uBlock Origin Review 2024: Is It the Best Free Ad Blocker?

After testing uBlock Origin, we learned it performed as promised and is an effective content blocker.
We receive compensation from the products and services mentioned in this story, but the opinions are the author's own. Compensation may impact where offers appear. We have not included all available products or offers. Learn more about how we make money and our editorial policies.
4.5
Editorial Rating
Learn More
On uBlock Origin's website

Ad Blocker
uBlock Origin
  • One of the best totally free ad blockers available
  • Highly customizable, open-source ad blocker that's compatible with multiple browsers
  • Can block advertising and analytics tools, including banner ads, video ads, and trackers, and can even bypass soft paywalls
  • Better suited for advanced users because some features require technical knowledge

uBlock Origin is a free, open-source content filtering extension with countless features so you can customize your ad blocker experience. Our testing showed that it performed as promised and worked effectively to block ads, but some features require technical knowledge that may go over beginners' heads. 

Read on to learn about how we tested the uBlock Origin browser extension and how it stacks up against the best ad blockers.

Pros
  • Free and open-source
  • Compatible with multiple browsers
  • Blocks multiple types of ads and trackers effectively
Cons
  • May interrupt other security browser extensions
  • Some features require technical knowledge
In this article
Overview
Our experience
Features
Test results
Compatibility
How to use uBlock Origin
Alternatives
FAQs
Bottom line: Is uBlock Origin good?

uBlock Origin overview

Ads blocked on Forbes 22
AdBlock Tester score 96/100
Cover Your Tracks score 2/3
Can You Block It score3/3
Does it block YouTube ads? Yes
Whitelisting availableYes
Blacklisting availableYes (dynamic filtering rules)
Compatibility Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari (prior to 13), Opera, Chromium
Paid version N/A
Learn more Get uBlock Origin

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.

4.5
Editorial Rating
Learn More
On uBlock Origin's website
Ad Blocker
uBlock Origin
  • One of the best totally free ad blockers available
  • Highly customizable, open-source ad blocker that's compatible with multiple browsers
  • Can block advertising and analytics tools, including banner ads, video ads, and trackers, and can even bypass soft paywalls
  • Better suited for advanced users because some features require technical knowledge

Our experience 

We found uBlock Origin effective at blocking ads across most websites. It was easy to install and effectively blocked ads from initial deployment. 

uBlock Origin ads blocked counter.

However, uBlock Origin doesn't provide a tutorial after you've enabled it. You'll need to dig in the settings and filters if you want a more comprehensive blocking experience. For instance, uBlock Origin completed failed the Cover Your Tracks test until we checked off all the tracker filters in the settings.

uBlock Origin functions by filtering out elements on webpages that would otherwise interrupt your viewing experience. When you load a page, it checks it against a database of filters and removes anything that might cause issues, such as ad trackers and other ad placements. 

uBlock also doesn’t receive payments to allow what’s known as “acceptable ads:” ads deemed by other ad blockers like Adblock Plus to not interfere with your content.[1]

You can also whitelist sites by adding them to the list of trusted sites in the settings. This works great if you want to support your favorite creators on sites like YouTube. You can also remove specific buttons and ad placements. 

uBlock Origin Trusted sites settings

If you decide to use uBlock Origin, you need to install the extension on all your web browsers to fully protect your privacy. For Google users, the extension will only successfully block ads on that browser profile. 

For example, if you have multiple browser profiles for various members of your household, you will need to download the extension for each browser profile. Additionally, uBlock Origin isn't available for Android or iOS, except if you use it as an add-on for Firefox.

Main features

uBlock Origin labels itself as a wide-spectrum content blocker with several features to block ads, tracking, malware, and other annoyances. It was created by Raymond Hill in 2014 and continues to be maintained and actively developed by him as an free and open-source extension. 

Ad blocker counter

The ad blocker counter tells you the number of ads and trackers blocked on the website and individual webpages. The counter also shows you the number of ads blocked to date and on the current browser page. 

The Forbes homepage with the uBlock Origin extension open in the foreground

uBlock Origin also provides warnings if you navigate to websites that are malicious, have spyware, or have notable privacy and tracking issues.

Advanced filtering

uBlock Origin has several different filters lists that you can enable depending on your preferences. 

uBlock Origin's available filter lists and customization options
uBlock Origin's filter lists and customization options

The EasyList is the primary filter list that removes most ads from from webpages, inclding unwanted frames, images, and objects. The EasyPrivacy list tackles blocking trackers like web bugs, tracking scripts, and information collectors. There's also the Online Malicious URL Blocklist, Peter Lowe's ad tracking list, and countless others. 

Customizable blocking modes

The extension offers easy, medium, and hard blocking modes for all levels of users. Elevated features for more advanced users include the element zapper, which removes specific social media icons and buttons from webpages, and the element picker, which can permanently remove these elements.

uBlock Origin's default behavior customization options.

uBlock Origin user resources

Along with uBlock Origin’s beneficial features, it also offers several resource libraries. uBlock’s repository of help for installation includes a dedicated Github and a subreddit.

Although this ad blocker can work effectively for less tech-savvy users, more advanced users may want to create custom filters or change privacy settings. In addition to the Github site, which offers guides on these customizations, the uBlock subreddit designed to help users connect and share their experiences with this tool.

uBlock Origin's test results

To review uBlock Origin, we used testing websites, including AdBlock Tester, Cover Your Tracks, and Can You Block It. We also test how well ad blockers work against ads on YouTube and paywalls. 

We also tested uBlock Origin Lite, the newer version of uBlock after Google disables older extensions built with Manifest V2. 

AdBlock Tester tested uBlock Origin against several types of ads. Contextual advertising collects data about users in order to find the right ads for you. Traffic analytics tools are used to monitor your actions on a website and collect information about you. Finally, error monitoring is used to track and measure errors on websites.

    uBlock Origin and uBlock Origin Lite both got perfect scores from AdBlock Tester. Both versions had tests that were listed as "most likely passed"

    uBlock Origin's AdBlock Tester results.

    Cover Your Tracks tests for blocking trackers, invisible tracking, and fingerprinting. Invisible tracking is when data tracking elements are hidden in websites to obtain information on you. Fingerprinting is the term for how tracking sites piece together user data to form a “fingerprint” of your device.

    uBlock Origin received a 2/3 Cover Your Tracks score, providing strong protection against tracking ads and invisible trackers. However, uBlock Origin Lite proved unable to defend against tracking with a 0/3 score.

    uBlock Origin's Cover Your Tracks results.

    Finally, Can You Block It is an easy-to-use browser test that lets you know the different types of advertisements blocked. These include the "disable adblocker" warning, banner ads, and interstitial ads (or ads that pop up before the page actually loads). 

    uBlock Origin successfully blocked all the ads. How do we know? Because we didn't see any. That's how simple the test is. 

    uBlock Origin's Can You Block It results.

    uBlock Origin scores

    AdBlock Tester Cover Your Tracks Can You Block It
    uBlock Origin score 96/100 2/3 3/3
    uBlock Origin Lite score 100/100 0/3 3/3

    Test results as of 10/08/2024.

    YouTube ad test

    Advertisers and content creators have been able to monetize on YouTube thanks to ads and sponsored content. However, it can make the viewing experience annoying for YouTube users. That's why we also check the ad blockers we review based on their ability to block YouTube ads.

    uBlock Origin proved effective at blocking banner ads and even many video ads on the YouTube website. This is especially impressive following YouTube's recent crackdown on ad blockers, making uBlock Origin one of the best ad blockers for YouTube

    A YouTube video with the uBlock Origin extension in the foreground

    However, you won’t find as much success while using the YouTube mobile app, as uBlock Origin is currently only available as an extension for web browsers.

    Ads support your favorite YouTubers to share their content. You may want to consider turning off your ad blocker when visiting your favorite channels to ensure your contributions support their channel.

    Bypassing paywall test

    No, uBlock Origin won't bypass hard paywalls like the ones prevalent in popular news sites like Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, and The Atlantic. We tested uBlock Origin against all three but had no luck accessing the restricted content. 

    However, uBlock Origin can bypass soft paywalls, like the ones common in local news sites. We tested the ad blocker against the Miami Herald and were able to fully access subscriber-only content. All we did was navigate to the news site and click on the articles of interest while the ad blocker was enabled. 

    What browsers and software is it compatible with?

    uBlock Origin is compatible with multiple popular browsers, and the following browsers are supported:

    • Google Chrome
    • Mozilla Firefox
    • Safari (prior to 13)
    • Microsoft Edge
    • Opera
    • Chromium

    Unfortunately, uBlock Origin is only a browser extension, so there's no app to download for your iPhone or Android.

    How to use uBlock Origin

    Adding the uBlock Origin extension is easy. Here’s how to get the browser extension for Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge.

    For Google Chrome:

    1. Head to the uBlock Origin website.
    2. Select Get uBlock Origin.
    3. Click Add to Chrome.
    4. From the pop-up, click Add extension to Google Chrome.

    For Microsoft Edge:

    1. Head to the uBlock Origin website.
    2. Select Get uBlock Origin.
    3. In the Microsoft Edge Add-ons store, click Get.
    4. From the pop-up, click Add extension to Microsoft Edge.

    There could be issues with downloading ad blockers from the Chrome Web Store in the future, as Google plans to move on to a new Chrome extension specification that puts limits on ad blockers.

    uBlock Origin has created a Manifest V3 version, called uBlock Origin Lite, but you can also switch to another browser compatible with uBlock Origin.[2] We tested uBlock Lite in our test results section.

    Top alternatives

    uBlock Origin is one of our top-rated ad blockers, but it may not be right for you. We've compiled a list of some alternative ad blockers for you to consider. Plus, all of these tested services block YouTube ads as well as ads on major streaming platforms. 



    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 100/10091/10098/100
    Cover Your Tracks score 2/32/30.5/3
    Can You Block It score3/3 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

    Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Linux, Chrome, Edge, Firefox, FireTV
    Learn more Get Total Adblock Get NordVPN Threat Protection Get Surfshark CleanWeb

    FAQs


    +

    Is uBlock Origin free?

    uBlock Origin is completely free. It also doesn't require you to fill out an email sign-up form before using it.


    +

    Is uBlock Origin safe to use?

    Yes, uBlock Origin is safe to use. According to its homepage, uBlock Origin has been an open-source and free ad blocker since its launch in 2014.


    +

    Does uBlock Origin actually work?

    Based on our testing, uBlock Origin was successful at blocking ads on webpages, social media sites, and YouTube. It also helps block website visitor tracking.


    +

    Which is better, Adblock Plus or uBlock Origin?

    Adblock Plus functions by primarily using filter lists to block ads on websites. uBlock Origin can also use filtered lists, but it's an open-source ad blocker that focuses on using fewer resources and CPU memory to run effectively.

    Although they have the same purpose, it is up to you to determine which option is better, depending on your browser choice. For example, uBlock Origin doesn't support Safari, whereas Adblock Plus does.


    +

    Will uBlock Origin work with Manifest V3?

    To avoid being taken down by Google, uBlock Origin has created uBlock Origin Lite, which is compliant with Manifest V3 but appears to be a watered down version of the current content blocker. If you're seeking all the features uBlock Origin has to offer, you may be better off switching to another browser.


    +

    Is uBlock Origin trustworthy?

    Yes, uBlock Origin is a trustworthy ad blocker. It doesn't receive payments for acceptable ads and its open-source, so it's constantly being improved by other users.

    Bottom line: Is uBlock Origin good?

    Whether you're looking to block ads on YouTube or reduce ad tracking, uBlock Origin is a great selection for a free ad blocker. It can remove ads from YouTube videos and social media sites, as well as website takeover ads. In addition to removing ads on most websites, uBlock Origin also prevents pop-up windows and other distractions from interfering with your web browsing experience.

    The ad blocker works effectively from installation, so you can set it once and trust it will work for you. The only downfall to this ad blocker is that it's not compatible with all browsers and doesn't have a mobile app. It could also require more technical knowledge, depending on what features you want to use. But if you want a good ad blocker for the most widely used browsers, uBlock Origin delivers on its promises.

    If you need more advanced security features or are looking for the ultimate streaming ad blocker, learn more about other top-rated ad blockers we've reviewed. You can also see how uBlock Origin compare to other ad blockers:

    Featured ad blockers to consider

    Ad blocker
    Best for Best for blocking YouTube ads Best for streaming Best overall
    Price Paid plan costs $1.59/mo (billed annually) Paid plans start at $1.99/mo (billed every two years) Starts at $2.99/mo (billed every two years)
    Blocks YouTube ads
    Learn more Get Total Adblock Get Surfshark CleanWeb Ad Blocking Get NordVPN Threat Protection

    4.5
    Editorial Rating
    Learn More
    On uBlock Origin's website
    Ad Blocker
    uBlock Origin
    • One of the best totally free ad blockers available
    • Highly customizable, open-source ad blocker that's compatible with multiple browsers
    • Can block advertising and analytics tools, including banner ads, video ads, and trackers, and can even bypass soft paywalls
    • Better suited for advanced users because some features require technical knowledge
    Author Details
    Amanda is a technical content writer based in Illinois, USA. She has a Master of Science in Cybersecurity. After years of working in the tech and cybersec field, she pivoted her career to content marketing and writing within these industries.
    Kate is an Editor at All About Cookies. She has 8+ years of digital publishing experience as a content manager, developmental editor, and curriculum writer. She leverages specializations in EdTech and educational publishing to create impactful, well-researched content that aids learners of all ages.

    Citations

    [1] About the Acceptable Ads program and "non-intrusive" ads

    [2] Understanding Manifest V3 and the Future of uBlock Origin