The Best Ad Blockers for Android 2024 (2024)

The best ad blockers for Android are Total Adblock, NordVPN Threat Protection, Surfshark CleanWeb, and AdLock.

Total Adblockhas an Android app that can help stop ads on any browser and app. NordVPN Threat Protectionblocks ads and trackers, scans for malware, and is part of the NordVPN product. Surfshark CleanWeballows for unlimited simultaneous connections, so you can block ads on every device you have. Finally, AdLockhas an effective Firefox extension and Android app to suit any budget.

Read on to learn more about why we chose our top four ad blockers for Android devices.

The best ad blockers for Android 2024

Choosing an ad blocker for an Android phone isn't easy. For starters, not all web browser extensions work on mobile devices. Neither Google Chrome nor Microsoft Edge supports extensions on Android, and Safari is only for iOS devices.

That leaves Mozilla Firefox as the only major browser with add-ons that work on Android. The Google Play Store doesn’t allow systemwide ad-blocker apps, so you can only download apps independently.

Our best ad blockers for Android are a combination of apps and Firefox extensions:

• Total Adblock: Best free app
• NordVPN Threat Protection: Best for all-in-one protection
• Surfshark CleanWeb: Best for multiple devices
• AdLock: Best free extension

Top 4 ad blockers for Android compared

Total Adblock: Best free app

Total Adblock is one of the few ad blockers on this list with an app that isn't just a privacy browser. This app can help you block unwanted ads, instrusive trackers, and malicious websites.

Even as we used Total Adblock Free, it proved to have impressive ad blocking and tracker blocking test scores and it could even block YouTube ads.

What we liked

Total Adblock is a reputable ad blocker with impressive blocking rates. When we tested the free version, it received 100/100 with Adblock Tester, which checks how effective your ad blocker is at blocking banner advertising, contextual advertising, analytics tools, and more.

If you're looking to block ads on the YouTube app, Total Adblock has a fix for that. Just share the video you're starting with Total Adblock and watch it directly from the app to avoid any pre-roll ads— a handy workaround that you can't pull off with just a browser extension.

The biggest perk of the app is you can use any browser you want, so you don't have to be stuck with Firefox or another privacy-based browser. Additionally, the paid version of Total Adblock blocks unlimited ads everywhere. If you decide to upgrade to Total Adblock Premium, it comes with additional useful tools like TotalAV antivirus protection and PC Tune-Up.

What we didn’t like

The biggest issue with Total Adblock is you have to download the app outside of Google Play. Total Adblock explains, "We provide Total Adblock on Android directly from our servers, as we are unable to put it on the Google Play Store. By providing it directly, we can ensure the best level of Adblocking available for Android."

This means you won't have Play Protect to scan the app and ensure it's not malicious. If you're uncomfortable with having to download the app outside of Google Play, you can choose the Firefox add-on.

In addition, you have to pay for Total Adblock if you wish to block unlimited ads. Total Adblock Free excludes the top 15,000 ads based on Alexa.com

Total Adblock pros and cons

Get Total Adblock| Read Our Total Adblock Review

NordVPN Threat Protection: Best for all-in-one protection

NordVPN is one of the best virtual private networks(VPNs) on the market, but did you know it also comes with a built-in ad blocker?

NordVPN Threat Protection is one of the many features included with a NordVPN subscription. It not only blocks ads and trackers, but it can also block malicious sites and malware downloads.

What we liked

NordVPN Threat Protection is adept at blocking ads and trackers and detecting malware and phishing. It received a 93/100 Adblock Tester score and passed our tests for malware and phishing detection. Threat Protection was even able to block YouTube ads we were viewing on our desktop.

On top of having an ad blocker, you'll also have access to NordVPN's other functions on your Android. With a VPN, you can mask your IP address to protect your device while on public Wi-Fi, hide your internet traffic, and even unblock geo-restrictions for worldwide streaming.

Nord has proved to be a powerful privacy tool, having passed our tests for DNS leak and WebRTC leak protection. And unlike ad blocker apps, you can download NordVPN directly from the Google Play Store.

What we didn’t like

NordVPN offers plenty of antivirus features to protect your devices, but it may not be the most comprehensive option. Threat Protection doesn't come with a firewall, so there may be a protection gap there.

Unfortunately, Threat Protection can't be purchased separately from NordVPN. NordVPN's prices, which range from $3.39–$15.99/mo, may be steep for someone looking to just block annoying ads on their phone.

NordVPN Threat Protection pros and cons

Get NordVPN Threat Protection| Read Our NordVPN Threat Protection Review

Surfshark CleanWeb: Best for multiple devices

Similar to NordVPN, Surfshark offers an ad and tracker blocker. Surfshark CleanWeb is available on Surfshark's Android app, and CleanWeb 2.0 is available as a Firefox extension, so you have options for how you wish to use it.

Surfshark is one of our favorite VPNs, thanks to its budget-friendly pricing and unlimited device allowance. With this, you can have CleanWeb enabled on every device you own for every member of your household.

What we liked

Surfshark is another ad blocker with a strong AdBlock Tester score of 96/100, which impressed us, considering it's just a feature included with the VPN. It's nice to see that Surfshark doesn't mess around when it comes to our privacy. CleanWeb can also block trackers and malware for more comprehensive protection.

Surfshark's browser extension includes CleanWeb 2.0, which offers additional features like data breach alerts, malware alerts, and a cookie pop-up blocker. We also like that CleanWeb 2.0 can effectively block ads on video platforms, including YouTube and streaming services.

If you're in the market for a VPN, Surfshark has some of the lowest starting prices. It also allows you to connect as many devices as you want simultaneously. With strong features like CleanWeb, we think Surfshark is a worthy investment.

What we didn't like

Unfortunately, CleanWeb 2.0's extensive capabilities are only available as a browser extension. This might not be ideal if you're looking for an app to use on your Android.

Similar to Threat Protection, CleanWeb may not be what you have in mind if you're looking for just an ad blocker or if you already have a VPN subscription. CleanWeb is only available with Surfshark VPN as part of the Surfshark One bundle.

Surfshark Clean Web pros and cons

Get Surfshark CleanWeb | Read Our Surfshark CleanWeb Review

AdLock: Best free extension

AdLock makes our list as the best free ad-blocking extension due to how effective it proved to be during testing. It received a 92/100 score with Adblock Tester and as we browsed the web, it blocked follow-along ads, banner ads, pre-roll ads, and more.

What we liked

Although AdLock claims its free extension can't block all ads across browsers, we found that AdLock blocked most ads we encountered. These include those pesky follow-along ads on recipe blogs as well as pre-roll ads before YouTube videos.

We were also impressed by AdLock's commitment to user privacy. AdLock doesn't sell or share your information with third parties, and the information it does collect, like your blocked ad requests, is anonymous. As a privacy bonus, your account is created with an anonymous unique ID, so you won't need to provide any personal information when you install the free extension.

What we didn’t like

Although AdLock has a free app and extension, some features are only available with a paid plan. For instance, you won't be able to block social media trackers or spyware unless you opt for a premium plan.

Similar to Total Adblock, you'll need to download AdLock outside of the Google Play Store if you want to use the app over the browser extension.

AdLock pros and cons

Get AdLock |Read Our AdLock Review

Honorable mentions

There are plenty of ad blockers to choose from if our top five picks aren't right for you. We've conducted extensive testing and research to come up with our recommendations for the best ad blockers. Here are three tested ad blockers worthy of consideration due to their price points and features.

• AdGuard:AdGuard is a powerful tool for blocking ads and trackers. It also protects against malware, and its product suite includes a VPN and a DNS service.

  Read Our AdGuard Review

• Ghostery: Ghostery's free extension is equipped with all of the core features. This includes all types of ad blocking (it even removes pop-up ads), anti-tracking, cookie consent blocker, basic analytics, and settings synchronizing between devices and browsers.

  Read Our Ghostery Review

• Adblock Plus: If you're looking for a bit more control of your ad-blocking settings without having to pay for it, then Adblock Plus may be the option for you. With Acceptable Ads and a custom whitelist, you have more of a say on where and if you see any ads during your browsing experience.

  Read Our Adblock Plus Review

How to choose the best Android ad blocker for you

With so many ad blockers to choose from, deciding the best one for your Android device can be overwhelming. Here are some factors to consider when picking an Android ad blocker:

• Determine if you want to spend money on an ad blocker. Most ad blockers have free plans, but they may be limited as far as what types of ads they block.
• With Android, you can either use a Firefox browser extension or download an app from an independent source. A browser extension only blocks in-browser ads and you'd need to use Firefox, but maybe you feel wary about downloading an app away from the Google Play Store.
• Mobile ad blockers might not always block in-app ads. This can be frustrating if you're still bombarded on YouTube with pre-roll ads. Ad blockers like Total Adblock allow you to open the video on its app.
• The best ad blockers will keep your device free of ads without draining your battery life.
• You may be looking for an ad blocker that you can set and forget, but it's also nice to have a customizable app or extension. Look for features like Acceptable Ads and whitelisting so you can determine which sites should receive your revenue.

How we tested the best ad blockers for Android

Ad blockers for Android have specific qualifications. Not all browser extensions work on Android, so it was important to find options that would work on a mobile device. Besides compatibility, here are the other factors we considered when we tested ad blockers:

• Blocks ads and trackers:An ad blocker's core functionality is to effectively block ads and stop trackers from knowing your online activity. We tested the ad blockers to ensure they did their job, including blocking YouTube ads.
• Additional security features: Along with Android security settings, adding an extra layer of security is always nice for protection. So, we prioritized ad blockers with premium security tools that other ad blockers didn't include.
• Affordability: Cost is an essential factor, so we evaluated whether the price was competitive.
• Ease of use: Add-ons and apps should be fairly intuitive and not difficult to set up or understand.

Best ad blockers for Android FAQs

Bottom line: The best ad blockers for Android

If you're looking for a free app to block ads on your Android, then Total Adblock is your best bet, while AdLock is the best free extension for Firefox. For more comprehensive protection, you can opt for NordVPN Threat Protectionto guard against malware, along with ads and trackers. Finally, Surfshark CleanWeb allows for unlimited devices, so everyone in your household can have a clean browsing experience.

4 best ad blockers for Android