The Best Ad Blockers for Twitch 2024
Game the system with these VPNs, ad blockers, and safe browsers that make Twitch streaming a more pleasant experience.
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Last updated Apr 2, 2024
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Best for Complete Ad Blocking
/images/2022/05/26/logo-nordvpn.png){kind=logo}
Editorial Rating
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On NordVPN Threat Protection's website
NordVPN Threat Protection
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Lacks a dedicated firewall
Stops intrusive ads before they can even load, improving browsing experience and speed
Lacks a dedicated firewall
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Best for Set and Forget
/images/2023/03/01/logo-total-adblock.png){kind=logo}
Editorial Rating
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On Total Adblock's website
Total Adblock
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Free version excludes top 15,000 websites
View More
Best for Intense Privacy
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Best for Bundled Features
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Editorial Rating
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On Surfshark CleanWeb Ad Blocking's website
Surfshark CleanWeb Ad Blocking
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Monthly or yearly fee
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Best for Anyone on a Budget
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Editorial Rating
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On uBlock Origin's website
uBlock Origin
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Some features require technical knowledge
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NordVPN Threat Protection, Total Adblock, AdLock, Surfshark CleanWeb, uBlock Origin are some of the best apps we’ve found for eliminating Twitch ads and getting a clean stream. While there are a few other notable mentions, the features and customization available in these five services make them ideal for Twitch streamers. What’s better is that they all provide the option to toggle ad blocking off to allow support for your favorite creators.
We'll go over the benefits and drawbacks of each of these ad blockers so you can watch Twitch streams without annoying ads.
In this article
The best ad blockers for TwitchNordVPN Threat Protection: Best for complete ad blocking
Total Adblock: Best for set and forget
AdLock: Best for social media ads
Surfshark CleanWeb: Best for bundled features
uBlock Origin: Best for users on a budget
Bonus: Brave browser
A VPN might be your best Twitch ad blocker
How to choose the best ad blocker for Twitch
How we tested the best ad blockers for Twitch
Best ad blockers for Twitch FAQs
Bottom line: The best ad blockers for Twitch
The best ad blockers for Twitch
Twitch.tv was launched in 2007 as a streaming platform for gamers as a branch of Justin.tv. While it might seem wild to think of watching live streams of others playing video games, it’s no wilder than sitting in your friend’s basement after school waiting for your turn on the SEGA.
Recently, however, Twitch fans have complained extensively that the ads are making the experience almost impossible. We recommend the following ad blockers to improve your Twitch experience:
- NordVPN Threat Protection: Best for complete ad blocking
- Total Adblock: Best for set and forget
- AdLock: Best for social media ads
- Surfshark CleanWeb: Best for bundled features
- uBlock Origin: Best for anyone on a budget
| Ad blocker | Best Overall  |
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 |
 |
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| Compatibility | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Chrome, Firefox, Edge | Android, Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Opera, Edge | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, FireTV | Chrome, Chromium, Edge, Firefox, Opera, Pale Moon, as well as versions of Safari prior to 13 |
| Features | Ad blocking, tracker blocking, malware blocking | Different levels of ad, tracker, and script blocking | Ad blocking, removes annoyances, disables trackers and scripts | Lots of extra features like dark web monitoring included with VPN | Various browser support, small footprint |
| Learn more | Get NordVPN Threat Protection Read NordVPN Threat Protection Review |
Get Total Adblock Read Total Adblock Review |
Get AdLock Read AdLock Review |
Get Surfshark CleanWeb Read Surfshark CleanWeb |
Read uBlock Origin |
NordVPN Threat Protection: Best for complete ad blocking
NordVPN Threat Protection
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Stops intrusive ads before they can even load, improving browsing experience and speed
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Identifies malware-ridden files and protects against visiting malicious websites
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Encrypts your data and blocks third-party trackers for increased security and privacy
- Lacks a dedicated firewall
Once again, NordVPN wins on all accounts. It comes with NordVPN Threat Protection, which is a built-in ad blocker. It was also easy to switch to a Polish server and enjoy streaming Twitch ad-free.
Being able to tip streamers that gave us content we enjoyed, rather than being forced to watch a bazillion ads, made the experience that much more enjoyable.
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What we liked
NordVPN is an extremely easy-to-use VPN service that blocks ads easily. All you have to do is hit the shield icon on the left side of your NordVPN app and toggle on Threat Protection. You don't even need an active VPN connection to use this feature. Threat Protection can be used on Windows and macOS without a VPN connection, and Threat Protection Lite works while you're conencted to a VPN.
Threat Protection also provides additional safety for malicious scripting and ads. Parents can enjoy that feature knowing their kids won’t be able to click a link in the comments section of a stream and accidentally download malware.
What we didn’t like
NordVPN Threat Protection is part of NordVPN, so you can't buy the feature separately. Nord also doesn't come with a free tier so you’ll always have to pay for the service. There are other services in this review that are free but they also don’t come with the same features NordVPN has.
And while navigating to a no-ads country like Poland isn’t necessarily difficult, it’s still a very specific method for blocking ads. This also means we’ll either have to split tunnel our usage or stay off regional content for other countries while streaming on Twitch.
Split tunneling is when you route some of your internet traffic through a VPN and the rest either through another VPN connection or unprotected. If we’re watching Netflix in the U.K. and trying to access Twitch through a Polish server, this could be an example of regional content accessed through split tunneling. Most people won’t necessarily need to do this, but it’s still a drawback worth mentioning.
NordVPN Threat Protection pros and cons
Pros
- Blocks ads and trackers
- Easy to use and customize
- Has other useful features
Cons
- No free version or option to buy separately from Nord
Using Polish servers is a very specific method for blocking ads
Get NordVPN Threat Protection | Read NordVPN Threat Protection Review
Total Adblock: Best for set and forget
Total Adblock
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Instantly blocks distracting ads on millions of websites, including YouTube video ads
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Blocks third-party trackers to protect your privacy and information
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Improves page load times and enables faster browsing
- Free version excludes top 15,000 websites
Total Adblock is a simple, effective, and easy-to-use browser extension that works on a variety of browsers. It comes with very few bells and whistles, which means once you set your few options you can forget about it. This may or may not be a problem depending on what you’re looking for in an ad blocker.
What we liked
We were impressed by how easy it is to use Total Adblock from the start. As soon as our extension was installed, Total Adblock got right to work at decluttering our browsing.
Total Adblock also makes sure to walk you through a couple of steps so you know how to manage your search history and access custom filters, but this only took less than five minutes to complete.
While there is a paid version of Total Adblock, the free version works great at blocking ads. During our testing, it received a 100/100 score from Adblock Tester, which tests for an ad blocker's ability to block banner ads, contextual ads, analytics tools, and more.
If you choose to pay and upgrade to the premium version, you’ll receive additional features like TotalAV antivirus protection and PC Tune-Up to enhance your computer's performance (a must for gamers).
What we didn’t like
Depending on your needs, Total Adblock may be too limiting. The free version excludes the top 15,000 websites based on Alexa.com, which is a shame if you were hoping for a completely ad-free experience.
It can also be really persistent about getting you to upgrade to premium. Total Adblock has been reported to show you pop-ups fors its premium or not allow users to access certain features, which is ironic considering it's an ad blocker.
Total Adblock pros and cons
Pros
- Seamless installation
- User-friendly
- Impressive ad blocking scores
Cons
- Free version excludes top 15,000 ads
- Annoying pop-ups for premium plan
Get Total Adblock | Read Our Total Adblock Review
AdLock: Best for social media ads
AdLock
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No ads on YouTube
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Blocks tracking ads
- Social media blocker requires paid tier
AdLock is an effective ad blocker, even on its free plan. It received a near-perfect test score with AdBlock Tester, which checks ad blockers against several different types of ads.
AdLock also comes with a social media filter, with rules that protect your browsing from social media trackers. That way, you can visit Twitch, Instagram, Twitter, and more with a shield of privacy.
What we liked
We were wowed by how well AdLock's free browser extension works. During our testing, we visited reciple blogs and found that AdLock blocked their follow-along videos and banner ads, removing a bunch of clutter.
As for Twitch, AdLock provides detailed walkthroughs on how to block Twitch ads on multiple operating systems. AdLock also seamlessly blocked YouTube ads, so you can rest assured that you can stream videos online without the annoyance of ads.
What we didn’t like
Unfortunately, AdLock's social media blocker is only available with the paid tier. It can be an inexpensive ad blocker, depending how long your subscription is, it's just something to consider if you were looking for a free ad blocker.
When we tested AdLock's free extension, it only provided partial protection against invisible trackers and it didn't help generalize our footprint. This might not be enough for total privacy enthusiasts.
AdLock pros and cons
Pros
- Near-perfect ad blocking score
- Blocks video ads
- Blocks tracking ads
Cons
- Social media blocker only available with paid tier
- Let some invisible trackers and fingerprinting through during our testing
Get AdLock | Read AdLock Review
Surfshark CleanWeb: Best for bundled features
Surfshark CleanWeb Ad Blocking
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Blocks ads, banners, and pop-ups on your browser and apps, including smart TVs
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Enjoy boosted browsing speeds and save money on mobile data with its effective ad-blocking capabilities
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Added benefit of a VPN to encrypt your data, hide your IP address, avoid phishing scams, and minimize malware risks
- Does not completely hide your digital fingerprint
Surfshark is like Mary Poppins’ bag — there’s always something new to discover. The CleanWeb feature is easy to toggle off and on, and blocks ads for you even if you aren’t connected to a specific country server like Poland.
The rotating IP feature is particularly useful when surfing the web. It randomly changes your IP address automatically so you can continue to stay safe no matter where you are or how long you’re online.
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What we liked
Surfshark is a great VPN. It has features like CleanWeb and rotating IP along with settings that automatically choose the fastest connection for you.
It blocked all ads on Twitch and even allowed us to choose our own protocol if we wanted. If you’re looking for an ad blocker with a ton of extra features for other web security, Surfshark is a great choice.
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What we didn’t like
All those features come at a cost. While Surfshark isn’t the most expensive product on the market, it still will set you back monthly or yearly depending on the plan you choose.
Another aggravating problem with Surfshark is where it's headquartered. The Netherlands is a 14 Eyes country, which means your data may be subject to the laws and regulations of that country and others.
Surfshark CleanWeb pros and cons
Pros
- Lots of useful extra features like IP address rotating
- Blocks all ads on Twitch
- Dashboard is user-friendly
Cons
- Monthly or yearly fee
- Headquartered in The Netherlands, a 14 Eyes country
Get Surfshark CleanWeb | Read Surfshark CleanWeb Review
uBlock Origin: Best for users on a budget
uBlock Origin
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Free and open-source
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Compatible with multiple browsers
- Some features require technical knowledge
uBlock Origin is a great, simple solution for a free ad blocker. As an open-source, cross-platform browser extension, it should be available to most people. We were also excited that it’s free to use and continually maintained by founder and lead developer Raymond Hill.
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What we liked
uBlock Origin has a clean interface and easy design. The web browser extension allows for quick toggling between blocking and not blocking ads. The service itself blocked all ads on Twitch and even gives some diagnostics about what’s blocked.
There are also many options for customizations and controls. One of the best is the pop-up blocker feature. This means you won’t need to worry about streaming ads or pop-ups while using the uBlock Origin extension. All of these features together make it a reliable ad blocker.
What we didn’t like
The additional uBlock Origin features found on Github, like filter lists and rules, require more technical knowledge.
Additionally, we weren’t thrilled that support only works on certain versions of Safari. The Safari issue has an easy workaround, but to be able to truly customize the plugin, you may need to do additional reading. If you’re looking for basic ad blocking, this might not be a concern.
uBlock Origin pros and cons
Pros
- Compatible with multiple browsers
- Easy to use
- Quick toggle features
- Free
Cons
- Doesn’t work on all versions of Safari
- Some features require technical knowledge
Bonus: Brave browser
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Brave
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Layers of customizable protection
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Free
- Some features may disable certain sites
When it comes to extreme privacy and blocking features, Brave is here for you. We love the levels of customization, like the toggle to “aggressively block trackers & ads” that appear right in the dashboard.
We’re also impressed by the cookie consent blocker that appears to be new. It’s clear Brave’s goal is to make the internet safer and easier for you to use.
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What we liked
Brave is dedicated to its fight to block advertisements. There are options to lightly or aggressively block ads as well as the ability to block fingerprinting, cookies, and scripts. They’ve also recently released a feature that auto-declines cookies for you so you won’t have to worry about customizing those when you land on a webpage.
What we didn’t like
Brave is pretty user-friendly for such an advanced tool, but that doesn’t mean it’s 100% decipherable either. Some of the aspects of customization may get a bit too technical for the average user.
Additionally, when all protections are turned on there’s a chance a site won’t load or load correctly. Brave warns you about this and helps you toggle what you need to run the site, but that means reducing some privacy settings.
Brave browser pros and cons
Pros
- Layers of customizable protection
- Always adding new features
- Built-in ad blocker
- Free
Cons
- Might be too technical for some
- Some features may disable certain sites
A VPN might be your best Twitch ad blocker
Sites like Twitch are in a constant battle with ad blockers. While services like uBlock Origin, Brave, and Total AdBlock are dedicated to keeping you ad-free, sites like Twitch are dedicated to stopping them. This back-and-forth can be exhausting.
VPNs, on the other hand, can access servers in a variety of countries. Depending on the advertisement laws, ads may naturally get blocked in those regions. Poland is a country with specific laws for ads on social media sites. Twitch doesn’t offer ads in Poland so it can avoid navigating the social media laws. NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Surfshark are all great choices for a VPN to use, as they have servers in Poland and other countries that don’t show Twitch ads.
Other countries where Twitch ads aren’t shown:
- Ukraine
- Russia
- Serbia
- Columbia
Best VPNs for blocking Twitch video ads
| VPN | Price | Number of servers | Learn more |
| NordVPN | Starts at $3.99/mo | 6,300+ in 100+ countries | Get NordVPN |
| ExpressVPN | Starts at $6.67/mo (billed annually) | Servers in 100+ countries | Get ExpressVPN |
| Surfshark | Starts at $2.29/mo (billed biennially) | 3,200+ in 100 countries | Get Surfshark |
How to choose the best ad blocker for Twitch
Scouring sites like Reddit can take forever, which is why we did it for you. If you’re looking to block all ads while also having the ability to support a creator, you’ll want to try a VPN. We strongly recommend NordVPN with your location set to Poland. This gave us the best results with a completely ad-free experience.
If you aren’t thrilled about having to use a paid service to block ads, you can choose a free browser extension like Total Adblock or uBlock Origin. If you’re spying some other options, the following features are ones to consider:
- Ability to toggle between blocking and unblocking to support creators
- Disable tracking
- Pop-up blocking
- Mobile compatibility
- Open-source code (so bugs are identified and fixed quickly)
- Browser compatibility
- Whitelisting capabilities
- Script-blocking (to help stop malware)
- Parental controls
How we tested the best ad blockers for Twitch
While we have an extensive list of technology that we know of, use, and test, we went to Reddit to find the complaints Twitch users and gamer communities were finding with their streaming experience. After pouring through multiple posts and hundreds of comments, we pulled out the most-mentioned methods for blocking ads and tested them for you.
Testing was done on macOS with an M2 chip running the latest version of Ventura. The browsers we used to test were Safari, Brave, and Chrome. We frequently used Hasan Piker’s page to test, as he is the kind of Twitch streamer who employs the most ads. We found this information in a chart from Twitch.[1]
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Best ad blockers for Twitch FAQs
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Do any ad blockers work on Twitch?
Yes, most ad blockers will block at least some ads on Twitch. VPNs are more effective than most ad blockers. For the best ad block experience, you can install NordVPN but you must use a Polish server. If you don’t want to do that, Total Adblock and uBlock Origin are both solid browser extensions for ad blocking.
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Is it legal to use an ad blocker for Twitch?
Twitch does not have a policy banning ad blockers, so if they are legal in the country where you are watching, then you should be ok. If you are going to block Twitch ads, consider leaving your favorite streamers a tip or turning ads back on for their streams.
+
Does AdBlock hurt Twitch streamers?
Yes, blocking ads will reduce the revenue earned by creators on Twitch. If you plan on blocking ads, consider leaving streamers a tip so they can continue to afford to create the content you like.
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What is the Twitch purple screen error and how do I avoid it?
The Twitch purple screen error appears when the site detects you’re using an ad blocker. To avoid it, use a VPN set to Poland. Poland has laws about tagging in ads, and many sites disable ads for Poland to avoid mistagging an ad.
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Can I use a free VPN to block ads on Twitch?
Some free VPNs might work blocking Twitch, but your best bet is to download the Brave browser instead. Brave is committed to privacy, won’t sell your information, and is completely free.
Bottom line: The best ad blockers for Twitch
The best paid ad blocker for Twitch is NordVPN Threat Protection because of its price, offerings, and Nord's location of origin outside of the 14 Eyes alliance.
We also agree that the free services uBlock Origin and Brave browser come with enough additional features to really eliminate using some paid services. Surfshark CleanWeb and Total Adblock are also solid options that have a few unsavory factors that kept them from the top three.
Whether you decide to use an ad blocker like uBlock Origin, a privacy powerhouse like Brave, or an all-encompassing VPN like NordVPN, you’ll have plenty of options to get through a Twitch stream without constant interruptions. You’ll also have the ability to reward creators you find valuable. These tools give you back the power.
5 best ad blockers for Twitch 2024
| Best for | Compatibility | Learn more | |
| NordVPN Threat Protection | Complete ad blocking | Windows, macOS, iOS, Linux, Android | Get NordVPN Threat Protection |
| Total Adblock | Set and forget | Android, iOS, Chrome, Firefox, Edge | Get Total Adblock |
| AdLock | Social media ads | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge | Get AdLock |
| Surfshark CleanWeb | Bundled features | Windows, macOS, iOS, Linux, Android, Chrome, Firefox | Get Surfshark CleanWeb |
| uBlock Origin | Anyone on a budget | Chrome, Chromium, Edge, Firefox, Opera, Pale Moon, as well as versions of Safari prior to 13. | Get uBlock Origin |
NordVPN
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Ultra-secure, high-speed VPN complete with malware protection and automatic blocking of intrusive ads and third-party trackers
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Other benefits include a premium password manager, dark web monitoring, and access to IP-restricted content
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3 plans to choose from for custom protection on up to 10 devices
- Too many confusing plans
Author Details
/authors/mary-james_allaboutcookies-author.jpg)
Mary is a seasoned cybersecurity writer with over seven years of experience. With a B.S. in Liberal Arts from Clarion University and an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from Point Park University, she educates audiences on scams, antivirus software, and more. Her passion lies in educating audiences on helpful ways to protect their data.
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