Surfshark CleanWeb Review 2024: A Budget Ad Blocker With VPN Power

Many virtual private networks (VPNs) offer ad blocking features, but Surfshark CleanWeb is a step above the rest. When enabled, it blocks ads, trackers, and malware to help keep your browsing ad-free, anonymous, and safe from cyberthreats.

CleanWeb scored top marks on our ad blocker tests and even blocked YouTube ads. However, it struggled with our online tracker tests and its whitelisting feature is unavailable for macOS and iOS.

In our review, we look deeper at Surfshark CleanWeb’s capabilities and pricing to help you determine if this ad blocker is right for you. 

Surfshark CleanWeb overview

Comprehensive Ad Blocking Online and in Apps + VPN Connection

4.8

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 Surfshark CleanWeb Ad Blocking's website

Ad Blocker

Surfshark CleanWeb Ad Blocking

85% off + 2 months free

• 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

Our experience

For testing, we downloaded the Surfshark app on a 2018 Macbook Pro. The setup was relatively easy overall and the interface was very intuitive. If you’re someone who isn’t super familiar with how VPNs or ad blockers work, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by CleanWeb’s simple design.

One thing we loved during our testing was that there were no more ads. Really! This ad blocker gave us a 100% ad-free experience when watching a TinyDesk concert on YouTube. The catch here is that it’s hard to tell when it’s on. What we mean is the only way we know that CleanWeb is actually “on” is when the toggles say on.

There isn’t a signal that says it's on. The only evidence that CleanWeb is working is if you don’t see any ads. It may not be a big deal for some people, but it’s worth noting.

The only problem during setup was that the CleanWeb feature needed to be more obvious. CleanWeb hides in the VPN settings within the Surfshark app when you first go to turn this feature on.

You won’t know where the toggles are or if it’s working unless you go to Settings and then CleanWeb settings. If you find it once though, you’ll know where to go. Customer support let us know that CleanWeb is automatically turned on with the browser extension.

Prices and subscriptions

Unfortunately, there's no free plan for Surfshark CleanWeb. If you want to buy CleanWeb or CleanWeb 2.0, you must buy Surfshark VPN, since it comes bundled automatically.

There are two things to consider when purchasing Surfshark: term length and plan tier. You can subscribe to Surfshark for one month, one year, or two years. The longer the term length, the more money you'll save on your plan.

After Surfshark Starter there are the Surfshark One plans, which come with additional cybersecurity features like breach alerts, a private search engine, and antivirus protection. But regardless of what Surfshark plan you choose, CleanWeb is always included. 

When compared to NordVPN, which offers its own ad blocker, Surfshark's 24-month plan is more affordable. Surfshark also allows unlimited device connections, making it a budget-friendly choice if you have multiple devices.

And compared to ExpressVPN, Surfshark's pricing is notably lower. With similar monthly costs but a considerably cheaper annual rate, Surfshark provides excellent value. 

With a Surfshark subscription, you'll get more than just an ad blocker. It comes with 3,200-plus servers in 100 countries, DNS leak protection, the abiliy to  stream geo-blocked content, and more.

Whether you opt for the 12-month or 24-month plan, Surfshark provides excellent value, making it a reliable and cost-effective choice for those needing a dependable and budget-friendly VPN service.

Main features

Surfshark CleanWeb is a powerful ad blocker that can help you protect your privacy and security. It blocks malicious ads and websites, trackers, pop-ups, banners, and video ads. It's also easy to use — it’s built-in to the Surfshark VPN, so you can be sure your browsing is always protected.

Surfshark CleanWeb is available as a browser extension and an application. Here’s what CleanWeb can do:

• Blocks ads to improve browsing speeds and save bandwidth
• Displays the number of blocked ads, trackers, and malware on websites

• Protects against phishing attempts

• Prevents tracking and targeted ads with Surfshark Search

• Includes a cookie pop-up blocker to manage consent requests
  
• Includes a bypass list for allowing ads on specific websites
• Enabled automatically in browser extensions, manual activation required in apps
• Bundled automatically with a Surfshark VPN subscription

We confirmed from its customer support that CleanWeb blocks only malicious ads. CleanWeb 2.0, its upgraded version, blocks all ads.

If you are looking for antivirus, real-time protection, or VPN features, Surfshark has an all-in-one product called Surfshark One that combines these things in a single solution. You can also get them individually.

CleanWeb vs. CleanWeb 2.0

CleanWeb is Surfshark's ad blocking feature that blocks browser ads and banners within the Surfshark app and VPN connection. It’s compatible with iOS, macOS, Android, Windows, Linux, and FireTV devices. 

CleanWeb 2.0 is an updated version of Surfshark's ad and malware-blocking feature, available as a browser extension for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge.

Here are CleanWeb 2.0’s key features:

• Ad blocker: CleanWeb removes ads and trackers from the websites you visit, providing a cleaner browsing experience. It even blocks annoying video ads on popular streaming platforms.
• Pop-up blocker: Say goodbye to those frustrating cookie pop-ups. CleanWeb blocks these notifications, eliminating the need to agree or interact with them.
• Data breach alert: This feature keeps you informed about the security of the websites you visit. CleanWeb alerts you if a website has had any data breaches in the past, giving you a warning to be cautious with your personal information.
• Malware alert: With CleanWeb's malware alert, you get protection against malicious website activities. It actively monitors downloads and other potentially harmful actions, notifying you if any malware is detected.

You can easily turn these features on or off according to your preferences. Simply go to the CleanWeb settings in the CleanWeb 2.0 browser extension and find individual toggles for each feature. The Surfshark app has only a single CleanWeb toggle under Settings, so you cannot customize it like you can in the browser.

Don’t have a VPN? No worries. You can use the CleanWeb browser extension without a VPN connection. However, when using the Surfshark app, a VPN connection is required for CleanWeb to function.

Phishing protection

CleanWeb effectively prevents phishing and spam by automatically detecting and blocking websites. It also blocks ads and pop-ups as you browse, which protects you from adware. 

CleanWeb’s anti-phishing feature is automatically enabled by default, requiring no additional settings. By enabling the feature, you’re protected while using Surfshark VPN.

Firewall

As of now, there's no firewall option with Surfshark CleanWeb.

Real-time protection

CleanWeb doesn’t offer real-time protection on its own. Customer support chats revealed that Surfshark Antivirus provides real-time protection. This includes protecting your web browsing, emails, and apps by blocking harmful content. It identifies and filters out malware sources, malicious websites, and harmful scripts.

Surfshark Antivirus also defends against various types of malware, including viruses, Trojans, ransomware, spyware, and adware. It continuously updates its protection and scans for emerging threats, ensuring a safe online experience across different platforms.

We found Surfshark’s antivirus program to be a well-rounded security suite with lots of features. It comes as part of the Surfshark One bundle, so you’ll also get the VPN and CleanWeb. Read our Surfshark Antivirus review for more info.

Tracker and ad blocker

CleanWeb doesn’t include blacklisting capabilities by itself. If you want to whitelist certain sites to see ads, use the VPN’s Bypasser feature. (This is the same as split tunneling.)

This feature allows you to choose which applications route through the VPN. For example, this feature can be helpful when your bank must verify your location. The only downside? Bypasser is available only for Android and Windows, leaving out Apple users.

Surfshark VPN

One of our top-rated VPNs after hours of hands-on testing, Surfshark encrypts your internet connection so no one (and nothing) can snoop on your web activities. This is especially important if you use a public internet connection like the Wi-Fi at Starbucks or the airport.

The VPN itself stands out for a few reasons:

• 3,200+ VPN servers to choose from in locations like Germany, India, Australia, and Canada
• A no-logs policy, meaning Surfshark doesn't even collect your data — this was verified by an independent audit agency, Deloitte
• You can connect an unlimited number of devices at the same time
• Didn't significantly slow down our download speeds or upload speeds during testing (some reduced speed is expected)
• Apps for smart TVs, routers, gaming consoles, and more
• Accepts multiple forms of payment, including cryptocurrency

Surfshark CleanWeb's test results

We put Surfshark CleanWeb to the test to see how well it works. We checked whether it blocked different types of ads as well as how well it blocked tracking ads and protected against browser fingerprinting. Lastly, we tested CleanWeb on YouTube ads and paywalls. Below are our scores.

Surfshark CleanWeb ad blocker scores

For our testing tools, we use AdBlock Tester, the Electronic Frontier Foundation’s (EFF's) Cover Your Tracks, the Can You Block It? test. Here's a breakdown of how these tests work:

• AdBlock Tester checks if your ad blocker effectively blocks contextual ads, analytics tools, banner advertising, and error monitoring.
• Cover Your Tracks assesses browser settings to protect against tracking including invisible trackers and fingerprinting.
• Can You Block It? tests if your ad blocker effectively blocks ad blocker detection warnings, banner ads, and interstitial ads.

When using AdBlock Tester, we found that CleanWeb received a near-perfect score. The tests that weren't a sure pass were listed as most likely passed, so we feel good about CleanWeb's ad-blocking abilities.

CleanWeb also easily passed all of the Can You Block It? tests.

However, we were disappointed that both the browser extension and the app failed to block tracking ads and invisible trackers, but it left a nearly-unique digital fingerprint.

A digital fingerprint is a unique set of characteristics that identify a user, their browser, and their hardware setup. It includes necessary information for accessing websites and seemingly unimportant data collected by tracking scripts. Tracking sites combine these pieces to create a unique picture, or "fingerprint," of your device.

CleanWeb's struggle to block these trackers may be a drawback for privacy-focused users. Websites may still be able to collect your data while you browse instead of creating an anonymous browsing experience.

YouTube ad test

Our tests confirm that Surfshark CleanWeb doesn't block YouTube ads on mobile apps and browsers. So if you're only using the VPN app, you won't be able to block ads on YouTube.

However, CleanWeb 2.0 can block YouTube ads and even ads on streaming services. In order to block video ads and other nuisances on YouTube, you'll need to set up the Surfshark browser extension on Chrome, Firefox, or Edge. 

When we tested CleanWeb with YouTube, it was a breeze and we had no issues with lag. With CleanWeb, you can get straight to your content without those pesky interruptions in the middle of your viewing.

Bypassing paywall test

We've all clicked through an article only to find most of the page blocked by a paywall. If you're trying to stay informed on the latest news, this can definitely be frustrating.

Some ad blockers can bypass paywalls, but not all of them. We opened articles from the Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, and The Atlantic with CleanWeb toggled on but, unfortunately, the paywalls remained. 

What browsers and software is it compatible with?

CleanWeb is available on numerous operating systems while CleanWeb 2.0 is exclusive to the Surfshark browser extension. Here's the compatibility breakdown.

CleanWeb:

• Windows
• macOS
• Linux
• Android
• iOS
• FireTV

CleanWeb 2.0:

• Google Chrome
• Mozilla Firefox
• Microsoft Edge

Surfshark CleanWeb customer support

Surfshark CleanWeb provides various customer support options:

• 24/7 live chat
• Knowledge base
• Email

On the downside, Surfshark doesn't offer phone support as part of its customer service offering.

For personalized assistance, Surfshark's 24/7 live chat support is 10/10. We recently contacted them with questions about configuring CleanWeb. We immediately connected with an agent and they were professional and quick to answer. They provided clear instructions and guided us through the process step by step.

Thanks to their assistance, we quickly and efficiently resolved our issues. Surfshark is doing something right in the customer service category!

How to use Surfshark CleanWeb

Once you've purchased Surfshark, here's how to use it: 

1. Download the Surfshark app to your preferred operating system/device.
2. Once the dashboard is open, select the gear icon from the lefthand side bar.
   

   

3. From the settings menu, click VPN settings.
   

   

4. Find the section for CleanWeb, and turn the toggle on to block ads, trackers, and malware while your VPN is connected.
   

   

5. Once you turn the toggle on, you'll be prompted to restart your VPN connection. Click the Restart button.
   

   

If you prefer to use CleanWeb 2.0, follow these instructions instead:

1. Install the Surfshark browser extension (available for Chrome, FireFox, and Edge).
2. Click on Surfshark icon from your list of extensions. 
3. Select the CleanWeb icon from the lefthand side bar.
   

   

4. Click the Turn on CleanWeb button.
   

   

5. From there, CleanWeb will start blocking ads, trackers, and cookie pop-ups.
   

   

6. If you click on CleanWeb settings, you can find the toggles to turn the ad blocker and cookie pop-up blocker on and off.

Top alternatives

Looking for options besides Surfshark CleanWeb? Consider these alternatives:

Ad blocker		Threat Protection
Best for	Best for blocking YouTube ads	Best overall	Best for blocking social media ads
Price	Starts at $1.99/mo (billed annually)	Starts at $3.39/mo	Starts at $3.50/mo
Free version?
AdBlock Tester score	100/100	93/100	92/100
Cover Your Tracks score	2/3	2/3	2.5/3
Can You Block It score	3/3	N/A	2/3
Blocks YouTube ads
Compatibility	Android, iOS, Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge	Threat Protection: Windows, macOS Threat Protection Lite: Android, iOS, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, Edge	Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Chrome, Firefox, Safari
Learn more	Get Total Adblock	Get NordVPN Threat Protection	Get AdLock

Of our suggested alternatives, NordVPN Threat Protection is the most similar to Surfshark CleanWeb. Both are ad blockers included with a VPN subscription. However, Surfshark has a lower starting price than NordVPN and it allows for unlimited simultaneous connections.

Total Adblock and AdLock are both cheaper than CleanWeb and they both offer free ad blocker downloads. However, Surfshark comes with a VPN, so you'll need to decide whether you want just an ad blocker or if you want more cybersecurity bundled with a plan.

Total Adblock has a perfect AdBlock Tester score and all our mentioned alternatives have higher Cover Your Tracks scores than CleanWeb. If ad and tracker blocking effectiveness is important to you, than these scores are worth considering.   

FAQs

Bottom line: Is Surfshark CleanWeb good?

Overall, we’re impressed by Surfshark CleanWeb’s effectiveness as an ad blocker. CleanWeb excels at seamlessly removing intrusive ads, trackers, and malware. One of CleanWeb 2.0’s standout features is that it blocks ads on streaming services. It really makes a difference, especially on sites like YouTube. Surfshark also has a beginner-friendly interface with responsive customer support, making it easy to set up and find answers fast.

If you’re looking for an affordable ad blocker solution that offers all-encompassing protection, Surfshark CleanWeb is worth considering. Surfshark CleanWeb 2.0 offers an ad blocker, pop-up blocker, data breach alert, and malware alert — all in one. It's a reliable tool that enhances your online experience by keeping unwanted ads at bay while safeguarding your digital security.

Interested in other ad blockers? Check out the best ad blocker apps that we recommend to keep pesky pop-ups at bay.

Comprehensive Ad Blocking Online and in Apps + VPN Connection

4.8

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 Surfshark CleanWeb Ad Blocking's website

Ad Blocker

Surfshark CleanWeb Ad Blocking

85% off + 2 months free

• 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

Author Details

Cheyenne Lightfoot

About the Author

Cheyenne Lightfoot is a freelance content writer specializing in the intersection between identity and access management and user privacy. As an account executive, she has helped small-to-medium-sized businesses prevent data breaches, safeguard sensitive information, and achieve compliance with passwordless multi-factor authentication software.

Steph Trejos