Best Custom Settings

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On Adblock Plus's website

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• Free version covers the essentials
• Can choose to support creators with Acceptable Ads

• Premium plan only works on desktop

Best Free Ad Blocker

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On Ghostery's website

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• Comprehensive free version
• Intuitive user interface

• Expensive contributor plan

Best Ad-Blocker App

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On AdGuard Ad Blocker's website

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• Has an Android app to block ads on browsers and apps
• Includes protection against malicious software

• Can't download the app on Google Play

Choosing an ad blocker for an Android phone isn't easy. For starters, not all web browser extensions work on mobile devices. Neither 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 system-wide ad-blocker apps, so you can only download apps independently.

With that said, we focused on Firefox add-ons or apps that can help block ads on Android. Adblock Plus has the most features to customize who gets to show you ads while still effectively blocking ads and trackers. Ghostery is a free ad blocker with all the core functionality included. Meanwhile, AdGuard has an Android app to help stop ads on any browser and app.

The best ad blockers for Android 2023

• Adblock Plus: Best custom settings
• Ghostery: Best free ad blocker
• AdGuard: Best ad-blocker app

Top 3 ad blockers for Android compared

Ad blocker	Adblock Plus	Ghostery	AdGuard
Firefox extension
Android app
Features	Distraction control, Acceptable Ads, tracker blocker, and custom whitelist	Tracker blocker, trackers preview, tracker analytics, hides cookie notifications, and custom whitelist	Tracker blocker, malicious website warnings, social media filter, and app ad blocker
Learn more	Get Adblock Plus	Get Ghostery	Get AdGuard

Adblock Plus: Best for custom settings

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.

What we liked

The key feature that separates Adblock Plus from other ad blockers is the Acceptable Ads feature. It's a default setting that permits sites on an Allowlist to show ads without any third–party tracking. Even then, ads must have certain non-intrusive criteria to meet the Acceptable Ads standard. Acceptable Ads allow you to support websites and creators who rely on advertising revenue to run their operations.

There is also a free version of Adblock Plus that has all the essential features you expect from an ad blocker, including anti-tracking. In addition, it offers a privacy browser app called Adblock Browser, which you can use instead of a Firefox add-on.

What we didn’t like

Adblock Plus Premium is useless on Android. Currently, it's only available on desktop versions of Chrome, Firefox, and Edge. So if you are keen on the Distraction Control feature, which blocks site notifications, survey requests, autoplay video ads, and newsletter pop-ups, it won't work on your smartphone.

Adblock Plus pros and cons

Get Adblock Plus | Read Our Adblock Plus Review

Ghostery: Best free ad blocker

Ghostery makes our list as the best free ad blocker because its free version 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.

What we liked

Other free ad blockers don't come with such great features. Most notably, Ghostery has its Never-Consent feature, which hides cookie consent pop-up notifications. It does this by automatically opting out of all cookies, which makes it easier than ever to browse the internet and protect your online privacy.

If you do decide to upgrade to a paid plan, you'll get all the features in the free plan and the following:

• Themes to adjust the app to your liking
• Historical stats over the course of your Ghostery use
• Advanced tracker analytics
• No private sponsored links while using the Private Browser and Private Search Engine
• Priority user support

What we didn’t like

Ghostery is a free app exclusively funded by contributions from users. If you want to support its cause, you have to sign up for an expensive subscription. At the time of writing, plans start at $4.99/mo, which is more expensive than AdGuard ($2.49/mo) and Adblock Plus ($1.67/month).

This is largely due to the contributions helping the entire Ghostery product suite. But if you are only looking for ad blocking, it's not the most affordable option.

Ghostery pros and cons

Get Ghostery | Read Our Ghostery Review

AdGuard: Best ad-blocker app

AdGuard is the only ad blocker on this list with an app that isn't just a privacy browser. The app can block ads on all browsers and even apps. This makes it a powerful tool to block ads and trackers. AdGuard also has protection from malicious software such as malware, phishing, spyware, adware, and dialer installers. The product suite also includes a virtual private network (VPN) for Android and a DNS service.

What we liked

AdGuard is a reputable ad blocker and it has an Android app. 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 AdGuard can help block ads and trackers on apps, not just on browsers.

If you want to cover more than three devices or need an ad-blocking tool for the whole family, AdGuard is the only one with a family plan. It can cover up to nine devices and is fairly affordable at about $5 a month when paid annually. Keep in mind, value-added tax (VAT) isn't included so expect to pay more to cover it.

What we didn’t like

The biggest issue with AdGuard 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. But it's not as robust as the AdGuard app because you can only block in-app ads with the app installed. Another downside is that you can only block in-app ads with a paid plan.

AdGuard pros and cons

Get AdGuard | Read Our AdGuard Review

Ad blockers that didn’t make the cut

There are plenty of ad blockers to choose from, but there are a couple of options that didn't quite make our list. However, they may still be a good option for you.

uBlock Origin

uBlock Origin is a free open-source software that effectively blocks ads and trackers. Although it does have a Firefox add-on, we found some features to be too technical. Beyond applying content filter lists, there weren't any extra features such as hiding cookie notifications or Acceptable Ads.

AdLock

AdLock, like AdGuard, has an app available independent of Google Play. It can effectively block ads, and it has a whitelist and custom filters available.

But if you aren't comfortable with downloading an app from an unknown source, then the Firefox add-on is disappointing. At the time of writing, it hasn't been updated in two years. Some features, such as a social media filter, require a paid subscription to access.

Best ad blockers for Android FAQs

Bottom line: The best ad blockers for Android

We found Adblock Plus to be the best option if you want to customize your ad blocker settings, including whitelists and Acceptable Ads. If you specifically want an app instead of a Firefox add-on, AdGuard could be a good choice for you. Meanwhile, Ghostery is an excellent choice for those looking for a free ad blocker.

3 best ad blockers for Android 2023

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.

Author Details

Sara J. Nguyen

About the Author

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.