Ghostery vs AdBlock

Ghostery9.2Visit AdBlock8.9Visit

Higher score Ghostery #2 in Ad Blockers 9.2/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 3 features Visit Ghostery

vs

AdBlock #4 in Ad Blockers 8.9/10 Free plan · 7-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 3 of 3 features Visit AdBlock

• Ghostery fits best

  Free privacy-focused blocking across platforms

• AdBlock fits best

  Users wanting premium extras and VPN

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Side by side

Feature	Ghostery 9.2/10 Visit ↗	AdBlock 8.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.2	8.9
Ranking	#2 in Ad Blockers	#4 in Ad Blockers
Best for	Free privacy-focused blocking across platforms	Users wanting premium extras and VPN
Pricing model	Free	Free plan + paid
Starting price	Free plan	$40/yr
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	7 days
Deployment	Cloud, Mobile, Browser extension	Desktop, Mobile, Browser extension
Platforms	Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Chrome extension	Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Chrome extension
Support	Email, Community, Docs	Email, Tickets, Docs
Built for	Solo, Small business, Enterprise	Solo, Small business
Features Ghostery 3/3 · AdBlock 3/3
Custom filter lists	✓	✓
Element picker	✓	✓
Cookie popup blocking	✓	✓
Specs
Device coverage	Desktop-and-mobile	Desktop-and-mobile
Device limit	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Browser support	Major-browsers	Major-browsers
Our review
Pros	Blocks ads, trackers, pop-ups, video ads, and cookie consent banners Offers tracker reports, custom filters, element picking, and per-site controls Available across desktop and mobile platforms as an open-source extension	Desktop, mobile, and major-browser coverage Custom filters, filter subscriptions, and point-and-click element hiding Premium adds VPN, cookie blocking, and distraction controls
Cons	No paid plans or tiered features are offered Mobile availability is limited to Safari, Firefox, and Edge Advanced filtering features may require manual configuration	Several advanced features require a Premium plan Premium pricing is separate from the free core experience Enhanced YouTube blocking is limited to Premium
Our verdict	Ghostery Tracker & Ad Blocker is a free, open-source browser extension for people who want to reduce ads, tracking activity, pop-ups, and cookie consent interruptions. It supports Chrome, Safari, Opera, Firefox, Edge, and Brave on desktop,… Read the review →	AdBlock is an ad-blocking product for people who want to reduce advertisements, third-party trackers, pop-ups, banners, video ads, and other page distractions. It is available through browser extensions and mobile applications, with… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Ghostery — where it wins

  • Blocks ads, trackers, pop-ups, video ads, and cookie consent banners
  • Offers tracker reports, custom filters, element picking, and per-site controls
  • Available across desktop and mobile platforms as an open-source extension

  Where it doesn't

  • No paid plans or tiered features are offered
  • Mobile availability is limited to Safari, Firefox, and Edge
  • Advanced filtering features may require manual configuration

• AdBlock — where it wins

  • Desktop, mobile, and major-browser coverage
  • Custom filters, filter subscriptions, and point-and-click element hiding
  • Premium adds VPN, cookie blocking, and distraction controls

  Where it doesn't

  • Several advanced features require a Premium plan
  • Premium pricing is separate from the free core experience
  • Enhanced YouTube blocking is limited to Premium

• Ghostery9.2/10 · Free plan

  A free, open-source blocker with broad platform coverage and detailed privacy controls.

  Visit GhosteryFull verdict →
• AdBlock8.9/10 · Free plan · 7-day trial

  A flexible ad blocker with strong platform coverage and Premium extras, including VPN access.

  Visit AdBlockFull verdict →