Ads can be quite distracting and downright problematic if you don't use an ad blocker. Some websites are more subtle about their adverts, while others have pop-up banners that will prevent you from reading the content on the site. Almost every website has ads, except for certain organizations, like university and government sites. Ad blockers work by modifying how the webpage is displayed and are the best way of removing ads from your browser.
In this article, I'm presenting the best adblockers that work well in 2024.
Note: This list is subjective and solely reflects the writer's opinions.
List of the best ad blockers to install
1) uBlock Origin
Price: Free
uBlock Origin is among the best ad blockers. It is completely free with no features behind a paywall. It is also open-source. It will block any ads in sight and may even block other pop-ups that are too obtrusive with its Element Zapper mode. It is rich in features and is highly customizable.
It even allows you to apply your own filter for an even more effective ad detection. It not only manages to hide the ad but also dissolves the space previously taken by the ads to make content more readable on the site. It is also available on Android phones but only through the Firefox browser.
Pros
- Completely free of cost with nothing behind a paywall.
- Open-source.
- Blocks ads effectively.
Cons
- Advanced features are not easy to understand and require more technical knowledge.
- Only works in a browser.
2) AdGuard
Price: Free | Optional paid version
AdGuard is a robust ad blocker that blocks ads system-wide for all applications, including browsers. It goes a step forward and even blocks all trackers and custom content to protect your privacy.
It also has a dedicated browser extension for those who don't require a system-wide ad blocker. You can install this if you prefer not to download the entire application. It is available on all devices, including Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS (iPhones and iPads).
Pros
- System-wide ad blocker.
- Blocks ads, trackers, and other intrusive content.
- Has a separate ad blocker for browsers as well.
Cons
- Additional features require a paid license.
3) uBlock Origin Lite
Price: Free
The uBlock Origin Lite is a lightweight version of its bigger brother, uBlock Origin, but without the advanced features that not a lot of people use. It has a similar ad-blocking performance and manages to block most ads.
The user interface is easy to understand, even for general users. However, it misses out on a lot of other features that its bigger brother has, including a custom elements blocker via Element Zapper.
Pros
- Extremely lightweight.
- Block most ads.
- Easy to use and understand.
Cons
- Too many features are missing.
4) AdBlock Plus
Price: Free | Optional paid version
The Adblock Plus is one of the oldest and most effective ad-blockers that still works to this day. It can not only block ads on sites but can also block pre-roll and windowed pop-up ads on YouTube.
It can also block custom content you don't want to see on a particular website. Apart from this, it is highly customizable. For example, if you don't like the "similar content" element of any website, you can block it with a single click.
Pros
- Has one of the most effective ad detection systems.
- Has a custom elements blocking system.
- Available on iOS as well.
- Can block YouTube ads.
Cons
- Some of the features are hidden behind a paywall.
5) AdBlock
Price: Free
AdBlock is another ad blocker that can effectively block ads on a browser. It can also block malicious content that other ad blockers can't without extensive filter customization. It allows you to pause ad blocking on a specific site with one click, which can be useful in many situations.
Some websites have anti-adblocking solutions, which do not work well with adblockers. AdBlock allows you to pause ad blocking on those sites without turning it off entirely.
Pros
- Can block malicious content.
- Has a great ad-blocking system.
- Allows pausing ad blocking on specific sites with one click.
Cons
- Not available on mobile phones.
These are some of the best ad blockers you can install in 2024. While every ad blocker has some unique feature, I like uBlock Origin more than the others. This is what I recommend and use, but you are free to try any of the options from the above list.