The best ad blockers in 2024

Say goodbye to intrusive online advertising with the best ad blockers

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. Not matter where you go, you're at risk of being harassed by pop-ups, tracker cookies, malvertising and countless other digital nasties that seem hell-bent on ruining your online experience. Even if all your browsing is above board, you're still at risk.

Thankfully there's no shortage of apps and browser extensions that can block ads and keep you safer when you're online. 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).

best ad blockers: adblock plus

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)

best ad blockers: AdBlock

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)

best ad blockers: Ublock Origin

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)

best ad blockers: Poper Blocker

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)

best ad blockers: Stands Fair AdBlocker

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)

best ad blockers: ghostery

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)

Adblocker for YouTube is one of the best ad blockers

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)

best ad blockers: adguard ad blocker

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)

best ad blockers: adlock

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)

best ad blockers: Wipr

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)

best ad blockers: 1Blocker X ad blockers

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)

best ad blockers: firefox focus

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 Plus running on an iPhone is one of the best ad blockers for mobile

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)

Best ad blockers: decentraleyes

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)

best ad blockers: opera best ad blocker

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)

best ad blockers: privacy badger ad blocker

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)

best ad blockers: tor project browser

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)

best ad blockers: onion browser ad blocker

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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  • 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.
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best ios safari ad blocker reddit

Best ad blockers for iPhone and iPad in 2022

1Blocker on iPhone 11 Pro

If you're tired of all the ads but don't want to use Reader View every time you surf the web, you can add content blockers to your iPhone or iPad, which will put them out of sight and help keep your activities private while you're online.

Ad blockers work in Safari and are only available on devices that support 64-bit architecture. In order to use an ad blocker after you've downloaded it, you'll need to enable it in Settings on your iPhone or iPad.

How to block ads on your iPhone and iPad

Here are the best ad blockers for iPhone and iPad.

  • AdBlock Pro

1Blocker X

1Blocker is really customizable. You can set different rules for blocking ads, trackers, cookies, website comments, Twitter and Facebook widgets, adult websites, and more. Plus, you can add your favorite sites to the Whitelist ( ahem , iMore) and block specific websites from access at all. You can also customize whether to block or allow cookies and page elements from specific sites.

1Blocker is free to download, but it's really more of a trial version. For a $4.99 in-app purchase, you'll be able to unlock the ability to use more than one feature at a time. If your ad-blocking needs are minimal, you'll have a great experience with the free download and just blocking ads or trackers. But if you're looking at 1Blocker, it's probably because you want the advanced features, like custom rules, a Whitelist extension for Safari, and iCloud syncing so your ad block settings are synced across all your iOS devices.

If you really want to customize your web browsing experience, and like the idea of being able to set up rules for different websites, the full, in-app purchase of 1Blocker is worth it.

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Free with in-app purchases - Download now

AdGuard

AdGuard blocks dozens of different types of ads to speed up your Safari browsing on iPhone and iPad. You can set up rules for specific websites and manually block ads from sites as you visit them using the Share sheet in Safari. You can also use at least two dozen preset filter lists, like EasyList, Malware Domains, and EasyPrivacy, on top of the AdGuard filters. It blocks trackers from social media sites and basically cleans up Safari so your browsing experience is smoother.

With the pro version of AdGuard for $1.99, you can add the ability to use a local DNS proxy to block ads outside of Safari in other web browsers and apps.

Get AdGuard for a clean, fast web browsing experience in Safari.

Free - Download now

Wipr

If you want a simple ad blocker for iOS Safari, then you should give Wipr a try. This lightweight blocker provides hassle-free blocking just by activating it. Wipr automatically updates itself to make sure that you don't see unwanted ads. However, due to the barebones simplicity that Wipr is known for, you won't find any customizable settings or whitelist options for the sites that you want to support. And best of all, Wipr does not take money in order to let certain ads show up, unlike some other ad blockers that have caused controversy in the past.

Wipr also has an active developer who is always available for support if you have issues.

$2 with in-app purchases - Download now

AdBlock Pro for Safari

AdBlock Pro for Safari

If you're serious about blocking ads and want the best feature set, then AdBlock Pro for Safari is what you need. AdBlock will improve your overall Safari experience by blocking all ads, including normal ads and banners, autoplay ads, those pesky fake "x" button ads, scrolling banners, timed popups, redirects to "xxx" sites, YouTube ads in Safari, and no more online tracking. With all of these available ad-blocking options, you will get 2x faster browsing in Safari and over 50 percent lower data usage. AdBlock Pro can even bypass those anti-adblock detectors, sync your settings between devices via iCloud, and much more.

AdBlock Pro is a beefy ad-blocker that gives you a ton of options to improve your online experience. It may have a higher price tag than you would expect, but it's well worth the cost to have a little less annoyance in your online life.

$9 - Download now

Ka-Block!

Ka-Block! is an open-sourced content blocker for iOS that works with Safari through an extension. With Ka-Block!, you're going to find a fast and curated filter list that will eliminate pretty much all of those annoying ads you'll find on the Internet. The pesky trackers are also blocked with Ka-Block!, so you don't need to worry about those.

With Ka-Block!, you're getting a fast and lightweight content blocker that costs nothing and is constantly updated.

How do you block ads?

Do you have a favorite ad blocker for iPhone and iPad? Which one do you use and why does it stand out? Let us know in the comments.

November 2019: Added Wipr, AdBlock Pro, and Ka-Block! Removed Crystal and Purify due to lack of update.

best ios safari ad blocker reddit

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Christine Romero-Chan was formerly a Senior Editor for iMore. She has been writing about technology, specifically Apple, for over a decade at a variety of websites. She is currently part of the Digital Trends team, and has been using Apple’s smartphone since the original iPhone back in 2007. While her main speciality is the iPhone, she also covers Apple Watch, iPad, and Mac when needed. When she isn’t writing about Apple, Christine can often be found at Disneyland in Anaheim, California, as she is a passholder and obsessed with all things Disney, especially Star Wars. Christine also enjoys coffee, food, photography, mechanical keyboards, and spending as much time with her new daughter as possible.

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best ios safari ad blocker reddit

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Recommend a Safari Ad-Block for iPhone on iOS 15?

  • Thread starter HappyDude20
  • Start date Sep 25, 2021
  • Sort by reaction score
  • iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch
  • iOS and iPadOS

HappyDude20

HappyDude20

Macrumors 68040.

  • Sep 25, 2021

I love iOS 15 but for some reason have been receiving so many extra tabs with pop up ads and it’s annoying. Many of these pop up ads are opening up ical directly to add some fraudulent link I hear extensions are supported for safari and am wondering if there exists some great solution so I’m not longer taken out of safari when using it.  

numberfour

macrumors regular

  • Sep 26, 2021

AdGuard  

macrumors member

Wipr  

macrumors 6502a

I use 1Blocker  

aircanman

macrumors 6502

This may not help but I use AdBlock pro, don't see ads but sometimes it blocks too much.  

tarsins

macrumors 65816

  • Sep 30, 2021

Wipr is great. Bought it on iOS and MacOS.  

Chargr

I use Firefox focus  

contacos

macrumors 601

Been using AdGuard Pro for years. Works well  

jamdex

Peter118 said: Wipr Click to expand...

I have been using adguard pro along with FF focus for awhile now. I don't think I ever get Safari ads. Unfortunately, ads within applications still come through though.  

macrumors 68020

I use 1Blocker on my ios devices and Wipr on my Mac. I highly recommend both. Wipr, available for ios and macOS, is somewhat simpler to use - just turn it on, nothing else to do, no other settings. 1Blocker has a lot of customizations available as well as the ability to white list specific sites. Wipr has no white list option, the developer does not feel that is something that should be used so you have to use Safari’s control for turning off content blockers. With 1Blocker I’ve found that when having an issue on a specific site I have to use its “disable blocking“ control and not Safari’s. On certain sites using the Safari web site setting function does not completely disable all the blocking and I’ve still had issues until I pulled up 1Blocker’s controls.  

Diesel79

  • Nov 12, 2021

I installed 1Blocker yesterday. And so far I’m impressed. It’s been the best ad blocking app I’ve used on iOS. I wish Ublock Origin was available for Safari on iOS. 1Blocker has blocked every ad in Safari, I usually see a lot of ad’s on MR, but I haven’t seen a single one since installing 1Blocker. Thanks to everyone in this thread who mention 1Blocker.  

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  • Software and apps

Our Favorite Ad Blockers and Browser Extensions to Protect Privacy

A screenshot showing an internet browser on a laptop, with a uBlock Origin window open.

By Thorin Klosowski

Everything you do online—from browsing to shopping to using social networks—is tracked, typically as behavioral or advertising data. But browser extensions are simple, generally free add-ons that you can use to slow down or break this type of data collection, without completely ruining your experience of using the internet.

Browser extensions, also called add-ons, are tiny bits of software you can download to add new features to your web browser. They are sometimes created by developers as a hobby project to solve a problem for themselves, but are also developed by larger companies as part of their own suite of software.

Not all browsers offer the exact same extensions, but Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox are the two most popular browsers, and the ones I focus on here. (Most Chrome extensions will also work with Microsoft Edge , Brave , Opera , and Vivaldi , though we haven’t fully tested them.) Of the two, I recommend Firefox if you prioritize privacy, as it’s much more focused on privacy out of the box compared with Chrome. Regardless of which browser you use, a pack of extensions can increase your privacy by decreasing your exposure to trackers, as well as have the welcome side effect of boosting your security. I’ve included links for both Chrome and Firefox, along with alternatives to our favorites, if they exist.

As for other browsers, Apple’s Safari isn’t bad when it comes to privacy, but it lacks wide support for popular browser extensions. Edge is based on Chromium and will work with the bulk of the Chrome extensions in this article, we haven’t tested it thoroughly. Brave is one of the more popular privacy-first browsers, but even it isn’t free of privacy-related controversies . The Tor Browser is the go-to for anonymity, especially in censored countries, but it’s unusable for most people as a daily browser. Dozens of other lower-profile browsers exist, but few get the security updates and support that most of us need in the software we use all day.

Like apps and desktop software, extensions are useful, but they can be a privacy nightmare . It’s rare for researchers to bother looking closely at extensions to make sure they’re above board. In the last few years, we’ve seen a number of popular extensions turn out to be malware , and one very popular tab management extension was flagged and removed from the Chrome Web Store after the extension’s development changed hands. So, while often useful, it’s best to avoid extensions unless you know exactly what they’re up to. The ones included here are widely scrutinized, or created by reputable companies.

Privacy almost always comes at the cost of usability. Sometimes a browser extension might cause a website to display text strangely, prevent embedded images or tweets from loading on a page, or remove the little social media buttons that make it easy to share an article. But in exchange for the occasional slight headache, companies will have a harder time tracking what you do online.

Ad blocker: uBlock Origin

A screenshot of the uBlock Origin browser extension.

Chrome / Firefox

Ad blockers are browser extensions that block intrusive pop-ups, invasive trackers, and malicious ads. You have a lot of options for different ad blockers, but I’ve always found that uBlock Origin doesn’t hog system resources (an assumption others have confirmed ), nor does it block so much that it ruins a site’s layout and functionality. I also like how easy it is to disable uBlock Origin on a case-by-case basis, either to allow ads on sites that aren’t annoying or to temporarily enable features uBlock tends to break, like comments sections.

Alternatives: I’ve found that AdBlock , AdBlock Plus , and Ghostery all have steep learning curves or poor performance, but some people prefer them to uBlock Origin. If you want to go hard on ad blockers and kill every ad from every device on your home network, you can build a tiny computer dedicated to just that using Pi-hole software.

Tracking blocker: Privacy Badger

A screenshot of the Privacy Badger browser extension.

In conjunction with uBlock Origin, consider also running Privacy Badger, an extension designed to block tracking tools , the scripts that tend to record your visits and build profiles based on the websites you view. If you want to learn more about these types of trackers, type an address of a site into The Markup’s Blacklight tool, which lists the trackers it finds on a website and details what that tracking company does.

Alternatives: If you want to learn more about the trackers on the sites you visit, Disconnect can provide more detailed information, but it can be a bit overwhelming. Firefox has a built-in feature (powered by Disconnect) to block trackers, but some may get through, so we still recommend an extra add-on.

Local resources: Decentraleyes

A screenshot of the Decentraleyes browser extension.

When a website loads resources—such as the sort of JavaScript libraries that add basic animations to a web page, or a date-picker pop-up when you book a hotel room—it often pulls those resources from a third-party host such as Google. Decentraleyes packs a number of the most popular of these libraries so your browser can use them right from your computer instead of fetching them from a third party. It prevents sites from breaking due to settings in an ad or tracking blocker, and works as a useful complement to either.

Alternatives: LocalCDN does the same thing as Decentraleyes, but has less reviews than Decentraleyes.

Login protection: Use a password manager

A screenshot of a 1Password popup, asking for a master password.

A password manager is the first step to protecting your online accounts. Password managers are usually accessed through a browser extension that generates, stores, and fills your passwords as you browse the internet. This makes it easier, faster, and more secure to log in to websites. We like 1Password and Bitwarden . Most browsers can also save and fill passwords without a dedicated password manager, but they tend to lock you into that specific browser, or don’t provide tools for password sharing. A dedicated password manager is better at warning you about weak or compromised passwords.

Firefox Multi-Account Containers

A screenshot of the Firefox Multi-Account Containers browser extension.

As the name suggests, Firefox Multi-Account Containers is a Firefox-only extension, but I’ve found it useful while working from home on my personal computer full time. Essentially, Multi-Account Containers lets you create separate storage containers for different types of browsing—such as work, personal, social media, and shopping—so your web-browsing behavior doesn’t get tracked across sites as easily. In my case, my Google Account for work is siloed off from everything else I do. This prevents me from being accidentally logged in to work email or bombarded by ads for bear canisters because I’m researching the VPN provider TunnelBear. I used to do this by running different browsers—one for work and one for personal stuff—but now I can do it all in Firefox.

Alternatives: Temporary Containers works similarly to Multi-Account Containers but offers more ways to customize how the containers function. Facebook Container is essentially a streamlined version that isolates only Facebook, typically the worst offender for tracking your browsing. If you don’t want to futz around with a bunch of different settings, Facebook Container is a great option for cutting off only your Facebook use.

Extra-credit tools

Regardless of which browser you use, you should enable its HTTPS-preferred mode. This ensures the browser will always attempt to go to the secure version of a web page. You might have to opt into this feature in your browser:

  • Chrome : Click the three-dot icon, then Settings > Privacy and security, and enable “Always use secure connections.”
  • Firefox : Click the three-line icon, then open Settings > Privacy & Security > Enable HTTPS-Only Mode.
  • Safari : Safari automatically updates any site to HTTPS when possible, but doesn’t have an option to block sites that aren’t secure.

There are also a few options that aren’t for everyone:

  • Use a VPN: The browser extensions above hide the bulk of your activity while browsing, but a virtual private network (VPN) can add another layer of privacy by routing your traffic through a secure, encrypted connection. This prevents your internet service provider from seeing your online activities. VPNs can also change your location and IP address, making it more difficult for other parties to track you over time (though an untrustworthy company may still leak or monitor that same data ).
  • Enable DNS over HTTPS (DoH): Web browsers are rolling out support for DoH, a protocol that increases privacy by encrypting DNS , which makes it much more difficult for someone—your internet service provider included—to snoop on your web browsing. MUO has a guide for enabling DoH in most modern browsers. (Although, if you use a trustworthy VPN, it’s redundant to have DoH enabled in your browser.)
  • Change your default search engine: It’s no secret Google tracks everything you do and then uses that information to serve up ads. Alternatives like DuckDuckGo and Startpage work well, and they don’t store your personal information or search data. Here’s how to change your search engine on Chrome or Firefox . You may still need to visit Google for some searches, but the less you use it, the better. If you can’t peel yourself away from Google, Simple Search cuts the advertising cruft from Google search results to show you just the results for what you searched for.

There are many layers of privacy protection, and how deep you want to go with it depends on what’s important to you. If you’re interested in more advanced privacy protections because you want to keep your data out of the hands of government or law enforcement, I recommend reading the Electronic Frontier Foundation’s guide to using the Tor Browser or checking out the Tails operating system . Plenty of other extensions exist if you want to take things further, including NoScript , Cookie AutoDelete , uMatrix , and CanvasBlocker . They tend to make general web browsing a pain, though, so I recommend them only for advanced users.

Meet your guide

best ios safari ad blocker reddit

Thorin Klosowski

Thorin Klosowski is the former editor of privacy and security topics at Wirecutter. He has been writing about technology for over a decade, with an emphasis on learning by doing—which is to say, breaking things as often as possible to see how they work. For better or worse, he applies that same DIY approach to his reporting.

Mentioned above

  • Everyone should use a password manager, and after researching dozens and testing six, we recommend 1Password because it’s secure and easy to use. The Best Password Managers  
  • A virtual private network (VPN) is a useful way to improve security or privacy in certain situations, but it’s difficult to find one that’s trustworthy. The Best VPN Service  
  • A VPN can secure a public Wi-Fi connection and reduce some types of online tracking, but is it reliable to access video sites or limit tracking? Read on to see. What Is a VPN and What Can (and Can’t) It Do?  

Further reading

An illustration of a jigsaw puzzle in which one of the pieces says “Step nine, secure your web browser”.

Step 9 to Simple Online Security: Secure Your Web Browser

by Thorin Klosowski

You can block malicious ads and invasive trackers with a few safe, free add-ons for most web browsers.

A Western Digital My Passport Ultra portable hard drive with a cord attached, sitting on a pink background.

Back Up and Secure Your Digital Life

by Haley Perry

From password managers to backup software, here are the apps and services everyone needs to protect themselves from security breaches and data loss.

best ios safari ad blocker reddit

The Best Internet Security: Layers of Protection, and Good Habits

by Kevin Purdy

Experts told us that to stay safe online, you should keep your OS and software updated, use an anti-malware app, and practice good browsing habits.

An illustration of chains and checkmarks to represent privacy and security checks.

7 Simple Ways to Protect Your Digital Privacy

Follow these simple steps to lock down your devices and accounts and take back some control over who has access to your data.

  • VPN & Privacy
  • Ad-blocker for Safari

Best ad-blockers for Safari

Best ad-blocker Safari

Whether it’s an autoplay video covering the button you’re about to click, or a banner ad obscuring the content you’re trying to read – everyone hates adverts. Happily, the best ad-blocker for Safari will stop adverts and other annoyances from ever bothering you again.

Sophisticated ad-blockers remove a whole host of stubborn adverts, as well as trackers and fingerprinting scripts. They’ll also help prevent you from connecting to malicious websites and will neutralize threatening adware code.

Choosing from one of the multitude of ad-blockers available for Safari on the App Store can be daunting, which is why we’ve done the work for you. If you’re in a rush, our findings are summarized below:

  • Total Adblock : Our first choice for a Safari ad-blocker. Strong ad-blocking ability and can prevent social media trackers and access to malicious websites.
  • AdLock : Best budget option for a Safari ad-blocker. Able to stop ads on video and audio streaming sites. Blocks all ads by default.
  • AdGuard : Open-source ad-blocker able to stop all types of ads as well as trackers, malware and phishing websites.
  • 1Blocker : Simple to use and great for quickly creating custom rules. Stops trackers, cookies and fingerprinting scripts as well as ads.
  • Wipr : Easy installation and great at blocking ads, trackers, and cryptocurrency miners. Can also prevent EU cookie and GDPR notices.

We used the criteria below to help us narrow down the Safari ad-blocker options. If you’re interested, we have a comprehensive section on our testing process later in this article.

  • Comprehensive and reliable ad-blocking
  • Good value for money
  • No acceptable ads
  • Plenty of customization
  • Security features

Here’s a list of the best ad-blockers for safari:

1. Total Adblock

Total Adblock is a powerful ad-blocker that removes banners, video ads and pop-ups by default from Safari – but only on iPhone and iPad. Mac users will need to use a different browser if they wish to employ Total Adblock.

The software can be configured to block websites known to distribute malware, and can also remove cookie and privacy warnings on trusted websites – thus speeding up page loading times. Alternatively, adding websites to a whitelist enables them to automatically display without any filters.

Using Total Adblock’s custom filters allows you to block any elements on a web page that you’d prefer not to see. A social media tracking blocking filter stops “like” and “share” buttons from appearing on websites.

The basic Total Adblock app is free, but will not block ads on the top 15,000 websites ranked on Alexa – thus making it fairly useless. You will also get access to TotalAV virus protection and PC Tune-Up software.

  • Robust ad-blocking with subscription
  • Stops ads on streaming sites
  • Enables element blocking
  • Subscription includes TotalAV antivirus
  • Prevents social media tracking
  • Annual subscription required for usable app

BEST AD-BLOCKER: Total Adblock is our top  ad-blocker for Safari. It offers rigorous blocking of ads and malware, and the subscription includes TotalAV antivirus.

AdLock for Safari is a free extension that blocks pop-ups, autoplay videos, and banner ads; while also protecting you against trackers, bugs, analytical systems, and scammers.

The UI is immediately approachable, making it easy to get started. Toggle switches help you set preferences, and there’s a whitelist where you can add any sites that you’d rather see unfiltered. There are no acceptable ads, so you don’t need to dig around trying to turn them off. You also don’t need to worry about your data being sold to third parties.

There’s scope for more comprehensive tinkering via the ad filters – AdLock recommends using a maximum of five for peak performance. These filters are mostly drawn from EasyList, which is the most popular option for ad-blockers. You can create custom rules and AdLock also allows the removal of any element from a page, including non-ad-related callback forms and online chat boxes.

AdLock is great for streaming sites. It can remove all pre-rolls, mid-rolls, post-rolls, and otherwise unskippable video commercials. You just need to engage a special one-click script or use the AdLock player. AdLock also stops social media widgets following you from site to site.

  • Rigorous blocking
  • Good for streaming sites
  • Protects privacy
  • Extension is free
  • Extension not as powerful as app

BEST BUDGET-FRIENDLY OPTION: AdLock’s free Safari browser  extension is a reliable ad-blocker that stops ads in streaming sites.

AdGuard for Safari is a free browser extension that stops all ads, trackers and widgets. You can create custom filtering rules and manually remove any web page element. The software helps with security by issuing warnings if you unintentionally visit malicious or phishing websites.

The AdGuard home screen allows you to set up the basics: notification preferences, update intervals, and which content blockers you’d like to use. Content blockers are thematic clusters of filters. For example, the AdGuard Security Blocker contains filters that stop browser-based cryptominers, domains known to spread malware and spyware, and sites associated with fraudsters.

Alternatively, you can add filters of your choosing in the custom area, or create custom rules that apply specific filtering criteria. For example, you might want a particular element removed when visiting such-and-such website. AdGuard provides instructions on how to master rule syntax.

AdGuard doesn’t collect any user data or allow “acceptable ads”. The software is open-source, with the repository on GitHub available via the AdGuard “About” page.

  • Intercepts malicious website connections
  • Allows custom rule creation
  • Stops social media widgets
  • Doesn’t block as much as its app

CUSTOMIZATION OPTIONS: AdGuard is a powerful, open-source ad-blocker that encourages the creation of custom filters and rules.

4. 1Blocker

1Blocker uses filters to tell Safari what to stop in advance. It’s effective at removing a range of ads, trackers and fingerprinting scripts. Setup is simple and the app automatically receives cloud updates to the built-in filters.

There is plenty of scope for customization. For example, you can create rules for a defined URL or hide a particular element with a CSS selector. You can also block cookies, or allow ads for a particular site while still blocking trackers and social buttons.

1Blocker doesn’t have access to the pages you visit and doesn’t track you in any way. There are no “acceptable ads,” as funding for the app comes from subscriptions. These cost either $2.99 a month, or $14.99 for a year. There is a free version of the app, but it’s limited in what it can do. For example, you can only block either trackers or ads – not both.

1Blocker is compatible with iPhones running iOS 14.2 or later, iPads running iPadOS 14.2 or later, iPod Touches running iOS 14.2 or later, and Macbooks running macOS 10.15 or later. Any preferences and custom rules are kept in sync across all devices via iCloud.

  • Easy to use
  • Blocks fingerprinting scripts
  • Easy to create custom rules
  • Doesn’t block all types of ads
  • Best features require subscription

GREAT FOR BEGINNERS: 1Blocker is simple  to set up, with a straightforward interface that makes creating custom rules easy.

Wipr is a relatively simple ad-blocker that can nevertheless block a wide range of trackers and ads, as well as cryptocurrency miners and EU cookie notices. Its blocklist is automatically updated twice a week, ensuring not much gets past it.

If you want to block ads from the likes of YouTube and other streaming sites , you can enable Wipr Extra. This requires full website access, so consider any privacy implications in leaving it turned on long-term.

Wipr is able to block ads in apps that display websites using the Safari View Controller. Note that it is not able to help with blocking scam, phishing or other malicious sites.

If purchased in the App Store, you’ll be able to install Wipr on all the iPhone and iPads with the same Apple ID. If purchased on a Mac, you’ll be able to install it on all the Macs with the same Apple ID. Wipr costs $1.99 in each store, so you’ll have to pay $3.98 if you wish to use it on both an iPhone and a Mac, for example.

The app is compatible with iPhones running iOS 12.0 or later, iPads running iPadOS 12.0 or later, and Macs running macOS 10.15 or later.

  • Straightforward ad-blocker
  • Doesn’t protect against malicious code
  • One purchase won’t cover all devices
  • No custom rules

EASY SETUP: Wipr is a straightforward  ad-blocker that keeps itself updated and blocks a decent number of ads and trackers.

Can I use a free ad-blocker for Safari?

You can, and there are many decent free ad-blockers available. However, as with most products that seem free, there’s often a hidden cost. Some ad-blockers make money by allowing some ads through – what are sometimes called “acceptable ads.” Other, less scrupulous, apps may even sell your data to third parties.

More commonly, ad-blocking developers create a free version of the subscription-only service – typically a browser extension. This has less features than the paid-for version, but allows people to become familiar with the service and pay out when they find that they can’t live without a particular feature.

How to install a Safari ad-blocker:

If you want to use a Safari browser extension ad-blocker, follow these instructions:

  • Launch the Settings app.
  • Scroll down and tap Safari .
  • Under General , tap Content Blockers .
  • Activate your chosen content blocker by toggling the switch next to it to the green ON position.

If you’ve downloaded an ad-blocker app for Safari, follow these instructions to enable it:

  • Click on Safari in the top left-hand corner.
  • Select Safari Extensions from the drop-down menu.
  • Wait for the App Store to automatically open on the extensions page.
  • Search for the ad-blocker you’d like to add.
  • Click Get underneath the ad-blocker extension.
  • Sign in with your Apple ID if required and start downloading.
  • Click install to get the app up and running.
  • Open the extension and follow the instructions.
  • Click on Safari in the top right corner once more.
  • Select Preferences from the drop-down menu.
  • Tick the checkbox next to the ad-blocker you downloaded.

Methodology: Finding the best Safari ad-blocker

Most Safari ad-blocking extensions are capable of preventing certain cookies, images, pop-ups and other unwanted content from being downloaded. So what makes one better than the other? The best Safari ad-blockers will perform notably well when tested against the criteria below:

  • Comprehensive blocking: We expect ad-blockers to be able to block most types of advert that appears on a web page. This includes pop-ups , banners, and interstitial ads. We also require the removal of autoplay video and audio, as well as the option to stop chat boxes and pre-roll ads.
  • Good value: An expensive ad-blocker doesn’t necessarily mean it’s worth your money. We only include ad-blockers that can justify what they charge. This normally means they provide superior blocking ability with other privacy and security features.
  • No acceptable ads: We know that developers need to make money, but allowing ads on an ad-blocker doesn’t seem like the right way to do it. For this reason, we don’t recommend ad-blockers that allow paid advertising to be displayed.
  • Plenty of customization: Ruthless blocking seems great… until it isn’t. Being able to whitelist sites is a good starting point. However, a good ad-blocker allows you to create custom rules for everything from ads to trackers, cookies and notices. We also like to be able to customize blocking on an element-by-element basis.
  • Security features: It’s not just ads we want to see blocked, it’s trackers, fingerprinting script and any malicious code whatsoever. Ad-blockers that intercept connections to untrusted sites score points too.
  • Compatibility: Safari is available on all Apple devices, including Mac, iPad, and iPhone. Although all of the ad-blockers we looked at worked with Safari, they didn’t all work great across all devices. The mobile Safari app is different to the macOS Safari app, and so we only recommend ad-blockers that have been specifically designed to work across all Apple devices.

FAQs: Best ad-blocker for Safari

Does apple allow ad-blockers.

Apple began allowing ad-blockers on the iPhone and iPad versions of Safari in 2015. Devices running iOS 9 were – for the first time – permitted to add content blocking extensions to Safari. 

Prior to this, the only way to block adverts was to “jailbreak” the devices, which involved replacing – or modifying – key components of the operating system with custom applications. Where subsequent security measures weren’t instigated, this resulted in their becoming easier for attackers to infiltrate. 

Apple allowing ad-blocking Safari extensions negated the need to do this. At the same time, it ensured that the company could still make money from allowing advertising in apps.

Are ad-blockers legal?

Yes, though there were a slew of court cases when Apple first began allowing ad-blockers. These were brought by media companies that were heavily reliant on advertising money. None of them were successful, and the use of ad-blockers has been steadily increasing since – much to the chagrin of the ad industry. 

The problem is that ads are becoming ever more invasive. Many actively prevent us from enjoying a particular website’s content until we’ve interacted with the advert. Meanwhile, ad-blockers are getting more powerful and easier to install. 

Of course, the people who run that website might say that ad-blockers are morally questionable. After all, advertising revenue effectively pays for the website. There is ultimately no easy solution. Some sites try using a paywall to stay ad-free, while others incorporate adverts into their content. A short-term solution involves site owners asking users to whitelist their sites if they like them.  

How do ad-blockers work?

Ad-blockers detect scripts designed to make your browser load content from the servers of ad networks. By blocking these scripts, the adverts aren’t requested or displayed. Ad-blockers can also block scripts that monitor your online behavior or contain malicious code. Ad-blockers are able to detect scripts by comparing them with huge lists of offending domains – often created by the online community. 

Without these additional advertising requests playing out, pages tend to require less bandwidth and are quicker to download. Indeed, research suggests that the execution of third-party scripts can account for more than half of a page’s loading time.

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Roundup - best VPNs for

Privacy alert: websites you visit can find out who you are.

The following information is available to any site you visit:

Your IP Address:

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Your Internet Provider:

This information can be used to target ads and monitor your internet usage.

Using a VPN will hide these details and protect your privacy.

We recommend using NordVPN - #1 of 72 VPNs in our tests. It offers outstanding privacy features and is currently available at a discounted rate.

Online Security News, Reviews, How To and Hacks

What Are the Best Ad Blockers for Safari in 2023?

March 12, 2022 November 28, 2022

Ad blockers are tools or software developed to block, remove or hide advertising content on web browsers or applications. Ad blockers can be browser extensions, applications or plugins.

Ad blockers are important in helping users have a better and safe browsing experience by removing unwanted ads, which in turn reduces the possibility of malvertising. The best ad blockers for Safari in 2023 are listed below.

  • AdBlock Plus
  • Ghostery Lite
  • Magic Lasso
  • AdBlock Max
  • Disconnect Premium
  • Unicorn Blocker

Best Ad Blockers for Safari

Table of Contents

1. AdBlock Plus

AdBlock Plus was founded by Wladimir Palant and is used for blocking ads and filtering content.

An image featuring Adblock Plus website screenshot

The pros of using AdBlock Plus include the browser extension being free and open-source, ease of installation and use, and support for 24 languages. This ad blocker also has a user-friendly interface and prevents malicious tracking and the spread of malware. However, AdBlock Plus whitelists some ads and doesn’t block all advertising content.

AdBlock was developed by Michael Gundlach and is used to block ads and protect users’ privacy while browsing the internet.

An image featuring AdBlock for Safari screenshot

Some of the merits of using the AdBlock browser extension include better browsing speed, support of 40 languages, ease of installation and use, and improved online protection. AdBlock is also free and open-source. However, this extension has some downsides, such as the inability to block all YouTube ads and slow browsing speeds when using multiple tabs.

AdBlock blocks pop-ups and video or audio ads on social media platforms and websites so that pages load faster and battery consumption is reduced. AdBlock is reliable and trusted by more than 65 million users worldwide.

3. Ghostery Lite

Ghostery Lite was developed by David Cancel, but the product is owned by Cliqz International GmbH. Ghostery Lite is primarily used for blocking ads and trackers.

An image featuring Ghostery Privacy Ad Blocker screenshot

Ghostery Lite’s advantages include the use of advanced artificial intelligence technology to block tracking, allowing users to customize what to block or unblock, loading pages faster and being completely open-source. However, one downside of Ghostery Lite is that this ad blocker doesn’t offer a free version.

Ghostery Lite costs $4.99 per month and $39 per year or $3.25 per month billed for 12 months. Ghostery Lite is compatible with Safari, Firefox, Chrome, Edge and Opera.

Ghostery Lite performs excellently in improving users’ privacy by blocking tracking and ads. Ghostery Lite is reliable and trusted by millions of users worldwide.

4. Magic Lasso

Magic Lasso was developed by Matthew Bickham and is used to block ads and tracking. The merits of using the Magic Lasso ad blocker include the availability of a free version, improved privacy, loading pages at faster speeds, and customization of ad or tracking features. Despite these merits, Magic Lasso’s free version doesn’t offer much protection compared to the pro version and is only supported on Safari.

An image featuring Magic Lasso Adblock website screenshot

Magic Lasso is free but offers a pro version that costs $29.99 annually. Magic Lasso is compatible with Safari on Mac, iPhone and iPad.

Magic Lasso improves users’ online privacy and loads web pages two times faster. Magic Lasso is reliable and trusted by over 200,000 clients.

5. AdBlock Max

AdBlock Max was developed by Chunxia Li and is used to block trackers and ads, including YouTube ads.

An image featuring AdBlock Max screenshot

The merits of AdBlock Max are that the ad blocker consumes less data, is easy to set up and use, and loads web pages four times faster. AdBlock Max also doesn’t collect users’ data and blocks ads, social buttons, and cookie banners or prompts. However, one major downside to AdBlock Max is that the tool is only supported on Safari.

6. Disconnect Premium

Disconnect Premium is an ad blocker that was developed by Casey Oppenheim and Brian Kennish to block ads, tracking and other threats to users’ privacy.

An image featuring Disconnect Ad Blocker website screenshot

Disconnect Premium’s pros include a strict anti-log policy, loading web pages 2.4 times faster, and encryption of users’ network traffic to block tracking. However, Disconnect Premium doesn’t block all ads.

Disconnect Premium costs about $7.60 monthly and $43.40 annually. Disconnect Premium is compatible with Windows, Firefox, and Apple devices.

Disconnect Premium performs excellently, using firewalls, DNS, and Tracker Protection Technology to block tracking and ads. Disconnect Premium is reliable and trusted by 750 million users.

Wipr was developed by Giorgio Calderolla for the primary purpose of blocking ads and trackers.

An image featuring Wipr Ad Blocker screenshot

Some of the merits of using Wipr are that the ad blocker uses content blocking extensions technology that doesn’t slow down web pages. Plus, the tool blocks EU cookies, crypto miners and GDPR notices. Wipr is also fast and easy to set up. However, Wipr is only supported on Apple devices.

Wipr costs $1.99 on the Apple App Store and is compatible with Apple devices alone. Wipr is 100% reliable and effectively blocks tracking and ads.

UBlock was developed by Raymond Hill and is used for content filtering or ad blocking.

An image featuring uBlock website screenshot

UBlock offers advantages such as being free and open-source, availability in 63 languages, compatibility with several different browsers, and improved memory and CPU performance. However, UBlock doesn’t work for Safari version 13 and above.

9. Unicorn Blocker

Unicorn Blocker was developed by Oh Nam Kwon primarily for blocking ads on Safari. The advantages of using Unicorn Blocker include web browsing at a speed three times faster, a 21% increase in battery life and effective blocking of tracking systems. However, Unicorn Blocker only supports three languages and doesn’t work with other browsers.

An image featuring Unicorn Blocker screenshot

Unicorn Blocker costs about $1 on the Apple App Store and is compatible with Safari on all Apple devices. Unicorn Blocker is completely reliable and performs well in blocking ads and tracking.

How to Choose the Best Ad Blocker for Safari

An image featuring ad blocking concept

To choose the best ad blocker for Safari, users should consider ad blockers that provide optimum security and privacy protection. To do this, users should go for ad blockers that block tracking either by default or customization.

Users should also ensure such ad blockers offer content filtering and block ads, pop-ups, cookie prompts, banners, malicious redirects and fake close buttons. All these features are effective in ensuring users can enjoy smooth browsing without annoying ads and browse privately without being tracked or under surveillance.

Can Ad Block Software Provide Safe Browsing in Safari?

Yes, an ad block software can provide safe browsing in Safari. Ad block software uses different advanced technologies to block tracking systems, ads and sometimes malware to ensure Safari users can browse safely.

Does the Safari Browser Have Ad Blocker Extension Support?

Yes, Safari supports ad blocker extensions. However, Safari also allows users to hide IP addresses from trackers and enable “Privacy Preserving Ad Measurement” via settings. Still, to enjoy the full benefits of an ad blocker, Safari users can install the best Safari extensions for ad blocking.

Are There Any Harms of Using Ad Blockers in Safari?

There are no harms attached to using ad blockers in Safari. Ad blocker browser extensions for Safari are totally safe to use.

Can You Block YouTube Ads in the Safari Browser?

Yes, users can block YouTube ads while using Safari on Mac, iPhone or iPad devices. However, not all ad blockers can block YouTube ads, so users should make sure to install an ad blocker that specifically states the capability to block ads on YouTube. Most ad blockers block YouTube ads by default.

Can You Use a VPN to Block Ads on Safari?

No, VPNs themselves are not ad blockers. However, there are some VPNs for ad blocking . VPNs can only be used to block ads on Safari if such VPNs support ad blocking.

What Other Browsers Have Support for Ad Blockers?

An image featuring ad blocker addon concept

While some ad blockers are strictly developed for Safari, generally, ad blockers do not work for Safari alone.

The best browsers that are compatible with ad blockers are listed below.

Emmanuel Ojodun

Boost Your Browsing: 7 Must-Have Safari Extensions for iOS, iPadOS, and macOS

May 22nd 2024 by Anthony Nielsen

AI-created, human-edited.

Hey there, Mikah Sargent here! If you're like me, you're always on the lookout for ways to improve your browsing experience on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. Well, I've got great news for you – Safari extensions are here to save the day! These powerful add-ons can boost your productivity, enhance your privacy, and make browsing the web a breeze.

In the latest episode of iOS Today , my co-host Rosemary Orchard and I explored the world of Safari extensions, and I'm excited to share our top picks with you.

- Keyword Search: This extension is a game-changer for anyone who frequently searches multiple websites. With just a few keystrokes, you can search Amazon, DuckDuckGo, or even our very own TWiT.tv right from Safari's address bar. No more navigating to each site individually – Keyword Search streamlines the process and saves you precious time.

- 1Blocker : A content blocker that prioritizes your online privacy. As someone who values my privacy on the web, I appreciate how 1Blocker prevents ads and trackers from loading on pages, not only protecting my information but also potentially speeding up my browsing experience.

- Redirect Web for Safari : An extension that's perfect for anyone who regularly navigates between different versions of the same website. With this tool, you can create custom redirect rules to ensure you always land on the desired version of a site, like old.reddit.com instead of www.reddit.com . It's a simple but incredibly useful extension.

- PayPal Honey : This extension automatically finds and applies coupons and deals while you shop online, and who doesn't love saving money? While it's important to be mindful of privacy concerns, the potential savings make PayPal Honey worth considering.

- Vinegar and Baking Soda : Two extensions that work together to enhance your video watching experience. By replacing native video player controls with iOS's own controls, these extensions offer a more seamless and intuitive way to watch videos on YouTube and other sites.

- Opener : Even though it's not technically a Safari extension, this app is a must-have for anyone who wants more control over which app opens when they click on a link.

If you want to learn more about these add-ons and how they can revolutionize your browsing experience, be sure to check out iOS Today episode 703 , "Safari Extensions Worth Downloading." Trust me; your Safari game will never be the same! 

Become a subscriber and never miss an episode: iOS Today

Essential Safari Extensions, Digital Efficiency, and Engaging with Our Tech Community

IMAGES

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  3. Best Ad-Blockers for Safari 2024: Browse with Confidence

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  4. What Are the Best Ad Blockers for Safari in 2022?

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  5. The Best Safari Ad Blockers For macOS and iOS

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  6. Is there an ad blocker for safari

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VIDEO

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  3. AdBlock for IOS 16

  4. How to block ads on iphone safari and iphone apps

  5. How to Block Youtube Ads for Free || Block Ads on Macbook

  6. 2 Ways to Use Safari Ad Blocker on iPhone and iPad

COMMENTS

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  2. The Best Safari Ad Blockers of 2022

    Adguard, Wipr, and 1Blocker are among the best ad blockers for Safari. Pranay Parab. December 16, 2022. Credit: tinhkhuong - Shutterstock. Unlike Firefox and Chrome, it's not easy for Mac users ...

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    Best in-browser ad blockers. 1. AdBlock Plus (Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Opera, Safari, Android, iOS) (Image credit: Eyeo) AdBlock Plus (ABP) is among the most popular ad blockers, with extensions ...

  4. Best ad blockers for iPhone and iPad in 2022

    Ka-Block! Ka-Block! (Image credit: iMore) Ka-Block! is an open-sourced content blocker for iOS that works with Safari through an extension. With Ka-Block!, you're going to find a fast and curated filter list that will eliminate pretty much all of those annoying ads you'll find on the Internet.

  5. The Best Safari Ad Blockers For macOS and iOS

    2. AdBlock Pro. Next up is AdBlock Pro, another app that easily makes to on this list of the best Safari ad blockers. This is a super robust option that removes ads of all kinds from all sorts of websites. It isn't as flexible as AdGuard is, but by default, it'll hide a lot more annoying content.

  6. Best ad blocker for Safari

    As part of its clever tricks, Adguard app inserts a script which is loaded from local.adguard.org. Now this address translates (via DNS) into 176.103.133.77 which is a 'magic' address. When the browser makes a connection to this IP address, Adguard app intercepts it and processes it locally.

  7. Recommend a Safari Ad-Block for iPhone on iOS 15?

    I highly recommend both. Wipr, available for ios and macOS, is somewhat simpler to use - just turn it on, nothing else to do, no other settings. 1Blocker has a lot of customizations available as well as the ability to white list specific sites. Wipr has no white list option, the developer does not feel that is something that should be used so ...

  8. 5 Best Ad blockers for iPhone and iPad in 2024

    BEST AD-BLOCKER: app for iPhone and iPad. It offers comprehensive blocking of all types of advert, together with malware and virus protection. 2. Adlock. Adlock is a powerful ad-blocker that blocks all pop-ups, auto-play ads, banners and unwanted redirects on both Safari sites and in apps. It also stops video and audio ads on streaming services such as Youtube, Twitch, and Crunchyroll ...

  9. The 7 Best Ad Blockers for iPhone in 2024 [Free & Paid]

    3. Surfshark CleanWeb. Surfshark CleanWeb ad blocker for iPhone. Surfshark CleanWeb is not just a top-notch VPN; it's also an ad blocker that keeps your browsing safe and smooth by stopping annoying and harmful ads. This ad blocker ensures you won't see pop-ups or video ads and protects you from malware and scams.

  10. Our Favorite Ad Blockers and Browser Extensions for Privacy

    Brave is one of the more popular privacy-first browsers, but even it isn't free of privacy-related controversies. The Tor Browser is the go-to for anonymity, especially in censored countries ...

  11. Best ad-blocker for Safari in 2024

    AdLock: Best budget option for a Safari ad-blocker. Able to stop ads on video and audio streaming sites. Blocks all ads by default. AdGuard: Open-source ad-blocker able to stop all types of ads as well as trackers, malware and phishing websites. 1Blocker: Simple to use and great for quickly creating custom rules.

  12. What Are the Best Ad Blockers for Safari in 2022?

    9. Unicorn Blocker. Unicorn Blocker was developed by Oh Nam Kwon primarily for blocking ads on Safari. The advantages of using Unicorn Blocker include web browsing at a speed three times faster, a 21% increase in battery life and effective blocking of tracking systems.

  13. iOS ad blocker by AdGuard: remove all ads on iOS devices

    AdGuard for iOS. The best iOS ad blocker for Safari browser. AdGuard is able to eliminate all kinds of ads in Safari, protect your privacy, and reduce page loading times. AdGuard for iOS ad blocking technology enables the best filtering quality while still allowing to use multiple filters at the same time. AdGuard app has filters optimized ...

  14. Best Safari ad blockers in 2024

    Total Adblock - best-performing Safari ad blocker. NordVPN Threat Protection - well-rounded Safari ad blocker. Surfshark CleanWeb - excellent ad blocker and VPN duo. Atlas VPN Shield - budget-friendly Safari ad blocker. Proton VPN NetShield - good ad blocker with several layers of protection.

  15. The Best Ad Blockers for 2024

    The Best Ad Blocker Deals This Week*. Surfshark One — $2.69 Per Month + 3-Months Extra With Ad Blocker, VPN, and More. *Deals are selected by our commerce team. Ads are ugly, they make websites ...

  16. Best ad blocker for Safari

    Magic Lasso. Magic Lasso Adblock is a fast, efficient and high performance ad blocker for the iPhone, iPad and Mac with native Safari integration. Pros. Custom rules: you can create custom rules directly from within Safari via the Share menu.

  17. Browser that can use Google Account and Data with Adblocker

    The best privacy online. Browse privately. Search privately. Brave is on a mission to fix the web by giving users a safer, faster and more private browsing experience, while supporting content creators through a new attention-based rewards ecosystem.

  18. Ad blocker not blocking these annoying ads : r/animepiracy

    try to mess around with the settings or try a different adblocker extension personally i use adguard and never had a single ad on any anime site. Most likely an issue with the extension. Just get NextDNS for this and disable it when not using it. Download brave. It has a better adblocker than safari.

  19. Removed AdGuard and DarkReader extensions from Safari and it ...

    Removed AdGuard and DarkReader extensions from Safari and it started to work very fast. I don't know what exact from it was a reason. May be someone knows? And also can someone advice BEST (as for you) ad-removal for Safari WHICH DOESNT SLOWS YOUR MAC. Are you using AdGuard for safari or the full blown AdGuard OS level with the AdGuard ...

  20. The best adblocker there is : r/IndiaTech

    Edit: Here are the ways I use to block ads on youtube. Browser - ublockorigin+sponsorblock. Android - Firefox browser with ublock origin. Android app - Re-vanced (currently there are issues going on, so use firefox) Android TV - smarttube. iphone - lol. Reply reply.

  21. Boost Your Browsing: 7 Must-Have Safari Extensions for iOS, iPadOS, and

    With just a few keystrokes, you can search Amazon, DuckDuckGo, or even our very own TWiT.tv right from Safari's address bar. No more navigating to each site individually - Keyword Search streamlines the process and saves you precious time. - 1Blocker: A content blocker that prioritizes your online privacy. As someone who values my privacy on ...

  22. Лучшие блокировщики рекламы в Сафари: Топ-6 лучших приложений

    Также Safari интегрируется с операционными системами Apple (macOS, iOS, iPadOS) на более глубоком уровне, чем это возможно для браузеров сторонних разработчиков, что позволяет Safari быстро загружать ...