Protect your personal data with content blockers
Mobile device browser content blockers are becoming popular as more websites offer up more advertising in the way of ads and tracking, images, scripts, social media buttons and comments making the browsing experience less than enjoyable.
Content blocking has become more popular among consumers and are a way of telling publishers and companies who advertise on websites that they want a less intrusive web experience. There are many ad blocker apps available with some differences in terms of options, and many allowing what is called “whitelisting” for those consumers who want to support sites they visit frequently by allowing advertising impressions.
Some ad blockers are free to download and try out, but to get a full list of features which enable the software more effective, you will need to pay via an in-app purchase.
How does an ad blocker work?
A blocker does not allow a browser to download unwanted elements such as banners, ads, videos, pop-ups and blocks analytical trackers and/or social network widgets. Basically, ad blockers have a list of rules or “filters” which detect ads and undesired content and separates it from the desired content (based on the settings you have chosen in the ad blocker application). It is important that the filters are updated, much like virus or malware software, so that publishers and advertisers cannot circumvent the ad blocker filters. Although some ad blocker developers compile their own filters, many use publicly available filter lists. And finally, some apps have additional functions such as cybercrime protection, VPN and parental controls.
Some of the best adblockers for 2025
TOTAL Adblock (Overall protection)
TOTAL Adblock offers both free and premium versions, with the premium version providing unlimited ad blocking across all websites, including YouTube and Facebook bundled with TotalAV's antivirus protection. The free version has limitations, such as excluding the top 15,000 most-used websites. TOTAL Adblock is available as a browser extension for Chrome, Safari, Edge and Opera and mobile apps for Android and iOS devices. Free or $1.59/month.
1Blocker (Designed for iOS)
1Blocker is a highly-regarded ad and tracker blocker built specifically for Apple's ecosystem (iOS and macOS). It's praised for its ease of use, powerful customization options, and effectiveness in blocking ads (including YouTube ads) and trackers, especially on the Safari browser using the Safari extension for quick whitelisting.
There are limitations on the number of rules that can be used per extension on iOS which may require using multiple extensions for different blocking categories. Because 1Blocker is specifically designed for iOS, it cannot be uesd on Android or Windows. 1Blocker has a free version as well as paid plans for $1.25-$2.99/month. There are three subscriptions options but the only difference is the length of your subscription.
Surfshark (Designed for privacy and multiple devices)
Surfshark is a generally well-regarded VPN service, known for its affordability, strong security features, and ability to bypass geo-restrictions on streaming services. It offers a user-friendly experience with features like CleanWeb for ad and malware blocking, Bypasser (split tunneling), and SmartDNS for devices that don't support VPN apps. However, some users have reported slightly slower connection speeds compared to more expensive VPNs, and there have been occasional issues with Netflix blocking their service. blocking their service.
Surfshark allows for an unlimited number of simultaneous connections, making it suitable for families or multiple devices and is compatible with iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, FireTV. Dependent upon the plan you choose, pricing ranges from $1.99-$20.65/month.
NordVPN (Designed for privacy)
NordVPN works very well for streaming and gaming on up to 10 devices. Its' feature‑rich eco-system includes Threat Protection Pro (blocks malware, trackers, ads; Dark Web Monitor for breaches; Meshnet for secure multi‑device sharing or gaming; Double VPN, Onion Over VPN; split tunneling; dedicated IPs and optional bundled extras like NordPass and encrypted cloud storage via higher‑tier plans.
NordVPN is a leading VPN in 2025—fast, secure, and full of features and is best for those prioritizing privacy and performance, though budget-conscious users may want to compare alternatives like Surfshark or Proton VPN. Users recommend stacking discounted plans and disabling auto‑renewal to avoid surprise increases. Please note that NordVPN Threat Protection can't be purchased alone, so you will need to sign up for NordVPN to access this feature.
iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Linux. Chrome, Firefox, Edge; pricing ranges from $3.39-$17.99/month depending on the plan tier you choose.
