AdLock vs. uBlock Origin 2025: Mobile vs. Desktop Solution

Explore how AdLock offers comprehensive protection across devices while uBlock Origin provides a customizable, free solution for desktop users.
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Best for mobile apps

4.4
Editorial Rating
Learn More
On AdLock's website

Ad Blocker
AdLock
70% off for the 5-year plan
  • 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

Best for browser extensions

4.7
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

AdLock vs. uBlock Origin is a tight race, but uBlock Origin takes the lead here. uBlock Origin is completely free, open-source, allows for extensive customization, and it provided stronger tracking protection during testing. 

However, we like that AdLock offers apps for smartphones, unlike uBlock Origin. It's also still available to use on Google Chrome, while uBlock Origin was taken down following Chrome's Manifest V3 update.

With our extensive testing, including specific scenarios like YouTube viewing and pop-up handling, our comparison should help you decide which ad blocker fits your online habits and tech ecosystem.

In this article
Overview comparison
Value
Features
Test results
Compatibility and customer support
FAQs
AdLock vs. uBlock Origin: Which is better?

Strong ad blockers all available for Chrome

Ad blocker
Total Adblock

Surfshark CleanWeb

Aura Ad Block and Anti-Track

NordVPN Threat Protection
Best for Best for blocking YouTube ads Best for unlimited devices Best for identity protection Best for safe browsing
Lowest starting price Starts at $1.59/mo (billed annually) Starts at $2.89/mo (billed annually) Starts at $19.99/first yr Starts at $5.99/mo (billed annually)
Blocks YouTube ads
Learn more Get Total Adblock Get Surfshark CleanWeb Ad Blocking Get Aura Ad Blocker Get NordVPN Threat Protection

AdLock vs. uBlock Origin

AdLock logo uBlock Origin logo
Our Pick
Best for Mobile apps Browser extensions
Price From $3.50/mo Free
Ads blocked on Forbes 13 14
Does it block YouTube ads?
Compatibility Windows, macOS, Chrome, Firefox, Safari Firefox, Edge, Opera
Mobile compatibility Android, iOS Only as an add-on for Firefox on Android
Learn more Get AdLock
Read AdLock Review
Get uBlock Origin
Read uBlock Origin Review

AdLock pros and cons

Pros
  • Extensive mobile support
  • Effective YouTube ad blocking
  • User-friendly interface
Cons
  • Requires the paid version to block social media ads and spyware
  • Struggles to block trackers

uBlock Origin pros and cons

Pros
  • Completely free
  • High efficacy in ad blocking
  • Wide browser compatibility
Cons
  • No mobile version
  • Some advanced settings may challenge non-technical users

AdLock vs. uBlock Origin: value

AdLock logo uBlock Origin logo
Our Pick
Price range $1.05-$3.50/mo Free
Best value plan 12-month plan for $2.80/mo (billed annually) N/A
Free version available
Money-back guarantee Yes — 30 days N/A
Learn more Get AdLock
Read AdLock Review
Get uBlock Origin
Read uBlock Origin Review

AdLock offers a free plan as well as a flexible pricing range. Its monthly subscription costs $3.50/mo and the annual plan comes in at a significantly reduced rate of $2.80/mo (billed annually).

Opting for the 12-month plan lowers the overall cost and ensures full access to AdLock's ad-blocking features, making it an economical choice for the long term. Additionally, AdLock provides a 30-day money-back guarantee, offering peace of mind and a risk-free way to test its capabilities.

uBlock Origin stands out as a completely free alternative, providing effective ad blocking without any financial commitment. Its lack of a price tag, combined with robust ad-blocking capabilities across multiple platforms, makes it especially appealing if you’re on a budget or prefer not to commit to ongoing costs.

Winner: uBlock Origin. It's completely free, which is hard to beat.

AdLock vs. uBlock Origin: features

Feature AdLock logo uBlock Origin logo
Our Pick
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 AdLock
Read AdLock Review
Get uBlock Origin
Read uBlock Origin Review

AdLock and uBlock Origin offer robust feature sets for ad blocking, but there are notable differences in their approach and additional functionalities. Both provide essential features like ad, pop-up, and tracker blocking.

However, uBlock Origin stands out with its dynamic blacklisting capability. Its filters are highly customizable, allowing you to adjust blocking levels and engage with an active community for support.

AdLock, on the other hand, offers unique features such as language-specific filters and protection against social media ads, phishing, and spyware.

AdLock Ad blocking tab with statistics and settings.

uBlock Origin's emphasis on advanced user control and extensive filter customization options make it highly effective for those who wish to tailor their browsing experience closely. 

In contrast, AdLock's integration of user-friendly features is best if you prefer simplicity and additional security functionalities beyond just ad blocking.

uBlock Origin is open source software that features advanced customization filters
uBlock Origin is open source software that features advanced customization filters

Winner: uBlock Origin. It has superior customization and dynamic filtering capabilities, which is ideal if you value detailed control over what gets blocked.

AdLock vs. uBlock Origin: test results

AdLock logo uBlock Origin logo
Our Pick
AdBlock Tester score 96/100 96/100
Cover Your Tracks score 1/3 2/3
Can You Block It score 2.5/3 3/3
YouTube ads blocked
Paywalls blocked
Get AdLock
Read AdLock Review
Get uBlock Origin
Read uBlock Origin Review

We put all the ad blockers we review to the test with AdBlock Tester, Cover Your Tracks, and Can You Block It. AdBlock Tester tests ad blockers against four categories: contextual advertising, analytics tools, banner advertising, and error monitoring. 

AdLock and uBlock Origin actually received the same AdBlock Tester score, having only minor misses. 

Cover Your Tracks tests how well your browser works against trackers. uBlock Origin successfully blocked invisible trackers and tracking ads, so we were well protected against trackers. Meanwhile AdLock could only block tracking ads.

uBlock Origin Cover Your Tracks test 2 with all filters checked
uBlock Origin Cover Your Tracks test 2 with all filters checked

Finally, Can You Block It has several test levels, but we always run the simple test. The simple test has an ad blocker detection pop-up, banner ads, and an interstitial ad. 

uBlock Origin blocked all three ad types without issue. AdLock nearly aced this test, but we still encountered an interstitial ad, even though it was just a blank ad space.

An interstitial ad with AdLock extension open

And if you need to block ads on YouTube, both AdLock and uBlock Origin have you covered.

Winner: uBlock Origin. It edges slightly ahead as the more effective ad blocker in our tests, particularly excelling in the Cover Your Tracks and Can You Block It tests.

AdLock vs. uBlock Origin: compatibility and customer support

AdLock logo
Our Pick
uBlock Origin logo
Windows
macOS
Android Only as an add-on for Firefox on Android
iOS
Linux
Browser extensions Yes — Chrome, Firefox, Safari Yes — Firefox, Edge, Opera
24/7 customer support
Customer support options Email, phone, online guides Online guides, support forums
Learn more Get AdLock
Read AdLock Review
Get uBlock Origin
Read uBlock Origin Review

AdLock boasts a user-friendly interface that integrates smoothly across multiple platforms, including Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. It also offers browser extensions for the most popular browsers. 

Its settings are straightforward with easily accessible toggles for ad-blocking preferences, making it suitable for anyone new to ad blockers.

AdLock extension showing ads blocked counter

In contrast, uBlock Origin, primarily a browser extension, supports a variety of browsers but lacks dedicated mobile apps. uBlock Origin was also taken down from Google Chrome following the Manifest v3 update, so it's much more limited. 

Its interface can be more complex, especially with advanced settings that offer deeper customization. This might pose challenges for less experienced users.

uBlock Origin ad block counter on Forbes
uBlock Origin ad block counter on Forbes

In terms of customer support, AdLock provides 24/7 support through email, phone, and an informative knowledge base. This is particularly advantageous if you need assistance outside of regular business hours.

Meanwhile, uBlock Origin relies on a community-driven approach, offering support primarily through online resources, which might not be as immediate or personalized as some may prefer.

Winner: AdLock. It offers the best compatibility across both desktop and mobile platforms and superior customer service with its 24/7 support options.

AdLock vs. uBlock Origin FAQs

Is uBlock Origin better than AdBlock?

Comparing uBlock Origin and AdBlock involves considering both performance and user preferences. uBlock Origin is generally favored for its lower resource usage and its open-source nature, while AdBlock is an easy-to-use tool that you can set and forget.

Is it safe to download AdLock?

Yes, downloading AdLock is safe as long as it is done from the official website or a trusted app store. AdLock has strong ad-blocking capabilities alongside features like anti-tracking and anti-phishing, enhancing your device's security against malicious content and ensuring a safer browsing experience.

What is the difference between AdLock and AdBlock Plus?

The main differences between AdLock and AdBlock Plus lie in their approach to ad blocking and user control. 

AdLock offers more features (including advanced protection against phishing and malware) and operates without acceptable ads. AdBlock Plus allows non-intrusive ads by default but lets you opt-out of these ads.

Which ad blocker is best for Chrome?

Now that uBlock Origin was taken down from Google Chrome, we believe Total Adblock is the best for Chrome. It achieved near-perfect test scores during our in-house testing, consistently blocks ads on YouTube, and provides an easy set-and-forget approach.

AdLock vs. uBlock Origin: Which is better?

Considering the overall performance, feature set, and broad device compatibility, uBlock Origin is the best ad blocker between the two. Its free, open-source approach appeals to tech-savvy users. It’s highly efficient, customizable, and uses fewer system resources.

Category AdLock logo uBlock Origin logo
Our Pick
Value
Features
Test results
Compatibility & customer support
Learn more Get AdLock
Read AdLock Review
Get uBlock Origin
Read uBlock Origin Review

On the other hand, AdLock offers a solution that extends beyond typical browser ad blocking. It supports multiple platforms (including mobile devices and Google Chrome), providing a holistic protection suite that includes anti-tracking, anti-phishing, and malware defense. 

4.7
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
Learn More


#1 Adblocker — Even Blocks YouTube Video Ads
4.9
Editorial Rating
Learn More
On Total Adblock's website
Ad Blocker
Total Adblock
  • Instantly blocks distracting ads on millions of websites, including Facebook and YouTube ads
  • Blocks third-party trackers to protect your privacy and information
  • Improves page load times and enables faster browsing
Author Details
Ryan Clancy is a writer and blogger. With 5+ years of mechanical engineering experience, he's passionate about all things engineering and tech. He loves bringing tech down to a level that everyone can understand.