5 best ad blockers in 2024

Picture of AdBlock Plus
AdBlock Plus has extensive customization options (Image via Sportskeeda)

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

uBlock Origin has many advanced features (Image via Sportskeeda)
uBlock Origin has many advanced features (Image via Sportskeeda)

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.

PlatformAvailability
WindowsYes
Mac
Yes
AndroidOnly via Firefox
iOSNo

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

AdGuard's home screen (Image via Sportskeeda)
AdGuard's home screen (Image via Sportskeeda)

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.

PlatformAvailability
WindowsYes
Mac Yes
Android Yes
iOS Yes

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

uBlock Origin Lite has a simple interface (Image via Sportskeeda)
uBlock Origin Lite has a simple interface (Image via Sportskeeda)

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.

PlatformAvailability
WindowsYes
Mac Yes
Android Only via Firefox
iOS No

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

AdBlock Plus has been around for a long time (Image via Sportskeeda)
AdBlock Plus has been around for a long time (Image via Sportskeeda)

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.

PlatformAvailability
WindowsYes
Mac Yes
Android Yes
iOS Yes

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

AdBlock can be paused and resumed easily (Image via Sportskeeda)
AdBlock can be paused and resumed easily (Image via Sportskeeda)

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.

PlatformAvailability
WindowsYes
Mac Yes
Android No
iOS No

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.

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Edited by Siddharth Satish
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