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Best for security features
Best for online privacy
Best value
- Ad-blocking statistics can be hard to interpret
Best for hands-off ad blocking
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.
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
- 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
Top 5 alternatives to AdLock
Ad blocker | ||||||
Star rating | ||||||
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 | Get NordVPN Threat Protection | Get Ghostery | Get AdGuard | Get Adblock Plus | Get Total Adblock |
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
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.
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
- Equipped with several advanced security features
- Protects against phishing and malware
- Successfully blocks ads and trackers
- Most expensive
- Threat Protection Pro not available for mobile devices
Ghostery: Best for online privacy
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.
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
- Works on all major browsers
- Free version contains core features
- User-friendly design
- Struggled with tracking tests
- Limited customer support options
AdGuard: Best value
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.
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
- Can block ads on sites and apps
- Has parental control features
- High scores for blocking ads and trackers
- Can take some time to set up premium features
- Stats are hard to interpret
Adblock Plus: Best for user control
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.
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
- Browser compatibility
- Free version blocks video ads, pop-ups, and banners
- Custom filtering
- Struggles to block trackers
- Need to upgrade for enhanced blocking features
Total Adblock: Best for hands-off ad blocking
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.
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
- Successfully blocks ads and trackers
- User-friendly interface
- Premium plan includes TotalAV antivirus protection
- 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 |