Ghostery review
A free, open-source blocker with broad platform coverage and detailed privacy controls.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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, with mobile availability through Safari, Firefox, and Edge. The product is suited to users who want privacy-focused blocking across platforms without choosing a paid plan.
Its strongest distinction is the combination of blocking and visibility. Ghostery can block advertisements, pop-ups, video ads, web trackers, and cookie consent banners, while its browser panel displays reports on detected tracking activity. Users can also apply custom network and cosmetic filters, subscribe to remote filter lists that refresh automatically, and use an element picker to select visual page elements for blocking. Per-site controls, allowlists, and the option to pause protection provide additional control when a site needs exceptions.
The Free plan costs 0 USD and includes ad blocking, tracker blocking, cookie consent blocking, pop-up blocking, and the open-source browser extension. There are no paid tiers to compare, so the product’s scope is focused rather than tiered. Users who want broad blocking, tracker reporting, and customizable controls across desktop and supported mobile browsers should consider Ghostery. It may be less suitable for buyers seeking a paid support structure, multiple service tiers, or mobile coverage beyond Safari, Firefox, and Edge.
Ghostery pros and cons
- 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
Ghostery fact sheet, pricing and score →
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