Total Adblock vs. Surfshark CleanWeb 2025: Which Is Best For Your Ad Blocking Needs?
How does Surfshark CleanWeb stand up against the popular Total Adblock? We did the research to find out.
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Last updated Aug 14, 2025
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Best for ad blocking
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Editorial Rating
Learn More
On Total Adblock's website
Total Adblock
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Instantly blocks distracting ads on millions of websites, including Facebook and YouTube ads
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Blocks third-party trackers to protect your privacy and information
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Improves page load times and enables faster browsing
Best for overall security suite
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Editorial Rating
Learn More
On Surfshark CleanWeb Ad Blocking's website
Surfshark CleanWeb Ad Blocking
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Blocks ads, banners, and pop-ups on your browser and apps, including smart TVs
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Enjoy boosted browsing speeds and save money on mobile data with its effective ad-blocking capabilities
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Added benefit of a VPN to encrypt your data, hide your IP address, avoid phishing scams, and minimize malware risks
Total Adblock and Surfshark CleanWeb are both effective ad blockers that also come with extra options if you pay a bit more. But if your main priority is ad blocking, then Total Adblock is the better option.
Here’s everything you need to know about Total Adblock vs. Surfshark CleanWeb so you can find the best ad blocker for you.
In this article
Overview comparisonPrices
Features
Test results
Compatibility and customer support
FAQs
Which is better?
Total Adblock vs. Surfshark CleanWeb compared
While Surfshark CleanWeb is an addition to all the other services you get with a Surfshark subscription, Total Adblock can be purchased as a standalone product. It even has a free version you can use (though it’s limited in what ads you can block).
That said, Total Adblock does offer you the option to upgrade to premium, which also includes access to one of the top-rated antivirus programs around — Total AV.
- Total Adblock: Best for ad blocking and anti-tracking
- Surfshark CleanWeb: Best ad blocker with VPN bundle
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Our Pick |
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| Price | Free or $1.59/mo | $1.99-$20.65/mo |
| Ads blocked on Forbes | 22 | 33 |
| Does it block YouTube ads? | ||
| Compatibility | Android, iOS, Chrome, Edge, Safari | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Chrome, Edge, Firefox |
| Mobile compatibility | Android, iOS | Android, iOS |
| Learn more | Get Total Adblock | Get Surfshark CleanWeb |
Total Adblock pros and cons
Pros
- Free plan available
- 100/100 AdBlock Tester score
- Includes TotalAV antivirus protection with a premium subscription
Cons
- Free version excludes popular websites
Surfshark CleanWeb pros and cons
Pros
- Bundles with Surfshark VPN and other online security tools
- Affordable monthly cost
- Browser extensions and device protection
Cons
- Can’t purchase CleanWeb standalone
- Month-to-month cost is high
Total Adblock vs. Surfshark CleanWeb: Prices
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|
Our Pick |
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| Price range | Free or $1.59/mo | $1.99-$20.65/mo |
| Best value plan | 1-year plan for $1.59/mo (billed annually) | 24-month plan for $1.99/mo (billed every two years) |
| Free version available | ||
| Money-back guarantee | Yes — 30 days | Yes — 30 days |
| Learn more | Get Total Adblock | Get Surfshark CleanWeb |
Total Adblock and Surfshark CleanWeb have significantly different pricing and subscription plans. Total Adblock offers a free plan or an annual subscription for $1.59/mo (billed annually), which includes antivirus protection. On the other hand, the Surfshark Starter plan bundles CleanWeb and Surfshark VPN, among other online security tools, for as low as $1.99/mo (billed every two years) with a 2-year commitment.
A key difference is that you won't see a price hike upon renewal with Surfshark, as Total Adblock’s price includes a special discount for TotalAV.
Winner: From a price perspective and the value you receive, Surfshark is the winner. Not only do you get access to the ad blocker, but you also get additional security from the VPN without an annual renewal increase.
Total Adblock vs. Surfshark CleanWeb: Features
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Our Pick |
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| Whitelisting | ||
| Blacklisting | ||
| Ads blocked counter | ||
| Bypass paywalls | ||
| Block pop-up ads | ||
| Block tracking | ||
| Block video ads | ||
| Block banner ads | ||
| Block push ads | ||
| Learn more | Get Total Adblock | Get Surfshark CleanWeb |
Total Adblock and Surfshark CleanWeb are effective at blocking video ads, banner ads, pop-ups, and other unwanted ads, but Total Adblock is better at blocking trackers.
While using an ad blocker, you may want to allow some ads to appear, especially if you’re accessing a website that runs on ad revenue to exist (like YouTube). Both Total Adblock and Surfshark allow you to whitelist sites — or give their ads the OK to show up.
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To whitelist a site with Surfshark, you’ll have to whitelist the site inside the VPN by using the Bypasser feature. However, this is available only on Android and Windows devices.
Winner: Total Adblock is more effective at blocking different types of ads when compared to Surfshark CleanWeb.
Total Adblock vs. Surfshark CleanWeb: Test results
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Our Pick |
|
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| Adblock Tester score | 100/100 | 96/100 |
| Cover Your Tracks score | 2/3 | 0/3 |
| Can You Block It score | 3/3 | 3/3 |
| YouTube ads blocked | ||
| Paywalls bypassed | ||
| Learn more | Get Total Adblock | Get Surfshark CleanWeb |
Overall, Total Adblock performed better than Surfshark CleanWeb during our testing. When analyzing the effectiveness of ad blockers, we consider several key factors.
Total Adblock scored 100/100 when we used the AdBlock Tester. This testing tool enables us to evaluate ad blockers across multiple levels, including contextual advertising, Google AdSense, banner advertising, and more. Surfshark CleanWeb still received high scores on this test, but lower than Total Adblock at 96/100.
Another test we use to assess an ad blocker is Cover Your Tracks. This test evaluates how trackers view your browser and how effectively they can follow your activity. Surfshark CleanWeb’s score on the Cover Your Tracks test was disappointing, with 0/3.
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Total Adblock did better with 2/3, which is the typical results for premium ad blockers.
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Total Adblock and Surfshark CleanWeb are tied in the Can You Block It test, and both are able to block YouTube video ads consistently.
Winner: Overall, Total Adblock received higher scores than Surfshark CleanWeb as an effective ad block solution.
Total Adblock vs. Surfshark CleanWeb Compatibility and customer support
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Our Pick |
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| Windows | ||
| macOS | ||
| Android | ||
| iOS | ||
| Linux | ||
| Browser extensions | Android, iOS, Chrome, Edge, Safari | Android, iOS, Chrome, Edge, Safari |
| 24/7 customer support | ||
| Customer support options | Live chat, email, phone, online guides | Live chat, email, online guides |
| Learn more | Get Total Adblock | Get Surfshark CleanWeb |
Both Surfshark CleanWeb and Total Adblock have distinct features in terms of the devices they support.
With Surfshark, you can use the ad blocking solution in two different ways.
- Surfshark offers a browser extension for its CleanWeb 2.0 feature, compatible with Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Chrome, Edge, Firefox. This allows you to block ads, pop-ups, and more directly from your browser.
- If you want to block ads outside of those browsers, Surfshark’s CleanWeb can be used throughout your device by using the Surfshark app.
Total Adblock is not available as a desktop app, so you’ll be limited to blocking ads inside your browser when not on your phone. Total Adblock also provides limited information on its website when seeking support or additional details about its offerings.
If you want to block ads from a specific browser, you can also check out the best ad blockers for Chrome.
Winner: Surfshark CleanWeb wins when it comes to compatibility and support. From a support standpoint, Surfshark offers more online guides and forums. Between Surfshark CleanWeb 2.0 and the standard version, you can block ads on any device.
Total Adblock vs. Surfshark CleanWeb FAQs
Does Surfshark CleanWeb block YouTube ads?
Yes, Surfshark CleanWeb can block YouTube ads. We've conducted repeat testing, and every time, CleanWeb easily blocked YouTube video ads without viewing interruptions. In fact, it is one of the best ad blockers for YouTube.
What is Surfshark CleanWeb 2.0?
Surfshark CleanWeb 2.0 is a new browser extension for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge. CleanWeb 2.0 features an ad blocker, cookie pop-up blocker, and alerts for data breaches and malware. It comes bundled as part of the Surfshark One Starter plan, which also includes Surfshark VPN and other online security tools, such as an email alias.
Is Total Adblock free?
Yes, Total Adblock does have a free plan, but it excludes the top 15,000 websites. The premium plan removes this limitation and also comes with the highly rated Total AV antivirus program.
How much does Total Adblock cost?
Total Adblock has a free version and a premium version that starts at $1.59/mo (billed annually).
Total Adblock vs. Surfshark CleanWeb: Which is better?
Overall, Total Adblock is more effective at blocking annoying ads, cookies, and trackers. Total Adblock’s free plan is also pretty effective, and the $1.59/mo (billed annually) premium plan is an awesome value because it includes TotalAV antivirus protection.
The biggest downside is the annual renewal cost.
Total Adblock
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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
Author Details
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Andrew Strom Adams is a writer focused on online privacy and digital security. He writes on various topics to help individuals protect themselves on the internet. Andrew has worked in legal marketing, technology, and startups. He has more than 12 years of experience in marketing and communications. He holds an M.B.A. from Westminster College and a B.A. in journalism from Oklahoma Baptist University.
When he’s not writing, he’s playing with his two kids or watching reality TV.
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Kate is an Editor at All About Cookies. She has a decade of digital publishing experience and a background in EdTech. As a digital security expert, she leverages her passion for helping people to create authentic, well-researched content on a wide-range of digital privacy and security topics.
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