BlockBear
BlockBear: A focused, free Safari blocker for iPhone and iPad users. Ranked #36 of 49 in Ad Blockers by our editors (6.0/10); pricing: Free plan; best for free iPhone users wanting simple blocking.
At a glance
- Editor score6.0 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forFree iPhone users wanting simple blocking
- Free planYes
- Paid fromFree
- Device coverageMobile
- Facts checked21 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Blocks ads, trackers, popups, banners, and website clutter
- Offers separate controls for ads, tracking, and social buttons
- Supports website whitelisting and automatic block-list updates
Where it doesn't
- Works only with Safari, not other browsers
- Available only on iPhone and iPad
- No verified custom-list or element-picker support
Our verdict on BlockBear
BlockBear is a content-blocking app for iPhone and iPad users who want to reduce advertising, online tracking, and visual clutter in Safari. It blocks popups, text ads, banners, cookies, beacons, and scripts, while also offering separate controls for advertising, tracking, and social buttons. Its scope is deliberately narrow: mobile Apple devices and Safari rather than a broader browser or desktop setup.
The free plan includes ad and tracking blocking in Safari on iPhone and iPad. BlockBear uses the EasyList, EasyPrivacy, and AntiSocial block lists, with automatic updates intended to keep filtering rules current. Website whitelisting is available in the app and through a Safari extension, giving users a way to allow selected sites. The current App Store listing presents the app as free, while an official FAQ describes it as a one-time purchase, so buyers should review the current listing before installing.
BlockBear fits users who want category-based Safari controls without a broader multi-browser product. Its separate switches for ads, tracking, and social buttons make the focus clear, and its clutter removal goes beyond blocking conventional advertisements. The trade-off is platform and browser coverage: it is limited to iOS and Safari, and there is no verified support for custom lists or an element picker. Choose it for straightforward blocking on an iPhone or iPad; choose another option if you need desktop coverage, multiple browsers, or more granular filter customization.
Your product? Our editors can test BlockBear in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →
BlockBear pricing
BlockBear fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Free |
| Device coverage | Mobile |
| Custom filter lists | Not verified |
| Element picker | Not verified |
| Cookie popup blocking | Not verified |
| Device limit | Not verified |
| Browser support | Single-browser |
| Deployment | Mobile |
| Platforms | iOS |
| Support | |
| Built for | Solo, Small business (editorial estimate) |
| Pricing | Free plan |
| Website | blockbear.com |
| Facts checked | 21 Sep 2026 |
Alternatives to BlockBear
- AdGuardA broad ad and privacy blocker with browser, app, DNS, and parental controls.9.4
- GhosteryA free, open-source blocker with broad platform coverage and detailed privacy controls.9.2
- uBlock OriginA highly configurable free blocker for users who want control over filtering.9.1
See all BlockBear alternatives →
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Featured on iTechGuides
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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