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The All About Cookies editorial team strives to provide accurate, in-depth information and reviews to help you, our reader, make online privacy decisions with confidence. Here's what you can expect from us:
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Free version blocks pop-ups and YouTube ads
Has enhanced customization filters for whitelisting and advanced blacklisting
Can block access to malicious domains known for distributing malware, phishing, and scam content
All About Cookies is an independent, advertising-supported website. Some of the offers that appear on this site are from third-party advertisers from which All About Cookies receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear).
All About Cookies does not include all financial or credit offers that might be available to consumers nor do we include all companies or all available products. Information is accurate as of the publishing date and has not been provided or endorsed by the advertiser.
The All About Cookies editorial team strives to provide accurate, in-depth information and reviews to help you, our reader, make online privacy decisions with confidence. Here's what you can expect from us:
AdBlocker Ultimate helped provide a cleaner, faster, and more secure browsing experience. Its armed with advanced ad-blocking technology, compatibility across multiple web browsers, and a user-friendly interface.
It had some minor dings across all the ad and tracker blocking tests we tried, but otherwise we were satisfied with AdBlocker Ultimate's performance.
| Ads blocked on Forbes | 41 |
| AdBlock Tester score | 91/100 |
| Cover Your Tracks score | 2/3 |
| Can You Block It score | 2/3 |
| Does it block YouTube ads? | Yes |
| Whitelisting available | Yes |
| Blacklisting available | Yes |
| Compatibility | Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera, Windows, Android, iOS |
| Paid version | Starts at $1.25/mo (billed annually) |
| Learn more | Get AdBlocker Ultimate |
Each ad blocker we review goes through a standardized test designed to push the limits of what the software is capable of. This includes vigorous third-party testing using websites like adblock-tester.com, coveryourtracks.eff.org, and canyoublockit.com. We also visit popular websites to test the ad blocker’s day-to-day capabilities, including watching YouTube videos and browsing Forbes.
Once we’ve completed the testing, we calculate our editorial rating by taking into account key features you’d expect from a good product. We score each ad blocker in the following categories and use a weighted average to calculate the final rating out of 5 stars:
To learn more about how we test, read our full ad blocker methodology here.
We last tested AdBlocker Ultimate on October 30, 2024.
Free version blocks pop-ups and YouTube ads
Has enhanced customization filters for whitelisting and advanced blacklisting
Can block access to malicious domains known for distributing malware, phishing, and scam content
Testing AdBlocker Ultimate on its Windows app and Chrome extension proved it highly effective and user-friendly. The installation process was straightforward, and the ad blocker became operational immediately after setup.
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Once enabled, it effectively blocked ads across various websites we visited, including major news sites like Forbes and The Wall Street Journal, as well as content-heavy platforms like YouTube. This demonstrated its robust capability to handle different types of ads seamlessly, embodying how ad blockers work in real-world scenarios.
The user interface of AdBlocker Ultimate was particularly impressive. The dashboard is intuitive, making it easy for you to see the number of ads blocked in real time through an ad count displayed directly on the extension icon.
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The settings button is prominently placed on the dashboard, providing quick access to general settings, filters, and options to customize user preferences. Here, you can activate language-specific filters, which automatically apply after detecting page language, and enable Anti-Circumvention to counteract websites that attempt to block ad blockers.
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Overall, our experience was very positive, highlighting the ad blocker's ease of use and effectiveness in creating a cleaner browsing environment.
While AdBlocker Ultimate offers a free version, it also has paid plans that range from $1.25/mo (billed annually) and $2.49/mo (billed annually).
The cost depends on how many devices you need to cover. The Personal plan covers up to three devices w hile the family plan covers up to 10 devices.
Priced competitively, the paid version allows you to protect multiple devices with a single subscription — a crucial feature for those who browse on various devices and seek a unified ad-blocking experience across all platforms.
| Free | Paid | |
| Price | Free |
|
| Multiple devices | ||
| Blocks pop-up ads | ||
| Blocks YouTube ads | ||
| Blocks tracking ads | ||
| Block element | ||
| Dark mode | ||
| Ghost mode | ||
| Filter log | ||
| Premium support | ||
| Details | View Plan | View Plan |
The paid plan of AdBlocker Ultimate supports multiple devices, which is crucial for those who use various platforms. It introduces exclusive features like Dark Mode for visual comfort and Ghost Mode for an extra layer of privacy. With the paid plan, you also get customer support for any issues encountered, including FAQs, a support center, and a form submission.
AdBlocker Ultimate allows you to decide exactly what you want to block or allow, from whitelisting your preferred sites to customizing blocking preferences through Custom Rules (advanced blacklisting). Additional capabilities include blocking ads and trackers in web browsers and Windows applications. It also safeguards against malicious domains.
AdBlocker Ultimate excels in removing disruptive elements like banners, video ads, and pop-ups while ensuring your browsing remains private by blocking online trackers. This dual functionality enhances both the usability and security of your web browsing experience across various web browsers.
AdBlocker Ultimate is not limited to web browsers. It extends its protective capabilities to Windows applications too. It blocks display ads, video ads, pop-ups, and trackers in many Windows-based applications, providing a comprehensive ad-blocking experience that transcends the web browser.
Whitelisting in AdBlocker Ultimate allows users to support their favorite websites by exempting them from ad blocking. This feature enables seamless access to trusted sites, ensuring that beneficial ads that comply with “acceptable ads” standards are not inadvertently blocked.
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The Custom Rules feature acts as an advanced form of blacklisting, providing granular control over blocking decisions. This tool allows you to specify detailed conditions under which ads, trackers, and other elements are blocked or allowed, offering a powerful customization tool for tech-savvy users.
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However, while powerful, it may present a learning curve for those unfamiliar with ad-blocking specifics.
One of AdBlocker Ultimate's standout features is its ability to block access from malicious domains known for distributing malware, phishing, and scam content. This proactive security measure helps protect you from potential threats before they can cause harm, significantly enhancing online safety.
AdBlocker Ultimate offers robust customization options through its ability to enable or disable ad filters and create personal rules. This feature allows you to tailor ad-blocking preferences to your specific needs, making it a versatile tool for personalizing web and app interactions.
To evaluate AdBlocker Ultimate, we used key testing tools to ensure its effectiveness. AdBlock Tester checks its ability to block various ad types, EFF’s Cover Your Tracks assesses privacy protection against tracking, and Can You Block It tests resistance to intrusive ads and anti-adblock defenses.
Our results show AdBlocker Ultimate scored 91/100 on AdBlock Tester, 2/3 on Cover Your Tracks, and 2/3 on Can You Block It, highlighting its reliable performance in ad blocking and privacy.
In AdBlock Tester, AdBlocker Ultimate was unable to block error monitoring (a type of analytics tool). Blocking these sentry scripts can help speed up your page load time, so not passing this component isn’t a dealbreaker.
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Similarly, AdBlocker Ultimate was unable to obscure our digital fingerprint in the Cover Your Tracks testing, meaning that we could still be tracked online. However, most premium ad blockers (and even anti-tracker privacy tools) don’t pass this component. It still provides strong protection against online tracking.
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For Can You Block It, AdBlocker Ultimate still let an interstial ad slip, but it blocked the banner ad and disable ad blocker warning. This is more annoying than concerning.
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| AdBlock Tester | Cover Your Tracks | Can You Block It | |
| AdBlocker Ultimate score | 91/100 | 2/3 | 2/3 |
Many YouTube viewers find ads particularly intrusive, especially when they interrupt videos. During our tests, AdBlocker Ultimate effectively blocked YouTube ads instantly, ensuring smooth playback without lags or errors.
Keep in mind that ads are a significant source of revenue for content creators. For more detailed strategies on how to selectively support your favorite channels, check out our guide on the best ad blockers for YouTube.
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It's annoying to encounter paywalls while trying to access high-quality journalism and content. To assess AdBlocker Ultimate's ability to circumvent these paywalls, we tested it on several prominent news sites, including The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, and The Atlantic.
AdBlocker Ultimate was unable to bypass the robust paywalls set by these major publications, but this is common for most ad blockers. While it effectively blocked ads on these sites, users looking to access paywalled content without a subscription will find that this ad blocker doesn’t offer a solution for such restrictions.
AdBlocker Ultimate is compatible with a broad range of browsers, ensuring that users can enjoy uninterrupted, ad-free browsing regardless of their preferred platform.
While AdBlocker Ultimate covers most major browsers, it may not support less common or outdated browsers. On mobile devices, the ad blocker performs exceptionally well with a dedicated version for Android and a tailored extension for Safari on iOS, ensuring mobile users can also benefit from its features.
AdBlocker Ultimate also offers a download specifically compatible with PC and Windows OS.
We installed AdBlocker Ultimate as a Chrome browser extension on a macOS device. Following the installation, we opened Chrome and clicked the puzzle icon in the toolbar to access the Extensions menu.
We then pinned AdBlocker Ultimate to the top of the browser for easy access. Upon visiting websites, such as HuffPost, the extension was automatically enabled and operational in real time.
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The AdBlocker Ultimate icon turned red, indicating it was active, and it immediately blocked dozens of ads. We could easily interact with the extension by clicking on the icon to adjust settings, toggle filters, and configure our custom filtering preferences, including advanced blacklisting and whitelisting rules.
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While AdBlocker Ultimate offers robust ad-blocking capabilities, several other ad blockers on the market also provide excellent performance and unique features.
The following table provides a detailed comparison of these alternatives, highlighting key aspects such as ad-blocking performance, platform compatibility, and availability of a free version.
 |
 Threat Protection |
 CleanWeb |
|
| Best for | Best for blocking YouTube ads | Best overall | Best for blocking streaming ads |
| Price | Starts at $1.59/mo (billed annually) | Starts at $2.99/mo (billed every two years) | Starts at $1.99/mo (billed every two years) |
| Free version? | |||
| Adblock Tester score | 100/100 | 91/100 | 98/100 |
| Cover Your Tracks score | 2/3 | 2/3 | 0.5/3 |
| Can You Block It score | 3/3 | 2/3 | 3/3 |
| Blocks YouTube ads? | |||
| Compatibility | Windows, Mac, Chrome, Edge, Opera, Amazon Fire, Safari, Android, iOS | Threat Protection Pro: Windows, macOS
Threat Protection: |
Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Linux, Chrome, Edge, Firefox, FireTV |
| Learn more | Get Total Adblock | Get NordVPN Threat Protection | Get Surfshark CleanWeb |
AdBlocker Ultimate has a free extension with comprehensive ad-blocking features, whitelisting and blacklisting, as well as configurable settings.
However, AdBlocker Ultimate offers a Personal Security plan that supports three devices and a Family Security plan that supports up to 10 devices. Both offer extra features not included in the free version.
No, AdBlocker Ultimate doesn't collect or store personal data from its users, ensuring privacy and compliance with data protection regulations.
Yes, AdBlocker Ultimate is widely regarded as a reliable and effective ad-blocking solution, trusted by users for its strong performance in removing advertisements and enhancing browser security.
The main downside of AdBlocker Ultimate is that it does not bypass most types of paywalls, which might limit access to content on certain websites that use this method for subscriptions. It also struggled with blocking interstitial ads and creating a fingerprint that wasn't unique.
While AdBlocker Ultimate ranks highly among free ad blockers for its robust features and ease of use, uBlock Origin is also highly recommended for its efficiency, minimal system impact, and strong user control over ad-blocking settings.
AdBlocker Ultimate is a competent ad blocker that handles most ads and privacy concerns effectively. Its strengths lie in its ease of use, extensive customization options, and strong performance in blocking standard ads, including those on YouTube.
However, its inability to bypass strong paywalls and limited mobile browser support could be a downside for some. For those seeking a straightforward, effective ad-blocking solution for desktop browsers, AdBlocker Ultimate is a commendable choice. If you're looking for mobile support or specific features like paywall bypassing, exploring other ad blockers may be beneficial.
For further details and to compare with other top-rated ad blockers, explore the best ad blockers available today.
Free version blocks pop-ups and YouTube ads
Has enhanced customization filters for whitelisting and advanced blacklisting
Can block access to malicious domains known for distributing malware, phishing, and scam content
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