The Best Ad Blockers for Firefox 2024
Don’t let ads fire you up. Instead, get one of our recommended ad blockers for Firefox.
/authors/robin-moore-aac-bio.jpg){kind=small}
/authors/steph-trejos-allaboutcookies-editor.jpg){kind=small}
Last updated Apr 12, 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 for Blocking Ads on Mobile
/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 Blocking Malicious Ads
/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
Best for affordable privacy
/images/2023/05/18/surfshark_pos_240px.png)
Editorial Rating
Learn More
On Surfshark CleanWeb Ad Blocking's website
Surfshark CleanWeb Ad Blocking
-
Does not completely hide your digital fingerprint
View More
Best for Unique Add-Ons
/images/2023/02/10/logo-ublock-origin.png){kind=logo}
Editorial Rating
Learn More
On uBlock Origin's website
uBlock Origin
-
Some features require technical knowledge
View More
It’s important to use ad-blocking software combined with a web browser that you trust. We’ve tested some of the most popular ad-blocking services on the Mozilla Firefox browser. We determined that the best ad blockers for Firefox are Total Adblock, NordVPN Threat Protection, Surfshark CleanWeb, and uBlock Origin. All lead the way with their unique security features and ability to bypass unwanted ads (including YouTube ads).
In this article
The best ad blockers for Firefox 2024Total Adblock: Best for mobile ads
NordVPN Threat Protection: Best for blocking malicious ads
Surfshark CleanWeb: Best for affordable privacy
uBlock Origin: Best for unique add-ons
Honorable mentions
How we tested the best ad blockers for Firefox
Best ad blockers for Firefox FAQs
Bottom line
The best ad blockers for Firefox 2024
- Total Adblock: Best for blocking mobile ads
- NordVPN Threat Protection: Best for blocking malicious ads
- Surfshark CleanWeb: Best for affordable privacy
- uBlock Origin: Best for unique add-ons
Top 4 ad blockers for Firefox, compared
| Ad blocker |  |
 Threat Protection |
 CleanWeb |
 |
| Firefox extension | ||||
| Blocks ads | ||||
| Blocks trackers | ||||
| Blocks malicious sites | ||||
| Learn more | Get Total Adblock Read Total Adblock Review | Get NordVPN Threat Protection Read Total Adblock Review |
Get Surfshark CleanWeb Read Surfshark CleanWeb Review |
Read uBlock Origin Review |
Total Adblock: Best for blocking mobile ads
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 made by the same company that makes TotalAV antivirus, so you can be sure this ad blocker has cybersecurity chops. While testing it, we found it extremely easy to set up and really enjoyed the fact that we didn't have to manage any settings to block ads.
What we liked
Total Adblock received a perfect AdBlock Tester score and passed 2/3 Cover Your Tracks tests. AdBlock Tester tests the effectiveness of your ad blocker, factoring in contextual advertising, analytics tools, banner ads, and error monitoring. Cover Your Tracks tests your browser to see how well you're protected from tracking and fingerprinting. These high test scores are important, especially if you choose to pay for an ad blocker — no one wants to pay for something that doesn't work.
Needless to say, Total Adblock cleared out those annoying ads. The paid version blocks unlimited ads, disables browser notifications, and comes with antivirus protection, three bonuses that help keep your online adventures secure and annoyance-free.
/images/2023/03/01/total_adblock_review_01.png)
We also like that Total Adblock has iOS and Android apps for mobile devices, which can help protect your smartphone even more than a browser extension.
What we didn’t like
We wish Total Adblock's paid plan wasn't so expensive. The starting price is Free, but after that, you can expect to pay over $100 each year.
Keep in mind this high price might be worth it if you don't already have antivirus protection installed. Antivirus software is necessary for all devices, and you'll get access to the TotalAV security suite features if you pay for Total Adblock.
Total Adblock pros and cons
Pros
- User-friendly setup and design
- Hands-off ad blocking works in the background
Cons
- Paid plan shoots up in price after first year
Get Total Adblock | Read Our Total Adblock Review
NordVPN Threat Protection: Best for blocking malicious ads
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 Threat Protection is an integrated ad and malware blocker included with NordVPN, one of the best virtual private networks on the market. But its plans come with a lot more than just the ability to encrypt your internet connection. You can use it to block ads, trackers, and malicious websites, and to scan downloaded files for malware.
You can also opt to use Threat Protection Lite while connected to NordVPN, ensuring that your device is protected from pesky ads and malicious sites whenever you need.
What we liked
NordVPN Threat Protection had some impressive test results when we were testing for AdBlock Tester and Cover Your Tracks. It received a 93/100 score for ad blocking, a near-perfect score, and 2/3 for tracker blocking, showing that it can block tracking ads and invisible trackers. It also allows for whitelisting and blacklisting, so you can tailor your ad-blocking experience as needed.
We also like that Threat Protection can block malware, too. Threat Protection passed our malware detection and phishing detection tests, so we felt reassured that NordVPN could act as a well-rounded cybersecurity suite. Like other Nord products, Threat Protection was easy to set up, and its interface was intuitive.
What we didn’t like
NordVPN Threat Protection can be pricey, considering you're paying for a VPN subscription and not just a premium ad blocker. Surfshark has its own ad and malware blocker, known as CleanWeb, that's more affordable. (Learn more about CleanWeb below.)
If you opt to use Threat Protection Lite, the capabilities are pretty limited. Threat Protection Lite can't block trackers or scan for malware, which could put your device in danger of malware if you're not using an antivirus program.
NordVPN Threat Protection: pros and cons
Pros
- Blocks ads, trackers, and malware
- Allows for whitelisting and blacklisting
Cons
- There are cheaper alternatives in the market, like Surfshark CleanWeb
- Threat Protection Lite is limited
Get NordVPN Threat Protection | Read Our NordVPN Threat Protection Review
Surfshark CleanWeb: Best for affordable privacy
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 Threat Protection, Surfshark CleanWeb comes included with Surfshark VPN, both of which are key tools of the Surfshark One cybersecurity suite. By hitting a toggle on your VPN settings, you can block ads and pop-ups, autoplay video ads, cookie pop-up requests, and more.
Surfshark also provides CleanWeb 2.0, which is included with the Surfshark browser extension for Firefox, Google Chrome, and Microsoft Edge. CleanWeb 2.0's capabilities include blocking ads and cookie pop-up banners and receiving alerts for data breaches and malware.
What we liked
We were pleased to see CleanWeb receive a perfect ad-blocking test score. It also received a 2/3 Cover Your Tracks score, so you can be largely protected from ads and trackers online.
We also like that you can get CleanWeb for a cheaper cost than its competitor, Threat Protection. Surfshark's pricing starts at $2.29/mo for a two-year plan (often with some extra months thrown in), and it allows for unlimited simultaneous connections so you can encrypt your internet connection and block ads on multiple devices. It also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it out for a month
What we didn’t like
Although Surfshark is an affordable ad blocker, you'd still be required to buy a VPN subscription in order to use Surfshark CleanWeb. This may not be ideal if you already have a VPN or if you're just looking for an ad blocker.
In addition, you can only access CleanWeb 2.0 with the Surfshark browser extension. This can be frustrating if you're trying to block ads on your smartphone or other devices.
Surfshark CleanWeb: pros and cons
Pros
- Perfectly ad-blocking test score
- CleanWeb 2.0 blocks all ads, including YouTube ads
Cons
- Surfshark subscription needed
- CleanWeb 2.0 only available as a browser extension
Get Surfshark CleanWeb | Read Our Surfshark CleanWeb Review
uBlock Origin: Best for unique add-ons
uBlock Origin
-
Free and open-source
-
Compatible with multiple browsers
- Some features require technical knowledge
uBlock Origin is open source software that's available on a variety of browsers and offers the most customizable features of any other brand we tested. Along with the basic services of blocking ads, trackers, and malicious URLs, this ad blocker includes several more customizable features that may keep you safe during your web browsing.
Firefox’s website for the uBlock Origin extension calls it “a wide-spectrum content blocker with CPU and memory efficiency as a primary feature.”
Related to the company’s mantra, a user’s personal study on GitHub highlighted that uBlock Origin uses less computer memory than some of the leading brands.[1] The benefits of reducing memory consumption include speed and page stability, so you can use this ad blocker without worrying about sacrificing your PC’s memory data.
What we liked
uBlock Origin scored 96/100 with AdBlock Tester, and the tests it didn't pass were listed as "test has most likely passed." We initially had some issues with Cover Your Tracks, but after some tinkering, we received a 2/3 test score.
We also liked that the extension offers a multitude of filter lists that you can enable or disable within your settings. These lists are additional options beyond their default settings, such as:
- EasyList Cookie: Blocks cookies banners, GDPR overlay windows, and other privacy-related notices
- Fanboy Annoyances: Blocks social media content, pop-ups, and other annoying objects to help decrease webpage load times
- AdGuard Annoyances: Blocks cookie notifications, pop-ups, mobile app banners, widgets, and other annoyances
- Dan Pollock’s hosts file: Stops your PC from connecting to certain internet hosts to protect you from spyware and pop-up traps, prevent further tracking, and reduce bandwidth use
What we didn’t like
uBlock Origin released its JavaScript blocking feature in September 2018, taking the extension a step forward in blocking Javascript that can hide malware or attempt exploits. While this was a positive step for the organization, some recent user reviews from the Firefox browser extension showed concern about the feature automatically blocking certain websites. Luckily, the developer addressed the issue by fixing it in GitHub and responding directly to the review.
Another potential misstep for uBlock Origin is the lack of a support website or contact form for user issues. After searching its main webpage, we found that you can reach them through an email address at the bottom of the page that will populate if you click “get in touch.”
uBlock Origin pros and cons
Pros
- Software doesn’t use as much PC memory
- Offers customizable add-on features
Cons
- Scripting block feature may block content from wanted websites
- No support website
Honorable mentions
There are plenty of ad blockers on the market for you to consider. Here are some tested alternatives (which also unblock YouTube ads):
- Adblock Plus: Adblock Plus states that it blocks all ads by default, including YouTube ads. You can also customize which sites allow ads and view how many ads you’ve blocked.
- AdGuard: AdGuard blocks ads and trackers and provides many filter options to create a seamless and safe browsing experience. It offers custom filters in several languages, so you can block unwanted ads from websites worldwide. This software has a filter specifically for social media, which is a great idea since cybercriminals love to use social media as an exploitative resource.
How we tested the best ad blockers for Firefox
We tested the most important security components for each ad blocker before choosing our top four best ad blockers for Firefox. First, we tested the ad blockers through AdBlock Tester, a site that permits you to test your ad blocker against analytics and advertising services embedded within the testing website.
Next, we tested the ad blocker through Cover Your Tracks, a website that reveals how trackers view a browser. We used the site to test whether the ad blocker was truly blocking tracking ads and invisible trackers. Knowing how important it is for you to bypass social media and video ads, testing the ad blockers on YouTube was the third and final component of our testing process.
To ensure that each testing experience was unique, we fully disabled each ad blocker browser extension before enabling the next ad blocker on our list. Additionally, we made our top three selections because they had top scores in blocking ads, blocking trackers, and blocking ads that live on social media, among other factors.
Best ad blockers for Firefox FAQs
+
Does Firefox have a built-in ad blocker?
Firefox does not offer a built-in ad-blocking service, but it does have several ad-blocking extensions to choose from and download. Visit the Firefox Browser Add-ons page, search for ad blockers, then sort ad blocker options with filters like “Top Rated” or “Most Users.”
+
How do I turn off an ad blocker on Firefox?
Follow these instructions to turn off an ad blocker (or any other Firefox add-on):
- Open the Mozilla Firefox browser.
- Select the three lines in the upper-right part of your screen.
- Click Settings > Extensions and themes.
- Under “Manage your extensions,” turn your ad blocker off by moving the button to the off position.
+
Can you block Twitch ads on Firefox?
If you want to use ad blocking for Twitch on Firefox, the free version of Adblock Plus lets you enable this filter. uBlock Origin, one of our top-rated Firefox ad blockers, used to block ads on Twitch but no longer offers this feature. Read our article on the best ad blockers for Twitch for more options.
+
Can you block YouTube ads on Firefox?
After undergoing testing, we can confirm Total Adblock, NordVPN Threat Protection, Surfshark CleanWeb, and uBlock Origin can block YouTube ads.
Bottom line
Our top four best ad blockers for Firefox all blocked ads, trackers, and potential malware, and they passed our hands-on tests while browsing the web and with AdBlock Tester and Cover Your Tracks. But we've found that the best ad blocker for Firefox is Total Adblock.
Although NordVPN Threat Protection, Surfshark CleanWeb, and uBlock Origin all have their merits, Total Adblock offers total security at a better price point.
4 best ad blockers for Firefox 2024
| Best for | Compatibility | Learn More | |
|
Best for mobile ads | Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari, Android, iOS | Get Total Adblock Read Total Adblock Review |
| Threat Protection |
Best for blocking malicious ads | Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, Linux | Get NordVPN Threat Protection Read NordVPN Threat Protection Review |
| CleanWeb |
Best for affordable privacy | Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, Linux, FireTV |
Get Surfshark CleanWeb Read Surfshark CleanWeb Review |
|
Best for unique add-ons | Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari (prior to 13), Opera, Chromium | Read uBlock Origin 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/robin-moore-aac-bio.jpg)
Robin Moore is a freelance writer and editor specializing in blockchain technology, including wallet
security and data privacy. She is the current Managing Editor for Watcher.Guru, a startup blockchain
and finance news publication with 1.7 million followers on Twitter. Robin has also been the lead
content editor with Genfinity.IO, another startup blockchain research publication. Before entering the
Web3 space, she was a business analyst within the oil and gas industry.
When she is not offering advice on the best ways to protect data privacy, she is hiking, doing yoga, or
networking with her Web3 family on crypto-Twitter.
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?