The Best AdLock Alternatives 2024

AdLock has some great features, but there are other ad blockers that may better suit your needs.
We receive compensation from the products and services mentioned in this story, but the opinions are the author's own. Compensation may impact where offers appear. We have not included all available products or offers. Learn more about how we make money and our editorial policies.

Best for security features

4.6
Editorial Rating
Learn More
On NordVPN Threat Protection's website

NordVPN Threat Protection
View More

Best for online privacy

4.4
Editorial Rating
Learn More
On Ghostery's website

Ghostery
View More

Best value

4.8
Editorial Rating
Learn More
On AdGuard Ad Blocker's website

AdGuard Ad Blocker
View More

Best for user control

4.4
Editorial Rating
Learn More
On Adblock Plus's website

Adblock Plus
View More

Best for hands-off ad blocking

4.9
Editorial Rating
Learn More
On Total Adblock's website

Total Adblock
View More

The best alternative to AdLock is NordVPN Threat Protection. It has a strong ad blocker and additional features to enhance online security.

Other alternatives include Ghostery and AdGuard. Both have free versions, but the paid plans provide more features to protect your privacy.

Adblock Plus gives users control by allowing custom filters. You can arrange it to see exactly what you want (and don't want) to see on the internet. Meanwhile, Total Adblock provides a hands-off experience in ad blocking.

In this article
The best AdLock alternatives
How we tested the best alternatives to AdLock
NordVPN Threat Protection: Best for security features
Ghostery: Best for online privacy
AdGuard: Best value
Adblock Plus: Best for user control
Total Adblock: Best for hands-off ad blocking
Why do you need an ad blocker?
FAQs
Bottom line: The best alternatives to AdLock

The best AdLock alternatives

Top 5 alternatives to AdLock

Ad blocker
Star rating
4.5
4.6
4.4
4.8
4.4
4.9
Starting price $3.50/mo $2.99/mo (billed every two years) Free or Free Free or Free Free or Free Free or $1.59/mo (billed annually)
Types of ads blocked Pop-ups, video ads, trackers, banner, and push ads Pop-up ads, video ads, trackers, banners Pop-up ads, video ads, tracker, banners Pop-up ads, video ads, trackers, banners Pop-up ads, video ads, trackers, banners Pop-up ads, video ads, tracking, banners
YouTube ads
AdBlock Tester score 97/100 91/100 98/100 100/100 100/100 100/100
Cover Your Tracks score 2/3 2/3 0/3 2/3 0/3 2/3
Can You Block It score 2/3 2/3 3/3 3/3 3/3 3/3
24/7 customer support
Compatibility Android, iOS, Windows, macOS Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, Linux N/A Android, iOS, Windows, macOS Android, iOS Android, iOS
Browser extensions Chrome, Firefox, Safari (other extensions available through paid plans) Chrome, Firefox, Edge Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, Opera Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, Opera, Yandex Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, Opera, Yandex Chrome, Safari, Edge
Learn more Get AdLock

Read AdLock Review

Get NordVPN Threat Protection

Read NordVPN Threat Protection Review

Get Ghostery

Read Ghostery Review

Get AdGuard

Read AdGuard Review

Get Adblock Plus

Read Adblock Plus Review

Get Total Adblock

Read Total Adblock Review

How we tested the best alternatives to AdLock

We chose five of the best alternatives to AdLock. Each one has unique capabilities that may appeal to you. When selecting the best ad blockers, we looked at these features.

  • Free version: We looked for ad blockers that had a free version. If there wasn't a free version, the ad blocker needed enhanced features to make it worth the price.
  • Blocks ads and trackers: Each ad blocker went through extensive testing to see if it could successfully detect ads and trackers.
  • Ease of use: The ad blockers we chose are simple and user-friendly. Even if you do need to customize the ad blocker, we checked that it was easy to do.

NordVPN Threat Protection: Best for security features

Enjoy Privacy and Security Even When Not Connected to a VPN
4.6
Editorial Rating
Learn More
On NordVPN Threat Protection's website
Ad Blocker
NordVPN Threat Protection
Save up to 72% off + 3 months extra
  • 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

Who it’s best for

Ad blocking is one part of a comprehensive online security system. But, you may also want additional tools to keep your data and privacy secure. NordVPN Threat Protection provides several features to build a strong defense system against online threats.

NordVPN open on Threat Protection Pro tab

What we liked

While the core product of NordVPN is a virtual private network (VPN), it comes with several additional features to enhance security.

One of those features is Threat Protection, which blocks ads and trackers. We did extensive testing to see if NordVPN could successfully stop ads and trackers. Our test results show that NordVPN Threat Protection was fairly good at this job.

NordVPN has several other tools to block prying eyes and keep your data secure. Some of these tools include:

  • Anti-malware protection
  • Advanced browsing protection
  • Password manager
  • Data breach alerts
  • Secure cloud storage

NordVPN Threat Protection does more than just block ads and trackers. It can also stop malware and phishing attempts. It's a valuable tool to protect your device and data.

What we didn’t like

NordVPN Threat Protection is the most expensive option on this list. However, it also has the most advanced security features. The overall value may prove worth the cost, and NordVPN has a 30-day money-back guarantee in case you aren't satisfied.

It's important to note the differences between Threat Protection Pro and Threat Protection. The Pro version isn't available on mobile devices, but it has enhanced features like a malware scanner, fraud alerts, and anti-phishing protection.

The original Threat Protection doesn't have those advanced features, but it does work on all major operating systems and several browser extensions. However, both versions can block ads and trackers as a core feature.

NordVPN Threat Protection pros and cons

Pros
  • Equipped with several advanced security features
  • Protects against phishing and malware
  • Successfully blocks ads and trackers
Cons
  • Most expensive
  • Threat Protection Pro not available for mobile devices

Ghostery: Best for online privacy

4.4
Editorial Rating
Learn More
On Ghostery's website
Ad Blocker
Ghostery
  • User-friendly design provides for seamless browsing
  • Keeps a regularly updated list of blocked trackers
  • Provides both whitelisting and blacklisting functionality
  • Struggled with all tracker tests

Who it’s best for

Ghostery is the most private option on this list. It can block ads and even stop cookies from getting installed on your device. Ghostery is best suited for people looking to stop third parties from gathering data on them.

Ghostery tracker database.

What we liked

Ghostery is free to use. You don't have to pay to access the core features of Ghostery, including its tracker and ad blocker. Instead, you can opt to become a contributor, which would give you access to premium features like advanced analytics.

We also liked that Ghostery can block cookies. You won't receive cookie consent pop-up notifications, and Ghostery can notify the site that you don't consent to cookies. Overall, Ghostery is a good tool for an optimal browsing experience. You won't receive ads or any pop-ups.

What we didn’t like

Ghostery claims to have a robust anti-tracking system. However, our testing shows that Ghostery struggled to block trackers. But, that doesn't mean third parties have your information. Ghostery's anti-tracking system looks for personally identifiable information and anonymizes it.

This provides you with some level of privacy even if trackers are allowed to execute. However, it does mean you have to trust Ghostery with the process. Some people may prefer an option that blocks trackers entirely.

In addition, Ghostery doesn't have great customer support options. There’s no live chat, email, or phone number to contact them. You have to fill out a form and hope they get back to you quickly.

Ghostery pros and cons

Pros
  • Works on all major browsers
  • Free version contains core features
  • User-friendly design
Cons
  • Struggled with tracking tests
  • Limited customer support options

AdGuard: Best value

4.8
Editorial Rating
Learn More
On AdGuard Ad Blocker's website
Ad Blocker
AdGuard Ad Blocker
  • User-friendly ad blocker that offers broad coverage across browsers and devices without compromising device speed
  • The free version provides basic extension-only coverage, while the premium plans boast robust app coverage
  • App plans include parental controls, browsing security, browser assistant, DNS leak protection, and a VPN
  • Ad-blocking statistics can be hard to interpret

Who it’s best for

AdGuard offers the best value on this list. It has high scores for blocking ads and trackers and offers the most compatibility for devices and browsers. This means AdGuard can work on websites and apps. Families will also appreciate the parental control features.

Configure AdGuard extension dashboard

What we liked

Normally, ad blockers only work on browsers. But, AdGuard's app makes it possible to block ads on apps too. It's ideal if you want to easily block ads and trackers on phones as well as your computers.

Our testing also shows that AdGuard has nearly flawless capabilities to block ads and trackers. It has a perfect score on blocking ads, including YouTube video ads.

In addition, AdGuard has some enhanced features to help establish online boundaries. Parental controls are available to block specific websites and inappropriate content. You can also manage screen time limits. Some additional features include:

  • Customized filtering
  • Real-time statistics
  • Enforce Safe Search results

What we didn’t like

Some features, like parental controls and customized filtering, need to be personalized on AdGuard DNS. It may take some time to set it up to your preference.

In addition, we struggled to understand the statistics AdGuard provided. It doesn't explain what it tracks, which makes it difficult to interpret.

AdGuard pros and cons

Pros
  • Can block ads on sites and apps
  • Has parental control features
  • High scores for blocking ads and trackers
Cons
  • Can take some time to set up premium features
  • Stats are hard to interpret

Adblock Plus: Best for user control

4.4
Editorial Rating
Learn More
On Adblock Plus's website
Ad Blocker
Adblock Plus
  • Free product blocks ads, pop-up, trackers, push notifications, social media icons tracking, and even YouTube video ads
  • Open-source software allows for custom filtering and community-based support

Who it’s best for

Adblock Plus is a powerful ad-blocking tool even if you only use the free plan. Custom filter lists give users more control over what they see while on the internet. It's ideal for people who want to put in the time and effort to create a personalized browsing experience.

AdblockPlus Chrome landing page.

What we liked

The free version of Adblock Plus is robust and does a good job of blocking various ads. Our testing shows it can help minimize distractions on the internet.

Adblock Plus also provides customizable filter lists. Since it's an open-source ad blocker, users can create their own filter lists or use external filters. It gives you more control over what you do and don't see on the internet compared to other ad blockers.

It's also ideal for households that use multiple different browsers as all major browsers work with Adblock Plus.

What we didn’t like

Our testing shows that Adblock Plus had a hard time blocking trackers. It's not ideal if you want to maximize your privacy and don't want third parties monitoring your online behavior.

While the free version is comprehensive, you need to upgrade for additional blocking features. The premium plan can block cookie consent pop-ups, floating videos, and site notifications. These are essential tools to ensure a seamless browsing experience.

Adblock Plus pros and cons

Pros
  • Browser compatibility
  • Free version blocks video ads, pop-ups, and banners
  • Custom filtering
Cons
  • Struggles to block trackers
  • Need to upgrade for enhanced blocking features

Total Adblock: Best for hands-off ad blocking

Best Basic Adblocker — Including YouTube Video Ads
4.9
Editorial Rating
Learn More
On Total Adblock's website
Ad Blocker
Total Adblock
Special deal: Save 80% off
  • 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

Who it’s best for

Total Adblock is best for people who want to block ads with minimal set-up; it's easy to install and use. However, the free version is not entirely functional, so you may need to invest in the premium version.

Total Adblock landing page.

What we liked

Our test results show that Total Adblock has a high success rate of blocking ads and trackers. It's a reliable service for removing annoying elements of the internet.

The interface of Total Adblock is user-friendly. It doesn't have any clutter, and it's easy to navigate to different features. Even beginners will find Total Adblock intuitive, and advanced users have enough settings to change to their liking.

Total Adblock doesn't have any enhanced security features. But, the premium plan includes TotalAV antivirus protection, which can protect your devices from online threats.

What we didn’t like

The free version of Total Adblock doesn't block ads on the top 15,000 websites, which means you’ll still see ads on popular websites and social media sites. You'll need to upgrade to the premium version to block ads on all sites. Luckily, the premium plan is affordable compared to other paid ad blockers.

Total Adblock pros and cons

Pros
  • Successfully blocks ads and trackers
  • User-friendly interface
  • Premium plan includes TotalAV antivirus protection
Cons
  • Free version has extremely limited capabilities

Why do you need an ad blocker?

Ad blockers are great tools for a smooth online experience. They enable usability and provide security. Here are a few reasons why an ad blocker can improve your browsing.

  • Allows you to choose the content you see with custom filter lists
  • Blocks ads from appearing on sites and videos
  • Stops trackers from monitoring your online behavior
  • Improves speed loading time
  • Reduces the risk of encountering malicious ads

FAQs


+

What’s the best alternative to AdLock?

The best alternative to AdLock is capable of blocking ads and trackers without impacting your browsing experience. Some possible alternatives include NordVPN Threat Protection, Ghostery, AdGuard, Adblock Plus, and Total Adblock.


+

Is there an undetectable ad blocker?

Ad blockers can't guarantee that websites will never detect them. However, many ad blockers are effective at avoiding detection most of the time. You may want to take advantage of free trials and money-back guarantees to test out different blockers before deciding on one.


+

What is the best ad blocker now?

The best ad blocker has features to block ads, trackers, and even cookie consent pop-ups. Ad blockers even have premium features like antivirus protection and VPNs. Some notable options include NordVPN Threat Protection, Ghostery, and AdGuard.


+

Are there any free alternatives to AdLock?

There are many free alternatives to AdLock. Some options you may want to consider include Ghostery, AdGuard, and Adblock Plus.

Bottom line: The best alternatives to AdLock

The best alternative to AdLock is NordVPN Threat Protection. While it doesn't have a free version, Threat Protection has many valuable security features that make it worth the cost. NordVPN is a comprehensive solution to protect your devices and data.

If a free ad blocker is a priority, you may want to consider Ghostery. You may also want to consider AdGuard for additional value.

Custom filters can help you manage your internet experience, so Adblock Plus is a good option for that feature. On the other hand, Total Adblock is a hands-off option for blocking ads and trackers.

5 best alternatives to AdLock 2024

Starting price Best for Learn more
$2.99/mo (billed every two years) Best for security features Get NordVPN Threat Protection
Free or Free Best for online privacy Get Ghostery
Free or Free Best value Get AdGuard
Free or Free Best for user control Get Adblock Plus
Free or Free Best for hands-off ad blocking Get Total Adblock

No Fuss, Real-Time Online and Mobile Protection
4.3
Editorial Rating
Learn More
On TotalAV's website
Antivirus Software
TotalAV
First year discount on paid plans
  • Real-time protection from viruses, malware, and online threats
  • Blocks tracking cookies and ads, proactively monitors for data breaches, and option to schedule smart scans
  • 100% compatible with Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS operating systems on up to 3 devices
  • Lacks firewall protection

Author Details
Sara J. Nguyen is a freelance writer specializing in cybersecurity. She aims to help people protect their data while enjoying technology. She has written about online privacy and tech for over 5 years for several organizations. When she's not writing about the latest cybersecurity trends, you can find her on LinkedIn.