In this post, I will show you the best ad blockers to block ads and unwanted pop-ups.

Browsing on the internet easily becomes a hassle if you’re on a website with so many ads. Those banners, sidebars, and pop-ups sometimes make finding the information you’re looking for difficult. As a result, it’s understandable why you’re reading this to find out the best ad blockers.

Ad blocking is a relatively simple functionality; that’s why many tools for it exist. However, you don’t need a software that keeps adverts away while putting your device at risk in every other aspect.

What Is An Ad Blocker?

An ad blocker is a software tool that prevents ads from being displayed on your screen when you’re browsing the internet. They come in various forms, but the most common are browser extensions, which are small programs that add functionality to your web browser.

There are many reasons why people use ad blockers. Some of the most common reasons include:

• To improve browsing speed and performance: Ads can slow down your web browsing, so blocking them can make websites load faster.
• To protect privacy: Many ads track your browsing activity and collect your personal data. Ad blockers can help to prevent this.
• To avoid annoying ads: Some ads are simply annoying, such as pop-up ads and auto-playing video ads. Ad blockers can help to block these types of ads.

Ad blockers work by filtering the content that is downloaded to your device when you visit a website. They do this by using a list of rules that identify ad content. When the ad blocker encounters a piece of content that matches one of its rules, it blocks it from being displayed.

There are a few things to keep in mind when using an ad blocker. First, some websites rely on advertising revenue to stay afloat. If you block ads on all websites, you could be making it more difficult for your favorite websites to operate.

Second, some ad blockers can break certain websites. If you find that a website is not working properly after you install an ad blocker, you may need to disable the ad blocker for that website.

That’s why you need the best, and the best ad blockers we’ve listed below:

Best Ad Blockers

1. Surfshark CleanWeb

Surfshark’s CleanWeb feature is an effective solution for those seeking a hassle-free browsing experience. It not only blocks intrusive ads but also shields against trackers, malware, and phishing attempts.

It’s part of Surfshark’s VPN, which works across multiple devices. Interestingly, it won’t slow browsing speed — but will rather boost it.

Being able to browse without constant interruptions from ads and an extra layer of online security makes Surfshark CleanWeb number one here.

If you prioritize convenience and privacy, you’ll find CleanWeb a noteworthy addition to your online toolkit. To top it all, the app is intuitive and seamless to use.

2. Adblock Plus

Adblock Plus is invaluable for anyone seeking a cleaner, faster online browsing experience. Its standout feature blocks intrusive ads, including pop-ups, banners, and video ads. Consequently, the tool improves page load times and reduces visual clutter.

The user-friendly interface allows for easy customization. In particular, you can whitelist preferred sites or fine-tune other ad-blocking preferences.

You can do more than block ads with Adblock Plus. The tool also offers enhanced privacy by blocking trackers from following your online activities.

CHECK OUT: 10 Best AdBlock VPNs In 2024 [Tested & Reviewed]

3. AdGuard

AdGuard is a robust ad-blocking software designed to enhance your online browsing experience. You can leverage the tool to filter malicious websites and block phishing attempts. Generally, you get safer internet.

Focusing on ad blocking, you’ll appreciate AdGuard’s comprehensive approach. It blocks banners, video ads, pop-ups, and other intrusive advertising content.

However, what sets AdGuard apart is its flexibility across different platforms. You can use it not only on browsers but also on Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS.

It’s worth noting that AdGuard also offers a parental control feature for families wishing to provide a secure online environment for their children.

4. uBlock Origin

If you prefer an ad blocker extension, here’s one of the best tools to block ads. uBlock Origin is a tool with efficient ad-blocking capabilities.

Note that uBlock Origin is open-source and transparent, and that’s one reason it has gained trust among its users. However, the primary catalyst for its popularity is the user-friendly interface and lightweight design.

You can use uBlock Origin without slowing down your browser. Unlike some ad blockers, uBlock Origin consumes minimal system resources, ensuring smooth performance even on less powerful devices.

Furthermore, the extension can create custom filters, meaning you have 100% control over what ads get blocked.

5. Ghostery

Ghostery is considered one of the best ad blockers for several reasons. Typically, its primary function is to block ads and trackers embedded in websites.

But it makes things more transparent by letting you know who’s tracking you. In addition, you get complete customization over what to block or allow.

You can access Ghostery across various browsers and platforms. Hence, it’s not surprising that over 100 million people use this ad blocker solution.

To add, it’s open-source, which allows more customizability. Note that Ghostery is also a full-fledged browser – one of the best regarding privacy.

READ ALSO: How To Stop Calls On iPhone Without Blocking Them

6. Privacy Badger

Privacy Badger was developed by the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) with a focus on privacy protection.

Unlike traditional ad blockers, this tool doesn’t rely on predefined lists of known ads and trackers to block. Instead, it learns as you browse, identifying and blocking any third-party content that seems to be tracking on the web.

The tool uses an intelligent algorithm to block intrusive trackers; meanwhile, access to the website remains convenient. So, while not an ad blocker in the traditional sense, Privacy Badger’s approach to blocking tracking scripts means ads are also eliminated.

This unique method of safeguarding privacy sets it apart and makes it a commendable choice for users concerned about online tracking.

Consequently, you get a more private and enjoyable browsing experience. And you have options to adjust the blocking level of each identified tracker.

7. 1Blocker – Ad Blocker

Here you get a comprehensive tool that blocks ads and eliminates various other annoying elements like pop-ups, trackers, and cookies.

You’ll appreciate this ad blocker more if you use an Apple device. It works seamlessly with the Safari browser.

1Blocker uses native Safari content-blocking technology on iOS and macOS devices, resulting in efficient performance. It doesn’t consume memory compared to other blockers, yet it’s super fast.

Furthermore, regular updates mean that 1Blocker keeps up with the latest ad techniques. That ensures the tool is always effective against new and evolving ads and trackers.

8. Firefox Focus

You most likely have used the Mozilla Firefox browser, which is a superb app. But if your interest is in blocking ads, switch to Firefox focus. It’s one of the best ad blockers, without question.

Unlike traditional browsers requiring third-party ad-blocking extensions, Firefox Focus has built-in ad-blocking functionality. This feature efficiently eliminates banners, pop-ups, and video ads, providing a smooth browsing experience.

For all Firefox products, privacy is always at the core. So, by blocking trackers and ads, the Focus browser helps keep you safe online. In addition, the minimalist interface means you’ll have no trouble using the app.

9. Total Adblock – Ad Blocker

Here’s another best Adblocker browser extension. It’s a simple solution with many top features and benefits.

To start with, Total Adblock efficiently blocks different types of ads, including banners, pop-ups, video ads, and other intrusive advertisements.

You can leverage the tool for privacy Protection. That’s because, along with blocking ads, Total Adblock helps prevent third-party trackers, safeguarding user privacy.

In addition, you can tailor the settings according to your preferences for a personalized ad-blocking experience.

Notably, Total Adblock is designed to work on multiple browsers. You get frequent updates, so the tool stays effective against the evolving ads and trackers space.

10. AdClear Content Blocker

AdClear Content Blocker is a dedicated tool designed to enhance the online browsing experience.

The tool does that by blocking intrusive advertisements, pop-ups, and trackers. We rank it among the best ad blockers because it’s fast and effective but consumes minimal system resources.

You can go for AdClear Content Blocker if you need an ad blocker for your mobile device. It has apps for Android and iOS. Interestingly, the tool also works on routers.

AdClear is non-root, meaning it doesn’t require special permissions to work on your smartphone – especially iPhones. As you load the app, you get multiple filters, which you can edit to suit your ad-blocking needs.

11. NoScript

NoScript is a powerful browser extension primarily designed to allow users to enable or disable scripts running on websites. While not primarily an ad blocker, its functionality blocks different ad types. It also works for other potentially harmful content.

Many ads rely on JavaScript to run. So, by blocking these scripts, NoScript often indirectly blocks ads, reducing clutter and distractions.

Consequently, the tool enhances security and improves the browsing experience. That’s because blocking unnecessary scripts leads to faster page loading times and reduced resource consumption.

Notably, NoScript is an open-source project. That makes it transparent, and, in addition, you can contribute its code if you know how to program. The ad blocker is available for Firefox and Chrome.

12. Ad Muncher

AdMuncher is one software with wide-ranging ad-blocking capabilities. It’s one of the best ad blockers for pop-ups, banners, video, and interstitial ads.

The ad blocker offers the ability to customize filtering rules. Thanks to this feature, you can tailor your experience by whitelisting specific sites or blocking certain types of content.

In addition to blocking ads, AdMuncher can filter out known malware types. With this, the tool doubles as an antivirus, in a way.

You can install AdMuncher on a wide range of browsers. The tool even supports some applications outside of browsers, offering a consistent ad-blocking experience across various platforms.

Impressively, the software’s interface is intuitive and accessible to both beginners and more advanced users.

13. AdShield – Ad blocker

AdShield is one of the best ad blocker extensions on most modern browsers. Particularly, the tool supports Google Chrome, Safari, and Microsoft Edge.

It boasts a large and constantly updated database of ad sources, phishing sites, and spam domains. With this, you’re always safe from even the newest malicious ads.

Beyond mere convenience, Ad Shield also promotes privacy. By blocking tracking cookies and scripts, it helps keep you anonymous online, protecting your personal data from being harvested by third parties. To top off, the friendly, user-friendly interface guarantees anyone can use Ad Shield.

14. Ad Block One

Ad Block One is a simple yet powerful ad blocker that can help you to block ads and intrusive pop-ups. You can use it on a PC or as a browser extension. Supported platforms include Safari, Chrome, Windows, macOS, Chrome OS, Linux, and iOS devices.

Using Ad Block One, you can eliminate online ads, pop-ups, and banners on various websites. The tool hides unwanted web page parts — images, videos, or text — without affecting the layout. It also blocks in-app trackers that collect your personal data.

However, like most other best ad blocker tools on this list,  you can make exceptions for the websites you trust.

15. Wipr

Wipr is an excellent ad blocker that primarily targets Apple devices. In other words, you can only download and install it on Mac and iOS platforms. By extension, the tool works with the Safari browser.

This ad blocker tool will work against all kinds of ads and trackers. Even cryptocurrency miners and other annoyances on Safari are not spared. Yet, Wipr is very easy to set up and use, requiring no intense configuration.

Wipr updates its blocklist twice weekly to keep up with the changing web. Hence, if you need an ad blocker that works against zero-day threats, consider this one. The tool isn’t free, but the price is highly affordable.

What Are The Benefits Of Using Ad Blockers?

Ad blockers offer a range of benefits for web users, making them a popular choice for millions of people around the world.

Here are some of the key advantages:

• Faster Loading Times: Ads can significantly slow down websites, especially those with heavy ad loads. Ad blockers eliminate these unwanted elements, leading to quicker page loading and a smoother browsing experience.
• Reduced Distractions: Intrusive ads like pop-ups and auto-playing videos can disrupt your focus and make it difficult to navigate websites. Ad blockers remove these distractions, allowing you to concentrate on the content you actually want to see.
• Improved Privacy: Many ads track your online activity and collect your personal data. Ad blockers can help to protect your privacy by preventing these trackers from working.
• Protection from Malware: Malicious ads can infect your device with malware when you click on them. Ad blockers can help to prevent this by blocking ads from potentially dangerous sources.
• Reduced Phishing Risk: Phishing scams often use deceptive ads to trick you into revealing personal information. Ad blockers can help to protect you from these scams by blocking ads that appear suspicious.
• Data Savings: Blocking ads can reduce the amount of data you use while browsing the web, which can be beneficial for users on limited data plans.
• Battery Life Improvement: Ads can drain your device’s battery, especially on mobile devices. Ad blockers can help to extend your battery life by preventing ads from running.
• Customizable Options: Most ad blockers offer a variety of settings and options, allowing you to tailor your ad blocking experience to your specific needs. You can choose which types of ads to block, whitelist certain websites, and more.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there any ad blockers that actually work?

Yes, several ad blockers work to reduce or eliminate unwanted ads. They identify and filter ad-related content using regularly updated lists of known ad sources. However, their reliability varies based on the websites you visit and the specific ads you encounter.

Is there a downside to using an ad blocker?

Ad blockers can have some downsides, depending on your browsing intentions. They can interfere with the proper functioning of some websites and may also inhibit the revenue stream of free content providers who rely on ads for income. Lastly, they may prevent you from seeing targeted, potentially relevant ads.

Should I pay for an ad block?

Whether to pay for an ad blocker depends on your specific needs. Paid versions often offer additional features like tracking protection and improved performance. However, many free ad blockers are quite effective. It’s important to compare the features of each before making a decision. But to make things easier, pick one from our featured list.

Is Google banning AdBlock?

No, Google has not banned ad blockers like AdBlock or uBlock Origin from its Chrome browser. Instead, Google has made changes to its browser extensions system that could affect how some ad blockers function, but these were not outright bans.

Can AdBlock see my passwords?

No, ad blockers like AdBlock cannot see your passwords. They primarily work by blocking requests to ad servers. So, they don’t interact with the data you input into websites, such as your passwords. However, it’s always important to only install extensions from trusted sources to maintain your online security.

Conclusion

To wrap up, the best ad blockers can help improve your time on the internet by eliminating ads and keeping your information safe.

As you can see from our list above, the best ad blocker is Surfshark CleanWeb, a comprehensive ad blocker to help you block intrusive ads and pop-ups. Not to mention, it is lightweight and can provide you with malware alerts when you visit a malware-infected website.

The options listed in this article are the best ad blockers out there. You can pick any and be rest assured of a safer and smoother browsing experience.

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Is Incogni worth it? Read on as I answer the question.

More than 5,000 data broker companies exist. What do they do? Well, they harvest your personal information — name, email, phone number, and others — and sell it to whoever is interested. If you’re unaware, data is the biggest commodity at the moment.

However, it’s not ideal that companies you don’t know are handling your data. No, it’s dangerous because you’re not in control of your privacy. Hackers and cybercriminals can access the information and exploit you in different ways.

As cybersecurity experts, we advise people to request and remove their personal data from broker sites. But it’s not easy to handle manually. You may not uncover all brokers with your information. And, if there are many, it will take a long time to delete your data from each one successfully.

Who says you should handle it manually, anyway? Not when platforms like Incogni are available. You can leverage the tool to remove your information from any broker website.

If you’re reading this, you want to know – is Incogni worth it? Does the tool really work, and should you pay? To provide answers, we’ll analyze Incogni’s pros and cons. Read on.

Now, let me answer the question – Is Incogni worth it?

Is Incogni Worth It?

Incogni is definitely worth it if you want an easy, automated way to scrub your personal data from data brokers. It’s affordable, user-friendly, and continuously monitors for new threats. But overall, it’s a powerful tool for reclaiming your online privacy.

The question is, does Incogni work in removing your data from broker websites? Undoubtedly, the platform does; not from one, two, or three, but from over 156 data brokers.

There’s nothing left to do after you register an account, provide all necessary information, and sign approval. So, it’s also evident that Incogni is easy to use and saves time.

Furthermore, you get quick updates from your dashboard, which means Incogni doesn’t leave you in the dark. You can follow your removal requests from start to finish if you want.

What more? Incogni features moderate premium plans with discounts. The platform’s pricing is more affordable than many other data removal solutions.

We highlighted coverage, limited emails, and zero support for the dark web as downsides. However, there’s a workover for each.

As explained, Incogni can only operate in countries where it has legal backing. The dark web is anonymous, so it’s difficult to scan sites to find data. For limited emails, you can simply work with your name and ID details, which will likely stay the same.

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Quick Overview of Incogni

Incogni is a service launched by Surfshark. At the moment, however, the platform is owned by Nord Security after a purchase in 2022. The change of ownership didn’t affect functionality, as Incogni remains a solution for removing details from data broker websites.

Incogni is a premium solution. No free trial is available, meaning you have to pay as you create an account. Afterward, you provide your personal details — which you want the service to look for and remove from broker sites. Then, you sign an approval form.

That’s all. Incogni will begin contacting data broker websites where your data appears and requesting deletion. You can track all requests from your dashboard and see which are under processing or completed.

Not all data brokers will comply. If that’s the case, Incogni can also take further action to get them to delete your data. And at every stage, you get updates.

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What We Liked About Incogni

To know if Incogni is worth paying for, let’s consider what the service can do for you:

Protects Your Personal Data

First of all, Incogni works to protect your personal data from exploitation. It takes the upper hand away from third-party trackers, advertisers, and — most critically — hackers.

How does the tool do this? It’s simple. As stated already, it removes your data from broker sites.

Advertisers, for example, can contact data brokers to request people’s info. That way, they can display more personalized ads that viewers will easily patronize. It’s a similar situation with trackers.

Considering hackers, well, the data broker website isn’t a fortress. Some even have poor security infrastructure that anyone can bypass. So, a skilled hacker can access your personal data by writing a couple lines of code.

You can prevent all these unfavorable events with Incogni. The best part is that the tool doesn’t just check once and relax. It stays active even after removing your details from the broker site. That way, you’ll know the second the data resurfaces.

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Incogni wipes off your personal information from data brokers.

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Official Data Removal Requests

Incogni doesn’t get into data broker websites somehow and delete your information. Instead, the service officially requests data broker websites to remove your data. So, to you, the service is automatic. But, behind the scenes, an Incogni team member manually fills the request form.

This is an advantage because it ensures your application follows due process. Most data brokers put out notices for people to request data removals. And when they receive any, they keep their word.

Here’s an example from TruePeopleSearch:

As the image shows, you have to enter your name, email, and other details. Then, you select your profile from the displayed list. Finally, you click remove. It’s a similar process on many popular data broker websites, and Incogni follows the route.

How about data brokers that don’t have this feature? In that case, Incogni will deliver a removal request via email or other supported channels. Again, it’s a person issuing the requests and not a bot.

Saves Time

As previously explained, data brokers will remove your data if requested. But imagine finding your data on 1,000 websites. It’ll be a challenging task to contact each one successfully. Even if it were just 100 data brokers, it still wouldn’t be easy.

Suppose you petition one broker per day; it’ll take you a hundred days. Contact two each day, and it’ll take fifty days. With Incogni, you can save time and focus on other tasks.

Incogni will handle the job from start to finish, contacting over 156 data brokers. All you have to do is log into your account from time to time and check the updates.

However, note that this doesn’t mean your data will be off broker websites in a few minutes or hours. Depending on the website, it will still take days, weeks, or even months. The bottom line is that the tool takes the task off your hands.

Response Tracking

Your Incogni dashboard will feature a “Progress Update” section. From there, you can monitor the status of all data removal applications. This is an advantage as it ensures you’re not left in the dark.

Here’s a screenshot of what you get:

The sections are clear. “Request sent” signifies the number of data removal applications Incogni has delivered for all brokers.

Then, the “Requests in progress” count tells the number of applications still in the works. Meanwhile, the “Requests completed” signifies the number of successful data removals.

An important section to pay attention to is the “Action Required.” These are requests that the broker declined. In other words, your data is still on the website, signifying the need to take further actions to remove it.

Note that Incogni will offer concise advice on how to handle the situation. However, the ultimate solution is usually to report to relevant legal authorities.

Law Backing

Incogni requests your details for it to work. For instance, you have to provide your email, phone number, and other info that could be on a data broker website. Without this, the tool won’t know what to search for.

Your details are 100% safe when you submit them to Incogni. That’s because the platform works hand in hand with the law. In particular, Incogni conforms to privacy laws like GDPR, CCPA, UK GDPR, and PIPEDA.

Incogni employs this legal backing when requesting data brokers to remove your information. So, it’s easy for the websites to comply. Furthermore, working with the previously mentioned privacy laws implies that Incogni can offer services to countries that abide by them.

For instance, the CCPA allows Incogni to welcome US citizens; the GDPR, Euro residents; and the UK GDPR, UK nationals. Also, Incogni can work in Canada thanks to its supporting PIPEDA privacy laws.

Affordable Pricing

You either pick a monthly or annual plan to use Incogni, and both are cost-effective. The monthly plan is $12.99, but the yearly option is $77.88.

Hence, paying per year means you save over 50% on the monthly plan.

You’ll get a prompt to make payment as you create your Incogni account. There’s no free trial. However, the service offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, which protects your payment.

If you’re a student or graduate, you can get lesser pricing with Incogni. This adds to the platform being affordable. All you need to do is verify your studentship or graduate position with Student Beans.

The discount is 55% off the annual plan. In other words, rather than pay 77.88 each year, you’ll pay just around $35.

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Incogni Downsides

We’ve discussed the advantages you enjoy by using Incogni. Now, let’s look at some downsides to the service:

Coverage

Incogni is only available in specific countries, including:

• USA
• Canada
• UK
• Switzerland
• Norway
• Iceland
• Liechtenstein
• European Union

From the above, it’s arguable that Incogni has extensive coverage. It’s available in 34 countries. However, the fact is that the platform isn’t global. So, it may not be available in your country.

However, Incogni provides a sensitive service that involves handling private information. Precaution is primary in such cases, so the platform follows different privacy laws. And for the same reason, Incogni cannot operate globally.

Incogni must get legal approval from associated data privacy regulators to support every country. Unfortunately, not all regions have such regulators, while others are not accessible.

So, while Incogni being limited to specific countries is a downside, the platform’s coverage is due to legal reasons.

Doesn’t Support the Dark Web

The dark web is notorious as a place where data transactions are frequent. Hackers sell the email, credit card, and other details they steal from victims to the highest bidder. Data brokers also do the same.

While Incogni can help remove your data from brokers on the regular internet, it can’t access brokers on the dark web. In other words, if your personal information lands on the dark web, you can use Surfshark Alert, another Surfshark product. This places the service below data removal services that scout the dark web.

Limited Emails

You can only check for one data profile at a time with Incogni. This won’t be a problem for names, addresses, and ID details. However, for emails and phone numbers, it’s a significant downside.

You most likely have multiple email addresses, and you may have multiple phone numbers, too. Data brokers can have this information. The only workaround is to adjust your profile’s email and phone number occasionally.

What Do Users Say About Incogni?

Not everyone will have the same experience using a solution. So, we checked user ratings and reviews to analyze different comments about Incogni.

We used Trustpilot:

Rating by TrustPilot users confirms Incogni is a “Great” service. The platform records 4.2 stars out of five on the review website, and here’s the breakdown:

The 5-star ratings comprise 56%, while 32% rated Incogni 4 stars. That’s 88%. Meanwhile, 1 to 3-star ratings were only 12% of the total.

Here’s what some users had to say about Incogni:

“Sign-up was quick and easy, and Incogni immediately got to work. Progress is simple to track, and the entire experience was seamless. It’s reassuring to know that someone is looking out for you online when you don’t have the time to make all the necessary contacts yourself.”

“Great service, but wish I could set more email addresses / old residential addresses.”

“It is truly terrifying how many companies sell your data. I am thrilled that incogni is doing something about it. It is an ongoing process, but I think it is making a difference.”

Bottom Line

We’ve discussed the upsides and downsides of Incogni. Now, it’s time to make a decision. Is Incogni worth it? Is the tool worth paying for?

Based on our review, the answer is yes, Incogni is worth it.

Create an Incogni account if you reside in a supported country and take control of your privacy. The tool will ensure your personal data goes off data broker websites. Consequently, you stay safe from exploits by hackers and other malicious parties.

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Incogni wipes off your personal information from data brokers.

Incogni wipes off your personal information from data brokers. Show Less

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