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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
If you’re looking for the most powerful free ad blocker, uBlock Origin is the clear winner. It outperforms Adblock Plus in customization, test performance, and overall blocking strength.
uBlock Origin’s open-source design and advanced controls make it the top ad blocker for users who want full command over their browsing experience. On the other hand, Adblock Plus remains a good option for those who prefer simplicity and cross-platform compatibility, including iOS.
Whether you prioritize deep customization or easy setup, this uBlock Origin vs. Adblock Plus comparison shows why uBlock Origin ultimately delivers the best value and performance for ad-free browsing.
| Ad blocker |  Total Adblock |
 Surfshark CleanWeb |
 Aura Ad Block and Anti-Track |
 NordVPN Threat Protection Pro |
| Best for | Best for blocking YouTube ads | Best for unlimited devices | Best for identity protection | Best for safe browsing |
| Lowest starting price | Starts at $1.59/mo | Starts at $3.19/mo | Starts at $1.66/mo | Starts at $5.49/mo |
| Blocks YouTube ads | ||||
| Included extras | TotalAV | Surfshark VPN, Alternative ID | antivirus, password manager, VPN | NordVPN, NordPass, scam call protection |
| Learn more | Get Total Adblock | Get Surfshark CleanWeb Ad Blocking | Get Aura Ad Blocker | Get NordVPN Threat Protection Pro |
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Our Pick |
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| Star rating | ||
| Price | Free | Free with premium options starting at $3.33/mo |
| Ads blocked on Forbes | 14 | 37 |
| Does it block YouTube ads? | ||
| Compatibility | Edge, Firefox, Opera | Android, iOS, Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Opera, Safari |
| Mobile compatibility | Only as an add-on for Firefox on Android | Android and iOS |
| Learn more | Get uBlock Origin
Read uBlock Origin Review |
Get Adblock Plus
Read Adblock Plus Review |
| 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 (including pop-ups, video, banner, and push ads), and blocking trackers. 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.
One key difference is that uBlock Origin includes both whitelisting and blacklisting features, 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.
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On the other hand, Adblock Plus offers whitelisting but not blacklisting. You can find this in the Adblock Plus settings under Allowlisted websites or you can allowlist the site you're visiting directly from the extension.
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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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Adblock Plus also offers custom filters, but its list isn't as extensive as uBlock Origin's. Adblock Plus is also open-source, so anyone can add custom filters to their extension.
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| Feature |
Our Pick
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| Adblock Tester score | 100/100 | 100/100 |
| Cover Your Tracks score | 2/3 | 2.5/3 |
| Can You Block It score | 3/3 | 3/3 |
| YouTube ads blocked | ||
| Paywalls bypassed | ||
| Learn more | Get uBlock Origin
Read uBlock Origin Review |
Get Adblock Plus
Read Adblock Plus Review |
Through rigorous testing, we found significant performance differences between uBlock Origin and Adblock Plus. uBlock Origin scored 100/100 on the Adblock Tester, demonstrating its capability to block various forms of ads, including contextual advertising, analytics tools, and banner ads.
Adblock Plus Premium scored higher than uBlock Origin, having received 100/100. However, Adblock Plus Free only received 88/100.
In the Cover Your Tracks test, Adblock Plus outperformed uBlock Origin, achieving a score of 2.5/3, indicating its strong protection against tracking ads and invisible trackers.
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However, Adblock Plus Free doesn't provide any protection against tracking ads and invisible trackers. If you want a completely free product, then uBlock Origin is a more powerful content blocker.
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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| |
| Price range | Free | $3.33-$4.00/mo |
| Best value plan | Free version | Yearly plan for $3.33/mo (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.
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Our Pick
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| Windows | ||
| macOS | ||
| Android | Yes (Firefox only) | |
| iOS | ||
| Linux | ||
| Browser extensions | Edge, Firefox, Opera | Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Opera, Safari |
| 24/7 customer support | ||
| Customer support options | Online guides, forums | Email, forums, online guides |
| Trustpilot score | 4.0 | 2.3 |
| Learn more | Get uBlock Origin
Read uBlock Origin Review |
Get Adblock Plus
Read Adblock Plus Review |
Adblock Plus offers extensive compatibility across multiple operating systems and browsers. uBlock Origin supports Linux and browser extensions for popular browsers, including Edge, Firefox, Opera.
However, Google Chrome removed uBlock Origin's Chrome extension. Its mobile support is limited to Firefox on Android, with no support for iOS. Safari and Chrome users would need to switch browsers or use the less powerful uBlock Origin Lite.
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In contrast, Adblock Plus is available on Android, iOS, Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Opera, Safari, making it a more versatile choice for users who need ad-blocking across all their devices.
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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 it could be daunting for those less familiar with technical forums. Adblock Plus offers email support, forums, and online guides, providing a more traditional and 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 needing to delve into advanced configurations.
Finally, uBlock Origin has a much higher Trustpilot score than Adblock Plus. uBlock Origin reviewers mention how well the extension works to block most ads, even YouTube ads. Adblock Plus reviewers discuss how it used to be good and although it works sometimes, it doesn't work consistently.
| Ad blocker |
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| Best for | Overall | Designed for iOS | Automatically blocking cookies | Making money |
| Star rating | ||||
| Price | $1.59/mo | Free or $1.25–$2.99/mo | Free | Free |
| Does it work on YouTube? | ||||
| AdBlock Tester score | 100/100 | 77/100 | 99/100 | 100/100 |
| Cover Your Tracks score | 2/3 | 0/3 | 2/3 | 2/3 |
| Can You Block It score | 3/3 | 2.5/3 | 3/3 | 3/3 |
| Compatibility | Android, iOS, Chrome, Edge, Safari | macOS, iOS, Safari | iOS, Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Opera, Safari | Chrome, Edge, Opera, Safari |
| Learn more | Get Total Adblock | Get 1Blocker | Get Ghostery | Get Pie Adblock |
Although both uBlock Origin and Adblock Plus offer robust ad-blocking capabilities, in our experience, uBlock Origin is the better free ad blocker.
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Our Pick
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| Features | ||
| Test results | ||
| Value | ||
| Compatibility and customer support | ||
| Learn more | Get uBlock Origin
Read uBlock Origin Review |
Get Adblock Plus
Read Adblock Plus Review |
uBlock Origin is an excellent 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.
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
Adblock Plus offers a more user-friendly experience, providing an easier setup and straightforward settings. It’s also 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.
But the biggest downside is that it requires a premium subscription to access advanced features, such as blocking floating videos and site notifications.
But if you're going to pay for an ad blocker, we recommend Total Adblock. It's one of the best ad blockers based on our extensive in-house testing, and it includes the award-winning antivirus software TotalAV at a super low starting rate.
Each ad blocker we review goes through a standardized test designed to push the limits of what the software is capable of. This includes vigorous third-party testing using websites like adblock-tester.com, coveryourtracks.eff.org, and canyoublockit.com. We also visit popular websites to test the ad blocker’s day-to-day capabilities, including watching YouTube videos and browsing Forbes.
Once we’ve completed the testing, we calculate our editorial rating by taking into account key features you’d expect from a good product. We score each ad blocker in the following categories and use a weighted average to calculate the final rating out of 5 stars: price, test scores, features, browser support, and editorial score.
To learn more about how we test, read our full ad blocker methodology here.
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.
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
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