AdLock vs. uBlock Origin 2024: Mobile vs. Desktop Solution

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

Ryan L. Clancy, Author

Steph Trejos, Editor

Last updated Jun 27, 2024

We receive compensation from the products and services mentioned in this story, but the opinions are the author's own. Compensation may impact where offers appear. We have not included all available products or offers. Learn more about how we make money and our editorial policies.

4.8

Editorial Rating

On AdLock's website

Ad Blocker

AdLock

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
Social media and spyware blockers only available on paid tier

4.8

Editorial Rating

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, a freemium service starting from $2.49/mo, is a great choice if you need mobile compatibility as it supports both Android and iOS devices. On the other hand, uBlock Origin is a free alternative that boasts impressive performance in blocking ads without impacting page load times.

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

In this article

AdLock vs. uBlock Origin
Prices
Features
Test results
Compatibility and customer support
FAQs
AdLock vs. uBlock Origin: Which is better?

AdLock vs. uBlock Origin

Choosing the right ad blocker can significantly enhance your browsing experience and online privacy. AdLock and uBlock Origin are two prominent players in the ad-blocking business, each offering unique advantages tailored to different user needs.

AdLock excels in mobile environments with dedicated apps for Android and iOS, offering ad blocking across devices. uBlock Origin caters to desktop users with a free, powerful solution, supporting major browsers but lacking mobile compatibility. Choose AdLock for mobile use or uBlock Origin for a free desktop alternative.


Best for	Mobile apps	Browser extensions
Price	From $3.50/mo	Free
Ads blocked on Forbes	7	18
Does it block YouTube ads?
Compatibility	Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Chrome, Firefox, Safari	Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari (prior to 13), Opera, Chromium
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

Need the paid version to block social media ads and spyware
Limited browser extension options

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: prices

		Our Pick
Price range	$1.05-$3.50/mo	N/A
Best value plan	12-month plan for $2.80/mo	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.

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 offers the best price by being entirely free.

AdLock vs. uBlock Origin: features

Feature		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 and additional security measures provides an all-in-one solution if you prefer simplicity and additional security functionalities beyond just ad blocking.

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

Winner: uBlock Origin wins for its superior customization and dynamic filtering capabilities, making it ideal for users who value detailed control over what gets blocked. However, AdLock remains a strong contender for those seeking straightforward usability with added security features.

AdLock vs. uBlock Origin: test results

		Our Pick
Adblock Tester score	92/100	96/100
Cover Your Tracks score	2.5/3	2/3
Can You Block It score	2/3	3/3
YouTube ads blocked
Paywalls blocked
Learn more	Get AdLock Read AdLock Review	Get uBlock Origin Read uBlock Origin Review

AdLock and uBlock Origin demonstrated strong ad blocking capabilities yet showed subtle differences in performance across various criteria. uBlock Origin achieved a higher score on the AdBlock Tester, notching up 96/100 compared to AdLock's 92/100. This suggests a slightly better efficiency in blocking a broad range of ad types and tracking scripts.

However, in our Cover Your Tracks test, AdLock scored better with 2.5/3 over uBlock Origin’s score of 2/3. AdLock showed a superior ability to protect against fingerprinting techniques (when your browser collects information that’s unique to a single user, their browser, and their hardware setup). Having a nearly unique fingerprint is better than having a unique fingerprint.

AdLock's Cover Your Tracks test results. — AdLock's Cover Your Tracks results

With the Can You Block It platform, uBlock Origin received a perfect score. This indicates robustness in handling different ad formats, including more challenging interstitial ads. But AdLock wasn’t able to completely block the interstitial ad unfortunately.

Both AdLock and uBlock Origin effectively blocked YouTube ads, demonstrating their effectiveness in maintaining an uninterrupted viewing experience. Neither was able to block hard paywalls, but uBlock Origin managed to bypass a soft paywall (Reading Eagle).

Winner: uBlock Origin edges slightly ahead as the more effective ad blocker in our tests, particularly excelling in ad and tracker blocking.

AdLock vs. uBlock Origin: compatibility and customer support

	Our Pick
Windows
macOS
Android		Only as an add-on for Firefox on Android
iOS
Linux
Browser extensions	Yes — Chrome, Firefox, Safari	Yes — Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari (prior to 13), Opera, Chromium
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 and uBlock Origin offer different experiences in terms of usability and support. AdLock boasts a user-friendly interface that integrates smoothly across multiple platforms, including Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. Its settings are straightforward with easily accessible toggles for ad-blocking preferences, making it suitable for anyone new to ad blockers.

In contrast, uBlock Origin, primarily a browser extension, supports a variety of browsers but lacks dedicated mobile apps. Its interface can be more complex, especially with advanced settings that offer deeper customization. This might pose challenges for less experienced users.

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 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?

uBlock Origin is often recommended for Chrome users due to its efficiency and low impact on system resources. It integrates well with Chrome, providing powerful ad-blocking capabilities without significantly slowing down browsing.

However, for those seeking a simpler, more straightforward solution, AdLock also performs well on Chrome with the added benefit of extra security features.

AdLock vs. uBlock Origin: Which is better?

AdLock and uBlock Origin each bring distinct advantages to the table.

AdLock offers a solution that extends beyond typical browser ad blocking. It supports multiple platforms (including mobile devices), providing a holistic protection suite that includes anti-tracking, anti-phishing, and malware defense. However, its reliance on a subscription model could be a drawback if you’re looking for a free solution.

On the other hand, uBlock Origin and its free, open-source approach appeal to tech-savvy users. It’s highly efficient, customizable, and uses fewer system resources. Although its extensive customization options can enhance ad blocking, these features may seem daunting to less experienced users. Its lack of mobile support could also be a limiting factor for those who frequently browse on smartphones or tablets.

Considering the overall performance, feature set, and broad device compatibility, AdLock is the best ad blocker for most users. Its ability to extend beyond traditional ad blocking by offering additional security features like anti-tracking and anti-phishing across all major platforms, including mobile devices, makes it especially valuable.

4.8

Editorial Rating

On AdLock's website

Ad Blocker

AdLock

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
Social media and spyware blockers only available on paid tier

AdLock vs. uBlock Origin alternatives

If AdLock and uBlock Origin don't fully meet your needs, consider exploring these alternative ad blockers.

Ad blocker
Best for	Best for blocking YouTube ads	Best overall	Best for streaming
Price	Paid plan costs $1.59/mo (billed annually)	Starts at $3.39/mo (billed every two years)	Paid plans start at $2.19/mo (billed biennially)
Blocks YouTube ads
Learn more	Get Total Adblock	Get NordVPN Threat Protection	Get Surfshark CleanWeb Ad Blocking

4.8

Editorial Rating

On AdLock's website

Ad Blocker

AdLock

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
Social media and spyware blockers only available on paid tier

Author Details

Ryan L. Clancy

About the Author

Ryan Clancy is a freelance writer and blogger. With 5+ years of mechanical engineering experience, he's passionate about all things engineering and tech. He loves bringing engineering (especially mechanical) down to a level that everyone can understand.