Source: https://bscan.info/blog/adblockComparison
Language: en

An in-depth comparison of 5 popular adblockers, including uBlock Origin, Adblock Plus, and Ghostery. Find out which adblocker offers the best protection and features.

# Comparing 5 Popular Adblockers

Published May 18, 2025 · Updated July 20, 2026

![Positive](https://bscan.info/GoodIcon.svg)

Checking for AdBlock...

Checking if you have an adblocker installed...

[More Informationabout Checking for AdBlock...](https://bscan.info/blog/adblock-detection)

![Avengers meme joking about which ad blocker to use](https://bscan.info/avengersAdblockMeme.webp)

## Which adblockers are we testing?

In this article, we will be looking at **5 popular adblockers**. Here is the list:

-   [uBlock Origin](https://bscan.info/blog/adblockComparison#uBlockOrigin)
-   [uBlock Lite](https://bscan.info/blog/adblockComparison#uBlockLite)
-   [Adblock Plus](https://bscan.info/blog/adblockComparison#AdblockPlus)
-   [Adblock](https://bscan.info/blog/adblockComparison#Adblock)
-   [Ghostery](https://bscan.info/blog/adblockComparison#Ghostery)

We will be testing these on Chrome, as it is the most used browser, but we will provide links for Firefox and Safari if they exist.

We will be using the tests from the [main page of this website](https://bscan.info/) to compare the adblockers on their trackability. Curious what those six detection checks actually do? We take them apart in [how websites detect your ad blocker](https://bscan.info/blog/adblock-detection). We will also be looking at their ratings and if they are paid or not. All the adblockers reviewed here claim to block all ads, including those on YouTube.

## Test Results

### uBlock Origin

#### Pros:

-   Open Source
-   Free
-   Highly Customizable

#### Cons:

-   May require some manual configuration for optimal blocking
-   Clunky UI
-   A lot of settings, might overwhelm new users
-   Not compatible with new chrome versions

![Good Icon](https://bscan.info/GoodIcon.svg)

**Primary Detection** - passed

AdBlock detector library check

![Good Icon](https://bscan.info/GoodIcon.svg)

**CSS Bait** - passed

Test using ad-related CSS classes

![Good Icon](https://bscan.info/GoodIcon.svg)

**Script bait** - passed

Test loading scripts from ad domains

![Bad Icon](https://bscan.info/BadIcon.svg)

**Image bait** - detected

Test loading images from ad domains

![Good Icon](https://bscan.info/GoodIcon.svg)

**CSS background** - passed

Test using ad URLs in CSS background

![Bad Icon](https://bscan.info/BadIcon.svg)

**Fetch bait** - detected

Test fetching resources from ad servers

uBlock Origin has long been one of the most popular adblockers, and for good reason: it is open-source and completely free to use. The new [Manifest V3 update](https://developer.chrome.com/docs/extensions/develop/migrate/what-is-mv3) by Google for Chrome unfortunately means that the original Chrome extension no longer works with newer browser versions. Luckily, uBlock Origin Lite is available.

 [![uBlock Origin Logo](https://bscan.info/3rdPartyImages/uBlock-Origin.svg) uBlock Origin ![Arrow Icon](https://bscan.info/arrowIcon.svg)](https://ublockorigin.com/) [![Chrome Store](https://bscan.info/3rdPartyImages/chromeStoreIcon.svg) Chrome webstore ![Arrow Icon](https://bscan.info/arrowIcon.svg)](https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/ublock-origin/cjpalhdlnbpafiamejdnhcphjbkeiagm) [![Firefox](https://bscan.info/3rdPartyImages/firefoxIcon.svg) Firefox webstore ![Arrow Icon](https://bscan.info/arrowIcon.svg)](https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/ublock-origin/) 

### uBlock Lite

#### Pros:

-   Open Source
-   Free
-   Highly Customizable
-   Compatible with new Chrome versions

#### Cons:

-   May require some manual configuration for optimal blocking
-   Slightly less effective than uBlock Origin

![Good Icon](https://bscan.info/GoodIcon.svg)

**Primary Detection** - passed

AdBlock detector library check

![Good Icon](https://bscan.info/GoodIcon.svg)

**CSS Bait** - passed

Test using ad-related CSS classes

![Good Icon](https://bscan.info/GoodIcon.svg)

**Script bait** - passed

Test loading scripts from ad domains

![Bad Icon](https://bscan.info/BadIcon.svg)

**Image bait** - detected

Test loading images from ad domains

![Good Icon](https://bscan.info/GoodIcon.svg)

**CSS background** - passed

Test using ad URLs in CSS background

![Bad Icon](https://bscan.info/BadIcon.svg)

**Fetch bait** - detected

Test fetching resources from ad servers

uBlock Lite is a fork of uBlock Origin that, unlike its predecessor, still works with newer versions of Chrome (and other Chromium-based browsers like Brave and Edge). Unfortunately, it misses some of the more advanced features that uBlock Origin offers, but in practice, it still blocks most if not all ads. However, just like uBlock Origin, it can still be detected by some websites, as shown in the overview above. The UI is more user-friendly than uBlock Origin, which is a welcome improvement. We highly recommend this ad-blocker.

 [![uBlock Origin Logo](https://bscan.info/3rdPartyImages/uBlock-Origin.svg) uBlock Origin ![Arrow Icon](https://bscan.info/arrowIcon.svg)](https://ublockorigin.com/) [![Chrome Store](https://bscan.info/3rdPartyImages/chromeStoreIcon.svg) Chrome webstore ![Arrow Icon](https://bscan.info/arrowIcon.svg)](https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/ublock-origin/cjpalhdlnbpafiamejdnhcphjbkeiagm) [![Firefox](https://bscan.info/3rdPartyImages/firefoxIcon.svg) Firefox webstore ![Arrow Icon](https://bscan.info/arrowIcon.svg)](https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/ublock-origin/) 

### Adblock Plus

#### Pros:

-   (partly) Open Source
-   Free (but with premium version)
-   Simple UI
-   Available in Safari

#### Cons:

-   Premium version is paid
-   Program that allows companies to bypass ad-blocking
-   Annoying pop-ups asking you to pay

![Bad Icon](https://bscan.info/BadIcon.svg)

**Primary Detection** - detected

AdBlock detector library check

![Bad Icon](https://bscan.info/BadIcon.svg)

**CSS Bait** - detected

Test using ad-related CSS classes

![Bad Icon](https://bscan.info/BadIcon.svg)

**Script bait** - detected

Test loading scripts from ad domains

![Bad Icon](https://bscan.info/BadIcon.svg)

**Image bait** - detected

Test loading images from ad domains

![Good Icon](https://bscan.info/GoodIcon.svg)

**CSS background** - passed

Test using ad URLs in CSS background

![Bad Icon](https://bscan.info/BadIcon.svg)

**Fetch bait** - detected

Test fetching resources from ad servers

Adblock Plus demonstrates that paid options are not always superior. Although this is a very popular option, we believe it falls short of uBlock Origin, not only due to its paid premium version but also because of its inferior ad detection capabilities and how easily it can be detected. Another downside is its program that allows certain advertisers to bypass the ad-blocking. You can turn this “feature” off, but its presence is questionable. All in all, we would suggest considering other adblockers.

 [![Adblock Plus Logo](https://bscan.info/3rdPartyImages/adBlockPlus.svg) Adblock Plus ![Arrow Icon](https://bscan.info/arrowIcon.svg)](https://adblockplus.org/) [![Chrome Store](https://bscan.info/3rdPartyImages/chromeStoreIcon.svg) Chrome webstore ![Arrow Icon](https://bscan.info/arrowIcon.svg)](https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/adblock-plus-free-ad-bloc/cfhdojbkjhnklbpkdaibdccddilifddb?hl=en) [![Firefox](https://bscan.info/3rdPartyImages/firefoxIcon.svg) Firefox webstore ![Arrow Icon](https://bscan.info/arrowIcon.svg)](https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/adblock-plus/) [![Apple](https://bscan.info/3rdPartyImages/appleLogo.svg) Apple App Store ![Arrow Icon](https://bscan.info/arrowIcon.svg)](https://apps.apple.com/nl/app/adblock-plus-for-safari-abp/id1432731683?mt=12) 

### Adblock (by getadblock.com)

#### Pros:

-   (partly) Open Source
-   Free (but with premium version)
-   Simple UI
-   Available in Safari
-   Seemingly slightly better than Adblock Plus

#### Cons:

-   Premium version is paid
-   Program that allows companies to bypass ad-blocking
-   Annoying pop-ups asking you to pay

![Good Icon](https://bscan.info/GoodIcon.svg)

**Primary Detection** - passed

AdBlock detector library check

![Good Icon](https://bscan.info/GoodIcon.svg)

**CSS Bait** - passed

Test using ad-related CSS classes

![Bad Icon](https://bscan.info/BadIcon.svg)

**Script bait** - detected

Test loading scripts from ad domains

![Bad Icon](https://bscan.info/BadIcon.svg)

**Image bait** - detected

Test loading images from ad domains

![Good Icon](https://bscan.info/GoodIcon.svg)

**CSS background** - passed

Test using ad URLs in CSS background

![Bad Icon](https://bscan.info/BadIcon.svg)

**Fetch bait** - detected

Test fetching resources from ad servers

AdBlock and Adblock Plus are owned by the same company but are, in fact, separate products. However, because they are owned by the same company, many of the same questionable business decisions are carried over. Both feature annoying pop-ups and allow companies to bypass ad-blocking for a fee. Once again, we see no compelling reason to use this over uBlock Origin, even though its UI is arguably slightly better.

 [![Adblock Logo](https://bscan.info/3rdPartyImages/adBlockLogo.svg) Adblock ![Arrow Icon](https://bscan.info/arrowIcon.svg)](https://getadblock.com/) [![Chrome Store](https://bscan.info/3rdPartyImages/chromeStoreIcon.svg) Chrome webstore ![Arrow Icon](https://bscan.info/arrowIcon.svg)](https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/adblock-%E2%80%94-block-ads-acros/gighmmpiobklfepjocnamgkkbiglidom) [![Firefox](https://bscan.info/3rdPartyImages/firefoxIcon.svg) Firefox webstore ![Arrow Icon](https://bscan.info/arrowIcon.svg)](https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/adblock-for-firefox/) [![Apple](https://bscan.info/3rdPartyImages/appleLogo.svg) Apple App Store ![Arrow Icon](https://bscan.info/arrowIcon.svg)](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/adblock-for-safari/id1402042596?ls=1&mt=12) 

### Ghostery

#### Pros:

-   Open Source
-   Free
-   Great looking UI
-   Available in Safari

#### Cons:

-   Has some partnerships with companies to show ads

![Good Icon](https://bscan.info/GoodIcon.svg)

**Primary Detection** - passed

AdBlock detector library check

![Good Icon](https://bscan.info/GoodIcon.svg)

**CSS Bait** - passed

Test using ad-related CSS classes

![Good Icon](https://bscan.info/GoodIcon.svg)

**Script bait** - passed

Test loading scripts from ad domains

![Bad Icon](https://bscan.info/BadIcon.svg)

**Image bait** - detected

Test loading images from ad domains

![Good Icon](https://bscan.info/GoodIcon.svg)

**CSS background** - passed

Test using ad URLs in CSS background

![Good Icon](https://bscan.info/GoodIcon.svg)

**Fetch bait** - passed

Test fetching resources from ad servers

In our opinion, this is the best ad blocker developed by a company, as opposed to a community-driven project like uBlock Origin. The UI is very nice, and it offers support for Safari. There have been some reports regarding privacy concerns, with its terms of service being described as overly broad. However, if you encounter issues with uBlock Origin or Lite, or if you are on a platform not supported by uBlock, Ghostery is the best alternative among those we reviewed.

 [![Ghostery Logo](https://bscan.info/3rdPartyImages/ghostery.svg) Ghostery ![Arrow Icon](https://bscan.info/arrowIcon.svg)](https://www.ghostery.com/ghostery-ad-blocker) [![Chrome Store](https://bscan.info/3rdPartyImages/chromeStoreIcon.svg) Chrome webstore ![Arrow Icon](https://bscan.info/arrowIcon.svg)](https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/ghostery-tracker-ad-block/mlomiejdfkolichcflejclcbmpeaniij?utm_source=ghostery.com&utm_campaign=direct) [![Firefox](https://bscan.info/3rdPartyImages/firefoxIcon.svg) Firefox webstore ![Arrow Icon](https://bscan.info/arrowIcon.svg)](https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/ghostery/?utm_source=ghostery.com&utm_campaign=direct) [![Apple](https://bscan.info/3rdPartyImages/appleLogo.svg) Apple App Store ![Arrow Icon](https://bscan.info/arrowIcon.svg)](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/ghostery-privacy-ad-blocker/id6504861501) 

## Conclusion

In conclusion, we recommend using uBlock Origin or uBlock Lite. They are open-source, free, and highly customizable. While uBlock Origin’s interface can be clunky for new users, its effectiveness is top-tier. uBlock Lite offers a more user-friendly experience and compatibility with newer Chrome versions. If you are looking for an alternative, especially one with a polished UI or Safari support, Ghostery is the best option we reviewed.

If you want to check your ad blocker you can check the widget below, or run the full [browser and ad-blocker scan on the main page](https://bscan.info/).

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