Best Ad Blockers That Still Work in Chrome March 2025

In my tests, I've found that Total Adblock, Surfshark CleanWeb, NordVPN Threat Protection, AdGuard, and AdLock are still the best ad blockers for Chrome. Each of these helped block annoying ads, stop slow page load times, and keep your browsing anonymous without trackers.

Total Adblock shines as the best overall, with its perfect ad blocking rates and ease of use. Surfshark CleanWeb boasts coverage for unlimited devices, including smart TVs, while NordVPN Threat Protection excels at online security. 

We'll go over the top ad blockers for Google Chrome in detail below. 

The best ad blockers for Chrome March 2025

My tests show that the following popular ad blockers are best for the Chrome browser:

• Total Adblock: Best overall
• Surfshark CleanWeb: Best for unlimited devices
• NordVPN Threat Protection: Best for blocking malicious ads
• AdGuard: Best lightweight ad blocker
• AdLock: Best freemium ad blocker

Top 5 ad blockers for Chrome compared

Ad blocker	Best Overall	Surfshark CleanWeb	NordVPN Threat Protection
Chrome extension
Features	Tracker blocking, whitelisting, malware protection	Tracker blocking, whitelisting, malware blocking, Surfshark VPN, Surfshark Alt ID	Tracker blocking, whitelisting, malware blocking, malware scans, NordVPN	Tracker blocking, whitelisting, blacklisting, parental controls	Tracker blocking, whitelisting, social media filter, spyware filter
Manifest v3 compliance	Unaffected	Unaffected	Unaffected	Created a new compliant extension	Recommends switch to its desktop app
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	Get AdGuard Read AdGuard Review	Get AdLock Read AdLock Review

How I tested the best ad blockers for Chrome

The top Chrome ad blockers were chosen according to their ability to freely block all kinds of ads on contrasting web platforms. News websites, general content sites, social media sites, and multimedia platforms were tested. 

Free ad blocking ranks equally as high as privacy here, with customization features closely behind.

• The most important consideration was the elimination of intrusive ads.
• This was followed by privacy and tracker stoppage.
• Malicious content belongs here, so no malware code can be run.
• High ad blocking and anti-tracking scores based on our testing.
• Key differences between free versions and subscription models should be made clear.
• Even if it is full of customizable tools, the extension should still be easy to configure.
• With the implementation of Manifest V3, we reviewed how each product plans to handle this transition to the new Google Chrome API.
• Finally, low system overheads go hand-in-hand with the above requirement.

Total Adblock: Best overall

I think Total Adblock includes almost everything you'd want from an ad blocker. It's easy to use, works diligently in the background, and keeps tracks of ads blocked, trackers blocked, and data saved. 

It offers a limited free version, which still has impressive ad blocking test results, and a worthwhile premium plan with unlimited ad blocking potential and TotalAV antivirus. You can't go wrong with Total Adblock.

What I liked

Ease of use: Total Adblock only took minutes to set up, and it got to blocking ads right away. I didn't have to do anything after installing the extension, but you can adjust your trusted websites and ad preferences manually if you desire. 

Performance: I was impressed by Total Adblock receiving 100/100 test score from Adblock Tester, which is designed to test how effectively an ad blocker can prevent pop-ups, banner ads, Facebook ads, and much more. 

It's also a successful YouTube ad blocker, which is handy following YouTube's latest crackdown on ad blockers.

Value: Total Adblock's paid plan is only $1.59/mo (billed annually). The Premium plan blocks all ads, removes browser notifications, and comes with an award-winning antivirus, TotalAV.

What I didn’t like

Limited free plan: As far as free ad blocker extensions go, Total Adblock can be limiting; it excludes the top 15,000 websites listed on Alexa.com. I also found that some reviewers had trouble canceling their subscriptions, which is worth noting if you opt for the premium plan. I haven't run into this issue myself.

No current MV3 support: I'm also waiting to learn about Total Adblock's transition plan once Manifest v3 is fully implemented. Since Total Adblock is such a powerful ad blocker, we hope there will still be a way to use it with Chrome. Right now, I'm not seeing a warning from Chrome, so hopefully it stays that way.

Total Adblock pros and cons

Get Total Adblock | Read Our Total Adblock Review

Surfshark CleanWeb: Best for unlimited devices

Surfshark CleanWeb is for individuals or households who use a lot of different devices. Most ad blockers cover one device only, which is a bummer. Surfshark CleanWeb is bundled with the top-rated Surfshark VPN, and one of the best perks is being able to connect an unlimited number of devices. Surfshark is also great for streaming and browsing, offering broad device compatibility that includes smart TVs. 

What I liked

Usability: The Surfshark cybersecurity suite is super easy to install and use. The interface has a clean, modern look and intuitive navigation. Other ad blocker bundles, like NordVPN Threat Protection, are clunkier to use. Surfshark makes it easy to access all the advanced features.

Performance: Surfshark CleanWeb is versatile. It's an ad and pop-up blocker that includes data breach alerts and malware alerts, ensuring you're safe as you browse the web. I appreciate the malware alert because it let me know if I was going to access a malicious website. Plus, it seamlessly blocks video ads, making it one of the best ad blockers for streaming. 

Unlimited devices: This is worth mentioning twice since most ad blockers (and even VPN services) don't offer unlimited simultaneous connections. Surfshark let us connect our desktops, smartphones, gaming consoles, and smart TVs. You can even install Surfshark on your home router if you want ultimate privacy and security. 

What I didn’t like

No standalone ad blocker: CleanWeb comes bundled with Surfshark VPN as part of the Surfshark One Starter plan. So if you want to purchase the ad blocker by itself, you can't. However, Surfshark is still one of the most affordable security suites, so getting a VPN with an ad blocker is a good deal. 

Reliance on VPN: We could use the CleanWeb browser extension without a VPN connection. But when we used the Surfshark app, the VPN connection was required for CleanWeb to function. Plus, the toggle to turn CleanWeb on and off is buried in the VPN Settings, which isn't ideal.

Surfshark CleanWeb pros and cons

Get Surfshark CleanWeb |Read Our Surfshark CleanWeb Review

NordVPN Threat Protection: Best for blocking malicious ads

As far as virtual private networks go, NordVPN is one of the top providers on the market. What you may not know is that NordVPN comes with features beyond a VPN to enhance your cybersecurity. One of those features is NordVPN Threat Protection, formerly known as Cybersec.

Threat Protection is more than just an ad blocker — it also blocks trackers, malware, and phishing scam attempts to keep your device and personal data safe as you browse online.

What I liked

Web protection: Unlike other ad blockers, Threat Protection can also scan for and block malware, like adware, phishing, and more. It offers real-time protection, so we received alerts for any suspicious activity regardless of whether I was browsing on my desktop or scrolling on my phone.

Threat Protection even passed my tests for malware detection and phishing detection, proving that Nord will reliably detect and block cyberthreats.

Performance: NordVPN proved to be a formidable opponent of ads during my testing. It received a 96/100 score with AdBlock Tester, with only some small misses in the error monitoring category. It also provided strong protection against trackers according to the Cover Your Tracks test. 

Not affected by MV3: The NordVPN Chrome extension will not be affected by the rollout of Manifest V3.^[1] So if you're sold on NordVPN's ad blocker, you won't need to worry about your extension being watered down.

What I didn’t like

No firewall: NordVPN Threat Protection covers a lot of cyberthreats, but it's not the most comprehensive antivirus. Threat Protection doesn't have its own dedicated firewall, although it can be complemented with a firewall or antivirus purchased separately.

No standalone ad blocker: Unfortunately, there's no free version of Threat Protection, and it can only be purchased with NordVPN, which has costs ranging from $3.39–$17.99/mo. This might not be ideal if you're on a budget or if you're only looking for an ad blocker.

NordVPN Threat Protection pros and cons

Get NordVPN Threat Protection | Read Our NordVPN Threat Protection Review

AdGuard: Best lightweight ad blocker

If you pay for an ad blocker, they typically only cover one device. AdGuard stands out for its ability to cover three to nine devices, so you can give your entire household an ad-free experience. 

With AdGuard I got a cleaner, more enjoyable browsing experience. It dismisses pop-ups and banner ads, leaving plenty of resources for smooth page loading. 

What I liked

Broad compatibility: AdGuard has a wide range of compatibility for several operating systems, mobile devices, and browsers. Beyond Chrome, you can use AdGuard on Firefox, Edge, Safari, Opera, and Yandex. Plus, with AdGuard Personal, I could cover up to three devices. AdGuard Family is the best deal by far since you can cover up to nine devices for only $5.49/mo (billed annually).

Statistics dashboard: I also like that AdGuard provides plenty of details on how well its blockers perform. The extension panel integrates a statistics tab, so I could view a simple graph that shows the number of blocked ads on a website.

MV3 beta extension: Finally, AdGuard has developed a Chrome extension that's compliant with Manifest V3. This beta extension still had high performance scores with the AdBlock Tester and Cover Your Tracks tests.^[2]

What I didn’t like

Advanced stats aren't clear: AdGuard isn't the most user-friendly ad blocker. The statistics tab may be overwhelming for users who just want to block ads, but you can just keep AdGuard going in the background if that's the case. 

AdGuard Plus pros and cons

Get AdGuard | Read Our AdGuard Review

AdLock: Best freemium ad blocker

For a free extension, AdLock proved to be a standout. During our testing, it had a strong Adblock Tester score of 100/100. Although only the Pro plan is supposed to block all types of ads, it looks like the free version comes pretty close. 

What I liked

Usability: AdLock is another ad blocker we found easy to use. I could easily toggle the app on and off or add exclusions to an "allow list," supporting specific content creators while keeping the rest of my browsing ad-free.

Advanced filters: When testing the paid plan, AdLock’s extension has an integrated spyware filter with rules that stop websites from tracking your activity. AdLock Pro also comes with a social media filter that protects my data from being tracked as I visit Facebook, Instagram, and other social media networks. 

Easy to read data policies: I was also impressed by AdLock's transparent privacy policy. It's written in plain language, making it easy for any to read, and it doesn't sell my data, even if I chose the free plan. AdLock only collects data for analytics and usage purposes. 

What I didn’t like

Limited free plan: There's not much to complain about when it comes to AdLock. Some features, like the social media blocker, are only available with paid plans, so that's something to remember when picking your plan.

Limited payment options: I also noticed AdLock only accepts Visa, Mastercard, and PayPal, which is limiting if you're looking to pay with other credit cards, payment processors, or even cryptocurrency. 

No MV3 support: Unfortunately, AdLock doesn't seem to be developing an extension for Manifest V3. Instead, it suggests you opt for its desktop apps, which require a paid subscription.^[3]

AdLock Plus pros and cons

Get AdLock | Read Our AdLock Review

Why isn't uBlock Origin on this list?

uBlock Origin was originally one of our favorite ad blockers for Chrome. It's completely free and open-source, plus endlessly customizable with several filters to block ads, trackers, malware, and other web annoyances. 

Unfortunately, uBlock Origin was affected by Google's Manifest V3 update. Having personally used the ad blocker, I noticed it was turned off by Chrome and listed as no longer supported (as of December 2024). 

Although I asked around and it's still working for some people, it looks like Google will actually be taking down uBlock Origin for all its users slowly but surely. That's why I no longer recommend uBlock Origin for Chrome, but I do recommend it for other browsers.

uBlock Origin did develop an extension that's compliant with Manifest V3, it's just not as effective as the original version. You can test it out yourself by searching uBlock Origin Lite.

How will Manifest V3 affect Chrome ad blockers?

Manifest V3 is Google Chrome's latest browser extension framework. This new framework will limit extensions to just 30,000 rules. 

Although this seems like a high number, it's proven to be incredibly limiting to ad blockers. For instance, uBlock Origin used around 300,000 rules so you can block all kinds of ads and trackers. 

Thus, extensions created with Manifest V3 will have a more limited feature set and, by extension, less extensive ad-blocking capabilities. Ad blockers with Chrome extensions will either need to create an extension that's compliant with Manifest V3 or develop desktop apps that won't need to work on Chrome. Alternatively, some ad blockers may encourage their users to switch browsers.

We've researched several ad blockers for Chrome to learn more about their action plans for the Manifest V3 update.

	Manifest V3 update
	TBD
Surfshark CleanWeb	CleanWeb 2.0 Chrome extension isn't impacted
NordVPN Threat Protection	Chrome extension isn't impacted
	Created Manifest V3-compliant extension
	Recommends switching browsers or using its desktop app
	Created Manifest V3-compliant extension: uBlock Lite

Manifest-V3 extension test results

I put AdGuard and uBlock Origin's newly compliant extensions to the test. See the results for these extensions below:

	AdGuard (MV3 Beta)	uBlock Origin Lite
AdBlock Tester results	100/100	100/100
Cover Your Tracks results	2/3	0/3
Does it block YouTube ads?

AdGuard (MV3 Beta) and uBlock Origin Lite both took some tinkering before they worked at their full potential. Both had AdBlock Tester scores that were about 70/100, but I went into the settings for each and turned on every toggle and checked every filter we could find. 

Then, I retested AdGuard (MV3 Beta) and uBlock Origin Lite. Both still maintained perfect AdBlock Tester scores. I was also pleased that both still blocked YouTube ads as well.

When it came to the Cover Your Tracks tests, only AdGuard still blocked trackers. My browser still had a unique fingerprint, but it successfully blocked tracking ads and invisible trackers. 

uBlock Origin Lite failed all three Cover Your Tracks tests. Although I hope the extension improves in the future, AdGuard may be the better option if you're looking to stay anonymous online. 

FAQs

Bottom line

Total Adblock, Surfshark CleanWeb, and NordVPN Threat Protection are the best Chrome ad blockers, and there’s good reason for their lofty positions. Beyond offering compatibility with Chrome, they're user-friendly and come with extensive features where you can customize your ad-blocking experience and protect yourself from malicious ads.

5 best ad blockers for Chrome 2025

	Best for	Compatibility	Learn more
	Best overall	Chrome, Edge, Opera, Safari, Android, iOS	Get Total Adblock Read Total Adblock Review
	Best for unlimited devices	CleanWeb: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Fire TV CleanWeb 2.0: Chrome, Firefox, Edge	Get Surfshark CleanWeb Read Surfshark CleanWeb Review
	Best for blocking malicious ads	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 lightweight ad blocker	Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Android TV, Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, Opera, Yandex	Get AdGuard Read AdGuard Review
	Best freemium ad-blocker	Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Chrome, Firefox, Safari	Get AdLock Read AdLock Review