The Best Ad Blockers for Android [Tested March 2025]

Based on our extensive testing, we found that the best ad blocker for Android is Total Adblock, which even allows you to surpass YouTube ads. NordVPN Threat Protection and Surfshark CleanWeb are also good choices, with the ability to block trackers and malicious connections.

Read on to learn more about why we chose our top three ad blockers for Android devices.

The best ad blockers for Android March 2025

Blocking ads on Android is generally more difficult than doing so on your desktop, mostly because a lot of the main browsers don't allow extensions on mobile and the Play Store is more strict with system-wide ad blockers.

But don't worry. We dug around and found the best ad blockers to help you browse smoothly and safely.

• Total Adblock: Best overall
• NordVPN Threat Protection: Best for all-in-one protection
• Surfshark CleanWeb: Best for multiple devices

Top 3 ad blockers for Android compared

Star rating	4.9 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.	4.7 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	Free or $1.59/mo	$3.39–$17.99/mo	$2.19-$20.65/mo
Blocks Youtube ads
AdBlock Tester score	97/100	68/100	63/100
Cover Your Tracks score	2/3	2/3	2/3
Can You Block It score	3/3	2/3	2/3
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

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 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 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 fairly intuitive and not difficult to set up or understand.

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

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. This app can help you block unwanted ads, instrusive trackers, and malicious websites. 

While testing, Total Adblock proved to have impressive ad blocking and tracker blocking test scores, 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 from the app to avoid any pre-roll ads — a handy workaround that you can't pull off with just a browser extension. 

System-wide blocking: 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.

Extra features: Additionally, the paid version of Total Adblock comes with additional useful tools like TotalAV antivirus protection and PC Tune-Up. 

What we didn’t like

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

Installation can feel sketchy: You also need to install and approve a certificate on your phone, which can feel really unsafe when you're doing it. We tried it out and it did work well for blocking ads device-wide, but wish it didn't have to feel so invasive.

Free version is limited: In addition, you have to pay for Total Adblock if you wish 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

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

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 included with a NordVPN subscription. It not only blocks ads and trackers, but it can also block malicious sites and malware downloads. 

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: Though the desktop version of Threat Protection has been shown to block YouTube ads, the mobile version doesn't come with this capability.  

Have to buy in a bundle: Threat Protection can't be purchased separately from NordVPN. NordVPN's prices, which range from $3.39–$17.99/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

Surfshark CleanWeb: Best for multiple devices

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 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, which impressed us, considering it's just a feature included with the VPN. It was also able to block 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 is limited to blocking 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 Clean Web pros and cons

Get Surfshark CleanWeb | Read Our Surfshark CleanWeb Review

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 would 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 bombarded 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 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 so you can determine which sites should receive your revenue.

FAQs

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. 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. 

3 best ad blockers for Android

	Best for	Compatibility	Learn more
	Best overall	Chrome, Edge, Opera, Safari, Android, iOS	Get Total Adblock Read Total Adblock Review
	Best for all-in-one protection	Threat Protection:Windows, macOS Threat Protection Lite: Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, Edge	Get NordVPN Threat Protection Read NordVPN Threat Protection Review
	Best for multiple devices	Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, FireTV, Chrome, Firefox, Edge	Get Surfshark CleanWeb Read Surfshark CleanWeb Review