Best Free Adblockers For All Occasions

Alex B

Author

The Best Free Adblockers Right Now

If you don’t want to waste time on lengthy comparisons and are just looking for a working solution, here is a quick list of the best free ad blockers in 2025:

• For Chrome: uBlock Origin: lightweight, powerful and completely free.
• For Android: AdGuard: blocks ads not only in the browser, but also in applications.
• For Windows: AdLock: work systemically and do not require intervention.
• For iPhone: AdGuard or 1Blocker: the most stable options for Safari and iOS.
• For YouTube: SponsorBlock or Brave Browser: they not only hide ads, but also automatically skip sponsored segments.

How Free Adblockers Work And Their Actuality

To understand which best free adblock to choose, it’s worth understanding how these programs work in general. In fact, adblocker is a filter that intercepts browser requests and “cuts out” everything unnecessary: banners, pop-ups, video ads and trackers.

Here are the basic principles:

• Blocking network requests. Extensions like uBlock Origin or AdBlock Plus check every element of the page and stop loading those that are blacklisted (EasyList, AdGuard Base, and others).
• Hiding elements on the page. Even if the ad has loaded, adblocker can simply “mask” it in the DOM structure so that you don’t see it.
• Intelligent filters. Modern solutions use machine learning, they not only know what to block, but also understand the context. This helps to combat “smart” ads embedded in videos or native articles.

There are two main types of blockers:

• Browser-based, they work inside the browser (for example, uBlock Origin, AdBlock Plus). It’s fast, simple, and requires no additional software installation.
• System-level, filters traffic at the level of the entire operating system (AdGuard, Adblock). Such solutions block ads even in apps and messengers.

And finally, a popular question: is Total Adblock free? Yes, the basic version is indeed free but with limitations. It blocks banners and pop-ups, but protection against trackers and malicious sites is available only in the paid plan.

The main thing is that free adblockers are still relevant. In 2025, advertising has become more aggressive, but good free filters don’t give up.: they still clean pages efficiently, save traffic, and take care of your attention. Before we jump in feel free to check our top 7 AI browsers.

Top 10 Free Adblockers

uBlock Origin – The Best Free Adblock for Chrome and Beyond

What we liked:

• Purity and power. uBlock Origin is the standard of a free tool: no ads, no subscriptions, no pop-ups.
• Flexible filters. Supports EasyList, AdGuard Base, Peter Lowe’s List, and custom rules.
• Cross-browser compatibility. It works in Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Brave and Opera.
• Low resource consumption. It does not slow down even weak devices.
• Deep protection. It blocks ads, trackers, scripts, and even cryptomineers.

What we didn’t appreciate:

• The interface is designed for experienced users. For beginners, filters and statistics may seem complicated.
• There are no simplified buttons like “clear everything”, you need to manually sort out the filters.

uBlock Origin is the best free adblock for Chrome and other browsers. Suitable for those who want powerful and reliable protection without ads and paid features.

AdGuard – Universal Free Adblock for Android, iPhone, and Windows

What we liked:

• Versatility. It works on Android, iPhone, Windows and macOS, filtering ads at the system level.
• Efficiency. Removes ads on YouTube, Telegram, apps, and browsers.
• Convenience. Intuitive interface, manual filter settings, DNS mods for iOS, and a full-featured Windows app.
• Additional functions. Parental controls, anti-tracking, and phishing protection are included in the free version.

What we didn’t appreciate:

• The version from Google Play has been cut due to Android policy. The full version must be downloaded from the website.
• Filtering is weaker without an Internet connection, as some of the functions are based on the cloud.
• It can sometimes hide useful elements of websites.
• Advanced features (VPN, advanced filters) are only available in the paid version.

AdGuard is a universal solution and one of the best options for iPhone and Android. Even the free version provides deeper protection than most browser plug-ins.

AdBlock Plus – The Classic Free Adblocker Everyone Knows

What we liked:

• Simplicity and reliability. It installs in seconds and immediately works without unnecessary settings.
• Compatibility. Supports all popular browsers: Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge.
• Intuitive interface. Minimalistic design, convenient operation.
• The concept Of Acceptable Ads. Allows unobtrusive advertising to support websites, you can disable it if desired.

What we didn’t appreciate:

• The Acceptable Ads feature is enabled by default, and not everyone knows how to disable it.
• It runs a little slower than uBlock Origin, especially on weak PCs.
• Sometimes skips banners with advanced workarounds.

AdBlock Plus is a classic and reliable free adblocker for those who just want to install and forget. An excellent choice for regular users, but for maximum control, uBlock Origin is better suited.

AdLock – Smart Free Adblock for Windows and Mac

What we liked:

• Full system protection. Adblock blocks ads not only in the browser, but also in other applications such as Skype, Steam, torrent clients, and messengers.
• Efficiency. Removes banners, pop-ups, video ads, and trackers without losing speed.
• Clean interface. No ads, pop-up offers, or unnecessary notifications.
• Security. Built-in anti-phishing and protection against malicious websites.
• Compatibility. It works equally stably on both Windows and macOS.

What we didn’t appreciate:

• In the free version, filters are updated less frequently than we would like.
• HTTPS filtering and advanced settings are only available in the paid version.
• On older computers, there may be a slight delay when starting up for the first time.

Adlock is a powerful free adblock for Windows and Mac, if you need to remove ads in all applications, not just in the browser. A universal choice for those who want a clean and quiet system without compromise.

Brave Browser – All-in-One Solution with Built-In Adblock

What we liked:

• Built-in Brave Shields blocker. It works at the level of the Chromium engine, so it blocks ads even before the page loads.
• Speed. Brave opens websites faster than Chrome with extensions installed.
• YouTube without ads. It does a great job with videos, replacing the separate free YouTube adblocker.
• Default privacy. Built-in HTTPS Everywhere, anti-fingerprinting, and Tor tabs for anonymity.
• Minimalism. It does not require the installation of third-party plugins – everything is built in and works out of the box.

What we didn’t appreciate:

• Sometimes filters the content too aggressively, which can cause the layout to break or the video to not load.
• The Brave Rewards system (viewing “acceptable ads” for tokens) is not liked by everyone, it violates the feeling of a completely clean Internet.

Brave Browser is not just a browser, but a complete security ecosystem. It is ideal for those who want privacy, speed and no ads without installing dozens of extensions.

SponsorBlock – Free YouTube Adblocker for Smart Users

What we liked:

• An intelligent solution. Skips advertising and sponsorship segments in the video automatically.
• Public update. The segment database is being updated by users, which makes filtering flexible and accurate.
• Flexible configuration. You can choose which parts of the video to skip: commercials, intros, outro, or sponsored inserts.
• Compatibility. It works with YouTube in any browser, especially well with uBlock Origin or Brave.
• Absolutely free. No paid subscriptions or ads.

What we didn’t like:

• Effectiveness depends on community activity: new videos sometimes don’t have marked segments.
• The database is updated with a delay of several hours after the release of new content.

SponsorBlock is the best free YouTube adblocker for those who want not just to “cut everything out”, but to get a smart, accurate and easy-to-use system.

Pie Adblock – A Powerful Free Ad Blocker for All Devices

What we liked:

• A modern approach. Pie Adblock is a fresh player of 2025, which immediately announced itself with powerful AI filtering. Algorithms don’t just remove ads, but learn to distinguish between useful and intrusive content.
• Cross-platform. It works on Android, iPhone, Chrome and Windows, one of the few solutions that are equally convenient on all devices.
• Transparency. Partially open source, active community development, and a complete lack of trackers.
• Clean design. A modern, minimalistic interface without banners and self-promotion.

What we didn’t appreciate:

• Since the product is new, filter updates are not as frequent as for veterans like AdGuard or uBlock.
• Sometimes there are instabilities on older Android devices.

Pie Adblock is a powerful, fresh free adblock app that sets a new standard. Its simplicity, artificial intelligence and lack of telemetry make it an ideal choice for those who want a modern tool with great potential.

Ghostery – Privacy-Focused Free Adblocker for Chrome and Safari

What we liked:

• Focus on privacy. Ghostery doesn’t just block ads, but shows you who tried to track you, with detailed statistics from trackers and analytical scripts.
• Transparency of work. After loading the page, you can see which domains collected the data, which gives you an understanding of how the web really works.
• Cross-browser compatibility. It works great as free adblock for Chrome, Firefox and Safari.
• Lightness. Minimal load on the system, with high filtration efficiency.

What we didn’t appreciate:

• Sometimes the blocking is too strict and can break the functionality of sites (for example, login via Google).
• Some of the advanced privacy and analytics features are available only in the paid version of Ghostery Pro.

Ghostery is an ideal choice for those who care not only about the cleanliness of the pages, but also about the protection of personal data. This is not just a blocker, but a digital self-monitoring tool that makes the Internet more transparent and secure.

1Blocker – The Best Free Adblock for iPhone and Safari

What we liked:

• Native integration with iOS. It uses Apple’s built-in content filters, so Safari works without delays and overloads.
• Energy efficiency. It uses almost no battery, which is one of the easiest solutions for the iPhone.
• Flexible settings. You can separately block ads, trackers, cookie notifications, comments, and pop-ups.
• Simplicity. Clean interface, no banners, upsets or pop-up offers.

What we didn’t appreciate:

• Some filters and custom rules are not available in the free version.
• Works only in the Apple ecosystem, Android users will have to look for an alternative.

1Blocker is the best adblock for iPhone and Safari users. It combines performance, energy efficiency and the highest degree of privacy. For the Apple ecosystem, this is the benchmark for a free ad blocker.

AdAway – Root-Level Free Adblock for Android Enthusiasts

What we liked:

• System lockdown level. Unlike most solutions, AdAway does not work through a browser or VPN, but directly with the Android hosts file. It blocks advertising domains even before applications access them.
• Complete cleanliness. No banners, trackers, or pop-ups – the ads just won’t load.
• Completely free and open-source. No subscriptions, upsets, or hidden paid features. The project is being developed by the community and is ideal for enthusiasts.
• Does not collect any data. Maximum privacy and control over the system.

What we didn’t appreciate:

• Requires root access, which makes installation and configuration difficult for the average user.
• Not available on Google Play, you can download it only via F-Droid or from the official website.
• The app will not work on devices without root, which limits the audience.

AdAway is the best option for advanced Android users who want to get rid of system-level ads. This is a tool “for their own”: not for the mass market, but it gives full control over the device and real “cleanliness under the hood”.

Total Adblock – Freemium Option Everyone Asks About

What we liked:

• Simplicity and clarity. Modern interface, minimal configuration suitable even for those who have never used blockers.
• Good basic filtering. Removes banners, pop-ups, and video ads, and works especially effectively in Chrome and Edge.
• Popularity and recognition. It is often mentioned among users looking for “is Total Adblock free”, and indeed offers a free tier.
• Work speed. It does not overload the system, quickly filters traffic and does not interfere with watching videos.

What we didn’t appreciate:

• The free version is limited: there is no protection against trackers, phishing and malicious sites, all this is available only in the premium subscription.
• The service compulsively suggests switching to a paid plan, which spoils the impression of an otherwise excellent solution.
• Not suitable for users who need advanced privacy protection out of the box.

Total Adblock is a freemium adblocker that balances simplicity and functionality. It is perfect for those who want to “turn it on and forget”, but are ready to upgrade to the paid version over time for the sake of enhanced security. This is a worthy bridge between free solutions and professional protection tools. We also have top 10 free VPNs that you can check out.

Frequently Asked Questions