#Best free ad blocker full

AdBlock also doesn't require any personal information before downloading the Chrome browser extension. It doesn't track your online movements or keep tabs on your browser history, making it secure, too. We recommend AdBlock because of how easy it is to use and the extensive amount of ads it automatically blocks, including banner and video ads. Since people have become smarter about creating malware and phishing schemes, you'll want that extra protection built right into the browser. On a more productive level, the best blockers also stop trackers from capturing your browser history and following your online activity. This made up 20% of the overall ad blocker score.These browser extensions tap into long lists of ad companies to stop pop-ups, banner ads, video commercials, and other online ads.

If the VPN ad blocker is exclusive to browsers, it would score lower to those that work on a device basis. That excludes Spotify premium ads and Facebook feed ads, for example.įinally, we gave higher scores to the VPN ad blockers that can be used across a wide range of devices, including macOS, Windows, iOS, and Android. We evaluate performance here based only on ads that it is only possible to block, such as banners and pop ups. However, many ads on these websites and services cannot be blocked. How well each ad blocker performed here made up 30% of its overall score. We then tested each ad blocker on five major, specific websites that people want effective ad blockers for: Google, YouTube, Spotify, Facebook, and Twitch. This testing made up 50% of our overall score. Because results do not always replicate, we ran each ad blocker through the tester on three separate occasions and worked out an average performance. Once these genuine VPN ad blockers were identified, we tested the efficacy of each ad blocker by running them through an objective ad blocker test. We excluded those that don’t include ad blockers. Many VPNs advertise ad blockers that are, in actual fact, more like malware blockers or tracker blockers. To figure out the best VPN ad blockers, we first identified all the major VPN services that offer legitimate ad blockers. However, it is considered an add-on to the main TunnelBear VPN product.

You cannot change your IP address using it. TunnelBear Blocker isn’t technically a VPN ad blocker as there is no VPN component to the browser extension.

Not a VPN: won’t change your IP address.

TunnelBear Blocker: Blocks 87% of Adsįree ad blocker extension stops the majority of ads and comes with extensive customization options. Ad block checkers show that, on average, Windscribe will block 80% of all online ads. Windscribe ad crusher will block Google ads and some YouTube ads. If you are a Windscribe subscriber, you can activate the ad and malware blocker via R.O.B.E.R.T on your account page and use it on all Windscribe apps. Only Chrome and Firefox users can reap the benefits of ad crusher.

#Best free ad blocker full

Windscribe’s free ad crusher isn’t included as part of the full VPN app. Premium VPN ad blockers from Proton VPN, Surfshark, and Atlas VPN don’t offer the same level of control.īut this is limited to browser users only. You can select to block ads, trackers, evaders, and even cookies. Windscribe’s ad blocker is impressive for the sheer number of customization options and for the fact it’s completely free. Windscribe’s Ad Crusher is an effective free ad blocker. Malicious site blocking, or DNS filtering, uses blacklists to prevent you from landing on a website which is known to host malware, adware, or spam.Īnti-trackers prevent third-party network connection requests, making it harder for third parties (like advertisers and data brokers) to gather data from the websites you visit and build a profile of your online behavior. VPN ad blockers work as malicious site blockers and tracker blockers, but are rarely the same as ad blockers, even if some VPNs conflate them. What many VPN services call ‘ad blockers’ are actually closer to DNS site filters and anti-trackers. The second best is Atlas VPN, which blocks 87% of ads on average. But we don’t recommend it as you cannot even access Google or other legitimate sites when it’s turned on. The only one that does is IVPN when used in ‘Hardcore Mode’. As our test results show, even the best VPN ad blocker does not block 100% of ads. You might still need an ad blocker even if your VPN has an ad blocker included. This way you combine anti-tracker and ad blocker technology for maximum protection. For this reason, it’s well worth getting a reliable ad blocking extension that prevents ad content on top of your VPN. VPNs are most effective at blocking malicious websites and third-party trackers. SUMMARY: Some VPNs offer ad blockers, but VPNs do not specialize in blocking ads.