The Best Ad Blockers for Android 2024
Find out why Total Adblock, NordVPN Threat Protection, Surfshark CleanWeb, and AdLock are our top picks for Android.
/authors/sara-nguyen-allaboutcookies-author.jpg){kind=small}
/authors/steph-trejos-allaboutcookies-editor.jpg){kind=small}
Last updated Apr 9, 2024
Advertiser Disclosure
All About Cookies is an independent, advertising-supported website. Some of the offers that appear on this site are from third-party advertisers from which All About Cookies receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear).
All About Cookies does not include all financial or credit offers that might be available to consumers nor do we include all companies or all available products. Information is accurate as of the publishing date and has not been provided or endorsed by the advertiser.
Close
Editorial Policy
The All About Cookies editorial team strives to provide accurate, in-depth information and reviews to help you, our reader, make online privacy decisions with confidence. Here's what you can expect from us:
- All About Cookies makes money when you click the links on our site to some of the products and offers that we mention. These partnerships do not influence our opinions or recommendations. Read more about how we make money.
- Partners are not able to review or request changes to our content except for compliance reasons.
- We aim to make sure everything on our site is up-to-date and accurate as of the publishing date, but we cannot guarantee we haven't missed something. It's your responsibility to double-check all information before making any decision. If you spot something that looks wrong, please let us know.
Close
Best Free App
/images/2023/03/01/logo-total-adblock.png){kind=logo}
Editorial Rating
Learn More
On Total Adblock's website
Total Adblock
-
Free version excludes top 15,000 websites
Instantly blocks distracting ads on millions of websites, including YouTube video ads
Free version excludes top 15,000 websites
View More
Best for All-in-One Protection
/images/2022/05/26/logo-nordvpn.png){kind=logo}
Editorial Rating
Learn More
On NordVPN Threat Protection's website
NordVPN Threat Protection
-
Lacks a dedicated firewall
View More
The best ad blockers for Android are Total Adblock, NordVPN Threat Protection, Surfshark CleanWeb, and AdLock.
Total Adblock has an Android app that can help stop ads on any browser and app. NordVPN Threat Protection blocks ads and trackers, scans for malware, and is part of the NordVPN product. Surfshark CleanWeb allows for unlimited simultaneous connections, so you can block ads on every device you have. Finally, AdLock has an effective Firefox extension and Android app to suit any budget.
Read on to learn more about why we chose our top four ad blockers for Android devices.
In this article
The best ad blockers for Android 2024Total Adblock: Best free ad blocker app
NordVPN Threat Protection: Best for all-in-one protection
Surfshark CleanWeb: Best for multiple devices
AdLock: Best free extension
Honorable mentions
How to choose the best Android ad blocker for you
How we tested the best ad blockers for Android
Best ad blockers for Android FAQs
Bottom line: The best ad blockers for Android
The best ad blockers for Android 2024
Choosing an ad blocker for an Android phone isn't easy. For starters, not all web browser extensions work on mobile devices. Neither the Google Chrome nor Microsoft Edge support extensions on Android, and Safari is only for iOS devices.
That leaves Mozilla Firefox as the only major browser with add-ons that work on Android. The Google Play Store doesn’t allow systemwide ad-blocker apps, so you can only download apps independently.
Our best ad blockers for Android are a combination of apps and Firefox extensions:
- Total Adblock: Best free app
- NordVPN Threat Protection: Best for all-in-one protection
- Surfshark CleanWeb: Best for multiple devices
- AdLock: Best free extension
Top 4 ad blockers for Android compared
| Ad blocker | 
|
|
|
|
| Firefox extension | ||||
| Android app | ||||
| Learn more | Get Total Adblock
Read Total Adblock Review |
Get NordVPN Threat Protection
Read NordVPN Threat Protection Review |
Get Surfshark CleanWeb
Read Surfshark CleanWeb Review |
Get AdLock Read AdLock Review |
Total Adblock: Best free app
Total Adblock
-
Instantly blocks distracting ads on millions of websites, including YouTube video ads
-
Blocks third-party trackers to protect your privacy and information
-
Improves page load times and enables faster browsing
- Free version excludes top 15,000 websites
Total Adblock is one of the few ad blockers on this list with an app that isn't just a privacy browser. This app can help you block unwanted ads, instrusive trackers, and malicious websites.
Even as we used Total Adblock Free, it proved to have impressive ad blocking and tracker blocking test scores and it could even block YouTube ads.
What we liked
Total Adblock is a reputable ad blocker with impressive blocking rates. When we tested the free version, it received 100/100 with Adblock Tester, which checks how effective your ad blocker is at blocking banner advertising, contextual advertising, analytics tools, and more.
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 from the app to avoid any pre-roll ads — a handy workaround that you can't pull off with just a browser extension.
/images/2023/10/12/total_adblock_review_102023_5.png)
The biggest perk of the app is you can use any browser you want, so you don't have to be stuck with Firefox or another privacy-based browser. Additionally, the paid version of Total Adblock blocks unlimited ads everywhere. If you decide to upgrade to Total Adblock Premium, it comes with additional useful tools like TotalAV antivirus protection and PC Tune-Up.
What we didn’t like
The biggest issue with Total Adblock is you have to download the app outside of Google Play. AdGuard claims this is because Google Play has a policy “...that any app that can block ads across the device is not allowed there….”[1] This means you won't have Play Protect to scan the app and ensure it's not malicious. If you're uncomfortable with having to download the app outside of Google Play, you can choose the Firefox add-on.
In addition, you have to pay for Total Adblock if you wish to block unlimited ads. Total Adblock Free excludes the top 15,000 ads based on Alexa.com
Total Adblock pros and cons
Pros
- Has an Android app to block ads on browsers and apps
- App allows you to block YouTube ads
- Premium plan comes with antivirus software
Cons
- Can't download the app on Google Play
- Free version excludes top 15,000 websites
Get Total Adblock | Read Our Total Adblock Review
NordVPN Threat Protection: Best for all-in-one protection
NordVPN Threat Protection
-
Stops intrusive ads before they can even load, improving browsing experience and speed
-
Identifies malware-ridden files and protects against visiting malicious websites
-
Encrypts your data and blocks third-party trackers for increased security and privacy
- Lacks a dedicated firewall
NordVPN is one of the best virtual private networks (VPNs) on the market, but did you know it also comes with a built-in ad blocker?
NordVPN Threat Protection is one of the many features that comes with a NordVPN subscription. It not only blocks ads and trackers, it can also block malicious sites and malware downloads.
What we liked
NordVPN Threat Protection is adept not only at blocking ads and trackers, but also at detecing malware and phishing. It received a 93/100 Adblock Tester score, and it passed our tests for malware detection and phishing detection. Threat Protection was even able to block YouTube ads we were viewing on desktop.
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.
Nord has proved to be a powerful privacy tool, having passed our tests for DNS leak and WebRTC leak protection. And unlike ad blocker apps, you can download NordVPN directly from the Google Play Store.
What we didn’t like
NordVPN offers plenty of antivirus features to protect your devices, but it may not be the most comprehensive option. Threat Protection doesn't come with a firewall, so there may be a protection gap there.
Unfortunately, Threat Protection can't be purchased separately from NordVPN. NordVPN's prices, which range from $3.99–$15.99/mo, may be steep for someone looking to just block annoying ads on their phone.
NordVPN Threat Protection pros and cons
Pros
- Android app can block ads on browsers
- Scans for and blocks malware
- Comes bundled with NordVPN
Cons
- No firewall included
- Not available to purchase separate from NordVPN
Get NordVPN Threat Protection | Read Our NordVPN Threat Protection Review
Surfshark CleanWeb: Best for multiple devices
/images/2023/05/18/surfshark_pos_240px.png)
Surfshark CleanWeb Ad Blocking
-
Blocks ads, banners, and pop-ups on your browser and apps, including smart TVs
-
Enjoy boosted browsing speeds and save money on mobile data with its effective ad-blocking capabilities
-
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
Similar to NordVPN, Surfshark offers an ad and tracker blocker. 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 devices allowance. That way, you can have CleanWeb enabled on every device you own for every member of your household.
What we liked
Surfshark is another ad blocker that got a perfect AdBlock Tester score, which impressed us considering it's just a feature included with the VPN. 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.
Included with Surfshark's browser extension is CleanWeb 2.0, which comes with additional features including data breach alerts, malware alerts, and a cookie pop-up blocker. We also like that CleanWeb 2.0 can effectively block ads on video platforms including YouTube and streaming services.
If you're in the market for a VPN, Surfshark has some of the lowest starting prices and it 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
Unfortunately, CleanWeb 2.0's extensive capabilities are only available as a browser extension. This might not be ideal if you're looking for an app to use on your Android.
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.
Surfshark Clean Web pros and cons
Pros
- Blocks ads, trackers, and malware
- Allows for unlimited simultaneous connections
- Can be used without an active VPN connection
Cons
- CleanWeb 2.0 limited to browser extensions
- Not available to purchase separate from Surfshark
Get Surfshark CleanWeb | Read Our Surfshark CleanWeb Review
AdLock: Best free extension
/images/2023/03/03/adlock.png)
AdLock
-
No ads on YouTube
-
Blocks tracking ads
- Social media blocker requires paid tier
AdLock makes our list as the best free ad-blocking extension due to how effective it proved to be during testing. It received a 92/100 score with Adblock Tester and as we browsed the web, it blocked follow-along ads, banner ads, pre-roll ads, and more.
What we liked
Although AdLock claims its free extension can't block all ads across browsers, we found that AdLock blocked most ads we encountered. These include those pesky follow-along ads on recipe blogs as well as pre-roll ads before YouTube videos.
We were also impressed by AdLock's commitment to user privacy. AdLock "doesn't sell or share [usage information] with third parties." The information it does collect, like your blocked ad requests, is anonymous. And your account is created with an anonymous unique ID, so you won't need to provide any personal information when you install the free extension.
What we didn’t like
Although AdLock has a free app and extension, some features are only available with a paid plan. For instance, you won't be able to block social media trackers or spyware unless you opt for a premium plan.
Similar to Total Adblock, you'll need to download AdLock outside of the Google Play Store if you want to use the app over the browser extension.
AdLock pros and cons
Pros
- Effective free extension
- Blocks ads on YouTube
- Doesn't share or sell your data with third parties
Cons
- Lacks key features like the social media filter and spyware filter
- Can't download the app on Google Play
Get AdLock | Read Our AdLock Review
Honorable mentions
There are plenty of ad blockers to choose from if our top five picks aren't right for you. Here are three additional recommendations:
- AdGuard: AdGuard is a powerful tool to block ads and trackers. It also has protection from malware and its product suite includes a VPN and a DNS service.
- Ghostery: Ghostery's free extension is equipped with all of the core features. This includes all types of ad blocking (it even removes pop-up ads), anti-tracking, cookie consent blocker, basic analytics, and settings synchronizing between devices and browsers.
- Adblock Plus: If you're looking for a bit more control of your ad-blocking settings without having to pay for it, then Adblock Plus may be the option for you. With Acceptable Ads and a custom whitelist, you have more of a say on where and if you see any ads during your browsing experience.
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 have free plans, but they may be limited as far as what types of ads they block.
- With 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 maybe you feel wary about downloading an app away from the Google Play Store.
- Mobile ad blockers might not always block in-app ads. This can be frustrating if you're still getting bombarbed on YouTube with pre-roll ads. Ad blockers like Total Adblock allow you to open the video on its 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 to just set and forget but it's also nice to have an app or extension that's customizable. Look for features like Acceptable Ads and whitelisting so you can determine which sites should get your revenue.
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: The core functionality of an ad blocker is to effectively block ads and stop trackers from knowing 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 security is always nice for protection. So we prioritized ad blockers with premium security tools 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 fairly intuitive and not difficult to set up or understand.
Ad blockers aren't the only tool you need to protect your Android device. You'll also want to get the best antivirus apps and choose a password manager compatible with Android.
Best ad blockers for Android FAQs
+
Do ad blockers work on Android?
Ad blockers can work on Android, but you have limited options. Chrome and Edge don't have the capability for extensions to work on Android. Safari only works on iOS. It leaves Firefox add-ons as the only major browser which works on mobile.
Alternatively, you can use privacy browsers to block ads and trackers. If you're willing to install an app independently of Google Play, then you can download an ad-blocker app like Total Adblock.
+
Are there free ad blockers for Android?
There are free ad blockers for Android. Your best choice is to find a free Firefox add-on because it's the only major browser with extensions that work on an Android device. We recommend AdLock, but you can find several free ad blockers that may work for you.
+
What ad blocker does Samsung recommend?
Samsung recommends using a third-party ad-blocker app while using Samsung Internet. It primarily suggests using AdBlock for Samsung Internet. Some other options include ABP for Samsung Internet, Adblock Fast, AdClear Content Blocker, and AdGuard.
You can find these choices and more directly in the Samsung Internet app. Open Samsung Internet and tap on the three horizontal lines in the bottom-right corner to open the menu. Select Ad Blockers from the menu. Choose one of the listed apps by clicking on the download button and turning on the toggle button.
Bottom line: The best ad blockers for Android
If you're looking for a free app to block ads on your Android, then Total AdBlock is your best bet while AdLock is the best free extension for Firefox. For more comprehensive protection, you can opt for NordVPN Threat Protection to guard against malware along with ads and trackers. Finally, Surfshark CleanWeb allows for unlimited devices, so everyone in your household can have a clean browsing experience.
4 best ad blockers for Android
| Best for | Compatibility | Learn more | |
|
|
Best free app | Android, iOS, Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge | Get Total Adblock |
|
|
Best for all-in-one protection | Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, Edge | Get NordVPN Threat Protection |
|
Best for multiple devices | Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, Linux, FireTV, Chrome, Firefox, Edge | Get Surfshark CleanWeb |
|
Best free extension | Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge | Get AdLock Read AdLock Review |
Total Adblock
-
Instantly blocks distracting ads on millions of websites, including YouTube video ads
-
Blocks third-party trackers to protect your privacy and information
-
Improves page load times and enables faster browsing
- Free version excludes top 15,000 websites
Author Details
/authors/sara-nguyen-allaboutcookies-author.jpg)
Sara J. Nguyen is a freelance writer specializing in cybersecurity. She aims to help people protect their data while enjoying technology. She has written about online privacy and tech for over 5 years for several organizations. When she's not writing about the latest cybersecurity trends, you can find her on LinkedIn.
Related Articles
/images/2024/04/05/block-ads-on-reddit.jpeg)
How To Block Reddit Ads in the App and on a Desktop
Reddit ads can interrupt your scrolling and even pose safety concerns, but there are ways to easily block them and improve your overall experience.
/images/2024/02/02/man-on-computer.jpg)
How To Turn Off Facebook Link History Tracking and Why You Should
Yes, you absolutely should disable Facebook’s new link history feature, not only because it’s creepy but also because it could get you hacked or worse.
/images/2024/01/30/an_image_concept_of_a_woman_streaming_amazon_prime_video_on_smart_tv.jpg)
Amazon Prime Video Now Has Ads, Here's How to Block Them
/images/2024/01/25/investigating_google_chrome_concept.jpg)
Google Begins to Block Third-Party Cookies: How Tracking Protection Impacts Chrome Users
/images/2023/12/02/how_to_block_twitter_ads.jpg)
How To Block Twitter Ads
/images/2023/11/27/youtube-laptop-smartphone.jpg)
Ad Blockers on YouTube: 336% Spike in Ad-Blocker Demand Following YouTube Crackdown [Data]
/images/2023/11/27/tiktok-01.jpg)
How To Get Rid of TikTok Ads (For Good)
/images/2023/09/21/proton_vpn_netshield_review.jpg)
Proton VPN NetShield Review 2024: The Shield Your Privacy Deserves?