Best Alternatives To Ublock Origin Adblocker

Adblockers have become an essential tool to regain control over your browsing experience. uBlock Origin has been a popular choice for years, but recent changes in browser policies, particularly Google Chrome's shift to Manifest V3, have users searching for alternatives.

Manifest V3 is a new set of standards for Chrome extensions that aims to improve security and performance but at the cost of limiting the capabilities of ad blockers. As a result, uBlock Origin, which relies heavily on the features available in the previous version, Manifest V2, will soon cease to function effectively on these browsers.

This shift has prompted users to seek alternatives that can continue to provide robust ad-blocking and privacy features.

What To Look For In an Alternative

The hallmark of uBlock Origin lies in its ability to block ads, trackers, and malicious scripts effectively. Alternatives should offer similar capabilities.

When searching for a replacement for uBlock Origin, it's important to consider the features that made it popular:

• Ad and Tracker Blocking: Strong filter lists to block the internet's junk.
• Performance: Minimal impact on browser speed and system resources.
• Ease of Use: Simple installation.
• Customizability: Options to fine-tune settings and add custom filter lists.

Any replacement must meet these high standards (as best they can within the confines of Google's new extension restrictions).

Best uBlock Origin Alternatives

Ghostery

Ghostery is more than just an adblocker — it’s a comprehensive privacy solution.

Our extension is a solid replacement for uBlock Origin, offering a suite of features to protect your privacy and block unwanted content.

Automatic Tracker and Ad Blocking

Ghostery's ability to stop trackers dynamically means better protection against the latest threats.

The extension uses both blocklists and heuristics to block trackers effectively.

These features are enabled by default, making Ghostery an excellent choice for a set-and-forget- solution.

Cookie Banner Rejection

Ghostery automatically rejects annoying cookie consent banners — a feature uBlock Origin requires manual setup to achieve.

Search Engine Privacy

Ghostery also disables the sending of web addresses to Google when clicking on search results, similar to Privacy Badger.

This protects your search patterns.

Custom Filters

Advanced users can create custom filters to block or allow elements on specific sites.

Considerations

Ghostery allows the creation of custom filters using supported syntax, although it currently lacks the ability to add external filter lists like uBlock Origin. This is an area for future improvement.

AdGuard

AdGuard is another strong contender, known for its extensive feature set.

It is often mentioned among the best ad blocker options due to its extensive customization capabilities and effective ad-blocking performance.

AdGuard is another excellent uBlock alternative, providing extensive customization options for users who want more control over their ad-blocking settings.

Filter Options

AdGuard includes several filter lists in the settings users can enable. The options are nice to have.

The extension provides an option to hide social widgets, which removes clutter on articles and blogs.

Additionally, you can enable security and language-specific (regional) lists.

Custom Filters

AdGuard allows users to import their own custom filters, which are then converted over into the new Manifest V3 requirements. (Not all of the old rules are supported.)

Privacy Settings

Users can activate several options under the Tracking protection section in the settings, though it isn’t enabled by default.

Similar to Ghostery and Privacy Badger, AdGuard includes preventing Google from learning about your search queries.

There's another option to remove tracking parameters from web requests, which is often overlooked by ad blockers, but may lead to a site breaking.

Considerations

AdGuard requires some initial setup to maximize its capabilities. For instance, we had to dig in the settings to enable the blocking search ads and websites' self-promotion and tracking protection options.

AdGuard is a versatile Chrome adblock alternative that provides an impressive range of features, but many of them require manual activation. This can be daunting for less tech-savvy users.

Still, for those willing to invest time in customization, AdGuard is a powerful and flexible alternative to uBlock Origin.

Adblock Plus

Adblock Plus remains a popular option as an uBlock alternative for users who just want to block ads. However, it has notable limitations compared to uBlock Origin.

For those comparing uBlock vs Adblock Plus, it's important to note that uBlock Origin offers more advanced customization.

Acceptable Ads Program

Adblock Plus supports Acceptable Ads by default, allowing "non-intrusive" ads to appear. Users can opt out if desired in the settings.

We oppose the Acceptable Ads initiative because it risks your privacy by permitting trackers in ads to collect and use your personal data without your consent.

(Blocking trackers is effortless with Ghostery as it automatically prevents ads and trackers from appearing.)

Minimum Tracking Protection

Adblock Plus allows you to enable the EasyPrivacy filter list for basic tracking protection.

However, similar to its reliance on EasyList for ad blocking, this approach offers only minimal coverage.

Custom Filters

Adblock Plus relies on curated lists like EasyList for blocking ads and trackers, similar to uBlock Origin, but it lacks the performance and customization depth of its competitors.

uBlock Origin and Ghostery use many more blocklists by default, and it does not match their efficiency in blocking ads.

Premium Features

Blocking cookie banners and other nuisances requires a paid subscription, which is free in other similarly proposed adblockers.

Customization

Adblock Plus allows users to select additional filter lists, but they will be limited by the lack of support of advanced filtering rules used by uBlock Origin.

Adblock Plus lets users choose extra filter lists, but you'll have to hunt and add them manually.

It doesn't support the advanced filtering rules that uBlock Origin offers. You'll see more empty ad spaces with Adblock Plus than with Ghostery or AdGuard.

Considerations

Adblock Plus’s reliance on fewer blocklists and its focus on "acceptable ads" can lead to less comprehensive blocking compared to Ghostery or uBlock Origin.

Adblock Plus requires a premium subscription for certain features, which limits its appeal.

Privacy Badger

Privacy Badger, developed by the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), takes a unique uBlock alternative by focusing on tracker blocking rather than traditional adblocking.

Browser Privacy

Privacy Badger focuses on blocking web trackers rather than ads.

It automatically adjusts some Chrome settings to enhance privacy, such as disabling Google's Privacy Sandbox and prefetching.

Privacy Signals

Privacy Badger also sends Global Privacy Control and Do Not Track signals.

Widget Replacement

Privacy Badger blocks social buttons and third-party widgets with click-to-activate placeholders, but this only occurs when a third-party domain is completely blocked.

This feature requires manual intervention, which can be cumbersome for users who prefer automatic blocking.

Privacy Badger blocks social buttons and third-party widgets using click-to-activate placeholders, but this only occurs when a third-party domain is fully blocked and Widget Replacement is enabled.

For example, when viewing a 9to5mac article, a YouTube video often appears at the bottom. To activate the click-to-play feature, you need to manually block YouTube in the settings.

Once you scroll in the UI and decide to block it, only then does the widget replacement feature activate.

Local Learning

The extension uses heuristics and a pre-trained list of trackers, though Privacy Badger adamantly declares it is not a blocklist.

Privacy Badger dynamically blocks trackers based on their behavior. At least, they did up to October 2020.

This feature is now disabled by default due to potential fingerprinting risks.

However, Privacy Badger still advertises this prominently in their extension description and in the post-installation page.

The ambiguity in its description may confuse users, as the default settings do not reflect its default settings.

When enabling local learning, we like that there's an option to "Show domains that don't appear to be tracking you". This may also be welcomed for folks coming over from uBlock Origin.

No Adblocking

Privacy Badger's focus on trackers means users will need an additional ad blocker for comprehensive protection.

Considerations

Privacy Badgers "local learning" feature for detecting trackers has been turned off by default, making it less valuable to folks sticking with the default settings.

The extension does not block ads, requiring users to pair it with an adblocker. But at that point, you're much better off using an all-in-one solution.

Most users would be better off with Ghostery or AdGuard and tweaking a few settings in Chrome.

Ghostery - The Best Privacy Focused uBlock Alternative

Finding a reliable Chrome adblock alternative is crucial. When considering the best ad blocker, Ghostery's combination of default privacy settings and user-friendly interface makes it a strong contender.

Ghostery's mission is to provide a seamless browsing experience while prioritizing user privacy. It is compatible with a wide range of browsers and offers an easy transition for those switching from uBlock Origin.

Its default settings are designed to protect users without requiring extensive configuration, making it an ideal choice for an adblock alternative.

Whether you're a casual browser or a privacy enthusiast, Ghostery's ease of use and default settings make it the standout choice.

How to Install Ghostery

If you're looking for a uBlock alternative, Ghostery offers robust privacy features that make it a compelling choice.

Switching to Ghostery is simple:

1. Visit the Chrome Web Store: Navigate to Ghostery's extension page for Chrome. Click here for other browsers.
2. Click "Add to Chrome": Install the extension with a single click.
3. Select "Enable Ghostery": On the post-install screen, agree to the terms of use.
4. Enable Optional Features: Customize settings like regional filters, if needed.
5. Browse Privately: Ghostery works immediately to block ads, trackers, and cookie banners.

Ghostery stands out as a top Chrome adblock alternative, offering automatic cookie consent rejection and advanced tracking protection.

A Word on Safari

There is no uBlock Origin for Safari.

uBlock Origin is unavailable for Safari due to Apple's shift to a new extension framework starting with Safari 12, which is incompatible with uBlock Origin's codebase.

Development for Safari halted after 2018 because of these framework changes and the difficulty in maintaining compatibility.

As of Safari 13, uBlock Origin is no longer officially supported.

Users interested in uBlock Origin for Safari will find that Ghostery provides similar privacy protections and ad-blocking features.

Why Are Privacy-Driven Adblockers Important?

Privacy-focused ad blockers play a crucial role in protecting you online.

Trackers can collect sensitive information, which may be used for targeted advertising or even sold to third parties.

Extensions like Ghostery help prevent this type of data collection.

Bottom line

As Google continues its crackdown on adblockers, finding a suitable alternative to uBlock Origin is essential for many users' browsing experience.

Ghostery is a top recommendation if you're searching for an adblock alternative that prioritizes privacy. (Hey, we're biased!)

Ghostery offers a solid combination of features and ease of use.

While other options each have their strengths, Ghostery's approach makes it a compelling choice for folks who want something that 'just works'.

As always, get in touch with our team if you have any questions.