The Best uBlock Origin alternatives 2024
Our favorite alternatives to uBlock Origin come with unique features, increased functionality, and top-notch security to make your online experience as easy as possible.
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Last updated Oct 11, 2024
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Instantly blocks distracting ads on millions of websites, including YouTube video ads
Best for unlimited devices
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Editorial Rating
Learn More
On Surfshark CleanWeb Ad Blocking's website
Surfshark CleanWeb Ad Blocking
View More
Best for Apple users
/images/2023/03/03/1blocker.png)
Editorial Rating
Learn More
On 1Blocker's website
1Blocker
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Can disrupt the appearance/functionality of sites, emails, and apps
Can disrupt the appearance/functionality of sites, emails, and apps
View More
If you’re a uBlock Origin user who is looking for a little more, or if you want something that will be compatible with Chrome, we’ve picked our top 5 alternatives to uBlock Origin. Even if you’ve never used the popular ad blocker, it’s always good to know what other options are available.
Total Adblock, Surfshark CleanWeb, NordVPN Threat Protection, AdGuard, and 1Blocker all offer unique features and functionality that go beyond simple ad blocking. Ads and trackers can follow you around the internet, make webpages load slower, and even put you at the risk of acquiring malware.
Check out our top picks for uBlock Origin alternatives and why we love them.
In this article
The best alternativesTotal Adblock: Best overall
Surfshark CleanWeb: Best for unlimited simultaneous connections
NordVPN Threat Protection: Best for unique features
AdGuard: Best for customizable protection
1Blocker: Best for Apple users
Why do you need an ad blocker?
FAQs
Bottom line
The best uBlock Origin alternatives
- Total Adblock: Best overall
- Surfshark CleanWeb: Best for unlimited devices
- NordVPN Threat Protection: Best for unique features
- AdGuard: Best for customizable protection
- 1Blocker: Best for Apple users
Top 5 alternatives to uBlock Origin
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| Star rating | ||||||
| Starting price | Free | $1.59/mo (billed annually) | $1.99/mo (billed every two years) | $3.39/mo (billed biennially) for the first two years | Free | $2.99/mo |
| Types of ads blocked | Trackers, pop-ups, video, banner ads, push ads | Trackers, invisible trackers, pop-ups, video, banner, push ads | Trackers, invisible trackers, pop-ups, video, banner ads, push ads | Trackers, invisible trackers, pop-ups, video, banner, push ads | Trackers, invisible trackers, pop-ups, video, banner ads, push ads | Trackers, invisible trackers, pop-ups, video, banner, push ads |
| YouTube ads | ||||||
| AdBlock Tester score | 96/100 | 100/100 | 98/100 | 91/100 | 100/100 | 100/100 |
| Cover Your Tracks score | 2/3 | 2/3 | 0.5/3 | 2/3 | 2/3 | 2/3 |
| Can You Block It score | 3/3 | 3/3 | 3/3 | 2/3 | 3/3 | 2/3 |
| 24/7 customer support | ||||||
| Compatibility | Browsers only | Browsers, Android, iOS | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Fire TV | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Android TV | macOS, iOS |
| Browser extensions | Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari (prior to 13), Opera, Chromium | Edge, Chrome, Opera, Safari, | Chrome, Firefox, Edge | Chrome, Edge, Firefox | Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, Opera, Yandex | Safari |
| Learn more | Read uBlock Origin Review | Get Total Adblock | Get Surfshark CleanWeb | Get NordVPN Threat Protection | Get AdGuard | Get 1Blocker |
How we test and rate ad blockers
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:
- Price
- Test scores
- Features
- Browser support
- Editorial score
To learn more about how we test, read our full ad blocker methodology here.
Total Adblock: Best freemium
Total Adblock
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Instantly blocks distracting ads on millions of websites, including YouTube video ads
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Blocks third-party trackers to protect your privacy and information
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Improves page load times and enables faster browsing
Who it’s best for
This service is great for anyone looking for a free ad blocker, like uBlock Origin, that still offers up a lot of protection.
While you get great protection with Total Adblock’s free plan, upgrading to the low-cost Premium tier will get you more features and ad blocking capabilities.
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What we liked
Total Adblock is free and very easy to set up. When we went into our Chrome browser, we didn’t have to navigate to extensions. We simply searched “Total Adblock,” and the extensions page came up with it ready. We had it installed and running in less than 3 minutes.
We also like that the free version does a good job blocking ads without needing to upgrade to the paid plan. The extension dashboard shows you what’s being blocked on each site in a convenient drop-down widget. This includes intrusive ads that may show up in YouTube videos.
What we didn’t like
As with many free products, Total Adblock will prompt you to upgrade to the paid program. While the requests aren’t constant, they’re still present and a little annoying. We also weren’t thrilled that the free plan excludes a lot of websites.
Total Adblock pros and cons
Pros
- Includes a free version for Android and iOS devices
- Browser extension and mobile app are easy to install and set up
- Hands-off ad blocking experience
- Options to manage websites and ad preferences
- Premium plan includes TotalAV antivirus protection
Cons
- Free version excludes top 15,000 websites
- Annoying prompts you to upgrade to premium
- Reviewers note issues canceling payments
Surfshark CleanWeb: Best for unlimited simultaneous connections
Surfshark CleanWeb Ad Blocking
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Blocks ads, banners, and pop-ups on your browser and apps, including smart TVs
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Enjoy boosted browsing speeds and save money on mobile data with its effective ad-blocking capabilities
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Added benefit of a VPN to encrypt your data, hide your IP address, avoid phishing scams, and minimize malware risks
Who it’s best for
Surfshark products are great for people with a lot of devices or a family with multiple devices.
Since it offers unlimited simultaneous connections, you can add laptops, desktops, mobile phones, tablets, and anything else where an ad blocker is compatible. Unlimited use also means that you can protect multiple people with as many devices as they offer.
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What we liked
Surfshark offers a lot of comprehensive services for a relatively low price. In addition to CleanWeb, Surfshark One offers a VPN and antivirus. You can even purchase a plan with identity theft protection if you really want a robust security stack. The best thing about all these features is the ability to use them on unlimited devices.
Surfshark has evolved significantly over the years, and we like that it’s always focused on improved security. Because of that, CleanWeb also keeps an eye out for malware or other malicious things on the internet.
What we didn’t like
CleanWeb isn’t that great if you want to block trackers, scoring only a 0.5 out of the three areas we tested. Trackers can follow you around the internet creating a profile of you, which can also compromise your security. We wish CleanWeb did a better job of blocking them.
Surfshark CleanWeb pros and cons
Pros
- Low cost for high value
- You can use unlimited devices simultaneously
- CleanWeb 2.0 blocks all ads, including YouTube ads
Cons
- Scored only 0.5/3 in tracker tests
- Whitelisting is unavailable on iOS and macOS
NordVPN Threat Protection: Best for unique features
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NordVPN Threat Protection
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Stops intrusive ads before they can even load, improving browsing experience and speed
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Identifies malware-ridden files and protects against visiting malicious websites
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Encrypts your data and blocks third-party trackers for increased security and privacy
Who it’s best for
NordVPN Threat Protection is perfect for someone looking for an ad blocker that also includes a VPN, dark web scanning, and Nord’s Meshnet, which can turn any internet connection into a LAN party.
We like that NordVPN Threat Protection comes with so many unique features. The increased security from these additional options will protect your devices across the web.
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What we liked
NordVPN gives you unique features that competitors don’t always offer. Threat protection includes extras like a malware scanner, URL trimmer, DNS filtering, and file protection, to name a few.
Nord makes everything so easy to access as well. It’s all conveniently located in your NordVPN app, and usually can be turned on and off with an easy toggle. The file scanner is one of our favorite features, because it scans the files you download. If you’ve ever wondered if that email file is safe, Nord can check it before you open it and possibly unleash Pandora’s digital box.
What we didn’t like
NordVPN Threat Protection is more expensive than your average ad blocker because you’re also getting NordVPN. The dashboard within the app lets you toggle between the VPN agent, Meshnet, and Threat Protection, which is a lot offered, but it can get pricey, especially since the devices max out at 10.
NordVPN Threat Protection pros and cons
Pros
- Comprehensive cyber protection that includes VPN and antivirus
- Ad and tracker blocking capability
- Supports multiple systems and up to 10 devices
Cons
- Lacks a dedicated firewall
- Bundled protection costs more than a standalone ad blocker
AdGuard: Best for customizable protection
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AdGuard Ad Blocker
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User-friendly ad blocker that offers broad coverage across browsers and devices without compromising device speed
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The free version provides basic extension-only coverage, while the premium plans boast robust app coverage
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App plans include parental controls, browsing security, browser assistant, DNS leak protection, and a VPN
- Ad-blocking statistics can be hard to interpret
Who it’s best for
AdGuard lets you personalize your experience depending on how many ads you want to block.
For anyone who wants to block ads and trackers but thinks that some ad blockers can be overzealous, AdGuard fixes that. You can customize your level of protection during setup, or you can alter it later. This is perfect for tech-savvy users who may want more control over their device.
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What we liked
AdGuard is really easy to use. It has a simple, clean interface that explains everything in plain language. You’ll be able to customize your experience without worrying about enabling or disabling something important.
On top of that, it works seamlessly with your device to make sure it doesn’t impact your speed. Ad blockers speed up webpage loading anyway by blocking memory-hogging ad scripts, but AdGuard doubles down to make sure you’re running at top speed.
What we didn’t like
While the setup and configuration language is easy to understand, the ad blocking metrics may be a little difficult to figure out. Since each browser you use has to have its own version of the AdGuard extension, you may not see similar results across all of your devices.
AdGuard pros and cons
Pros
- Easy to download
- Simple interface
- Doesn’t interfere with device speed
Cons
- If using multiple browsers, you must install the extension on each one
- Ad blocking statistics can be hard to interpret
1Blocker: Best for Apple users
1Blocker
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Works seamlessly on macOS, iOS, and Safari
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Offers lots of features, including regional filters, a firewall, custom filters, and more
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Free version also proved to be highly effective
- Can disrupt the appearance/functionality of sites, emails, and apps
Who it’s best for
Apple users are used to having software that offers only partial features, but 1Blocker is built exclusively for macOS and iOS.
If you’re looking for software that’s made exclusively for Apple products, 1Blocker is tailored specifically for these operating systems. Since it’s made for macOS and iOS, it can cope with the unique challenges that come with blocking ads, trackers, and other malicious and annoying executables on Apple’s OS.
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What we liked
1Blocker’s free plan allows you to do one thing, like block ads, but the paid version can block a number of items, including ads, trackers, cookie requests, adult sites, and even the comments section on websites.
Since it’s built for Safari on both macOS and iOS, we don’t worry about it glitching or not working properly. You can purchase it for a one-time fee and get all the updates and protection that 1Blocker offers forever.
What we didn’t like
The firewall is actually a little too good. When we have it active, it blocks pictures in emails, stops some app operations, and cuts things out of websites. We know all of these blocked items are linked to cookies and trackers, but we ended up disabling the firewall for everyday use.
1Blocker pros and cons
Pros
- Works seamlessly on macOS and iOS
- Lots of options, including a firewall
- Inexpensive
Cons
- No smart toggles in iOS Safari
- Can disrupt the appearance/functionality of sites, emails, and apps
Why do you need an ad blocker?
Ad blockers offer many benefits. For one, they block ads that clutter up a webpage. Second, they reduce the overall data that you’re processing. If you’re on a restricted data plan or have a VPN with a data cap, this can help you stay under those monthly numbers.
Finally, ad blockers keep you safe online from trackers or even malware that may be embedded in malicious sites or interstitial ads. You need an ad blocker to get rid of intrusive ads while you are browsing and keep your device infection free.
FAQs
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Are there better ad blockers than uBlock Origin?
uBlock Origin is a great choice, but you’ll be left wanting if you’re a Mac user or need more privacy features. Total Adblock, Surfshark CleanWeb, NordVPN Threat Protection, AdGuard, and 1Blocker are all solid options with broad compatibility, features, and ad blocking capabilities.
+
How do I uninstall uBlock Origin from my desktop?
To uninstall uBlock Origin from Chrome:
- Open Chrome
- Click the Chrome menu icon in the toolbar
- Hover over More Tools
- Click Extensions
- Find uBlock Origin
- Click remove
- Click remove again in the new dialog box
- Close the tab
To uninstall uBlock Origin from Edge:
- Open Edge
- Click the Edge menu icon in the toolbar
- Click Extensions
- Find uBlock Origin
- Click remove
- Click remove again in the new dialog box
- Close the tab
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Why is uBlock Origin unsupported?
uBlock Origin may no longer work in Chrome-based applications due to Google’s restrictions on ad blockers. Any ad blockers used on Chrome applications will now have to curb their functionality to meet Google’s demands.
To continue using uBlock Origin, switch to another browser. You could also install uBlock Origin Lite on your Chrome browser, but it's a less effective ad blocker and its abilities will be reduced compared to the original extension.
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Is there a completely free ad block?
Adblock Plus offers a great free product that can protect you online. Its upgraded version does a lot, but you can use the free version and get decent protection without having to worry about ever being charged a fee.
Bottom line: The best alternatives to uBlock Origin
We love our uBlock Origin alternatives for the additional features, functionality, and security they provide. Total Adblock’s free product is robust, but its premium product offers so much more. Surfshark CleanWeb lets users connect an unlimited number of devices. NordVPN Threat Protection has unique security features you won’t find anywhere else. AdGuard is highly customizable. And 1Blocker is an Apple user’s best friend.
The best ad blockers don’t just block ads, they also stop tracking and malware. Online security is necessary in our modern world due to the ever-increasing presence of hackers and scammers. Having good security on hand will help reduce your chances of being hacked. Plus, who doesn’t want to watch YouTube videos without all the ads?
5 best uBlock Origin alternatives 2024
| Starting price | Best for | Learn more | |
|
$1.59/mo (billed annually) | Best overall | Get Total Adblock |
|
$1.99/mo (billed every two years) | Best for unlimited simultaneous connections | Get Surfshark CleanWeb |
|
$3.39/mo (billed biennially) for the first two years | Best for unique features | Get NordVPN Threat Protection |
|
Free | Best for customizable protection | Get AdGuard |
|
$2.99/mo | Best for Apple users | Get 1Blocker |
Total Adblock
-
Instantly blocks distracting ads on millions of websites, including YouTube video ads
-
Blocks third-party trackers to protect your privacy and information
-
Improves page load times and enables faster browsing
Author Details
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Mary is a seasoned cybersecurity writer with over seven years of experience. With a B.S. in Liberal Arts from Clarion University and an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from Point Park University, she educates audiences on scams, antivirus software, and more. Her passion lies in educating audiences on helpful ways to protect their data.
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