The Best YouTube Ad Blockers in December 2024

Based on our testing, we’ve found the best YouTube ad blockers include Total Adblock, NordVPN Threat Protection, Surfshark CleanWeb, AdGuard, and uBlock Origin. These options all flawlessly blocked YouTube ads as well as bypassed the site's ad blocker detection.

You know there’s nothing more annoying than pesky ads interrupting your YouTube experience. And now even if you use an ad blocker, YouTube has started displaying pop-ups before videos warning users that ad blockers violate YouTube's terms of service. You’re prompted to either view the YouTube ads or pay for a YouTube Premium subscription.

If you're looking for a third option, we’ll cover the best YouTube ad blockers based on their customizable settings, user experience, and ease of use. 

The best ad blockers for YouTube December 2024

• Total Adblock: Best for ease of use
• NordVPN Threat Protection: Best for blocking malicious ads
• Surfshark CleanWeb: Best for multiple devices
• AdGuard: Best for personalized ad blocking
• uBlock Origin: Best for simplified ad blocking

Top 5 ad blockers for YouTube compared

Ad blocker		Threat Protection	CleanWeb
Compatibility	Chrome, Edge, Opera, Safari, Android, iOS	Chrome, Firefox, Edge, iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, Linux	Chrome, Firefox, Edge, iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, Linux, FireTV	macOS, Windows, iOS, Android, Android TV, Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, Opera, Yandex	Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari (prior to 13), Opera, Chromium
Features	Whitelisting, malicious website blocking, third-party tracker blocking	VPN, malware scans, blocks infected files	VPN, data breach alert, malware alert	DNS protection, stealth mode, phishing, malware protection	Open source, content blocker, advanced privacy filters, EasyList filters
Price	Free or $1.59/mo	$3.59–$17.99/mo	$1.99-$20.65/mo	Free-$5.49/mo	Free
Free version available
Learn more	Get Total Adblock Read Total Adblock Review	Get NordVPN Threat Protection Read NordVPN Threat Protection Review	Get Surfshark CleanWeb Read Surfshark CleanWeb Review	Get AdGuard Read AdGuard Review	Get uBlock Origin Read uBlock Origin Review

How we tested the best ad blockers for YouTube

We tested the ad blocker browser extensions as well as any Windows, macOS, or iOS applications that the ad blocker offered. All tests were done on a MacBook Air, Windows laptop, and an iPhone 13.

The tests were done by turning the ad blocker on and off while watching various YouTube channels, and we also looked at websites such as Forbes to see how effectively they blocked ads on other platforms.

Here are the main factors we focused on when determining the best ad blockers for YouTube:

• Ease of installation: How easy was it to add the ad blocker to our browser? How easy was it to install any desktop or mobile apps?
• Setup and customization: Was the setup process easy? Did the ad blocker allow you to customize how it performed and what ads it blocked?
• Effectiveness in blocking browser ads: How successful was the ad blocker in limiting or removing ads while browsing the internet?
• Effectiveness in blocking YouTube ads: Was the ad blocker able to block ads while watching YouTube in a browser? Was it able to block ads while using the YouTube app?
• Additional features: What additional features did the ad blocker offer on top of ad blocking?

Total Adblock: Best for ease of use

Total Adblock is a top-performing, easy-to-use ad blocker from the makers of TotalAV Antivirus. It took us less than five minutes to complete the setup process, and once it was installed, we found that we didn’t need to do anything else with the app. The extension provides a counter with how many adverts and trackers it’s blocked for you, so you can check in on how well it’s working.

From our most recent round of testing, Total Adblock received an AdBlock Tester score of 100/100. With Total Adblock, you can rest assured that you have a hands-free application that blocks all kinds of ads in the background as you surf the web.

What we liked

When testing Total Adblock with YouTube, we liked that all we had to do was turn the toggle on from the browser extension. Even with Total Adblock toggled on, YouTube didn’t warn us about using the ad blocker, which was reassuring.

You can open the extension on your browser and see how many ads you’ve blocked, trackers you’ve blocked, and even how much data you saved.

To block YouTube ads on Total Adblock’s mobile app, all you need to do is open the YouTube video you wish to watch, hit Share, and then share the link with the Total Adblock app. From there, you’ll open the YouTube video in the app away from YouTube’s relentless autoplay video ads.

We also like that Total Adblock has whitelist functionality, so you can allow ads on websites if you want to support your favorite content creators. In the Settings menu, you just need to select Acceptable Ads and enter the websites you wish to whitelist.

What we didn’t like

Although Total Adblock’s free version is a powerful tool, it excludes the top 15,000 ads listed on Alexa.com. This could be frustrating if you’re looking for a comprehensive ad-blocking experience. The free version also prompted us to upgrade to premium with multiple pop-ups, which is ironic considering it’s an ad blocker.

Total Adblock pros and cons

Get Total Adblock | Read Our Total Adblock Review

NordVPN Threat Protection: Best for blocking malicious ads

NordVPN frequently tops lists of the best VPNs for numerous reasons, one of them being its plentiful bonus features. One of those features is NordVPN Threat Protection, formerly known as Cybersec.

On top of blocking YouTube ads, Threat Protection can block trackers, infected files, malicious websites, and tracking URLs, so you can keep your devices safe from all types of cyberthreats all with one app.

What we liked

NordVPN Threat Protection is more than just an ad blocker; it also blocks trackers and malware. After performing an EICAR test, we were pleased to see Threat Protection pass malware detection and phishing detection tests. It also received impressive ad blocking and tracker blocking test scores. If you’re looking for a product that can tackle multiple cybersecurity needs, then NordVPN with Threat Protection may be the choice for you.

Beyond blocking ads, we like that NordVPN, combined with the Threat Protection feature, is a good option for a comprehensive cybersecurity suite. With a VPN, you can encrypt your internet connection to make yourself anonymous online, protecting you from hackers and other cyber threats. Threat Protection scans downloaded files for malware and blocks malicious websites.

What we didn’t like

Threat Protection is great for some antivirus needs, but it's not the most comprehensive. It lacks a standalone firewall, so you'll probably need to buy a firewall separately or even opt for a full antivirus program.  

NordVPN can also be expensive, depending on your personal budget. Plans range from $2.99–$17.99/mo based on which plan tier you choose and how long you want to pay for a subscription. If you’re looking for just an ad blocker, you may be better off with something like Total Adblock.

NordVPN Threat Protection pros and cons

Get NordVPN Threat Protection | Read Our NordVPN Threat Protection Review

Surfshark CleanWeb: Best for multiple devices

Surfshark is one of the newer virtual private networks (VPNs) on the market, but it's quickly become one of the top contenders. It's affordable, allows for unlimited simultaneous connections, and comes with lots of features like CleanWeb.

By hitting a simple toggle on the Surfshark dashboard, CleanWeb can block ads, trackers, and malware. The upgraded version, CleanWeb 2.0, can also block YouTube ads and cookie pop-ups, and it provides alerts for data breaches and malware. 

What we liked

Surfshark CleanWeb netted a high 98/100 score with Adblock Tester, only losing a handful of points on the contextual advertising section (though these received "Most likely passed" statuses). It boasts blocking intrusive ads, pop-ups, and cookie requests, so we're glad our testing backed up these claims. 

We were also impressed that CleanWeb 2.0 can block ads not just on YouTube but also on streaming services, even from a FireTV. Once we had Surfshark's browser extension installed, all we had to do was hit a button to turn on its blocking capabilities. It even works without a Surfshark VPN connection. 

We love Surfshark because it's budget-friendly, with its starting price at $1.99/mo (billed every two years) for a two-year plan. It also allows for unlimited device connections, so you can block ads and encrypt your connection on as many devices as you like.

What we didn’t like

Although Surfshark has apps for macOS and iOS, we were bummed to find that CleanWeb 2.0 doesn't have an extension for Safari. Apple users will need to either use a different browser or stick with the original CleanWeb's capabilities, which unfortunately can't block YouTube ads. 

We're also wary of Surfshark's headquarters in The Netherlands, which is part of the 9 Eyes alliance. Although Surfshark has a no-logs policy that's been audited by a third party, being based in the Eyes alliances means it could be forced to cooperate with its global surveillance programs. 

Surfshark CleanWeb pros and cons

Get Surfshark CleanWeb | Read Our Surfshark CleanWeb Review

AdGuard: Best for personalized ad blocking

AdGuard is a great solution for stopping ads when watching your favorite YouTube channel or browsing the internet. It allows you to personalize your ad blocker to meet your specialized needs, such as blocking chatbots or removing context-based ads.

Before turning on AdGuard, we were inundated with a variety of YouTube ads. When we tested AdGuard while using YouTube, all of those ads were blocked.

AdGuard offers a Windows and Mac desktop app and extensions for your favorite browsers. We tested the desktop app and the browser extensions in Chrome and Safari, and we saw the same results: no ads.

In addition, we tested AdGuard’s mobile app while browsing YouTube in Safari. The Safari extension was effective in blocking YouTube ads on mobile, but it doesn’t work on the YouTube app.

What we liked

AdGuard offered additional features we appreciated. When you first download the product, you can go through a series of questions to customize your experience.

We downloaded the AdGuard application on a MacBook Air and the Chrome browser extension. From our testing, it looked like they worked interchangeably. If you turn off the ad blocker from Chrome, it turns it off in the application, too — a nice feature so you don’t have to open multiple things for the same result.

AdGuard’s Chrome extension was effective in removing multiple types of ads, such as pop-up ads and chatbots. We also tested the macOS application when using Safari and saw the same results. We used AdGuard while watching a few videos on YouTube and were pleasantly surprised not to encounter ads while using the platform. AdGuard was able to remove pop-up ads, video ads, and ads embedded in the sections of videos to watch next.

The AdGuard app also provides statistics on its effectiveness, which we found both entertaining and enlightening. AdGuard shows you how many ads, trackers, and threats it blocked, as well as how much bandwidth was saved by not downloading those ads.

What we didn’t like

We really enjoyed AdGuard and its user interface. Though AdGuard doesn’t have a slew of fancy extras, if you’re just looking for a quality ad blocker for YouTube, it won’t disappoint.

AdGuard has a desktop app, but if you don’t want to install that, you have to install the AdGuard extension on each browser you’d like to use. If you oscillate between Chrome and Safari, you’ll need the extension on both. You can avoid this by installing the desktop app, which is available on macOS and Windows.

AdGuard on iOS is only available while using Safari. It doesn't offer a Chrome extension that blocks ads on a mobile device.

AdGuard pros and cons

Get AdGuard | Read Our AdGuard Review

uBlock Origin: Best for simplified ad blocking

uBlock Origin is an open-source solution to ad blocking. You won’t find as fancy of a user interface as other ad blockers, but if you’re looking for a simple ad blocker without worrying about extra features, uBlock Origin is a great solution. uBlock also offers an EasyList feature where users can specify filtering options for various sites. Blocking ads can have negative effects on websites that rely on ad revenue to survive, so you may have sites you want to keep ads on to help support the business financially.

What we liked

We appreciated the simplicity of uBlock Origin. It’s easy to turn service on and off when directly in a browser. We also saw great results; no pre-roll, mid-roll, or pop-up ads were displayed when we used uBlock Origin while streaming YouTube channels, and we didn’t have any issues with ads while browsing the web either.

When watching different YouTube channels in Chrome and Safari, we didn’t see any pop-up ads, in-video ads, or other kinds of ads. It seamlessly removed all the ads as we watched.

We also like that uBlock Origin is an open-source platform. Applications with open-source code often give transparency into vulnerabilities that can be found and fixed quickly. uBlock Origin also has advanced settings that allow users to customize the ad-blocking features. However, these are focused more on power users who understand how to manage and change these settings. These advanced users can find the open-source code for uBlock Origin on GitHub.

What we didn’t like

uBlock Origin was more difficult than other solutions when it comes to customizing your ad blocker. Other ad blockers walk you through setting up your preferences or have an easier user interface for navigating the settings.

uBlock Origin doesn’t have the user interface you’d expect. You can customize uBlock Origin’s ad-blocking behavior, but it is easier if you’re more of an advanced user.

uBlock Origin also only offers browser extensions, so you will not be able to download an app for your desktop or mobile device.

uBlock Origin pros and cons

Read Our uBlock Origin Review

Honorable mentions

If our top options didn't draw your attention, you can consider one of the following ad blocker alternatives we've tested:

• AdLock: AdLock blocks most ads with just its free extension, which doesn't sell your data. It also checks potentially harmful links, hides your data, and tracks spyware and bugs to protect your device.

  Get AdLock | Read Our AdLock Review

  

  4.5

  AllAboutCookies writers and editors score products based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.

  Editorial Rating

  Learn More

  On AdLock's website

  Ad Blocker

  AdLock

  • Offers a free extension that's compatible with major browsers and a premium plan with Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS compatibility
  • Effective blocker against follow-along videos, banner ads, YouTube ads, and more
  • Doesn't share or sell your data with third parties
  • Social media and spyware blockers only available on paid tier

• Adblock Plus: AdBlock is a user-friendly free tool that received solid ad-blocking scores during our testing. It also offers a Premium subscription that can block additional nuisances like site notifications, survey requests, and floating videos.

  Read Our Adblock Plus Review

• Adblocker Ultimate: Adblocker Ultimate is a solid option for blocking all types of ads. It can block text ads, banner ads, overlay ads, and more.

  Read Our Adblocker Ultimate Review

FAQs

Bottom line: The best ad blockers for YouTube

If you're looking for the best YouTube ad blockers, we've found five great options that can improve your overall browsing experience.

• We loved the ease of use offered by Total Adblock
• NordVPN Threat Protection provides comprehensive cybersecurity by tackling ads, trackers, and malware with ease
• Surfshark CleanWeb allows for unlimited device connections, so you can block ads on every device you own
• AdGuard does a great job of walking you through different privacy settings so you can customize your ad blocking to your liking
• uBlock Origin is an excellent free option for seamlessly blocking ads on nearly all sites, including YouTube

You can also learn more about other ways to obtain an ad-free YouTube experience, such as investing in a YouTube Premium subscription.

5 best ad blockers for YouTube 2024

	Best for	Compatibility	Learn more
	Best for ease of use	Chrome, Edge, Opera, Safari, Android, iOS	Get Total Adblock Read Total Adblock Review
Threat Protection	Best for blocking malicious ads	Chrome, Firefox, Edge, iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, Linux	Get NordVPN Threat Protection Read NordVPN Threat Protection Review
CleanWeb	Best for multiple devices	Chrome, Firefox, Edge, iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, Linux, FireTV	Get Surfshark CleanWeb Read Surfshark CleanWeb Review
	Best for personalized ad blocking	macOS, Windows, iOS, Android, Android TV, Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, Opera, Yandex	Get AdGuard Read AdGuard Review
	Best for simplified ad blocking	Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari (prior to 13), Opera, Chromium	Get uBlock Origin Read uBlock Origin Review