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Best for Tech-savvy users
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One of the best totally free ad blockers available
Highly customizable, open-source ad blocker that's compatible with multiple browsers
Can block advertising and analytics tools, including banner ads, video ads, and trackers, and can even bypass soft paywalls
Best for Casual users
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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
Sifting through the best ad blockers available and picking the right one for your needs can be challenging. For those looking for advanced customization and powerful filtering abilities, uBlock stands out as an excellent choice.
This free, open-source tool provides comprehensive control over what content you block, typically suiting the tech-savvy.
In contrast, Adblock Plus is suitable for users seeking a straightforward solution. It’s available across more platforms, including iOS, and offers a user-friendly interface, making setup and using the service a breeze.
Whether you prioritize advanced features or ease of use, our comparison will help you decide which ad blocker suits your needs best.
uBlock Origin’s customization and filtering options make it suitable for anyone looking for advanced control over their ad-blocking experience. Meanwhile, Adblock Plus offers a far more user-friendly interface.
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| Best for | Tech-savvy users | Casual users |
| Price | Free | Free with premium options starting at $3.33/mo (billed annually) |
| Ads blocked on Forbes | 18 | 56 |
| Does it block YouTube ads? | ||
| Compatibility | Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari (prior to version 13), Opera, Chromium | Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari, Opera, Yandex |
| Mobile compatibility | Only as an add-on for Firefox on Android | Available for Android and iOS |
| Learn more | Get uBlock Origin
Read uBlock Origin Review |
Get Adblock Plus
Read Adblock Plus Review |
Our Pick
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| Price range | Free | Free to $4.00/mo |
| Best value plan | Free version | Yearly plan for $3.33/mo (billed annually) (billed at $40/year) |
| Free version available | ||
| Money-back guarantee | N/A | |
| Learn more | Get uBlock Origin
Read uBlock Origin Review |
Get Adblock Plus
Read Adblock Plus Review |
When comparing the costs of uBlock Origin and Adblock Plus, uBlock Origin stands out as a completely free ad blocker, offering robust features without subscription fees.
While Adblock Plus also offers a free version, it provides additional premium features, such as blocking floating videos and cookie consent pop-ups, for a monthly fee of $4.00/mo or an annual fee of $40.
The yearly plan is the best value for those looking to enhance their browsing experience with extra features.
Although Adblock Plus requires payment for its premium features, the added benefits might justify the cost for users who want more comprehensive ad blocking and privacy options. Meanwhile, uBlock Origin is ideal for those who prefer a no-cost solution that still performs effectively.
| Feature | Our Pick
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| Whitelisting | ||
| Blacklisting | ||
| Ads blocked counter | ||
| Bypasses paywalls | ||
| Block pop-up ads | ||
| Block tracking | ||
| Block video ads | ||
| Block banner ads | ||
| Block push ads | ||
| Learn more | Get uBlock Origin
Read uBlock Origin Review |
Get Adblock Plus
Read Adblock Plus Review |
uBlock Origin and Adblock Plus both offer essential features such as whitelisting, blocking various types of ads (pop-up, video, banner, and push ads), and blocking trackers.
One key difference is that uBlock Origin includes a blacklisting feature, allowing users to dynamically filter content and block specific elements on web pages.
This advanced capability makes uBlock Origin more versatile for users who need granular control over their ad-blocking settings.
Both ad blockers have counters to show the number of ads blocked, which is a helpful feature for users to gauge the effectiveness of their chosen tool. However, neither ad blocker can bypass hard paywalls, a limitation common across most ad blockers.
While the core features of both ad blockers work well, uBlock Origin's additional customization options make it a more powerful tool for those who require more control over their browsing experience.
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| Feature | Our Pick
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| Adblock Tester score | 96/100 | 77/100 |
| Cover Your Tracks score | 2/3 | 0/3 |
| Can You Block It score | 3/3 | N/A |
| YouTube ads blocked | ||
| Paywalls bypassed | ||
| Learn more | Get uBlock Origin
Read uBlock Origin Review |
Get Adblock Plus
Read Adblock Plus Review |
In our rigorous testing, we found significant differences in performance between uBlock Origin and Adblock Plus.
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uBlock Origin scored 96/100 on the Adblock Tester, demonstrating its superior capability to block various forms of ads, including contextual advertising, analytics tools, and banner ads.
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Adblock Plus, on the other hand, scored a perfect 100/100 after an initial 77/100 when additional trackers were turned on.
In the Cover Your Tracks test, uBlock Origin also outperformed Adblock Plus, achieving a score of 2/3, indicating its strong protection against tracking ads and invisible trackers.
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Adblock Plus, however, failed to block these trackers, resulting in a score of 0/3.
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Both ad blockers successfully blocked YouTube ads, enhancing the streaming experience by removing pre- and mid-roll ads. However, neither uBlock Origin nor Adblock Plus could bypass hard paywalls, a common limitation among ad blockers.
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Our Pick
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| Windows | ||
| macOS | ||
| Android | Yes (Firefox only) | |
| iOS | ||
| Linux | ||
| Browser extensions | Yes (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari (prior to 13), Opera, Chromium) | Yes (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari, Opera, Yandex) |
| 24/7 customer support | ||
| Customer support options | GitHub wiki, bug and filter reporting, subreddit | Email, forums, online guides |
| Learn more | Get uBlock Origin
Read uBlock Origin Review |
Get Adblock Plus
Read Adblock Plus Review |
Adblock Plus offer extensive compatibility across multiple operating systems and browsers. uBlock Origin supports Linux and browser extensions for popular browsers like Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari (prior to version 13). However, its mobile support is limited to Firefox on Android, with no support for iOS.
In contrast, Adblock Plus is available on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS, making it a more versatile choice for users who need ad-blocking across all their devices.
Neither ad blocker offers 24/7 customer support, which can be a downside for users needing immediate assistance. uBlock Origin relies on community-based support through GitHub and a subreddit, supplemented by online guides.
This setup might be sufficient for tech-savvy users but could be daunting for those less familiar with technical forums. Adblock Plus provides email support, forums, and online guides, offering a more traditional and possibly user-friendly approach to customer service.
During our testing, we found that both ad blockers had intuitive interfaces, but uBlock Origin’s extensive customization options could be overwhelming for beginners. Adblock Plus, with its simpler and straightforward settings, is easier to use for those who prefer a plug-and-play solution without delving into advanced configurations.
uBlock Origin is designed to be a lightweight ad blocker, which means it has a minimal impact on your computer's performance. In our testing, we found that uBlock Origin runs efficiently in the background without significantly slowing down browsing speed or consuming excessive system resources.
No, uBlock Origin does not sell your data. As an open-source project, uBlock Origin prioritizes user privacy and transparency. The extension doesn’t collect or share personal data with third parties.
Its primary focus is providing users with a secure and ad-free browsing experience without compromising their privacy.
Yes, it’s safe to use Adblock Plus. Adblock Plus is a widely recognized and trusted ad blocker that effectively removes unwanted ads and enhances user privacy. It’s open-source, meaning its code is available for review, which adds an additional layer of transparency and security.
Adblock Plus collects some anonymous data to improve user experience but doesn’t sell personal data to third parties.
uBlock Origin and Adblock Plus both offer robust ad-blocking capabilities, but they cater to slightly different user needs.
uBlock Origin is a free, open-source solution that excels at customization and advanced filtering options. It is ideal for tech-savvy users who want detailed control over their ad-blocking settings.
However, its extensive features can be overwhelming for beginners, and its mobile support is limited to Firefox on Android.
On the other hand, Adblock Plus offers a more user-friendly experience with easier setup and straightforward settings. It’s available on a broader range of devices, including iOS, making it a better choice for users looking for a simple and effective ad blocker across multiple platforms.
However, it requires a premium subscription to access advanced features like blocking floating videos and site notifications.
Overall, Adblock Plus is the better option for users seeking ease of use and broad compatibility. At the same time, uBlock Origin is best for those who require advanced customization and are comfortable navigating more complex settings.
One of the best totally free ad blockers available
Highly customizable, open-source ad blocker that's compatible with multiple browsers
Can block advertising and analytics tools, including banner ads, video ads, and trackers, and can even bypass soft paywalls
If neither uBlock Origin nor Adblock Plus meet your needs, consider the following best ad blocker alternatives:
| Ad blocker | 
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| Best for | Best for blocking YouTube ads | Best overall | Best for parental controls |
| Price | Paid plan costs $1.59/mo (billed annually) | Starts at $3.99/mo (billed every two years) | Paid plans start at $2.49/mo |
| Blocks YouTube ads | |||
| Learn more | Get Total Adblock | Get NordVPN Threat Protection | Get AdGuard |
One of the best totally free ad blockers available
Highly customizable, open-source ad blocker that's compatible with multiple browsers
Can block advertising and analytics tools, including banner ads, video ads, and trackers, and can even bypass soft paywalls
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