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Best for mobile apps
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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
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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
AdLock, a freemium service starting from $2.49/mo (billed annually), 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.
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.
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| 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 | Get uBlock Origin |
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Our Pick |
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| Price range | Free-$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 | Get uBlock Origin |
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.
| 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 | Get uBlock Origin |
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.
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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.
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Our Pick |
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| Adblock Tester score | 97/100 | 96/100 |
| Cover Your Tracks score | 2/3 | 2/3 |
| Can You Block It score | 2/3 | 3/3 |
| YouTube ads blocked | ||
| Paywalls blocked | ||
| Learn more | Get AdLock | Get uBlock Origin |
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 97/100. 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 2/3 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.
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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).
Our Pick |
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| 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 | Get uBlock Origin |
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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 AdLock and uBlock Origin don't fully meet your needs, consider exploring these alternative ad blockers.
| Ad blocker |  |
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| Best for | Best for blocking YouTube ads | Best for streaming | Best overall |
| Price | Paid plan costs $1.59/mo (billed annually) | Paid plans start at $1.99/mo (billed every two years) | Starts at $3.59/mo (billed every two years) |
| Blocks YouTube ads | |||
| Learn more | Get Total Adblock | Get Surfshark CleanWeb Ad Blocking | Get NordVPN Threat Protection |
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
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