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Best Overall
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Best for Multiple Devices
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The best ad blocker for iPhone is Total Adblock — it's easy to install, blocks ads across apps and YouTube, and earned top scores in my testing. I've also picked Surfshark CleanWeb for multiple devices, 1Blocker for an iOS-native experience, and NordVPN Threat Protection for privacy.
According to our ad blocker study, 67% of users have skipped content or abandoned a site due to ads. But it doesn't have to be that way. Our research also shows that 94% of ad blocker users say their software is at least somewhat effective, making the case for using ad-blocking technology to improve browsing and streaming.f
Read on to see how I tested and ranked the best ad blockers for iPhone, including free options that work without a subscription.
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Instantly blocks distracting ads on millions of websites, including Facebook and YouTube ads
Blocks third-party trackers to protect your privacy and information
Improves page load times and enables faster browsing
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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
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Works seamlessly on macOS, iOS, and Safari
Offers lots of features, including regional filters, a firewall, custom filters, and more
Free version also proved to be highly effective
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Stops intrusive ads before they can even load, improving browsing speed and experience
Identifies malware-ridden files and protects against visiting malicious websites
Encrypts your data and blocks third-party trackers for increased security and privacy
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| Details | View Deal | View Deal | View Details | View Deal |
| Best for | Overall | Multiple devices | Designed for iOS | Privacy |
| Star rating | ||||
| iOS app | ||||
| Price | $1.59/mo | $1.78-$20.85/mo | $1.25–$2.99/mo | $3.59–$25.29/mo |
| Adblock Tester score | 100/100 | 96/100 | 78/100 | 100/100 |
| Does it work on YouTube? | ||||
| Compatibility | Android, iOS, Chrome, Edge, Safari | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Chrome, Edge, Firefox | macOS, iOS, Safari | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Chrome, Edge, Firefox |
| Learn more | Read Total Adblock Review | Read Surfshark CleanWeb Review | Read 1Blocker Review | Read NordVPN Threat Protection Review |
Every ad blocker in this guide is hands-on tested by our team using a consistent process. We evaluate each product across six areas:
We test all ad blockers at least twice a year to ensure our recommendations stay current. We test across Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS so our results reflect real-world performance on the devices most readers actually use.
To learn more about how we test, read our full ad blocker methodology here.
Instantly blocks distracting ads on millions of websites, including Facebook and YouTube ads
Blocks third-party trackers to protect your privacy and information
Improves page load times and enables faster browsing
From the makers of TotalAV antivirus, Total Adblock offers an effective ad blocker for iOS. It received top-notch ad-blocking scores during my testing, and it can block YouTube ads if viewed within the Total Adblock app.
Ease of use: Total Adblock is easy to install on an iPhone, and the app makes it simple to turn ad blockers on and off. With the free plan, I found it easy to customize filters for ad blocking, privacy, social widgets, annoyances, security, and other miscellaneous factors. I also appreciated the option to create an Acceptable Ads list in case there are any content creators whose ads I want to support.
Blocks YouTube ads on mobile: It may seem difficult to block in-app ads on YouTube, but Total Adblock has a workaround for that. All I had to do was open the video I wished to watch, select Share, and then find Total Adblock on the list of sharing options. The YouTube video then opened in the Total Adblock app, away from video ad interruptions.
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Premium includes TotalAV software: Opting for Total Adblock Premium removes all limits on the types of ads that can be blocked and the filters available to customize. It also unlocks bonus features like TotalAV antivirus protection and PC Tune-Up.
Limited free ad blocker: I had to upgrade to Total Adblock Premium for the best iOS experience. The free version doesn't block ads on Safari and excludes the top 15,000 websites listed on Alexa.com.
Total Adblock is our top recommended ad blocker because it has some of the best test scores across the board. It received perfect test scores with AdBlock Tester and Can You Block It.
Total Adblock also consistently blocks YouTube ads on both desktop and mobile, so you'll be able to stream YouTube ad-free on your Android.
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| AdBlock Tester results | 100/100 |
| Can You Block It results | 3/3 |
| Can Total Adblock block ads on YouTube? | Yes |
| Learn more | Get Total Adblock |
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 |
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
If you want the best overall value in iPhone security, Surfshark CleanWeb bundles ad blocking, tracker blocking, and malware protection into one of the most affordable VPN subscriptions available — with unlimited simultaneous connections across all your devices. It's my top pick for anyone who wants more than just an ad blocker.
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Good ad blocking capabilities: I appreciate that Surfshark CleanWeb doesn't appear to be an afterthought in the Surfshark Starter plan. It demonstrated strong performance across many ad types during my testing. I also liked that CleanWeb can be used without having the VPN connected.
Blocks YouTube ads: I was also impressed by CleanWeb's ability to block video ads, including those on YouTube and other streaming services.
Excellent value: Surfshark offers some of the most bang for the buck with its subscriptions. The starting price of $1.78/mo for a two-year plan comes with a secure VPN, ad blocker, cookie pop-up blocker, personal detail generator, and a masked email generator. Plus, all Surfshark plans cover unlimited devices simultaneously. Learn more about Surfshark's bundled online security features in our Surfshark VPN review.
Can't use on Safari: Unfortunately, CleanWeb 2.0 lacks compatibility with Safari, so I had to use Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or the Surfshark iOS app instead.
No standalone ad blocker: Although CleanWeb can be used without a VPN, it's not available as a standalone ad blocker. For anyone who already has a VPN subscription or is just looking for a free ad blocker, it may not be the best option.
Surfshark CleanWeb is a high-performing ad blocker that pleasantly surprised us with its latest results. It received either perfect or near-perfect scores on all our ad blocking tests. Plus, it successfully blocked ads on YouTube.
CleanWeb
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| AdBlock Tester results | 96/100 |
| Can You Block It results | 3/3 |
| Can Surfshark CleanWeb block ads on YouTube? | Yes |
| Learn more | Get Surfshark CleanWeb |
Surfshark CleanWeb received a near-perfect star rating of 4.8 due to its 5/5 scores in the experience, value, test results, compatibility, and customer service categories.
Surfshark CleanWeb received lower marks 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 |
Works seamlessly on macOS, iOS, and Safari
Offers lots of features, including regional filters, a firewall, custom filters, and more
Free version also proved to be highly effective
While 1Blocker touts itself as the ad blocker built for Safari, it also has an app for iOS. With 1Blocker's free version, I found it easy to select whether to block ads, web trackers, annoyances, widgets, comments, or adult sites and to switch between categories in the app.
1Blocker is one of the only apps that work on iPhone software as well as Safari. A 2-week free trial of 1Blocker is available to try the premium features, or the limited free version works for basic needs.
1Blocker also offers a lifetime premium membership for $39.99, a yearly subscription for $1.25/mo, or a monthly rate of $2.99/mo.
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Compatible with Safari: For heavy Apple users, 1Blocker is a great solution. It's specifically designed for Safari and works effectively for blocking ads on Macs, iPads, and iPhones. I found it easy to toggle blockers on and off directly within the app.
Good for multiple Apple devices: With a premium membership, 1Blocker can be used on an unlimited number of Apple devices linked to the same Apple account. The premium membership allows for multiple filters to be turned on simultaneously, blocks trackers in apps, and enables advanced customization to create custom filters.
Content and ad blocker: While 1Blocker was created to block unwanted content in apps on Safari, it also blocks ads. Additionally, 1Blocker offers a firewall feature that blocks more background trackers in apps — something I found genuinely useful for enhancing phone privacy.
Limited free plan: While it's great that 1Blocker offers a free plan, it does have limited functionality. I could only enable one filter at a time when blocking web trackers, and a premium account is required to block more than one content type simultaneously.
Inconsistent test results: 1Blocker previously received high test results in my testing, but it struggled during my most recent tests, barely passing AdBlock Tester.
Specifically designed for Apple products
Offers lots of features, including regional filters, a firewall, custom filters, and more
1Blocker proved to be an efficient ad blocker during our testing. It earned solid marks with AdBlock Tester, almost bested all three Can You Block It tests, and it can block ads on YouTube.
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| AdBlock Tester results | 78/100 |
| Can You Block It results | 2.5/3 |
| Can 1Blocker block ads on YouTube? | Yes |
| Learn more | Get 1Blocker |
1Blocker's decent star rating of 4.7 was achieved due to its 5/5 scores in the experience, features, compatibility, and customer service categories.
1Blocker failed to fully block interstitial ads during repeated in-house testing, though it effectively blocked banner ads, YouTube ads, and other ad formats.
| Decision factor | Weight | Verdict |
| Our experience | 15% | 5.0 |
| Value | 21% | 4.67 |
| Features | 18% | 5.0 |
| Test results | 34% | 4.5 |
| Compatibility | 5% | 5.0 |
| Customer service | 7% | 5.0 |
Stops intrusive ads before they can even load, improving browsing speed and experience
Identifies malware-ridden files and protects against visiting malicious websites
Encrypts your data and blocks third-party trackers for increased security and privacy
NordVPN is widely regarded as one of the best VPNs. On top of encrypting internet traffic, Nord also includes NordVPN Threat Protection, a built-in ad blocker. NordVPN can block trackers and change an IP address, making it my top pick for anyone looking for the utmost privacy on their iPhone.
NordVPN Threat Protection Pro is more than just an ad blocker. It can also detect and block malware and phishing attempts that could threaten an iPhone, thanks to its real-time protection.
Good tracking protection: Threat Protection also blocks web trackers and tracking URLs, helping to stay anonymous online. The dashboard lists the number of attempts blocked, offering reassurance that Threat Protection is working.
Bundled with NordVPN: Opting for a VPN to block iPhone ads adds a meaningful layer of online privacy. NordVPN has a strict no-logs policy that's been independently audited, and it's based in Panama, which is outside of the Eyes Alliances. It passed our DNS and WebRTC leak protection tests, ensuring data remains safe. It comes with plenty of specialty server options, including multi-hop, Onion over VPN, and obfuscated servers. Learn more about NordVPN's advanced online security features in our NordVPN review.
No standalone ad blocker: NordVPN Threat Protection can't be purchased alone; a NordVPN subscription is required to access this feature. If looking to purchase NordVPN, it can cost anywhere from $3.09–$25.29/mo depending on the length of commitment and which tier to purchase. This might be pricey for some, especially those just looking for a free way to block those pesky ads.
NordVPN Threat Protection Pro is a solid ad blocker, but it struggles with YouTube ads at all. However, Threat Protection Pro passed the AdBlock Tester and Can You Block It tests with ease.
Threat Protection
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| AdBlock Tester results | 100/100 |
| Can You Block It results | 3/3 |
| Can NordVPN Threat Protection block ads on YouTube? | No |
| Learn more | Get NordVPN Threat Protection |
NordVPN Threat Protection received a solid star rating of 4.7 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 |
If you're looking for a free ad blocker for iPhone, both 1Blocker and Total Adblock offer free tiers that cover basic ad blocking without a subscription.
1Blocker's free plan works directly in Safari, but it only lets you enable one filter category at a time, like ad blocking, tracker blocking, or annoyance removal. For light browsing and occasional use, it's genuinely useful without paying. Upgrading to premium unlocks multiple simultaneous filters and app-level tracker blocking across all your Apple devices.
Total Adblock's free tier offers more filter customization options but comes with a key limitation: it excludes the top 15,000 websites by traffic. For most iPhone users who regularly visit major sites, this makes the free version feel restricted. The premium plan removes those limits and adds TotalAV antivirus protection.
Learn more about which ad blocker is better in our Total Adblock vs. 1Blocker comparison.
There are several different ad blockers available for iPhone users, and while they all effectively block ads in Safari, a few stand out for their additional features. From my testing, if you're looking for an ad blocker that works with Apple devices, Total Adblock was the standout. Not only does it work with Safari, but it also blocks ads and other content on other apps throughout the phone.
Instantly blocks distracting ads on millions of websites, including Facebook and YouTube ads
Blocks third-party trackers to protect your privacy and information
Improves page load times and enables faster browsing
Based on our ad blocker research, 59% install ad blockers to protect against malware, while 54% install them to improve privacy. The good news is that it's possible to choose an ad blocker that stops malware and safeguards online privacy.
Total AdBlock and 1Blocker offer free ad blockers for iPhone that work adequately for basic ad blocking. However, each gets even better with a premium subscription. For anyone serious about removing ads, trackers, and other unwanted content, the premium subscriptions make the ad blockers more effective.
Surfshark CleanWeb and NordVPN Threat Protection both include VPN subscriptions for those seeking a comprehensive solution. But all of my top ad blocker picks for iPhone and iOS devices are also among the best ad blockers I've tested.
Yes, Apple does allow ad blockers. There are several options available in Apple’s App Store, including our top four: 1Blocker, Total Adblock, NordVPN Threat Protection, and Surfshark CleanWeb.
Apple also provides some built-in capabilities for blocking pop-up ads in Safari. From the Settings app, you would just need to tap Safari and then toggle the switch on for Block Pop-ups.
Yes, ad blockers do work on iPhones. There are several apps available that you can download to block ads in Safari and on other apps on your iPhone.
1Blocker is a great free ad blocker for iPhone. 1Blocker is an iOS ad blocker designed specifically for Safari, so if you’re using a different browser, you’ll want an ad blocker with more browser compatibility.
To install an ad blocker on an iPhone, you’ll first want to download the ad blocker app that you’d like to use. After downloading the app, you’ll have to give the ad blocker access to Safari through your phone’s settings. The ad blocker you select will walk you through this.
First, head to settings on your iPhone, navigate to Safari, and then select extensions inside of the Safari tab. Toggle the ad blocker on, and it’ll start blocking ads on your iPhone.
Instantly blocks distracting ads on millions of websites, including Facebook and YouTube ads
Blocks third-party trackers to protect your privacy and information
Improves page load times and enables faster browsing
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