A free ad blocker hides adverts, pop-ups and many trackers while you browse, which makes pages load faster and feel calmer. Browser extensions are the quickest to set up, while network blockers cover every device on your Wi-Fi at once. Check your browser first, because the rules for extensions have changed and not every blocker works everywhere.
Most people install an ad blocker for one reason: a page that jumps around while it loads. Blockers fix that, and they also cut down the tracking scripts that follow you from site to site.
Here are ten free ad blockers in no particular order, sorted alphabetically, from browser extensions to network-wide tools. Each description comes from the tool's own website, re-checked today. If privacy is your main worry, my post on auditing your account privacy is a useful companion.
One fair point before you start: many small websites rely on ads to stay free. Most blockers let you allow ads on sites you want to support, and it's worth doing for the ones you visit often.
Free ad blockers compared
In the free plan column, Yes means the tool's own site describes a free version or free plan, Trial only means a time-limited trial, and No means neither is stated. Free versions often come with limits, so check what's included before you rely on one.
| Tool | Type | Good for | Free plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Blocker | Safari content blocker | Blocking ads in Safari on iPhone | Yes |
| AdBlock | Browser extension | Simple one-click blocking | Yes |
| Adblock Plus | Browser extension | Blocking with optional acceptable ads | Yes |
| AdGuard | Ad and tracker blocker | Blocking across browsers and apps | Yes |
| Brave | Browser with a built-in blocker | Blocking without any extension | Yes |
| Ghostery | Privacy extension | Seeing who tracks you | Yes |
| NextDNS | Cloud DNS filter | Blocking on every device | Yes |
| Pi-hole | Network-wide ad blocker | Home network blocking on a small computer | Yes |
| Privacy Badger | Tracker blocker | Stopping invisible trackers | Yes |
| uBlock Origin | Open-source content blocker | Detailed control over what's blocked | Yes |
Ten free ad blockers to try
1Blocker
Best for: iPhone, iPad and Mac users who browse in Safari and want a native content blocker.
AdBlock
Best for: People who want an easy browser extension that blocks ads with almost no setup.
Adblock Plus
Best for: Users who want ads blocked but are happy to allow lighter ads that meet set criteria.
AdGuard
Best for: People who want a browser extension now and the option of blocking inside apps on desktop or mobile later.
Brave
Best for: Anyone who'd rather switch browser than manage an extension, with ad and tracker blocking built in.
Ghostery
Best for: Privacy-minded users who want ads blocked and a clear view of which trackers each site loads.
NextDNS
Best for: Households who want ad and tracker blocking on phones, laptops and TVs through one DNS setting.
Pi-hole
Best for: Tinkerers who want to run their own network blocker on a small home computer for every device on Wi-Fi.
Privacy Badger
Best for: People who mainly want to stop hidden trackers, with ad blocking as a side effect.
uBlock Origin
Best for: Users who want a light, open-source blocker with fine control over filter lists in supported browsers.
Why some ad blockers stopped working in Chrome
This one surprised a lot of people. Google's Chrome developer documentation says Manifest V2 extensions are now disabled for all Chrome users and have been removed from the Chrome Web Store. Older blockers built on that system can't run there any more, which is why the uBlock Origin Lite version exists for Chrome.
So if your blocker suddenly vanished, it wasn't you. Check which version your browser supports, or use a network blocker that doesn't depend on browser extensions at all.
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What to check in a free ad blocker
- Browser support: does it work in the browser you use every day?
- Allow lists: can you switch it off for sites you want to support?
- Tracking: does it block trackers as well as visible ads?
- Devices: do you need it on one browser or across your whole home?
- Data: what does the blocker itself collect about you?
Set up an ad blocker in five minutes
- Install the blocker only from the browser's official store or the maker's own site.
- Leave the default filter lists on for the first week.
- Add the small sites you visit most to the allow list.
- Check that payment pages and logins still work.
- Review the settings after a week and switch off anything you don't need.
Ad blocker mistakes to avoid
- Running several at once. They clash and slow things down.
- Fake extensions. Check the publisher name before you install.
- Blocking everything forever. Allow the sites you value.
- Forgetting payment pages. Pause the blocker if checkout fails.
If you're tightening up security more widely, my free password generator is a quick win for every account.
Do you make browser privacy tools? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.
My plain advice on free ad blockers
Start with one blocker, not three. Stacking several extensions slows your browser down and makes it hard to work out which one broke a page.
And be fair to the sites you rely on. Allowing ads on a handful of favourites keeps them going, and you still get a calmer web everywhere else.
Frequently asked questions
Are free ad blockers safe?
The well-known ones are, if you install them from the official browser store or the maker's site. Avoid copycat extensions with similar names.
Do ad blockers speed up websites?
Often, yes. Blocking ads and trackers means fewer files to load on each page.
Can I block ads on my phone?
Yes. Some blockers work in mobile browsers, and DNS-based blockers cover apps too.
Why did my ad blocker stop working?
Browser extension rules change. Check that your blocker supports your current browser version.
Will an ad blocker break websites?
Occasionally. If a page won't load as it should, pause the blocker for that site and reload it.
Can I block ads on my whole home network?
Yes. Network blockers filter ads for every device that uses your Wi-Fi.
Do ad blockers stop tracking?
Many block common trackers too, though no tool stops every form of tracking.
Is it fair to block ads?
It's your choice. Many people block by default and allow ads on sites they want to support.
What's the difference between an ad blocker and a VPN?
An ad blocker hides ads and trackers on the pages you visit, while a VPN hides your connection from your network. They do different jobs, and some people use both.
Does an ad blocker work on YouTube?
Some do, some don't, and sites change how they serve video ads often. Expect to update your blocker regularly if video ads are your main reason for using one.
