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Best Overall
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Best for Multiple Devices
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Finding a reliable Android ad blocker takes more than just downloading the first app you see. After hands-on testing and performance comparisons, I rounded up the best options for blocking ads on Android. Total Adblock stands out as the best ad blocker for Android phones thanks to its system-wide blocking, ease of use, and tools to block YouTube ads.
Surfshark CleanWeb is a great choice for ad and tracker blocking across all devices with one subscription. Proton VPN NetShield bundles the privacy standards of Proton VPN with a mobile ad blocker. And for those who need more than just ad blocking, NordVPN Threat Protection Pro delivers solid ad, tracker, and malware protection as part of a powerful all-in-one security suite.
Below, I break down what makes each ad blocking app for Android worth considering.
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Top ad blocker that historically scores 100/100 on AdBlock Tester, passing every banner, interstitial, pop-up, and contextual ad test
Successfully blocked YouTube ads in our testing, one of the trickier platforms for ad blockers to handle consistently
Works across Chrome, Edge, Safari, and Opera, plus Android and iOS mobile apps
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Ad blocker that blocks banner ads, pop-ups, and video ads across your browser, mobile apps, and Fire TV
Scored 96/100 on AdBlock Tester and passed all three Can You Block It tests
Comes bundled with Surfshark VPN, which encrypts your connection, hides your IP, and blocks phishing sites
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Blocks malicious domains, trackers, and ads
Open-source code available for public review
Included with all paid Proton VPN plans at no extra cost
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Ad and tracker blocker that scored 90/100 on AdBlock Tester and passed all Can You Block It tests
Earned third place for phishing detection in AV-Comparatives testing with a 96% detection rate and zero false alarms
Threat Protection Pro works without an active VPN connection, so your browsing stays protected even when you're not connected to a server
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Total Adblock |
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Surfshark CleanWeb |
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Proton VPN NetShield |
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NordVPN Threat Protection Pro |
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| Details | View deals | View deals | View deals | View deals |
| Best for | Overall | Multiple devices | Privacy-focused users | All-in-one protection |
| Star rating | ||||
| Price | $1.59/mo | $2.49-$21.85/mo | $2.99–$12.99/mo | $3.49–$29.99/mo |
| Blocks YouTube ads on mobile | ||||
| AdBlock Tester score (mobile) | 97/100 | 60/100 | 71/100 | 68/100 |
| Can You Block It score (mobile) | 3/3 | 2/3 | 2/3 | 2/3 |
| Learn more | Read Total Adblock Review | Read Surfshark CleanWeb Review | Read Proton VPN NetShield Review | Read NordVPN Threat Protection Pro Review |
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:
To learn more, read our full guide on how we test ad blockers.
Best for: Android users who want system-wide ad blocking (including YouTube) without rooting their phone.
Top ad blocker that historically scores 100/100 on AdBlock Tester, passing every banner, interstitial, pop-up, and contextual ad test
Successfully blocked YouTube ads in our testing, one of the trickier platforms for ad blockers to handle consistently
Works across Chrome, Edge, Safari, and Opera, plus Android and iOS mobile apps
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 ad blockers, Total Adblock works as a system-wide ad blocker on Android, allowing it to block ads in apps and browsers without rooting the device.
This app can help block unwanted pop-up ads, intrusive trackers, and malicious websites. In fact, it's one of the best pop-up ad blockers for Android. Total Adblock proved to have impressive ad blocking scores during our testing, and it could even block YouTube ads.
Impressive scores: Total Adblock is a reputable ad blocker with impressive blocking rates. When I tested the Android version, it scored 97/100 in AdBlock Tester, which tests how effective an ad blocker is at blocking banner, contextual, analytics, and other types of advertising.
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Blocks YouTube ads: If you're looking to block ads in the YouTube app, Total Adblock has a fix. I just had to share the video I was starting with Total Adblock and watch it directly in the app to avoid any pre-roll ads — a handy workaround that isn't possible with just a browser extension.
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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 the freedom to use any browser without being limited to Firefox or another privacy-focused browser.
Extra features: The paid version of Total Adblock includes useful tools such as TotalAV antivirus protection and PC Tune-Up. Learn more about Total's web protection features in our complete TotalAV review.
Not available on Google Play Store: The biggest issue with Total Adblock is that it has to be downloaded from outside the Google Play Store. This means Play Protect won't be scanning the app to ensure it's not malicious.
Installation can feel sketchy: I also had to install and approve a certificate on my phone, which can feel unsafe. I tried it out and it worked well for blocking ads device-wide, but I wished it didn't feel so invasive.
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The free version is limited: I had to pay for Total Adblock to block unlimited ads. Total Adblock Free excludes top websites.
Total Adblock is my #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 blocked YouTube ads on mobile during my testing, so streaming YouTube ad-free on Android is genuinely achievable.
| AdBlock Tester results | 97/100 |
| Can You Block It results | 3/3 |
| Can Total Adblock block ads on YouTube mobile? | Yes |
| Learn more | Get Total Adblock
Read Total Adblock Review |
Total Adblock's perfect star rating of 5.0 was achieved due to its 5/5 scores in the experience, value, features, and customer service categories.
Total Adblock was docked one point in the compatibility factor because it doesn't offer apps for desktop.
| Decision factor | Weight | Verdict |
| Our experience | 15% | 5.0 |
| Value | 21% | 5.0 |
| Features | 18% | 5.0 |
| Test results | 34% | 5.0 |
| Compatibility | 5% | 4.0 |
| Customer service | 7% | 5.0 |
Best for: Households that already want a VPN and need basic ad and tracker blocking on unlimited devices.
Ad blocker that blocks banner ads, pop-ups, and video ads across your browser, mobile apps, and Fire TV
Scored 96/100 on AdBlock Tester and passed all three Can You Block It tests
Comes bundled with Surfshark VPN, which encrypts your connection, hides your IP, and blocks phishing sites
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, offering flexibility in how it can be used.
Surfshark is one of my favorite VPNs, thanks to its budget-friendly pricing and unlimited device allowance. As a result, CleanWeb can be enabled on every device in the household.
Decent test scores on mobile: CleanWeb scored 60/100 on AdBlock Tester for mobile, which is lower than its desktop performance. That gap comes down to the mobile version being CleanWeb rather than CleanWeb 2.0. It struggled to block banner and GIF ads on mobile, but still blocked contextual ads and gave me a cleaner browsing experience on ad-heavy sites.
Privacy-focused: I appreciated that Surfshark doesn't mess around when it comes to privacy. CleanWeb can also block trackers and malware for more comprehensive protection.
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Good value: For anyone in the market for a VPN, Surfshark has some of the lowest starting prices and allows unlimited simultaneous device connections. A VPN encrypts internet traffic, which can reduce bandwidth throttling, hide browsing activity, and help bypass geo-restricted content. With strong features like CleanWeb, I think Surfshark is a worthy investment.
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 in the Surfshark Android app is more limited because it doesn't include extras like blocking cookie notices, malware alerts, or ads on streaming services. CleanWeb can only block ads and trackers on mobile devices, and only when the VPN is active.
Only available as a bundle: Similar to Threat Protection Pro, CleanWeb may not be ideal for anyone looking for just an ad blocker or who already has a VPN subscription. CleanWeb is only available with Surfshark VPN as part of the Surfshark One bundle.
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.
That said, Surfshark CleanWeb does provide strong protection against trackers on Android.
| AdBlock Tester results | 60/100 |
| Can You Block It results | 2/3 |
| Can Surfshark CleanWeb block ads on YouTube mobile? | No |
| Learn more | Get Surfshark CleanWeb
Read Surfshark CleanWeb Review |
Surfshark CleanWeb received a high 4.8 star rating. It blocks ads, banners, pop-ups, trackers, and malicious sites across your browser and apps, starting at just $2.49/mo on a 24-month plan.
Surfshark CleanWeb earned perfect marks in value, test results, compatibility, and customer service. It received a lower score in the features category because It doesn't block push ads.
| Decision factor | Weight | Verdict |
| Our experience | 15% | 5.0 |
| Value | 21% | 5.0 |
| Features | 18% | 4.0 |
| Test results | 34% | 5.0 |
| Compatibility | 5% | 5.0 |
| Customer service | 7% | 5.0 |
Best for: Android users who want strong tracker protection and ad blocking built into a privacy-first VPN.
Blocks malicious domains, trackers, and ads
Open-source code available for public review
Included with all paid Proton VPN plans at no extra cost
Proton VPN NetShield is a DNS-based ad blocker bundled with Proton VPN. Rather than a standalone app, NetShield works at the network level, blocking ads, trackers, and malicious domains across your entire device while the VPN is active. That makes it a solid pick for privacy-focused users who want a clean browsing experience without installing a separate app.
Strong tracker blocking: According to Proton VPN, NetShield blocks trackers from monitoring your online activity. For privacy-focused users, that's a meaningful layer of protection on top of ad blocking.
Available on Google Play Store: Unlike Total Adblock, you can download the Proton VPN app directly from the Google Play Store. That way, you won't have to deal with certificate installs, sideloading, or other extra steps.
Extra features: NetShield comes bundled with Proton VPN, which brings encrypted traffic, IP masking, and access to geo-restricted content. For users already looking for a privacy-focused VPN, it's a strong pairing.
DNS-based limitations: Because NetShield filters at the DNS level, it struggles to block image-based ads and video ads. During testing, it failed most banner ad tests on AdBlock Tester and left some ad placeholders visible as blank spaces or alt text. It blocks the domain, but not always the ad container itself.
Limited ads blocked counter: NetShield's ads blocked counter tracks overall totals, not per-page breakdowns. You also can't view details on the ads, trackers, and malware being blocked.
Blocks malicious domains, trackers, and ads
DNS filtering means some banner and image ads slip through
Not available without a Proton VPN subscription
NetShield performed well on tracker blocking but fell short on banner and image ads during our mobile testing. The AdBlock Tester score reflects solid contextual and analytics blocking, with banner ads being the weak spot. It can't block YouTube ads on mobile at all.
| AdBlock Tester results | 71/100 |
| Can You Block It results | 2/3 |
| Can Proton VPN NetShield block ads on YouTube mobile? | No |
| Learn more | Get Proton VPN NetShield
Read Proton VPN NetShield Review |
Proton VPN NetShield earned a 4.3 rating as a solid privacy tool bundled with Proton VPN subscriptions. It offers DNS-based filtering that blocks malicious domains, trackers, and some ads.
However, Proton VPN NetShield's DNS filtering is inherently limited, which made it lose points in the features category. YouTube ads regularly slip through and banner ads can leave empty white spaces on the page.
| Decision factor | Weight | Verdict |
| Our experience | 15% | 5.0 |
| Value | 21% | 4.3 |
| Features | 18% | 3.0 |
| Test results | 34% | 4.5 |
| Compatibility | 5% | 4.0 |
| Customer service | 7% | 5.0 |
Best for: Users who want malware, phishing, and ad blocking bundled into a single Android security app.
Ad and tracker blocker that scored 90/100 on AdBlock Tester and passed all Can You Block It tests
Earned third place for phishing detection in AV-Comparatives testing with a 96% detection rate and zero false alarms
Threat Protection Pro works without an active VPN connection, so your browsing stays protected even when you're not connected to a server
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 Pro is one of the many features included with a NordVPN subscription. It blocks ads, trackers, malicious sites, and malware downloads.
While NordVPN Threat Protection Pro 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.
Good test results: NordVPN Threat Protection Pro 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.
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Extra features: On top of having an ad blocker, NordVPN's other functions are also accessible on Android. With a VPN, it's possible to mask an IP address to protect the device while on public Wi-Fi, hide internet traffic, and even unblock geo-restrictions for worldwide streaming.
Available in Google Play Store: Unlike most ad blocker apps, NordVPN can be downloaded directly from the Google Play Store.
Doesn't block YouTube ads: While the desktop version of Threat Protection Pro blocks YouTube ads, the mobile version doesn't.
Have to buy in a bundle: Threat Protection Pro can't be purchased separately from NordVPN. NordVPN's prices, which range from $3.49–$29.99/mo, may be steep for anyone looking to just block annoying ads on their phone.
NordVPN Threat Protection Pro is a decent ad blocker for Android, 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 Pro provides strong protection against trackers on mobile.
| AdBlock Tester results | 68/100 |
| Can You Block It results | 2/3 |
| Can NordVPN Threat Protection Pro block ads on YouTube mobile? | No |
| Learn more | Get NordVPN Threat Protection Pro
Read NordVPN Threat Protection Pro Review |
NordVPN Threat Protection received a solid star rating of 4.5 due to its 5/5 scores in the experience, compatibility, and customer service categories.
NordVPN Threat Protection is more expensive than most of the ad blockers on this list because it's only available with a NordVPN subscription. It also can't block YouTube ads.
| Decision factor | Weight | Verdict |
| Our experience | 15% | 5.0 |
| Value | 21% | 4.33 |
| Features | 18% | 4.0 |
| Test results | 34% | 5.0 |
| Compatibility | 5% | 5.0 |
| Customer service | 7% | 5.0 |
With so many ad blockers to choose from, deciding the best one for an Android device can be overwhelming. Here are some factors to consider when picking an Android ad blocker:
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, I 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 for Android are compatible with Firefox, including AdGuard, AdLock, and uBlock Origin. I've tested all three Firefox extensions and know they're good. They block annoying ads, including pop-ups, video ads, and trackers, and these ad blockers won't sell user data. While there's no free Android app, the Firefox browser can be downloaded 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 that comes with the premium plan.
Similarly, AdLock offers a range of 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 getting the most out of the extension requires some technical know-how.For anyone who enjoys custom rules and filters, uBlock Origin can offer a clean browsing experience.
Another alternative is the Brave Browser, which has built-in ad-blocking technology. Brave is a secure web browser 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.
I'd recommend only using AdGuard on top of Brave if AdGuard Extra is needed to block Twitch ads. However, Brave offers advanced content filtering to block tricky ads, as found on platforms like Twitch.
If you're looking for the best overall ad blocker for Android, Total Adblock is the best bet. I like that YouTube videos can be exported to the Total Adblock app — a feature that most ad blockers don't offer.
Top ad blocker that historically scores 100/100 on AdBlock Tester, passing every banner, interstitial, pop-up, and contextual ad test
Successfully blocked YouTube ads in our testing, one of the trickier platforms for ad blockers to handle consistently
Works across Chrome, Edge, Safari, and Opera, plus Android and iOS mobile apps
Surfshark CleanWeb supports unlimited devices, so everyone in a household can enjoy a clean browsing experience. Proton VPN NetShield comes from the open-source, security-forward Proton VPN. Finally, NordVPN Threat Protection Pro is a solid option for guarding against malware, along with ads and trackers.
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.
This leaves Firefox add-ons as the only major browser that 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 Store, then you can download an ad-blocker app like Total Adblock.
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 Total Adblock, but you can find several free ad blockers that may work for you.
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.
Top ad blocker that historically scores 100/100 on AdBlock Tester, passing every banner, interstitial, pop-up, and contextual ad test
Successfully blocked YouTube ads in our testing, one of the trickier platforms for ad blockers to handle consistently
Works across Chrome, Edge, Safari, and Opera, plus Android and iOS mobile apps
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