, which is very different to any of the others so far. Online privacy is the most important thing, and this is the aim.

It is more of an anti-tracker with ad blocking thrown in for good measure. Web page trackers are controlled by the smart blocking, and this is coupled with anti-tracking that helps you online activities remain as anonymous as they can.

You have options for bulk blocking and unblocking of any website trackers. Even with this, any intrusive ads are blocked by default.

This alone will improve any online experience. To see how well it performs, there are lots of historical data you can go back through.

Even though it isn’t designed as a pure ad blocker, it is close to being the best ad blocker for Android.

10. Privacy Badger

The Eff Privacy Badger automatically learns how to block invisible trackers.

Website: https://www.eff.org/privacybadger

Best Features: Watches for trackers that are following users around the web and stops access. Looks for tracking techniques such as canvas fingerprinting and super cookies.

Free or Paid –

Works With: Chrome, Firefox Focus and Opera

• Chrome – https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/privacy-badger/pkehgijcmpdhfbdbbnkijodmdjhbjlgp?hl=en-US
• Safari – N/A
• Firefox – https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/privacy-badger17/
• IOS and or Android – Firefox on Android – https://www.eff.org/files/privacy-badger-latest.xpi

The Privacy Badger extension doesn’t keep lists to check for blocking trackers. Privacy Badger will learn as it watches domains that seem to be tracking your activities.

The extension will send a Do Not Track signal with all your browsing, and if trackers ignore this, Badger learns it has to block them.

Adding to this, if the same tracker is seen on three separate websites, these are blocked at this point.

Badger also removes the outgoing link click tracking on Twitter, Google and Facebook and social media. For the Badger to do this, there are some permissions that are required.

The extension reads and changes data on websites you visit. It needs this so it can detect and block trackers.

One other is the privacy related settings. These are changed so they can stop some of the privacy invasive defaults in Chrome.

With the dedicated Firefox on Android device extension, this makes it a close competitor for the best ad block Android users can use.

On Wednesday we continue this article with a look at VPN-style ad-blockers.