The Best Ad Blockers for Android [Tested January 2026]

After hands-on testing and performance comparisons, Total Adblock stands out as the best ad blocker for Android phones because of its system-wide blocking, ease of use, and tools that can help block YouTube ads on Android. 

Surfshark CleanWeb is a great choice if you want ad and tracker blocking across all your devices with one subscription. And if you need more than just ad blocking, NordVPN Threat Protection delivers solid ad, tracker, and malware protection as part of a powerful all-in-one security suite. 

Below, we break down what makes each of these Android ad blockers worth considering.

The best ad blockers for Android January 2026

Best ad blockers for Android compared

		CleanWeb	Threat Protection
Best for	Overall	Multiple devices	All-in-one protection
Star rating	5.0 AllAboutCookies writers and editors score products based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.	4.8 AllAboutCookies writers and editors score products based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.	4.5 AllAboutCookies writers and editors score products based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.
Price	$1.59/mo	$1.99-$20.85/mo	$3.39–$25.29/mo
Blocks YouTube ads on mobile
AdBlock Tester score (mobile)	97/100	63/100	68/100
Can You Block It score (mobile)	3/3	2/3	2/3
Learn more	Get Total Adblock Read Total Adblock Review	Get Surfshark CleanWeb Read Surfshark CleanWeb Review	Get NordVPN Threat Protection Read NordVPN Threat Protection Review

Total Adblock: Best overall

Total Adblock is one of the few ad blockers on this list with an app that isn't just a privacy browser. Unlike most browser-based tools, Total Adblock works as a system-wide ad blocker for Android, allowing you to block ads in apps and browsers without rooting your device. 

This app can help you block unwanted pop-up ads, intrusive trackers, and malicious websites. Plus, Total Adblock proved to have impressive ad blocking scores during our testing, and it could even block YouTube ads.

What we liked

Impressive scores: Total Adblock is a reputable ad blocker with impressive blocking rates. When we tested the Android version, it received 97/100 with AdBlock Tester, which checks how effective your ad blocker is at blocking banner advertising, contextual advertising, analytics tools, and more. 

Blocks YouTube ads: If you're looking to block ads on the YouTube app, Total Adblock has a fix for that. Just share the video you're starting with Total Adblock and watch it directly in the app to avoid any pre-roll ads — a handy workaround you can't pull off with just a browser extension. 

This makes Total Adblock one of the few options that can block YouTube ads on Android mobile devices, even when they appear in the official YouTube app.

System-wide blocking: The biggest perk of the app is that you can use any browser you want, so you don't have to be stuck with Firefox or another privacy-based browser.

Extra features: The paid version of Total Adblock includes useful tools such as TotalAV antivirus protection and PC Tune-Up. 

What we didn’t like

Not available on Google Play: The biggest issue with Total Adblock is that you have to download it outside Google Play. This means you won't have Play Protect scanning the app to ensure it's not malicious.

Installation can feel sketchy: You also need to install and approve a certificate on your phone, which can feel unsafe during the process. We tried it out, and it worked well for blocking ads device-wide, but we wish it didn't feel so invasive.

The free version is limited: You have to pay for Total Adblock to block unlimited ads. Total Adblock Free excludes the top 15,000 websites based on Alexa.com.

Total Adblock pros and cons

Get Total Adblock | Read Our Total Adblock Review

Test results

Total Adblock is our #1 ad blocker recommendation because it has some of the best test scores across the board. On Android, it received near-perfect scores with AdBlock Tester and passed all three Can You Block It tests. 

Total Adblock also consistently blocks YouTube ads on mobile, so you'll be able to stream YouTube ad-free on your Android.

AdBlock Tester results	97/100
Can You Block It results	3/3
Can Total Adblock block ads on YouTube mobile?	Yes

Star rating summary

Surfshark CleanWeb: Best for multiple devices

Surfshark CleanWeb is an Android ad blocker app bundled with a VPN, making it a strong option for users who want ad and tracker blocking across unlimited devices. Surfshark CleanWeb is available on Surfshark's Android app, and CleanWeb 2.0 is available as a Firefox extension, so you have options for how you wish to use it.

Surfshark is one of our favorite VPNs, thanks to its budget-friendly pricing and unlimited device allowance. With this, you can enable CleanWeb on every device you own for every household member.

What we liked

Good test scores: Surfshark is another ad blocker with a strong AdBlock Tester score of 63/100 on mobile, which impressed us, considering it's just a feature included with the VPN. It also blocked ads on websites, giving us a smoother experience. 

Privacy-focused: It's nice to see that Surfshark doesn't mess around when it comes to our privacy. CleanWeb can also block trackers and malware for more comprehensive protection.

Good value: If you're in the market for a VPN, Surfshark has some of the lowest starting prices. It also allows you to connect as many devices as you want simultaneously. With strong features like CleanWeb, we think Surfshark is a worthy investment. 

What we didn't like

Limited compared to its desktop app: Unfortunately, CleanWeb 2.0's extensive capabilities are only available as a browser extension on desktop. The CleanWeb feature on the Surfshark Android app is more limited because it doesn't have extras like blocking cookie notices, malware alerts, and ads on streaming services. CleanWeb can only block ads and trackers on mobile devices and can only do so when the VPN is active. 

Only available as a bundle: Similar to Threat Protection, CleanWeb may not be what you have in mind if you're looking for just an ad blocker or if you already have a VPN subscription. CleanWeb is only available with Surfshark VPN as part of the Surfshark One bundle.

Surfshark CleanWeb pros and cons

Get Surfshark CleanWeb | Read Our Surfshark CleanWeb Review

Test results

Surfshark CleanWeb is a high-performing ad blocker, but it had a harder time on mobile in some aspects. It received a middling AdBlock Tester score, and it can't block ads on YouTube mobile.

But Surfshark CleanWeb does provide strong protection against trackers on your Android. 

AdBlock Tester results	63/100
Can You Block It results	2/3
Can Surfshark CleanWeb block ads on YouTube mobile?	No

Star rating summary

NordVPN Threat Protection: Best for all-in-one protection

NordVPN is one of the best virtual private networks (VPNs) on the market, and it comes with a built-in ad blocker. NordVPN Threat Protection is one of the many features included with a NordVPN subscription. It not only blocks ads and trackers, but it can also block malicious sites and malware downloads. 

While NordVPN Threat Protection can block ads and trackers on Android, it is best suited for users looking for an all-in-one Android security app rather than a dedicated ad blocker.

What we liked

Good test results: NordVPN Threat Protection is adept at blocking ads and trackers, and detecting malware and phishing. It received a 68/100 AdBlock Tester score and passed our tests for malware and phishing detection. 

Extra features: On top of having an ad blocker, you'll also have access to NordVPN's other functions on your Android. With a VPN, you can mask your IP address to protect your device while on public Wi-Fi, hide your internet traffic, and even unblock geo-restrictions for worldwide streaming. 

Available in Play Store: Unlike most ad blocker apps, you can download NordVPN directly from the Google Play Store.

What we didn’t like

Doesn't block YouTube ads: While the desktop version of Threat Protection blocks YouTube ads, the mobile version doesn't.  

Have to buy in a bundle: Threat Protection can't be purchased separately from NordVPN. NordVPN's prices, which range from $3.39–$25.29/mo, may be steep for someone looking to just block annoying ads on their phone. 

NordVPN Threat Protection pros and cons

Get NordVPN Threat Protection | Read Our NordVPN Threat Protection Review

Test results

NordVPN Threat Protection is a decent ad blocker, but it's not the most efficient. NordVPN Threat Protection struggled against AdBlock Tester on Android and it can't block ads on YouTube at all. 

However, NordVPN Threat Protection provides strong protection against trackers on mobile. 

AdBlock Tester results	68/100
Can You Block It results	2/3
Can NordVPN Threat Protection block ads on YouTube mobile?	No

Star rating summary

How we tested the best ad blockers for Android

Ad blockers for Android have specific qualifications. Not all browser extensions work on Android, so it was important to find options that would work on a mobile device. Besides compatibility, here are the other factors we considered when we tested ad blockers:

• Blocks ads and trackers: An ad blocker's core functionality is to block ads and prevent trackers from tracking your online activity. We tested the ad blockers to ensure they did their job, including blocking YouTube ads.
• Additional security features: Along with Android security settings, adding an extra layer of protection is always nice. So, we prioritized ad blockers with premium security tools that other ad blockers didn't include.
• Affordability: Cost is an essential factor, so we evaluated whether the price was competitive.
• Ease of use: Add-ons and apps should be intuitive and easy to set up and understand.

To learn more, read our full guide on how we test ad blockers.

How to choose the best Android ad blocker for you

With so many ad blockers to choose from, deciding the best one for your Android device can be overwhelming. Here are some factors to consider when picking an Android ad blocker:

• Determine if you want to spend money on an ad blocker. Most ad blockers offer free plans, but they may be limited in the types of ads they block. 
• On Android, you can either use a Firefox browser extension or download an app from an independent source. A browser extension only blocks in-browser ads, and you'd need to use Firefox, but you may feel wary about downloading an app outside of the Google Play Store.
• Mobile ad blockers might not always block in-app ads, which can be frustrating if you're still bombarded with pre-roll ads on YouTube. Ad blockers like Total Adblock let you open the video in their app.
• The best ad blockers will keep your device free of ads without draining your battery life. 
• You may be looking for an ad blocker that you can set and forget, but it's also nice to have a customizable app or extension. Look for features like Acceptable Ads and whitelisting to determine which sites should receive your revenue.

Best free ad blockers for Android

As the idiom says, if something seems too good to be true, then it likely isn't what you think. As digital privacy and security experts, we don't recommend free extensions or software unless they're backed by a top cybersecurity brand and have passed our in-house tests. 

Some reliable free ad blockers compatible with Firefox include AdGuard, AdLock, and uBlock Origin. We've tested all three Firefox extensions and know they're good. They block annoying ads, including pop-ups, video ads, and trackers, and we know these ad blockers won't sell your data. While you won't get a free Android app, you can simply download the Firefox browser on any Android device to access the free ad blocker extensions. 

Both AdGuard and AdLock are freemium ad blockers, meaning they offer a free version alongside a premium tier. AdGuard offers extensive customization, but the free version doesn't block annoying ads in apps and games. It also lacks the parental controls bonus you get with the premium plan. 

Similarly, AdLock offers a range of awesome features, including automatically blocking acceptable ads by default. However, only the premium plan unlocks additional perks, such as a spyware filter and a social media filter. AdLock Free also has limitations when it comes to blocking all browser ads and in-app ads.

uBlock Origin is an open-source ad blocker that's totally free. Its compatibility is now more limited since Google Chrome removed the extension from the Chrome Web Store. However, the original uBlock still works on Edge, Firefox, Opera. 

The downside is that the extension requires some technical know-how to get the most out of it. If you're into tons of custom rules and filters, uBlock Origin can offer a clean browsing experience. 

Brave Browser for Android

Another alternative is to use the Brave Browser, which has built-in ad-blocking technology. Brave is a secure web browser that's available for download in the Google Play store. And while it's a bit overkill to use an ad blocker extension with Brave, free Android ad blockers like AdGuard are compatible with it. We'd recommend only using AdGuard on top of Brave if you need AdGuard Extra to block Twitch ads. However, Brave offers advanced content filtering to block tricky ads, as you'd find on platforms like Twitch.

Bottom line: The best ad blockers for Android

If you're looking for a free ad blocker for Android, Total Adblock is your best bet. We like that you can export YouTube videos to the Total Adblock app, a feature that most ad blockers don't offer. 

Surfshark CleanWeb supports unlimited devices, so everyone in your household can enjoy a clean browsing experience. Finally, you can opt for NordVPN Threat Protection to guard against malware, along with ads and trackers.  

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