All About Cookies is an independent, advertising-supported website. Some of the offers that appear on this site are from third-party advertisers from which All About Cookies receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear).
All About Cookies does not include all financial or credit offers that might be available to consumers nor do we include all companies or all available products. Information is accurate as of the publishing date and has not been provided or endorsed by the advertiser.
The All About Cookies editorial team strives to provide accurate, in-depth information and reviews to help you, our reader, make online privacy decisions with confidence. Here's what you can expect from us:
Best for Enhanced Streaming on Desktops
/images/2023/03/01/logo-total-adblock.png){kind=logo}
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
Best for Comprehensive, Multi-platform Protection
/images/2023/03/03/adlock.png)
Offers a free extension that's compatible with major browsers and a premium plan with Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS compatibility
Effective blocker against follow-along videos, banner ads, YouTube ads, and more
Doesn't share or sell your data with third parties
Ad blockers like Total Adblock and AdLock have become indispensable tools for users seeking a cleaner, faster, and more private online experience. Whether you're trying to watch videos without interruptions, browse websites without pop-ups, or ensure your online activity remains private, choosing the right ad blocker is crucial.
Both Total Adblock and AdLock offer compelling features, but they cater to slightly different user needs based on their performance in various tests, compatibility with devices, and pricing strategies. Let's explore how these two solutions compare and determine which might be the best fit for your specific online habits.
At first glance, Total Adblock and AdLock might seem to tackle the same problem — removing unwanted ads and trackers — but they do so with distinct approaches and results. Total Adblock offers robust performance on many fronts, particularly excelling in environments like YouTube and other media-rich sites. Thanks to its comprehensive compatibility and easy integration, Total Adblock is best suited for users who primarily engage with content on desktop browsers such as Chrome, Edge, and Safari.
On the other hand, AdLock extends its utility beyond browsers, offering dedicated applications for Windows and macOS. This allows it to block ads across all applications on a user’s computer, not just in the browser. This makes AdLock an excellent choice for users who are looking for a versatile blocker that works across multiple platforms, including mobile devices, providing a consistent ad blocking experience.
 |
 | |
| Best for | Enhanced streaming on desktops | Comprehensive, multi-platform protection |
| Price | $1.99/mo (billed annually) | $2.80/mo |
| Ads blocked on Forbes | 12 | 7 |
| Does it block YouTube ads? | Yes | Yes |
| Compatibility | Chrome, Edge, Safari, Opera | Windows, macOS, Chrome, Firefox, Safari |
| Mobile compatibility | Android, iOS | Android, iOS |
| Learn more | Get Total Adblock | Get AdLock |
|
Our Pick
| |
| Price range | Free or $1.99/mo (billed annually) | $1.05-$3.50/mo |
| Best value plan | $1.99/mo (billed annually) | $2.80/mo |
| Free version available | ||
| Money-back guarantee | Yes — 30 days | Yes — 30 days |
| Learn more | Get Total Adblock | Get AdLock |
When comparing the pricing strategies of Total Adblock and AdLock, both services offer a range of options designed to cater to different user preferences and needs. Total Adblock provides a highly competitive introductory offer at $1.99/mo (billed annually). This initial affordability makes it an attractive option for users experimenting with ad blockers for the first time. However, it's essential to note that after the first year, the price increases significantly to $99 annually, which should be a consideration for long-term budgeting.
Additionally, Total Adblock's free version is somewhat limited, as it does not block ads on the top 15,000 websites listed on Alexa.com, potentially diminishing the user experience on popular sites.
AdLock, on the other hand, presents a more straightforward pricing model with monthly, annual, and 5-year plans available. Its monthly subscription costs $3.50/mo, so you’ll receive a substantial discount with one of the long-term plans. AdLock’s higher monthly rate can be justified by its comprehensive coverage, blocking ads across all applications and not just within browsers. This makes AdLock an excellent value for users who seek an all-encompassing ad blocking solution that extends beyond the web browser to other device applications.
Both services offer a 30-day money-back guarantee, providing a risk-free opportunity to test their capabilities.
|
| |
| Whitelisting | ||
| Blacklisting | ||
| Ads blocked counter | ||
| Bypasses paywalls | ||
| Block pop-up ads | ||
| Block tracking | ||
| Block video ads | ||
| Block banner ads | ||
| Block push ads | ||
| Learn more | Get Total Adblock | Get AdLock |
When evaluating the feature sets of Total Adblock and AdLock, both offer a robust suite of tools designed to enhance the user's browsing experience by eliminating unwanted content and protecting privacy. Common features such as whitelisting, malicious ad warnings, blocking pop-up ads, tracking, video ads, banner ads, and push ads are standard across both platforms, indicating a strong baseline performance in the core functionalities expected of ad blockers today.
Neither service offers blacklisting and paywall blocking. Without blacklisting, users won't be able to specify individual sites or ads they want to block, relying instead solely on the whitelisting feature to control permissible content. This could impact users who prefer more granular control over their browsing experience.
Moreover, the absence of a paywall blocker means that users who frequently access content behind paywalls, such as news articles or premium digital services, may not want either Total Adblock or AdLock. Since neither ad blocker supports this feature, users might need to look at additional tools or subscriptions if they encounter paywalled sites regularly, which could influence which ad blocker to choose.
Our Pick
|
| |
| Adblock Tester score | 100/100 | 92/100 |
| Cover Your Tracks score | 2/3 | 2.5/3 |
| Can You Block It score | 3/3 | 2/3 |
| YouTube ads blocked | ||
| Paywalls bypassed | ||
| Learn more | Get Total Adblock | Get AdLock |
In our comprehensive testing of Total Adblock and AdLock, each ad blocker demonstrated strengths in different areas, indicating that the best choice may depend on the specific needs and browsing habits of the user. Total Adblock excelled in the AdBlock Tester with a perfect score of 100/100, suggesting its robust capacity to block a wide range of ad types effectively. This is particularly significant for users who frequent websites that employ diverse advertising strategies, as Total Adblock ensures a virtually uninterrupted browsing experience across such platforms.
/images/2023/10/12/total_adblock_review_102023_1.png)
/images/2024/04/22/adlock_review_0424_refresh_07.png)
On the other hand, AdLock scored slightly lower in the Adblock Tester at 92/100, but it outperformed Total Adblock in the Cover Your Tracks test with a score of 2.5/3 compared to Total Adblock's 2/3. (The additional .5 comes from AdLock's nearly unique fingerprint, compared to Total Adlock's unique fingerprint.)
/images/2024/04/22/adlock_review_0424_refresh_08.png)
/images/2023/10/12/total_adblock_review_102023_2.png)
This indicates a stronger ability on AdLock’s part to protect against tracking and maintain user privacy, a critical aspect for those concerned with online fingerprinting and data security. However, in the Can You Block It test, AdLock faltered slightly with a score of 2/3, primarily due to its inability to block all interstitial ads effectively, which could be a minor annoyance or a security concern if these ads contain malicious elements.
Both ad blockers effectively blocked YouTube ads, providing a smooth viewing experience free from interruptions. As expected, neither ad blocker succeeded in bypassing paywalls.
|
| |
| Windows | ||
| macOS | ||
| Android | ||
| iOS | ||
| Linux | ||
| Browser extensions | Yes — Chrome, Edge, Safari, Opera | Yes — Chrome, Safari, Firefox |
| 24/7 customer support | ||
| Customer support options | Email, online guides | Email, ticketing system, blogs/FAQs |
| Learn more | Get Total Adblock | Get AdLock |
Total Adblock and AdLock both boast user-friendly interfaces that are easy to navigate, catering to both novice and experienced users. The settings are straightforward to access and adjust, making it simple for users to customize their ad blocking preferences as needed.
Total Adblock and AdLock offer support for a wide range of devices and browsers, ensuring that users can enjoy ad-free browsing on Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. Both lack support for Linux, which could be a deciding factor for users operating on this platform.
Customer support is robust for both Total Adblock and AdLock. Both offer 24/7 support to handle any issues that may arise. Their support options include email and extensive online resources such as guides and FAQs, providing users with different avenues for assistance.
Ad blockers work by removing or filtering unwanted ads using lists of known ad sources, enhancing browsing speed and user privacy.
Yes, AdLock effectively blocks ads across various applications and browsers, offering suitable features for enhanced online privacy.
Total Adblock’s free version primarily blocks ads and malicious ad content but isn't a substitute for antivirus software. However, the premium subscription includes the award-winning antivirus software TotalAV. With a paid subscription, Total Adblock may be able to stop viruses.
The main downside to Total Adblock is its price increase after the first year and limited blocking on top sites in its free version.
Total Adblock costs $1.99/mo (billed annually) for the first year, then $99 annually thereafter.
uBlock Origin, Adblock, and Adblock Plus are all but a few available free ad blockers. The best ad blocker depends on your specific requirements, as each may provide varying features.
Choosing between Total Adblock and AdLock depends on user needs. Total Adblock offers initial affordability and excels in media-rich environments like YouTube, but its price increases after the first year, and it's less effective on top sites in the free version.
AdLock provides a broader ad blocking experience across various devices and applications, justifying its higher price with extensive coverage. But it lacks some features like a paywall blocker, which may limit its utility for some users.
For those seeking comprehensive ad blocking across multiple devices and applications, AdLock is the superior choice. Its ability to deliver consistent, extensive coverage makes it the best option for users who need robust protection beyond just web browsers.
While Total Adblock offers a more cost-effective solution in the first year, AdLock's all-around capabilities and performance justify its price, making it the overall better choice for thorough and versatile ad blocking.
Offers a free extension that's compatible with major browsers and a premium plan with Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS compatibility
Effective blocker against follow-along videos, banner ads, YouTube ads, and more
Doesn't share or sell your data with third parties
If Total Adblock and AdLock don't fully meet your needs, consider these alternative ad blockers that offer unique benefits and features tailored to enhance your online security and browsing experience:
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
/images/2022/08/18/how-to-stop-facebook-ads.jpg)
/images/2023/08/04/nordvpn-threat-protection-review.png)
/images/2024/05/16/adlock_vs._adguard.jpg)
/images/2024/05/15/adlock_vs._ublock_origin.jpg)
/images/2024/05/14/total_adblock_vs._1blocker_featured_image.jpg)
/images/2024/05/10/total-adblock-price.png)
/images/2024/05/10/how-to-block-adds-on-instagram.png)
/images/2024/05/08/total_adblock_vs._stands_free_adblocker.jpg)
/authors/ryan-clancy_allaboutcookies-author.jpg){kind=small}
/authors/kate_quinlan_headshot_april_2024.png){kind=small}
/images/2023/03/03/adlock.png)
/images/2023/03/01/logo-total-adblock.png){kind=logo}
/authors/ryan-clancy_allaboutcookies-author.jpg)