uBlock Origin vs. Adblock Plus 2024: Which Ad Blocker Is Right for You?

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 vs. Adblock Plus

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.

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

uBlock Origin pros and cons

Adblock Plus pros and cons

uBlock Origin vs. Adblock Plus: prices

	Our Pick
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	Yes — 60 days
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.

uBlock Origin vs Adblock Plus: features

Feature	Our Pick
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.

uBlock Origin vs Adblock Plus: test results

Feature	Our Pick
Adblock Tester score	96/100	100/100
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.

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. Adblock Plus, also received 100/100.

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.

Adblock Plus, however, failed to block these trackers, resulting in a score of 0/3.

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.

uBlock Origin vs Adblock Plus: compatibility and customer support

		Our Pick
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	Online guides, forums	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 vs Adblock Plus FAQs

uBlock Origin vs Adblock Plus: Which is better?

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.

uBlock Origin vs Adblock Plus alternatives

If neither uBlock Origin nor Adblock Plus meet your needs, consider the following best ad blocker alternatives:

• NordVPN Threat Protection: This comprehensive cybersecurity tool blocks ads and protects against malware, trackers, and malicious websites. It integrates seamlessly with NordVPN, offering enhanced privacy and security features, making it a great all-in-one solution for users who prioritize both ad-blocking and online safety.
  
  Get NordVPN Threat Protection | Read Our NordVPN Threat Protection Review
• Surfshark CleanWeb: Surfshark’s CleanWeb feature blocks ads, trackers, and malware while offering the additional benefit of a VPN service. This makes it an excellent choice for users who want to combine ad-blocking with secure and private internet browsing, ensuring a clutter-free and safe online experience.
  
  Get Surfshark CleanWeb | Read Our Surfshark CleanWeb Review

• AdLock: AdLock provides a robust ad-blocking solution that works across multiple platforms, including Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. It effectively blocks all types of ads, trackers, and even phishing attempts. AdLock is ideal for users seeking a comprehensive ad-blocking tool with straightforward functionality and cross-platform compatibility.
  
  Get AdLock | Read Our AdLock Review