Free ad blocker for Safari

Download Adblock Plus for Safari and experience a cleaner and faster web:

  • Block annoying ads and pop-ups
  • Stop viruses and malware hidden in ads
  • Acceptable Ads are allowed by default to support websites ( learn more ) [ 1 ]

By clicking the button below, you agree to our Terms of Use .

Get ad blocker for Safari

Faster, more enjoyable browsing.

We’ve designed the Safari ad blocker to be fast and ultra-light on your Mac’s resources.

Support fair publishers

Websites need money to stay free. Support them by allowing Acceptable Ads (on by default).

Want to block all ads? No problem. Learn how

  • Participants cannot pay to avoid the criteria . Every ad must comply.
  • For transparency, we add all Acceptable Ads to our forum so that our community of users can provide feedback.
  • We listen to our users. If an Acceptable Ads proposal is flagged by our community for a legitimate reason, we will remove it from the whitelist.
  • We are able to keep our open source product free by charging large entities a fee for whitelisting services. For the other roughly 90 percent of our partners, these services are offered free of charge.

Cookie notice We use some cookies to give you the best experience on our website. By using our site you are aware that we are using cookies and you can change this any time. Learn more

Necessary cookies

Used to remember your privacy preferences. They cannot be switched off.

Tracking cookies

We use these to analyze website traffic.

We use some cookies to give you the best experience on our website. Read more

Change settings

Cookie preferences

Looking for something?

Best ad-blocks for Safari in 2024: Browse ad-free on Mac & iOS

Aaron Drapkin

The web is full to the brim with adverts for all sorts of products and services, so what better piece of kit to invest in than a high-functioning and reliable ad-blocker?

In this article, we've taken a look at the best ad-blockers for Safari. These apps make for a faster, safer, and better browsing experience. 

What is the best ad-block for Safari?

Here's a quick look at the best ad-blockers for Safari. A more detailed analysis can be found further on in this article. 

  • Total Adblock - Best adblocker for Safari. A secure ad-blocker Safari extension for iOS devices. Premium plan includes anti-virus protection and an exclusive YouTube ad-blocker.
  • CleanWeb - Surfshark’s multi-purpose ad-blocker removes all ads from Safari before the page displays – including video ads. The blocker forms part of the Surfshark CleanWeb service, which comes free with all subscriptions.
  • AdLock - A great standalone solution, which works with browsers and apps across all popular platforms.
  • AdGuard - The best buy ad-blocker for Safari. Another great choice for blocking ads on this popular browser, with loads of customization.
  • Wipr - A beginner-friendly ad-blocker for iOS and macOS. It's a solid service for Safari that's a breeze to set up and even simpler to use.

EXPLORE EXPRESSVPN: 30 DAYS RISK-FREE

ExpressVPN is extending a complete 30-day trial for those who register here. Delve into the best-in-class privacy VPN with zero restrictions for a month, ideal for those eager to use the best ad-blocker for Safari.

Straightforward policies—get in touch within 30 days if you choose to opt-out and claim a full refund. Start your ExpressVPN trial now.  

Why are these the best ad-blockers for Safari?

If you have looked for an adblocker for Safari before, then you will know that there are hundreds of services out there. We have chosen services with the following properties:

  • Great apps and browser extensions
  • Works on iOS and Mac
  • Secure services

Not all of the services on the list have a free option, however, four of the five services on the list do. 

An in-depth look at the best ad-blockers for Safari

Below we take a closer look at the best ad-block software for Safari. If you still need more information about any of the services in this list, click through to the provider's website. 

1. Total Adblock Editor's Choice | April 2024

Total Adblock

Total Adblock is a very secure ad-blocker for Safari browser on iOS devices. If you upgrade to premium, you get full protection with malware and TotalAV (anti-virus) protection.

  • Premium: Block Unlimited Ads + FREE Total AV: $2.42/mth 70% OFF
  • Free: $0/mth

TotalWebShield feature by Total Adblock

Total AdBlock is an excellent adblocking solution for Safari on iOS devices. Unfortunately, Safari extension with this ad-blocker is not yet available for Mac devices, however, it efficiently removes all types of annoying ads on iPhones and iPads. But don't worry! If you're a Mac user, you can still use this ad-blocker with all the other popular browsers, including Chrome , Microsoft Edge, Firefox, and Opera.

Total Adblock also takes care of your online privacy by blocking trackers and third-party cookies. So you can surf on Safari (and other browsers) without worrying that some advertisers and third-party companies might snoop on your activities or collect your data. And, with its exclusive features like YouTube ad-blocker, your overall online experience becomes much more pleasant, faster, and safer.

If you're looking to enhance browsing in your whole household, consider subscribing to premium, which allows you to block unlimited ads throughout the year. Plus, you'll get anti-malware and anti-virus protection for free, and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee to try all these out with peace of mind.

2. CleanWeb

CleanWeb

CleanWeb is Surfshark’s combined ad-blocker, pop-up blocker, and malware and data breach alert service. It’s free with Surfshark subscriptions and easily enabled within the iOS and macOS apps.

  • 1 month: $12.95/mth
  • 24 months + 2 months FREE: $2.3/mth 82% OFF
  • 12 months: $3.99/mth 69% OFF

Surfshark’s CleanWeb is an ad-blocker and pop-up blocker, as well as a way of finding out about data breaches and occurrences of site-based malware. The service is available as part of every Surfshark VPN subscription, and available for Safari via the iOS and macOS apps.

Surfshark's CleanWeb comprises four main features.

The ad-blocker removes all adverts from pages you start the process of opening – including the video ads favored by streaming platforms.

The pop-up blocker stops cookie requests from appearing every time you visit a site. The feature acts in the background to reject any that are possible to reject. Of those that can’t be rejected, the blocker only accepts those that are strictly necessary in order to use the site.

The third feature – the data breach alert – lets you know if a site you’re visiting has ever been breached. If so, it provides details of the number of exposed accounts and the date the breach happened.

The malware detector lets you know whether any website you’re visiting has ever been corrupted by malware or a virus.

The Surfshark ad-blocker can be toggled on and off.

AdLock will transform your Safari browsing experience with its great filtering and customization. Plus, it's affordable and offers multiple subscription plans.

  • 60 months: $1.05/mth 70% OFF
  • 12 months: $2.28/mth 35% OFF
  • 1 month: $3.5/mth

is there an adblock for safari

AdLock is certainly one of the pricier ad-blockers around, but still a steal for what you're getting. For a little over $22 dollars a year, you'll have an ultra-reliable piece of kit that works extremely well with Safari. It's available as both an iPhone app and a Mac app, blocking both adverts and the tracking that goes on when you visit websites.

AdLock does not pander to the acceptable ads policy, meaning it blocks all adverts without compromise. This ad-blocker seems to work with just about every site we visit, from streaming sites to social media, but you can also whitelist sites you'd like to support financially. 

AdLock can be installed on up to 5 devices at the same time, which means you can use it on any device for which Safari is your default browser. It also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can road-test its product and decide for yourself if it does what it says on the tin. Overall, it's easy to use and one of the best additions to your day-to-day browsing experience you could invest in.

AdGuard

AdGuard is the best value-for-money ad-blocker for Safari. A widely used, open-source ad-blocker, with apps for all your devices.

  • Free extensions: $0/mth
  • 1 yr personal license/3 devices: $29.88/mth
  • lifetime personal license/3 devices: $59.99/mth
  • 1 yr family license/9 devices: $65.88/mth
  • lifetime family license/9 devices: $129.99/mth

is there an adblock for safari

AdGuard is an ad-blocker I use regularly. Set up takes a matter of seconds and once you download it, it works brilliantly with Safari. You can choose exactly which kind of adverts and tracking script you'd like to block; it's highly configurable software but the user interface on devices like iPhone are quite easy to navigate.

By blocking tracking scripts, AdGuard will make the pages you open appear quicker simply because they have much less to load. If AdGuard does miss things – a rarity, but something does occasionally happen – there's a feature that allows you to identify certain adverts and remove them. 

The above function is one thing that can be performed with Adguard Assistant, an AdGuard extension that lets you change things up without having to leave the browser. You can add a specific website to a "do not block" list and report the website if it somehow manages to serve you ads, as well as block them as mentioned previously. AdGuard now also operates a VPN service with 44 locations across the globe too and runs a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Wipr

Wipr is an easy-to-use ad-blocker for iOS and macOS. It's a dedicated ad-blocker for iOS and macOS operating systems.

Wipr is available exclusively on macOS and iOS. It is designed to be set up once and left alone to run on Safari in the background, with its blocklist automatically updating twice a week. Although it isn't a hugely customizable app, it blocks both the adverts and the trackers that become active when you visit websites, as well as also dealing with any cryptocurrency miners and things like EU/GDPR notices that might cause you problems. 

Wipr has an active developer that regularly updates a blog on Wipr's main page, and you can contact him yourself if you have any issues with the app or suggestions you'd like to make. At just $1.99, too, it's a very small price to pay for a significant increase in page loading speed when you use Safari. 

AdBlock

Adblock is the original ad-blocker for iOS.

Adblock is another ad-blocker that works excellently with Safari. It has a local DNS proxy service – which you can enable and disable at will – that will let you see exactly what domains your device is contacting, and you can create your own blocking rules, which Adblock recommends you tie to rules you can find online. You can use it on multiple devices and sync up all your rules with iCloud. 

The vast majority of customers report an excellent experience with Adblock on the App Store too, which is always a good sign, and Adblock's ad-serves update automatically, so once you have it downloaded, there's not much more you need to do!

7. 1Blocker

1Blocker

1Blocker X is the descendant of one of the first blocking apps for Apple and optimised for Safari.

  • Free version: $0/mth
  • Premium: $2.99/mth
  • /year: $14.99/mth

1Blocker X has over 43,000 blocking rules at its disposal to remove ads from the websites you visit, as well as 13,000 known trackers that it can block without breaking a sweat. 1Blocker X makes the lofty but evidenced claim that you can reduce your data usage by 50% by installing its app, which will also stop your browsing time draining your battery too. 

One thing I really like about 1Blocker X is its support section on its website, which takes you through how to create groups of custom rules as well as various troubleshooting methods for different problems you may encounter. There is also a blog that describes in detail updates and new features and they've got a Safari extension that will allow you to block ads straight from your browser.

What is an ad-blocker?

An ad-blocker is an application that will remove or alter adverts on the web pages you visit. When you click on a website, the webpage loads a number of scripts in order to display the content. Some of these scripts are related to adverts on the page. Ad-blockers analyze these scripts whilst webpages load, compare them to a list of known advertising scripts, and block what they recognize (with varying degrees of success). 

Due to the fact that advertisements are necessarily connected to tracking (a lot of adverts you'll see are served to you because of information gathered by trackers from your browsing history and activity on websites), the other crucial thing ad-blockers do is to prevent tracking scripts from running on your device. 

If you're in the market for an ad-blocker, remember that they come in all shapes and sizes, from browser extensions to fully-fledged apps. VPN companies like NordVPN and Surfshark provide ad-blockers as part of their services – which is an excellent way to get ad-blocking that will work on any browser – including Safari.

Safari browser vs Safari app 

When you're using a handheld Apple product like an iPhone or an iPad, you can head over to the App Store to download an ad-blocking app. On a Mac or a Macbook, ad-blockers are available as both Safari extensions or standalone Mac apps . 

However, these are, for the purpose of getting you up and running with an ad-blocker, essentially the same thing. They're just found in slightly different places. 

How to install an ad-blocker on Safari 

Ad-blocker apps.

  • Search the app store for your chosen ad-blocker. 
  • Download and install the app on your chosen device. 
  • Go to your device settings and tap ' Safari '. 
  • Scroll down to and click on the menu item entitled ' Content Blockers '. 
  • Toggle on the ad-blocker settings you'd like active. 

Ad-blocker browser extensions

Make sure you have the latest macOS update installed and Safari up to date. Extensions are only available on devices with Safari 12 onwards. 

  • Click on Safari in the top left-hand corner. 
  • Select Safari Extensions from the drop-down menu. 
  • Wait for the App Store to automatically open on the extensions page. 
  • Search for the ad-blocker you'd like to add. 
  • Click Get underneath the ad-blocker extension.
  • Sign in with your Apple ID if required and start the download. 
  • Click install to get the app up and running.
  • Open the extension and follow any subsequent instructions.
  • Click on Safari in the top right corner once more.
  • Select Preferences from the drop-down menu. 
  • Tick the checkbox next to the ad-blocker you downloaded. 

Ad-blocker apps on the Mac App store

  • Search for your chosen Ad-blocker on the Mac App Store. 
  • Click Get . 
  • Select Install to set the ad-blocker up on your device.
  • Click Open .
  • Enable the app in Safari.
  • Check  the relevant boxes in Safari Preferences. 

Can I whitelist certain websites or ads while using an ad-blocker on Safari?

Most ad blockers let you whitelist specific websites and services. This is an important feature as it allows you to support websites that are funded by ads - by allowing them to load on that domain (or subdomain). This also allows you to comply when a website refuses to load until you have turned off your ad-block.

Some ad blockers even give you granular control over which ads you can see. This allows you to allow certain ads to be displayed, while still keeping the ad blocker turned on for that website.

Are ad-blockers legal to use in Safari?

Yes. There is nothing illegal about blocking ads and trackers on Safari. It is your right to use an ad blocker to save data and get better page load times. However, some services may ask you to turn off your ad blocker to continue.

Those services are supported financially by ads, and they cannot afford for users to bypass ads, which are often the only (or a primary) source of revenue. If you choose to support that website and its operations, you may decide to allow ads on that website in order to help support them financially. 

Despite the fact that some services are funded by ads, it is not illegal to block ads, and you will not be prosecuted for using an ad blocker. On the other hand, it may be against the Terms of Services to use an ad block on some websites and services. This will be determined on a case-by-case basis, so be sure to understand the terms before using an ad blocker. This is the case with Twitch, for example.

Under these circumstances, you could potentially have your account or membership canceled for breaking the rules. However, in our experience, it is pretty unheard of for someone to lose an account simply for blocking ads. 

Are free ad blockers for Safari safe?

Free ad blockers for Safari can be safe, but it depends on the specific one and its developers. However, they need access to your data to work, which can raise privacy concerns.

Ad blockers function by identifying and blocking ads on web pages, which requires access to the information on the pages you visit. Some free ad blockers may not block all ads, may break some websites, or may collect or sell your data.

Paid ad blockers often offer more features and better privacy protection, but the choice between free and paid depends on your needs and preferences. Our list of the best ad blockers above and this article will help you make an informed decision.

Final thoughts

If you're a Safari user, investing in an ad-blocker is a no-brainer. To save you scrolling back up, here's a reminder of our top picks for the browser:

Total Adblock

From $0.00 /month

Best adblocker for Safari. A secure ad-blocker Safari extension for iOS devices. Premium plan includes anti-virus protection and an exclusive YouTube ad-blocker.

CleanWeb

From $2.30 /month

Surfshark’s multi-purpose ad-blocker removes all ads from Safari before the page displays – including video ads. The blocker forms part of the Surfshark CleanWeb service, which comes free with all subscriptions.

AdLock

From $1.05 /month

A great standalone solution, which works with browsers and apps across all popular platforms.

AdGuard

The best buy ad-blocker for Safari. Another great choice for blocking ads on this popular browser, with loads of customization.

Wipr

A beginner-friendly ad-blocker for iOS and macOS. It's a solid service for Safari that's a breeze to set up and even simpler to use.

wasn't right for you?

We recommend you check out one of these alternatives:

Total Adblock

is there an adblock for safari

Introducing the All-New AdBlock for Safari

AdBlock

AdBlock’s Blog

We know that AdBlock for Safari has gone mostly untouched by our team for a few years. And that’s just changed! We’re excited to announce that the all-new AdBlock for Safari app is officially here. It’s been completely revamped and there are many changes we hope our users will enjoy.

These changes include:

A More User-Friendly Interface with Dark Mode

AdBlock for Safari has had a major face lift. It’s modern and easier to navigate, and now offers a new feature called “Online Health.” Online Health allows you to see how healthy your internet connection is in terms of online security . With this tool, you’re able to have more control over your internet connection by assessing your health score. You can up this score by using both ad blocking and VPN features to ensure that your connection is encrypted, private, and safe from snoops.

The new interface also comes with dark mode, reducing the amount of light coming from your screen while allowing the app to remain visible. And it’s perfect for those users that prefer darker shades as they use their Mac.

Improved Ad Blocking Functionality

Along with a new look comes better ad blocking. AdBlock for Safari will now have more regular updates to its filter lists . This means we’ll be able to address any ads that circumvent our ad blocker more quickly, and be able to block more ads for our users overall.

And what’s even more exciting is that custom allow lists will now be part of basic ad blocking. That means they’re now free! With custom allow lists, you’ll be able to allow ads on specific sites of your choice, giving you more control over your browsing experience.

Integration with AdBlock VPN

You can now upgrade and manage AdBlock VPN right from the AdBlock for Safari mac app. And using AdBlock VPN will increase your Online Health score, giving you confirmation that your internet connection is well protected.

If you’re unsure of what a VPN is, it’s a great tool for your online security toolkit. VPNs (also called virtual private networks) allow you to connect to the internet privately. They create an encrypted connection, often referred to as a ‘tunnel,’ between your devices and the VPN servers. All of your internet traffic is routed through that secure tunnel, keeping your data encrypted and your personal information secure. This keeps your data safe from third party snoops and hackers.

With AdBlock VPN, you can:

  • Browse the web anonymously. Your web traffic is routed through AdBlock VPN servers and each time you connect, your IP address is replaced with a new address from AdBlock VPN’s network of virtual locations, allowing you to hide your online identity .
  • Access unblocked content. Need access to a website or content that’s blocked by location? Our VPN allows you to connect to the internet through different servers all over the world. This may allow you to avoid censorship in some regions, and access the content you want from wherever you are.
  • Connect safely to public Wi-Fi. AdBlock VPN helps reduce the vulnerability associated with connecting to a public Wi-Fi hotspot by creating an encrypted connection between your device and the web, making it more difficult for anyone to track or monitor you without your consent.
  • Connect up to six devices . Use up to six devices with AdBlock VPN, including Windows, MacOS, Android, and iOS devices. The AdBlock VPN interface makes it easy to connect, manage, and remove your devices.

We’re excited for you to give the new AdBlock for Safari a try! If you’re already a user, your app will automatically update as long as you’ve left the “Auto-update Apps” feature on in the app store. And if you’re not already a user, simply head to the Mac App store to download the app. We’re here for you if you have any questions or feedback at [email protected] .

Stay up to date with the latest news at AdBlock and sign up for our newsletter!

AdBlock

Written by AdBlock

AdBlock is the #1 extension for Chrome, and is also on Safari, Edge, Firefox & mobile. Block ads and more! Get help any time at https://help.getadblock.com .

More from AdBlock and AdBlock’s Blog

What’s Going on with YouTube?

What’s Going on with YouTube?

Youtube is showing some adblock users an anti-ad block wall and our team is working hard to determine a solution..

A woman sitting surrounded by various internet activities, highlighting that disabling pop-up blockers can be tricky

How to Disable Pop-Up Blockers in Every Browser

Need to disable your browser’s pop-up blocker and temporarily allow pop-ups here’s how..

How to Turn Off Your Ad Blocker for iPhone

How to Turn Off Your Ad Blocker for iPhone

Sometimes you want to turn off your ad blocker for iphone. here’s how.

How to Use Your Google Chrome Ad Blocker in Incognito Mode

How to Use Your Google Chrome Ad Blocker in Incognito Mode

It only takes a few clicks to enable your google chrome ad blocker in incognito mode., recommended from medium.

How to Choose the Best VPN

How to Choose the Best VPN

If you’re looking for the best vpn, use this guide to ensure you’re choosing the right one.

Dark web a place of risk: My Dark web story

Kallol Mazumdar

ILLUMINATION

I Went on the Dark Web and Instantly Regretted It

Accessing the forbidden parts of the world wide web, only to realize the depravity of humanity.

is there an adblock for safari

Apple's Vision Pro

Close-up Shot of a Person Wearing a Robber Mask

Tech & Tools

A set of bold icons including a skull, notification bell, and hamburger

Icon Design

is there an adblock for safari

Productivity

Why I Charge a $100,000 Software Licensing Fee For 10 Lines of Code

William Stafford Parsons

Why I Charge a $100,000 Software Licensing Fee For 10 Lines of Code

I design and build new fundamental algorithms and data structures in computer science..

My Boss Laughed at Python…Then I Showed Him This

Builescu Daniel

Python in Plain English

My Boss Laughed at Python…Then I Showed Him This

And streamlined my data analysis workflow.

Offline Dating Leads to Steaming Hot Sex

Christine's Adventures

True Confessional

Offline Dating Leads to Steaming Hot Sex

Get off tinder and get off.

10 Seconds That Ended My 20 Year Marriage

10 Seconds That Ended My 20 Year Marriage

It’s august in northern virginia, hot and humid. i still haven’t showered from my morning trail run. i’m wearing my stay-at-home mom….

Text to speech

  • Get Great Eclipse Photos with Your Phone
  • The Best Noise-Canceling Headphones to Buy

How to Block Ads in Safari on the iPhone

There are some built-in tools, but you'll likely need a content blocker plug-in

is there an adblock for safari

  • Ithaca College

In This Article

Jump to a Section

  • Block Ads on iPhone
  • Install Content Blocking Apps
  • Choose an Ad-Blocking Plug-In
  • Block Pop-Ups

Why You Should Block Ads

  • Why You Shouldn't Block Ads

What to Know

  • Download and set up an ad blocker app. Then, on iPhone: Settings > Safari > Content Blockers ( on ).
  • Suggested ad blockers: 1Blocker, Crystal Adblock, Norton Ad Blocker, Purify.
  • Natively block Safari pop-ups on iPhone: Settings > Safari > Block Pop-ups ( on ).

This article explains how to use content blockers to block ads in Safari on iPhones with iOS 9 or higher.

Your phone must have iOS 9 or higher to use content blockers. Update the iPhone OS to ensure it has the most up-to-date version with current security patches.

How to Block Ads on iPhone With Safari

Using an ad blocker for your iPhone means your browser won't download ads. This usually means faster page loads, a longer-lasting battery, and less wireless data usage. If you don't want to see pop-up ads, there is a way to block these ads. Here's how to do so using the Safari web browser for iPhone.

Content blockers are apps that add new features that your default web browser doesn't have. These are like third-party keyboards —separate apps that work inside other apps that support them. This means that to block ads, you need to install at least one of these apps.

Most iPhone content blockers work the same way. When you go to a website, the app checks a list of ad services and servers. If it finds these on the site you're visiting, the app blocks the website from loading those ads on the page. Some apps take a comprehensive approach by blocking the ads and tracking the cookies used by advertisers based on those cookies' URLs .

How to Install Content Blocking Apps

To block ads with Safari content blocker apps, install the app, and then enable it from the iPhone Settings app.

Go to the App Store and download a content-blocking app to your iPhone. The example here is Norton Ad Blocker, but all ad-blocking apps work similarly. See the list below for other suggested apps.

Open the ad blocker app and follow the instructions to set it up. Every app is different, but each offers instructions to turn on the ad-blocking abilities.

On the iPhone home screen, open the Settings app.

Select Safari > Content Blockers .

Move the toggle switch next to the ad-blocker app you installed to On (green).

Choose an Ad-Blocking Plug-In for Safari

There is a sizable market for ad-blocking Safari plug-ins. The following options can get you started:

  • 1Blocker : Free, with in-app purchases. In addition to more than 50,000 built-in blocker rules, this app supports custom rules to block sites and cookies and to hide other elements.
  • Crystal Adblock : At $0.99, the developer claims that this ad blocker loads pages four times faster and uses 50 percent less data. This app also lets you opt to view ads on some sites to support those sites.
  • Norton Ad Blocker : This free ad-blocking app from the company behind the popular and long-running antivirus software also lets you add exceptions.
  • Purify : Grab this content blocker for $1.99 to block ads and tracking software. It includes a list (typically called a whitelist) to allow you to see ads on some sites if you like. According to the developer, after blocking Safari ads with this app, you can expect a fourfold increase in page load speeds and your web browsing data usage to be cut in half.

How to Block Pop-Ups on the iPhone Using Built-In Tools

Ad-blocking apps can block all kinds of ads and trackers used by advertisers. If you only want to block intrusive pop-ups, you don't need to download an app because pop-up blocking is a built-in feature in Safari. Here's what you need to do:

On the iPhone home screen, select Settings > Safari .

Toggle the Block Pop-ups switch to On (green), if it isn't already.

You can enable the Safari pop-up blocker on your computer, too.

The main benefit of blocking ads is that you don't see advertising. However, there are other key benefits to using these anti-advertisement apps:

  • Websites load faster : Ads are extra elements on the page that have to load, and ads often stream video or play animations. It takes time for the page to fully download and often causes other things like non-ad images and videos to take longer to display.
  • You'll be more secure : Many ads are vectors for malware. Infected ads hit a network, even a legitimate one, to disrupt your device.
  • You use less data : When you no longer see ads, you won't use your monthly data allowances to load ads. Some ad-blocking apps claim to save you lots of data. While their numbers may be inflated, you'll reduce your data usage to some degree because ad images and videos don't download to your phone.
  • A longer-lasting battery : Downloading ads, just like downloading anything in Safari, requires energy. One way to have a longer-lasting battery is to stop downloading so much data, which is what happens when you use an ad blocker.

Why You Shouldn't Block Ads

One downside you might encounter when you block ads on your iPhone is that some websites don't load properly. Some sites detect whether their ads load, and if ads don't load, you can't use the site until you unblock their ads.

Almost every site on the internet makes the majority of its money by showing advertising to its readers. If the ads are blocked, the site doesn't get paid. The money made from advertising pays writers and editors, funds server and bandwidth costs, buys equipment, pays for photography and travel, and more. Without that income, it's possible that a site you visit every day could go out of business. Consider supporting your favorite sites by whitelisting them, so ads on those sites still display.

Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day

  • How to Stop Ads When Playing Games on iPhone
  • The 14 Best Plugins (Extensions) for Chrome in 2024
  • How to Block Ads on Your iPad
  • How to Block Websites on the iPhone
  • How to Block YouTube Ads on Android
  • What Is Safari?
  • How to Block Websites on Your Android Phone or Tablet
  • How to Turn Off AdBlock on Mac
  • How to Enable the Safari Pop-up Blocker
  • How to Limit Ad Tracking on iPhone and iPad
  • 9 Best Safari Extensions of 2024
  • The 6 Best Antivirus Apps for iPhones in 2024
  • 10 Best Free Firewall Programs
  • How to Block Pop-Up Ads in Your Web Browser
  • The Top 10 Internet Browsers for 2024
  • How to Use App Tracking Transparency on iPhone
  • Apple Watch
  • Accessories
  • Digital Magazine – Subscribe
  • Digital Magazine – Log In
  • Smart Answers
  • M3 MacBook Air
  • New iPad Air
  • iPad mini 7
  • Next Mac Pro
  • Best Mac antivirus
  • Best Mac VPN

When you purchase through links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. This doesn't affect our editorial independence .

How to adblock Safari and Chrome on a Mac

David Price

Annoyed by online adverts and want to get rid of them? You’ve come to the right place. In this article we explain how to easily block adverts, popups, trackers and more on your Mac, using a variety of free and paid-for tools in the Safari and Chrome web browsers.

We have a separate guide if you specifically wish to block autoplay videos on Mac . And another for those who wish to block ads on iPhone or iPad .

Before we proceed, please bear in mind that the site whose adverts you’re blocking probably relies on revenue from advertising. That may not worry you, and we know that some of the online advertising out there really does cross a line in terms of intrusiveness. Just don’t complain if a site you love suddenly closes, or starts to charge visitors, because people refused to view its adverts.

Adblock in Safari

We’ll start with how to block adverts using Apple’s web browser, Safari. IN this article we have details of some third-party ad blockers that work with Safari but you don’t actually have to install a third party ad blocker to not see adverts in Safari – you can just set up Safari to block ads for you, here’s how:

Block ads in Safari using Reader mode

Strictly speaking, if you want to block adverts in Safari on the Mac you’ll need to install third-party ad-blocking software – and we’ll talk about that in a moment. But a far simpler approach is to use Safari’s built-in Reader mode, which is practically as good.

Reader isn’t quite an ad blocker, because it blocks a bunch of other visual distractions too: sidebars, mastheads, comments, social elements, videos. (It’s the same principle as the ‘Read later’ services we discuss at the end of this article.) You just get the text and the pictures, which can be a far calmer experience than some of the more visually ‘busy’ sites.

As a general rule, you can activate Reader mode at any time, although it’s not really possible on Home pages of sites that feature multiple stories and links.

There are a few different ways to enable the Reader mode. Here’s how to enable Reader mode in Safari: 

  • Go to the menu bar at the top of the screen and select View > Show Reader
  • Hit Shift-Command-R.
  • Click the Reader button (the one with three and a half horizontal lines) next to the URL bar.

How to block ads on Mac: Reader

This will then strip the page down to its bare bones, leaving only the content behind.

How to block ads on Mac: Reader mode

From Safari 11 onwards it’s been possible to be more sophisticated and tell the browser to always open article pages from particular domains in Reader mode – or even to use Reader by default all the time.

Here’s how to set reader mode up for certain websites:

When you’re on a site you want to give this treatment, go to Safari > Settings for This Website (or you can right-click the URL box and choose Settings for This Website).

How to block ads on Mac: Use Reader when available

You can also remove domains from, and add them to, the Reader list in Safari’s Preferences page. Click on Safari > Preferences.

Click on the Websites pane.

Select Reader in the left-hand column.

You’ll see a list of all the websites currently open and any you have configured to use Reader. Select the website you want to default to Reader mode and click the menu to the right of it and select On (or Off if you don’t want it to use Reader mode).

How to use Reader mode all the time on Safari

You can actually set Reader mode to be the default option on any website that supports it! Here’s how:

  • As above go to Safari > Preferences and choose Reader.
  • At the bottom of this page you’ll see the option: ‘When visiting other websites’. Set this to On and Reader will be activated by default on all compatible web pages.

Note that if you have a website that is already defaulting to Off then you won’t see it in Reader mode.

How to block popup adverts in Safari

If popup ads are driving you mad then you can quickly put a stop to them. Since Safari 11 it’s been possible to block pop-up windows via Safari Preferences.

In Safari 12 and 13 here’s what you need to do:

  • Go to Preferences.
  • Select the Websites tab.
  • Click on the Pop-up Windows option in the left-hand column.
  • Now you can either make a rule for the website you’re currently visiting by clicking on the drop down menu to the right of its name, or go to the bottom of the window and click on the drop-down menu next to ‘When visiting other websites’.
  • Then select either Block and Notify, Block, or Allow.

How to block ads on Mac: Block popups in Safari

Best ad blocker for Safari

Reader mode is a great solution, but if you want to block the adverts but leave the rest of the visual elements intact, you need to install a third-party ad blocker. There are lots of them out there, plenty of which are free, but tread carefully.

Our top recommendation is be the donation-ware Safari extension AdBlock, which deals with graphical ads, text ads and even ads in YouTube videos.

AdBlock also lets you whitelist pages on sites whose adverts you do want to see, to support them or because the ads may be useful. To whitelist the whole site you’ll need to upgrade to the AdBlock Gold level that costs £4.99/$4.99.

You can download AdBlock here .

If you’re looking for something a little more advanced, we recommend AdGuard . It comes in two forms: a free-to-use Safari extension and a £29/$30 app with a 14-day free trial. While the Safari extension is decent and acts in a similar way to AdBlock, the desktop app provides advanced features across macOS, not dependent on a particular browser.

As well as blocking ads and pop-ups from websites, you’re able to block tracking from most online sources and even be warned of malicious websites that you might stumble across online. It provides granular control over your ad blocking settings, allowing you to whitelist sites and self-promoting ads, and is incredibly simple to use.

You can download AdGuard here .

Best ad tracker blockers

Another pest online: trackers that follow your movements around the web to serve up ads. This is why you’ll be looking at a product on one site, then an ad for it magically appears when you visit another site.

To stop this intrusive (and frankly creepy) behaviour follow these steps:

Open up Safari and go to Preferences > Privacy and enable the ‘Prevent cross-site tracking’ option.

How to block ads on Mac: Ad tracker blockers in Safari

Block ads in Chrome on the Mac

Google’s Chrome browser is a popular alternative for Mac users, and even though Google is a full paid-up member of the advertising fan club, it allows plenty of scope for ad-blocking.

How to block Popups in Chrome

Let’s start by disabling popups, something which can be done from Chrome’s own settings – no need to install any extensions.

  • In Chrome select Chrome > Preferences.
  • Scroll down and click Advanced.
  • Below the heading ‘Privacy and security’, click the option Content settings.

How to block ads on Mac: Block popups in Chrome

Best Chrome ad blockers on the Mac

As with Safari, Chrome won’t actually block adverts for you – and there isn’t an easily accessed equivalent of Reader mode. (Google has publicly discussed something similar called Distill Mode, but there’s no straightforward way for Mac users to turn this on without recourse to extensions.)

Many well known ad blockers are browser-agnostic, fortunately. The two suggested above – AdBlock and AdGuard – are both able to deal with adverts in Chrome.

‘Read later’ services

If you decide you don’t want to install an ad blocker, an alternative solution is to use a read-later service. These are simple systems that let you easily save an article in a form that strips out the adverts; you can then read if later (or right away, for that matter) without being troubled by all the visual tomfoolery.

Our favourite such service is Pocket . Sign up to the service and you’ll be able to create a ‘Read later’ button as a bookmark in Safari, Chrome or whichever other browser you like.

Open an article, click the button and it’ll save to your account. You can then read the ad-free version online (from any machine) or, best of all in our experience, offline using the iPhone app .

Author: David Price , Editor

is there an adblock for safari

David has loved the iPhone since covering the original 2007 launch; later his obsession expanded to include iPad and Apple Watch. He offers advice to owners (and prospective owners) of these devices.

Recent stories by David Price:

  • WWDC 2024: Everything you need to know
  • How to tell if someone’s iPhone is on Do Not Disturb
  • How to type a hashtag (#) on Mac

Best ad blockers for iPhone and iPad in 2022

1Blocker on iPhone 11 Pro

If you're tired of all the ads but don't want to use Reader View every time you surf the web, you can add content blockers to your iPhone or iPad, which will put them out of sight and help keep your activities private while you're online.

Ad blockers work in Safari and are only available on devices that support 64-bit architecture. In order to use an ad blocker after you've downloaded it, you'll need to enable it in Settings on your iPhone or iPad.

How to block ads on your iPhone and iPad

Here are the best ad blockers for iPhone and iPad.

  • AdBlock Pro

1Blocker X

1Blocker is really customizable. You can set different rules for blocking ads, trackers, cookies, website comments, Twitter and Facebook widgets, adult websites, and more. Plus, you can add your favorite sites to the Whitelist ( ahem , iMore) and block specific websites from access at all. You can also customize whether to block or allow cookies and page elements from specific sites.

1Blocker is free to download, but it's really more of a trial version. For a $4.99 in-app purchase, you'll be able to unlock the ability to use more than one feature at a time. If your ad-blocking needs are minimal, you'll have a great experience with the free download and just blocking ads or trackers. But if you're looking at 1Blocker, it's probably because you want the advanced features, like custom rules, a Whitelist extension for Safari, and iCloud syncing so your ad block settings are synced across all your iOS devices.

If you really want to customize your web browsing experience, and like the idea of being able to set up rules for different websites, the full, in-app purchase of 1Blocker is worth it.

Master your iPhone in minutes

iMore offers spot-on advice and guidance from our team of experts, with decades of Apple device experience to lean on. Learn more with iMore!

Free with in-app purchases - Download now

AdGuard

AdGuard blocks dozens of different types of ads to speed up your Safari browsing on iPhone and iPad. You can set up rules for specific websites and manually block ads from sites as you visit them using the Share sheet in Safari. You can also use at least two dozen preset filter lists, like EasyList, Malware Domains, and EasyPrivacy, on top of the AdGuard filters. It blocks trackers from social media sites and basically cleans up Safari so your browsing experience is smoother.

With the pro version of AdGuard for $1.99, you can add the ability to use a local DNS proxy to block ads outside of Safari in other web browsers and apps.

Get AdGuard for a clean, fast web browsing experience in Safari.

Free - Download now

Wipr

If you want a simple ad blocker for iOS Safari, then you should give Wipr a try. This lightweight blocker provides hassle-free blocking just by activating it. Wipr automatically updates itself to make sure that you don't see unwanted ads. However, due to the barebones simplicity that Wipr is known for, you won't find any customizable settings or whitelist options for the sites that you want to support. And best of all, Wipr does not take money in order to let certain ads show up, unlike some other ad blockers that have caused controversy in the past.

Wipr also has an active developer who is always available for support if you have issues.

$2 with in-app purchases - Download now

AdBlock Pro for Safari

AdBlock Pro for Safari

If you're serious about blocking ads and want the best feature set, then AdBlock Pro for Safari is what you need. AdBlock will improve your overall Safari experience by blocking all ads, including normal ads and banners, autoplay ads, those pesky fake "x" button ads, scrolling banners, timed popups, redirects to "xxx" sites, YouTube ads in Safari, and no more online tracking. With all of these available ad-blocking options, you will get 2x faster browsing in Safari and over 50 percent lower data usage. AdBlock Pro can even bypass those anti-adblock detectors, sync your settings between devices via iCloud, and much more.

AdBlock Pro is a beefy ad-blocker that gives you a ton of options to improve your online experience. It may have a higher price tag than you would expect, but it's well worth the cost to have a little less annoyance in your online life.

$9 - Download now

Ka-Block!

Ka-Block! is an open-sourced content blocker for iOS that works with Safari through an extension. With Ka-Block!, you're going to find a fast and curated filter list that will eliminate pretty much all of those annoying ads you'll find on the Internet. The pesky trackers are also blocked with Ka-Block!, so you don't need to worry about those.

With Ka-Block!, you're getting a fast and lightweight content blocker that costs nothing and is constantly updated.

How do you block ads?

Do you have a favorite ad blocker for iPhone and iPad? Which one do you use and why does it stand out? Let us know in the comments.

November 2019: Added Wipr, AdBlock Pro, and Ka-Block! Removed Crystal and Purify due to lack of update.

is there an adblock for safari

○ iPhone 12 and 12 Pro Deals ○ iPhone 12 Pro/Max FAQ ○ iPhone 12/Mini FAQ ○ Best iPhone 12 Pro Cases ○ Best iPhone 12 Cases ○ Best iPhone 12 mini Cases ○ Best iPhone 12 Chargers ○ Best iPhone 12 Pro Screen Protectors ○ Best iPhone 12 Screen Protectors

HomeKit

○ iOS 14 Review ○ What's new in iOS 14 ○ Updating your iPhone ultimate guide ○ iOS Help Guide ○ iOS Discussion

Christine Chan

Christine Romero-Chan was formerly a Senior Editor for iMore. She has been writing about technology, specifically Apple, for over a decade at a variety of websites. She is currently part of the Digital Trends team, and has been using Apple’s smartphone since the original iPhone back in 2007. While her main speciality is the iPhone, she also covers Apple Watch, iPad, and Mac when needed. When she isn’t writing about Apple, Christine can often be found at Disneyland in Anaheim, California, as she is a passholder and obsessed with all things Disney, especially Star Wars. Christine also enjoys coffee, food, photography, mechanical keyboards, and spending as much time with her new daughter as possible.

Training Today is an iPhone and Apple Watch app for fitness data nerds

Spotify will hike its prices again, report claims, as it attempts to pay for its expansion into podcasts and audiobooks

iPhone 16 production is reportedly facing problems due to the new ultra-thin bezel design

Most Popular

By Britta O'Boyle February 12, 2024

By Tammy Rogers February 09, 2024

By Olivia Powell February 09, 2024

By Oliver Haslam February 07, 2024

By Tammy Rogers January 25, 2024

By Stephen Warwick January 04, 2024

By Stephen Warwick December 28, 2023

By Britta O'Boyle December 19, 2023

By Stephen Warwick November 24, 2023

By Lloyd Coombes November 04, 2023

  • 2 Apple has been accused of punishing Apple Store employees for showing support for Palestine
  • 3 Training Today is an iPhone and Apple Watch app for fitness data nerds
  • 4 Apple is thinking about putting two robots in your home — but even with AI, only one would make any sense today
  • 5 Someone built an Apple Vision Pro using a box of scrap parts and it turned out better (and worse) than you might expect

is there an adblock for safari

Adblock Plus for Safari ABP 4+

Block bad, disruptive ads.

  • 4.5 • 4K Ratings

Screenshots

Description.

The easy way to block ads on your Mac. Annoying ads like pop-ups, video ads, banners and ads disguised as content are things of the past thanks to Adblock Plus (ABP)! Safari users enjoy a peaceful and delightful web experience when using Adblock Plus, the world’s number 1 ad blocker. No disruptive ads. No tracking. No nasty viruses. REPUTABLE Adblock Plus has been the most downloaded, free ad blocker on the market since 2006. Its unique Acceptable Ads feature, turned on by default, shows occasional ads that aren’t disruptive in order to help support great content creators. You can choose to block these ads by simply turning off the Acceptable Ads feature in the ABP settings. SAFE AND PRIVATE Browse more safely and securely. CONSCIOUS BROWSING Ads can cause pages to load slower, thus eating up your data plan and consuming your battery. By using Adblock Plus for Safari you: - Save data - Save battery life Download Adblock Plus for Safari on macOS - it’s FREE! By downloading and installing the application, you agree to our Terms of Use. https://adblockplus.org/terms ------ About the people behind Adblock Plus for Safari on macOS We are a globally distributed, yet tight-knit group of developers, designers, writers, researchers, and testers. By supporting a fair and profitable Internet, we remain optimistic about the future of the web. Our mission is to create a sustainable product that makes your everyday life a little easier. ------ Enjoying the app? Please leave us a 5-star review! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/adblockplus Twitter: https://twitter.com/adblockplus YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/AdblockPlusOfficial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adblockplus

Version 2.2.13

We've listened to your feedback and the team has been spending a lot of time on optimising our filter lists to bring you the best content blocking experience possible! **Please open ABP after updating so that the new filter lists are immediately synced!** Questions or feedback? Send us a message at [email protected]. Like the app? Write a review :)

Ratings and Reviews

Good / neccesary safari extension.

I primarily use Firefox on my MacBook Pro laptop - however, there are times for which an application will either open Safari or I need to use it, so it's good that this extension exists for Safari and I am glad at how frequently it is updated, but ABP alone isn't enough to get me to use Safari full time when I cannot add other things that ABP is apparently not able to add to a Safari extension; however, recommended.

it only worked a while

It seems the spam club now has a way around adblock. The addvertisers now can recogize ad block is installed and deny access th their content. Before, I did not mind a "few" ads, and I sometimes visited some advertiser's sites. Now, it seems the sites I am interested in want to sell me membership to their sites for a price more than I am paying an internet supplier. If I subscribed to the sites I am in terested in my total subscription cost is more money than I take in, leaving nothing for food. Where quanties of poor ads used to slow down my computer to a crawll, now I can not see anything. My rerason to try adblock was that I was spendingmuch more time waiting for ads to load and then dismissing them, than I was in reading content.

Ads no more

I am astounded because I have tried several other ad blocking sites and found them to be adequate but not free from ads. This is another level. I am free from constant pop-up ads which had caused me to turn off my computer and not touch it for a week or two. Now, I can surf to my hearts content reaching exactly what I want with no interference. There are several web pages that will block me due to it, but they are few and you can always turn it off for a time.

App Privacy

The developer, Eyeo GmbH , indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer’s privacy policy .

Data Not Collected

The developer does not collect any data from this app.

Privacy practices may vary, for example, based on the features you use or your age. Learn More

Information

English, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Spanish, Traditional Chinese

  • Developer Website
  • App Support
  • Privacy Policy

More By This Developer

Adblock Plus for Safari (ABP)

Crystal Adblock – Block unwanted ads!

The best ad blockers in 2024

Say goodbye to irritating online advertising with the best ad blockers

best ad blockers

Best in-browser ad blockers

Best ad-blocking apps, best ad-blocking mobile apps, other privacy-focused extensions and apps.

The best ad blockers are crucial to survive on the modern internet. It often feels like it's impossible to go anywhere online without being harassed by pop-ups, tracker cookies, malvertising and all sort of digital nasties that seem hell-bent on ruining your browsing. The worse part is that these things still plague you if your browsing is above-board — putting you at risk.

Thankfully there's no shortage of apps and browser extensions that can block ads and keep you safer when you're online. Blocking ads and all the other irrelevant stuff that you may encounter. Combined with the best antivirus software and the best VPNs , a good ad-blocker gives you a perfect arsenal of tools to offer as much protection as possible. Even the FBI recommends using an ad-blocker for protection.

The only thing you need to figure out is which ad-blocker is right for you. There are so many to choose from, and whether you are willing to live with the downsides. Most free sites rely on advertising revenue to survive, including Tom's Guide. But if you're happy with the trade-off, we've got a thorough list of the best ad blockers and privacy tools — with options for every browser and platform.

The best ad blockers you can get today

1. adblock plus (chrome, edge, firefox, opera, safari, android, ios).

best ad blockers: adblock plus

AdBlock Plus (ABP) is among the most popular ad blockers, with extensions available for Firefox, Chrome, Safari, Edge and Opera. ABP features a quick setup, loading preset filter lists that allow users to quickly block most ads, as well as the option to filter malware and social media buttons. 

Savvy users can chose additional block lists as well as set custom filters or whitelist their favorite sites to keep their ad revenue in the black. AdBlock Plus allows what it calls "non-intrusive advertising" through filters; that may irk some users, though this feature can be disabled in settings. 

On Android, the AdBlock Browser provides a Firefox-based browser that blocks incoming advertising, while on iOS, the AdBlock Plus app integrates with the content blocker system to seamlessly block advertising on Safari with minimal setup.

Download AdBlock Plus: Firefox , Chrome , Safari , Opera , Edge

2. AdBlock (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge)

best ad blockers: AdBlock

AdBlock (no relation to AdBlock Plus) is the other best ad-blocking browser extension of note, available for users of Chrome, Firefox, Edge and Safari. AdBlock uses a series of filter lists to automatically block ad content coming from known ad servers and providers. Users can stick with the default block lists, subscribe to additional ones, or even create their own, as well as whitelist their favorite websites. 

As one of the most downloaded Chrome and Safari extensions, AdBlock has the trust of many users worldwide.

Download AdBlock: Chrome , Firefox , Safari , Edge

3. uBlock Origin (Chrome, Firefox)

best ad blockers: Ublock Origin

Ublock Origin is a browser-based ad blocker that focuses on simple, efficient blocking with a low resource overhead. The extension comes loaded with a number of filter lists for known advertising and malware sources, with extra filter lists available and the option to read and create your own custom filters from hosts files.

Download Ublock Origin: Chrome , Firefox

4. Poper Blocker (Chrome)

best ad blockers: Poper Blocker

Rather than be an all-in one blocking solution, Poper Blocker (aka Pop Up Blocker For Chrome), is designed to complement other adblockers. 

In this case, Poper Blocker focuses on blocking pop-ups, pop-unders, overlays, timed and scroll pop-ups, and other varieties that might slip past other ad-blocking extensions. Small notifications tell you when pop-ups are blocked. You also can view your blocking stats, but otherwise, you can generally just keep Poper Blocker running in the background with minimal impact alongside other adblocker extensions.

Download Poper Blocker: Chrome

5. Stands Fair AdBlocker (Chrome)

best ad blockers: Stands Fair AdBlocker

For a fast and light ad-blocking plugin, Chrome users can turn to Stands Fair AdBlocker. The extension does precisely what it promises, blocking ads and pop-ups from cluttering up your browser view while also preventing any tracking from going on. 

Stand's Fair AdBlocker gives you control over the type of ads you can block, specifying everything from autoplay video ads, YouTube ads, expanding ads and more. It can even block Facebook ads if you want.

The "Fair" part of AdBlocker comes into play by giving you the ability to allow certain types of ads or even whitelist ad-supported websites you don't want to shortchange of badly needed revenue. This is one ad blocker that doesn't take a scorched earth approach to its stated purpose.

Download Stands Fair AdBlocker: Chrome

6. Ghostery (Chrome, Firefox, Opera, Safari, Edge)

best ad blockers: ghostery

Like the other extensions on our list of the best ad blockers, Ghostery can remove ads from webpages, so you can focus on content and browse more efficiently. But the real value in Ghostery lies in its privacy protection features. You can use Ghostery to view trackers, which lets you see who's trying to collect data on you. With Ghostery, you can also stop that tracking from taking place. If you really want to safeguard your privacy, you can turn to Ghostery's Enhanced Anti Tracking to anonymize your data.

Ghostery's a free download that offers basic web protection. More advanced protection starts at $4.99 a month and the $11.99 monthly tier comes with a built-in VPN. There are also versions of Ghostery that work with Android and iOS devices.

Download Ghostery: Chrome , Firefox , Opera , Safari , Edge

7. Adblocker for YouTube (Chrome, Firefox)

Adblocker for YouTube is one of the best ad blockers

YouTube has gotten more aggressive with ads, so the makers of ad-blocking extensions have followed suit. Adblocker for YouTube is a Chrome extension that promises to automatically block YouTube ads, whether we're talking about the pre-roll ad appearing before your video or any text and banner ads that appear on the video itself.

If you prefer Firefox to Chrome, there's also an AdBlocker for YouTube extension that works on that browser. Same name, different developer apparently, but the functionality of stripping out video and display ads remains. This version works on Android devices too.

Download Adblocker for YouTube: Chrome , Firefox

1. AdGuard (Windows, Mac, Android, iOS)

best ad blockers: adguard ad blocker

Uses looking for a more robust experience can try out the subscription-based AdGuard, which provides desktop and mobile options to reduce the ads you see when surfing online. 

AdGuard on Windows and Mac covers popular browsers, with highly configurable options for ads, content, and tracker blocking, as well as a parental controls module for restricting adult content. AdGuard for Android is a no-root ad-blocker that blocks advertising on apps and games, though you’ll have to install it from AdGuard’s site instead of through Google Play. AdGuard for iOS works with Safari to effectively filter ads on the default browser.

Download AdGuard: Windows , Mac , Android , iOS

2. AdLock ($33 per year)

best ad blockers: adlock

AdLock avoids the browser-based route, instead opting to run as a separate program to be able to block not only browser-based ads, but also advertising in other programs like Skype or games. 

The app runs in the background, using filters to block ads, popups, and autoplaying videos, speeding up loading times and applying Safe Browsing features to automatically block sites that are known to be unsafe. 

For obvious reasons, the mobile version is unavailable on the Google Play Store, so you'll need to sideload the app if you want to get AdLock into your Android device. iOS users can download AdLock directly from Apple's App Store.

Download AdLock: Windows , Chrome ,  Android , Mac , iOS

3. Wipr (macOS, iOS; $1.99)

best ad blockers: Wipr

If you’re a Safari fan, Wipr may be the best ad blocker for both your Mac and iPhone. The app is available for both iOS and macOS — costing $1.99 from either Apple App Store — and it promises to work with Safari as well as apps that use Safari for displaying web pages.

You’ll find a full array of features with Wipr, which not only blocks apps and trackers, but cryptocurrency miners, EU cookie and GDPR notices and anything else that gets in your way of surfing the web. Its blocklist gets updated twice a week, and there’s little configuration; the idea is that you load Wipr and forget that it’s there while it does its job in the background.

With Wipr, pages should load faster in Safari, which will be particularly welcome if you’re surfing from an iPhone, where ads and trackers can bog down your browser’s speed.

Download Wipr: macOS , iOS

1. 1Blocker (iOS)

best ad blockers: 1Blocker X ad blockers

1Blocker was one of the first really good ad blockers on iOS when Apple opened up that functionality on iPhones and iPads; the apps has since been optimized for Safari. 

The app is designed to make browsing faster and more secure by blocking ads, popups, trackers and other online cruft. Rather than blocking content of a downloaded page, 1Blocker works with Safari's content blocker API to tell the browser what to block in advance, saving time and resources. 

1Blocker features more than 115,000 blocker rules, custom regional adblocking settings, and easy-to-use custom rules settings. The app is a free download, with premium features available as in-app purchases.

Download 1Blocker: iOS

2. Firefox Focus (Android, iOS)

best ad blockers: firefox focus

Firefox Focus is another addition to Mozilla's family of browsers. This one's a privacy-oriented version of Firefox that bakes in ad-blocking and anti-tracking into a light and functional package. Firefox Focus blocks ads and speeds up browsing, while also working in privacy-friendly features like automatic history and cookie clearing. 

Users can selectively block ads, analytics, content and social trackers with easy toggles, turn on a "stealth" mode, and set a default search engine.

Our look at the best Android browsers has more on the various flavors of Firefox.

Download Firefox Focus: Android , iOS

3. AdClear (Android, iOS)

AdClear Plus running on an iPhone is one of the best ad blockers for mobile

AdClear — or AdClear Plus if you're searching for the iOS version — offers the kind of mobile ad blocking in browsers that similar apps provide. But AdClear takes it one step farther by also blocking ads in apps. 

AdClear achieves this through a DNS changer feature that routes traffic through a VPN. AdClear doesn't catch everything in all apps, and in our experience, some apps ran a little slower. But this free download can put a stop to ads interrupting what you're trying to do whether in an app or a browser.

Download AdClear: Android , iOS

1. Decentraleyes (Chrome, Firefox)

Best ad blockers: decentraleyes

Some times, blocking ads can also prevent websites fromn pulling needed resoruces and libraries from third-party sources, breaking web pages in the process. Decentraleyes tries to stop that from happening by acting as a local content delivery network emulator to serve up the files that websites need. By doing so, this extension can stop websites from sending out requests to the likes of Google Hosted Libraries.

Think of Decentraleyes as a complement to ad blockers. In fact, the extension specifically says it can work with uBlock Origin and AdBlock Plus, both of which we recommend up above.

Download Decentraleyes: Chrome , Firefox

2. Opera (Desktop, Android, iOS)

best ad blockers: opera best ad blocker

The Opera browser bakes in ad-blocking features into the browser without the need for an extra add-on, while also offering privacy-friendly tools such as an unlimited, built-in VPN service, incognito mode, fraud and malware warnings for suspicious links and pages, and more. In addition, you can further customize Opera's capabilities with a wide array of extensions. 

Mobile users need not fret, as the Android version comes with just about everything the desktop version has but built for touch-screen interfaces. On iOS, the mobile version of Opera is listed in Apple's App Store as Opera Touch. (Incidentally, we've got a guide on how you can use Opera to block ads on the iPhone .)

Download Opera: Mac or Windows , Android , iOS

3. Privacy Badger (Chrome, Firefox, Opera)

best ad blockers: privacy badger ad blocker

The Electronic Frontier Foundation's Privacy Badger browser extension was born from the EFF's concerns about the business models of some privacy tools and ad blockers. 

Privacy Badger functions similarly to extensions like AdBlock Plus (on which it was based), observing the various tracking tools that advertisers and other third parties might use to track your online activities and selectively blocking them from executing. Built-in learning algorithms adapt to the sites you visit and take any new tracking tools discovered into account. 

While not explicitly an ad blocker, Privacy Badger does also block some advertising, depending on how aggressively the ads track you across websites.

Download Privacy Badger: Chrome , Firefox , Opera

4. Tor Browser (Desktop, Android)

best ad blockers: tor project browser

The Tor network helps anonymize your internet activity by bouncing the data you send and receive through a distributed anonymous network of routers to foil a common online surveillance technique called traffic analysis, which can reveal the sites you visit or who you're communicating with. 

The Tor Browser is an all-in-one package that includes everything you need to surf the net through the Tor network in an easy-to-install portable package. The package includes a modified version of Firefox with privacy aids such as NoScript baked in, and an automatic setup aid that makes it easy to connect to and create new Tor circuits. 

On the desktop, you can grab a version of Tor Browser for Windows, macOS or Linux. There's also a version of Tor Browser for Android, which replaces the previous OrBot + OrFox combination recommended for browsing Tor on Android.

Download Tor Browser: Desktop , Android

5. Onion Browser (iOS)

best ad blockers: onion browser ad blocker

iOS users aren’t left out when it comes to browsing the Tor anonymizer network, with the Onion Browser among the more popular options on Apple’s mobile OS. 

Previously a premium app, Onion Browser has since moved to a donation model, opening up access to everyone who wants to download the app, without compromising security or features. The usual caveats apply: Browsing through Tor will slow down the web experience, and some features, like video streams and video files won’t work in order to preserve anonymity.

Download Onion Browser: iOS

How to choose the best ad blocker for you

Many of the best ad blockers are available for free, either as extensions or as standalone apps, though a few, like AdLock, charge a fee. Determine if the free services provide enough ad-blocking to meet your needs or whether a paid app delivers more for your money. You should also figure out if a browser extension will take care of your ad-blocking needs or whether you should consider switching browsers to one with more built-in privacy features.

You can narrow down your choice in ad blockers by deciding specifically what you're looking to accomplish with such an app or extension. Do you just want to stop annoying pop-up ads from appearing or do you want the full range of services, including privacy features and an end to ad-tracking? Grab the ad blocker that ticks off all the boxes on your wishlist.

Some ad blockers, such as AdBlock Plus include filters and the ability to let in non-obtrusive advertising. Others, like AdBlocker Ultimate, take a more aggressive approach. Find out which one best suits your needs and comfort level.

As we noted at the outset, there's also an ethical component to ad blockers. Do you feel comfortable keeping ad revenue out of the hands of sites you enjoy and use for free? As good as the best ad blockers are, that's still a trade-off you need to consider when deciding whether to install one as a browser extension or as a standalone app. 

Sign up to get the BEST of Tom’s Guide direct to your inbox.

Upgrade your life with a daily dose of the biggest tech news, lifestyle hacks and our curated analysis. Be the first to know about cutting-edge gadgets and the hottest deals.

John Corpuz

A beginner's guide to VPNs

This notorious Android banking trojan now lets hackers remotely control your phone — how to stay safe

Monte Carlo Masters live streams 2024: How to watch tennis online, seeds, schedule

  • kep55 I'm waiting for an ad blocker that will spoof the websites into thinking there is no ad blocker in place. More and more sites are incorporating code that disables the site entirely or many of the features if an adblocker is in use. Reply
kep55 said: I'm waiting for an ad blocker that will spoof the websites into thinking there is no ad blocker in place. More and more sites are incorporating code that disables the site entirely or many of the features if an adblocker is in use.
  • View All 2 Comments

Most Popular

By Ryan Epps January 09, 2024

By Ryan Epps January 08, 2024

By Tom Pritchard January 08, 2024

By Ryan Epps January 07, 2024

By Ryan Epps January 05, 2024

By Ryan Epps January 03, 2024

By Hunter Fenollol January 03, 2024

By Nicole Pyles October 19, 2023

By Dave Meikleham October 10, 2023

  • 2 Huge Nintendo Switch and PS5 games sale — here’s my 7 favorite deals from $7
  • 3 My favorite movie of all time is returning to theaters — and I can’t wait to see it on the biggest screen possible
  • 4 5 reasons you need to vacuum your mattress regularly — and what happens when you don’t
  • 5 All four iPhone 16 models just revealed in new leak — meet the new design
  • 2 My favorite movie of all time is returning to theaters — and I can’t wait to see it on the biggest screen possible
  • 3 5 reasons you need to vacuum your mattress regularly — and what happens when you don’t
  • 4 All four iPhone 16 models just revealed in new leak — meet the new design
  • 5 Forget Sora — Higgsfield is a new AI video generator promising advanced camera controls

is there an adblock for safari

IMAGES

  1. Best Adblock For Safari: Top 6 in 2021 (Both Free & Paid)

    is there an adblock for safari

  2. Adblock Plus

    is there an adblock for safari

  3. How to install Adblock Plus for Safari

    is there an adblock for safari

  4. How to Install an Adblocker for Safari

    is there an adblock for safari

  5. Using and Troubleshooting the AdBlock for Safari Mac app : AdBlock Help

    is there an adblock for safari

  6. Using the NEW AdBlock for Safari Mac app

    is there an adblock for safari

VIDEO

  1. Ajouter des EXTENSIONS sur SAFARI (exemple : AD BLOCK)

  2. All Firefox Users Should Use These Extensions

  3. How to Install AdBlock Plus in Google Chrome/Safari to Block All Ads on Mac

  4. How To Uninstall AdBlock From Safari

  5. Fix AdBlock for Safari on Mac not uninstalling

  6. Cringe opera GX is done

COMMENTS

  1. Adblock Plus

    Download Adblock Plus, a free ad blocker for Safari, and block annoying ads, pop-ups, trackers & more! Fast ad blocker for macOS.

  2. ‎AdBlock for Safari on the Mac App Store

    AdBlock for Safari is a powerful and simple-to-use ad blocker. It stops annoying pop-ups, removes autoplay video ads, and blocks obnoxious audio ads. It also gives you control over which ads you see and what websites you support. You can tell AdBlock to stop working on certain websites, allow ads on sites you want to support, and get easy ...

  3. Adblock Plus for Safari (ABP‪)‬ 4+

    ‎The easy way to block ads on your iPhone and iPad. Annoying ads like pop-ups, video ads, banners and ads disguised as content are things of the past thanks to Adblock Plus (ABP)! Safari users enjoy a peaceful and delightful web experience when using Adblock Plus, the world's number 1 ad blocker.…

  4. Best Ad-Blockers for Safari 2024: Browse with Confidence

    5. Wipr. Wipr is an easy-to-use ad-blocker for iOS and macOS. It's a dedicated ad-blocker for iOS and macOS operating systems. Wipr is available exclusively on macOS and iOS. It is designed to be set up once and left alone to run on Safari in the background, with its blocklist automatically updating twice a week.

  5. The Best Safari Ad Blockers of 2022

    Adguard, Wipr, and 1Blocker are among the best ad blockers for Safari. Pranay Parab. December 16, 2022. Credit: tinhkhuong - Shutterstock. Unlike Firefox and Chrome, it's not easy for Mac users ...

  6. User Guide: AdBlock for Safari Mac app

    The menu bar icon appears on the top menu bar when the AdBlock for Safari app is open. If you are using the app only for ad blocking, the app can remain closed and will still continue to block ads. The app must be open when using the VPN. Click on the red pause button to pause ad blocking on all sites. Click on the blue play button to resume ad ...

  7. ‎AdGuard

    Download AdGuard — adblock&privacy and enjoy it on your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. ‎AdGuard is an ultra-efficient ad blocker for Safari. It will not only remove annoying ads but also secure your privacy with advanced tracking protection. ... no sponsor ads or paid ads are allowed through. There is a filter that allows self promotion ads ...

  8. Ad Blocker for Safari

    Dark Mode. AdBlock is one of the most popular ad blockers worldwide with more than 60 million users on Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge as well as Android. Use AdBlock to block all ads and pop ups. AdBlock can also be used to help protect your privacy by blocking trackers. AdBlock blocks ads on Facebook, YouTube, and all other websites.

  9. How to Install and Uninstall the AdBlock for Safari Mac App

    Find AdBlock in the Mac App Store and click Get. (After the first time you install the app, you won't see the "Get" button again. If you are reinstalling, see Step 2.) Click Install. After the app is installed, click Open. Click Enable AdBlock in Safari. Select the checkboxes next to both AdBlock Engine and AdBlock Icon.

  10. Introducing the All-New AdBlock for Safari

    We know that AdBlock for Safari has gone mostly untouched by our team for a few years. And that's just changed! We're excited to announce that the all-new AdBlock for Safari app is officially here. It's been completely revamped and there are many changes we hope our users will enjoy.

  11. How to Block Ads in Safari on the iPhone

    Download and set up an ad blocker app. Then, on iPhone: Settings > Safari > Content Blockers ( on ). Suggested ad blockers: 1Blocker, Crystal Adblock, Norton Ad Blocker, Purify. Natively block Safari pop-ups on iPhone: Settings > Safari > Block Pop-ups ( on ). This article explains how to use content blockers to block ads in Safari on iPhones ...

  12. How to adblock Safari and Chrome on a Mac

    There are lots of them out there, plenty of which are free, but tread carefully. AdBlock. Our top recommendation is be the donation-ware Safari extension AdBlock, which deals with graphical ads ...

  13. Best ad blockers for iPhone and iPad in 2022

    AdBlock Pro for Safari. AdBlock Pro for Safari (Image credit: Crypto, Inc.) If you're serious about blocking ads and want the best feature set, then AdBlock Pro for Safari is what you need. AdBlock will improve your overall Safari experience by blocking all ads, including normal ads and banners, autoplay ads, those pesky fake "x" button ads ...

  14. What is the current state of adblockers for Safari, do any work?

    Over time, the Safari ad blockers have got a lot better and can now block all ads (including YouTube ads), trackers and other web page annoyances. I develop a free ad blocker called Magic Lasso Adblock that works on iPhone, iPad and Mac but there are a few other options and alternatives as well.

  15. How can I block ads on my mobile device?

    Visit https://getadblock.com in your Safari for iOS browser and tap Get AdBlock Now or get it from the App Store.; Tap Get to download the AdBlock app. ; Once the app is downloaded, open it and tap First: Enable AdBlock!; Tap Next.; Confirm Content Blockers are enabled by going to Settings > Safari > Extensions; Make sure all three AdBlock content blockers are set to on (green)

  16. ‎Adblock Plus for Safari ABP on the Mac App Store

    Download Adblock Plus for Safari ABP for macOS 10.15 or later and enjoy it on your Mac. ‎The easy way to block ads on your Mac. Annoying ads like pop-ups, video ads, banners and ads disguised as content are things of the past thanks to Adblock Plus (ABP)! ... there are times for which an application will either open Safari or I need to use it ...

  17. Best ad blockers

    Best in-browser ad blockers. 1. AdBlock Plus (Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Opera, Safari, Android, iOS) AdBlock Plus (ABP) is among the most popular ad blockers, with extensions available for Firefox ...

  18. With uBlock Origin not being available for Safari, which ad ...

    The Safari integration with Apple iCloud password finder is great for those devices. But on Windows I lead with Edge since it takes a lot les memory than Chrome. Just got a new M3 Pro. Definitely relate to chrome tabs sending a laptop fan spinning wildly. ... I personally use AdBlock Plus, but there's definitely better alternatives Reply reply

  19. Troubleshooting the AdBlock for Safari Mac app

    In the AdBlock app, go to the Ad Blocking tab and under "Change what AdBlock shows and hides" make sure the "Allow some non-intrusive ads" option is toggled OFF. In Safari, go to Safari > Settings > Websites > Content Blockers and make sure the option "When visiting other websites" is set to ON. In Safari, go to Safari > Settings > Extensions ...

  20. The Best Ad Blockers for 2024

    Best For Blocking Unacceptable Ads. Adblock Plus is among the old guard of ad blockers, and it's easy to see why it has lasted so long. It's easy to use, free, and effective. In our testing, it ...

  21. Allowlisting, Pausing, and Disabling AdBlock for Safari

    To disable AdBlock completely, go to Safari > Settings > Extensions and select the AdBlock Engine checkbox. When unselected, the AdBlock extension is disabled and no ads are blocked. There are a number of ways to see ads when using the AdBlock for Safari Mac app. The following information outlines the options available...