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14 Best Free Ad Blockers for Mac in 2024 [Safari Ad blockers]

This article lists some of the best free ad blockers for Mac to assist you to enjoy uninterrupted internet surfing at all times. 

While you are using any browser and surfing the internet, amongst the most annoying things that you have to face is the repeated appearance of ads. These ads not only interrupt your work but also are a huge mood killer. The tons of ads on websites make it impossible to surf smoothly.

However, this problem can be easily skipped with the help of ad blockers for Mac. Just like their name, these applications allow you to block all the ads that may appear on your Mac and provide an amazing and uninterrupted surfing experience. Using these tools, you can easily override the websites and remove or hide ads from your Mac screen.

What is an Ad Blocker?

Ad-Blocker is an app that will alter or remove ads on the web pages you visit. When you make a click on a site, the web page loads numerous scripts just to display the content. Some of these scripts are associated with adverts on the web page. Ad-blocker apps analyze these loaded scripts, compare them to a list of known advertising scripts, and block the suspicious ads.

How to Choose the best ad blocker for macOS

There’s a variety of Ad-Blockers available, but not all of them are safe to use. So, here are the following attributes that you can consider when choosing the best Ad-Blocker for macOS.

• Browser and platform compatibility.
• Good ad tracking and blocking capabilities.
• Supports Whitelisting.
• Features to protect your online activity as well as your device.

So, let’s proceed to the best ad blocker for Mac tools below.

Top 14 Best Free Ad Blockers for Mac

Now, it’s time to go through the list of the top ad blockers for Mac in 2024. All of these have different features to offer and hence you should go through all the tools before downloading any one or more of these. Use the tool(s) that satisfy your needs at most.

1. Wipr- Adblock Safari Mac

Wipr is the first name on this list of the best ad blockers for Mac. With the help of this tool, you can easily block the ads as well as improve the loading speed of the browser and battery of your Mac. Hence, this tool is at the top of this list. Additionally, the app is an expert in making the browser run faster without reading your personal information.

With the help of this free ad blocker for Mac, you can get rid of ads permanently without having any problems. Additionally, the smart build of this tool allows the tool to get data about ads and block the same in the future as well.

Download Wipr for Mac

Also Read: Best Mac Cleaner Apps

2. Adblock Plus for Safari ABP- Best AdBlock Safari

Second, comes Adblock Plus for Safari ABP is among the top ad blockers for Mac. This is a great tool that provides you to remove all kinds of video and infographic ads with a single click. If you are using the Safari browser to surf the internet, then this tool is the best one for you. This tool is the most downloaded solution and hence can be relied on very easily.

The tool is very safe and keeps your privacy very secure from outsiders. Here is the best part about the tool. When you use Adblock Plus for Safari ABP, you don’t have to worry about excessive battery usage as it uses very low power to work. This tool comes in quite handy when you are playing a game using the best Nintendo DS emulator for Mac .

Download Adblock Plus for Safari ABP for Mac

3. AdLock- Best AdBlock Safari Mac Chrome

If you are a professional or use Mac to surf the internet regularly, then you should try AdLock. This is among the best ad blockers for Mac. With the help of a single click, you can protect your Mac from all kinds of ads. Additionally, the tool also provides other information on your device like traffic.

amongst the best features of the tool is its amazing interface with attractive bits and top-notch display properties. You can get this best free ad blocker for Mac to get data about how many ads have been received and blocked over the period.

Download AdLock for Mac

4. AdBlock- Free Ad Blocker for Mac

If you are looking for amongst the best ad blockers for Mac, especially for Chrome, then you can use AdBlock. Just like the name of the tool, it works quite perfectly to hide and block all the ads from your Chrome browser. The tool will remove the ads while surfing the internet, but that’s not the only thing it does. The tool will also remove all the ads from social media websites like Facebook and streaming platforms like Youtube.

Adblock Mac Chrome is the single most and the greatest solution that provides you to sync settings and account ad preferences online. This way, even if you change the device, you can still get the customized settings at once.

Download AdBlock for Mac Chrome

5. AdBlock One: Tube Ad Blocker- Best AdBlock Safari Mac

The next best ad blocker for Mac is AdBlock One. This is a great solution for all of you who are looking for some efficient ad-blocking features. The tool is very customizable and provides you to modify the interface preferences according to your requirements with ease.

With a single click, you can set up this best ad blocker for Mac on your device. After this faster webpage loading, optimal safety while surfing, etc. are some of the best features that you get with the tool.

Download AdBlock One: Tube Ad Blocker for Mac

Also Read: Best Free Auto Clicker For Mac

6. AdGuard by Adguard Software Limited- Best Ad Blocker for Mac

We are ending this list with AdGuard by Adguard Software Limited. This is one of the most amazing best free ad blockers for Mac. This is a cross-platform tool that allows you to control the ads of different websites and on different browsers.

Using this tool, you can also remove other annoying website components apart from the ads. Apart from browsers, you can also download this tool for operating systems like Windows, macOS, and other devices.

Download AdGuard by Adguard Software Limited for Mac

7. NordVPN CyberSec- Best Adblock Mac Chrome/Safari

If you are willing to pay something to get amazing ad-blocking features, then NordVPN CyberSec is the best alternative for you. The tool is an amazing addition to this list of the top best ad blockers for Mac in 2024. The goodwill Nord along with an easy-to-use interface is what makes this tool so reliable at ad-blocking.

NordVPN CyberSec is not a standalone tool but a part of the NorVPN tool. With the help of this among the best VPN tools , you can also avail the benefits of effective ad-blocking. The tool also jumps off the hackers and meddlers for additional security.

Download NordVPN for Mac

8. Poper Blocker (Chrome)- Adblock Mac Chrome

If you are unsatisfied with the AdBlock tool provided above for Chrome, then you can also consider Poper Blocker (Chrome). This tool is among the best ad blockers for Mac with a simple user interface but great and reliable ad-blocking features.

The app can easily remove pop-ups and overlays of any kind from your Chrome browser with a single activation. However, this best ad blocker for Mac is available for Chrome only, so you may go ahead to get one for other platforms.

Download Poper Blocker for Mac Chrome

9. MacKeeper- Best Ad Blocker for Mac

Just like NordVPN , MacKeeper is not one of the standalone ad blockers for Mac. You can download this uninstaller and performance booster for Mac and avail the benefits of the ad-blocker. Mackeeper is among the most trusted and popular tools that you will find on various Macs.

The tool also provides you to get rid of excessive and unnecessary data from your device and improve its performance. Although MacKeeper can work as a free ad blocker for Mac, you may need to get the paid version for more features.

Download MacKeeper for Mac

10. uBlock Origin- Adblock Mac Chrome

If you want amongst the best ad blockers for Mac Firefox or Chrome, then you can use uBlock Origin. This is an amazing tool that offers some of the most reliable ad-blocking features. The tool is not only free but also available as an open-source tool. This means that you can edit the coding of the app to use it as you may.

You can get the source code of this free ad blocker for Mac from GitHub. The extension also provides information about the performance of the CPU and its memory efficiency.

Download uBlock Origin for Adblock Mac Chrome

11. Ad Block by Magic Lasso- Best Ad Blocker for Mac

Ad Block by Magic Lasso is the next name on this list of the best ad blockers for Mac. A great alternative to blocking ads on Mac, Ad Block provides you to get the smoothest and most interruptions-free experience on your device while surfing. Additionally, you can also steam freely once you get your hands on the tool.

Although this free ad blocker for Mac is last on the list, is not at all the worst of the above products. It’s just that the features offered by Ad Block by Magic Lasso are quite different from that of others.

Download Ad Block by Magic Lasso for Mac

Also Read: Best Startup Manager Apps for Mac

12. Clario – Adblocker Mac

Another best Ad blocker for Mac in 2024 is Clario. It works equally well with both Google Chrome and Safari. The Ad blocker prevents users from ads, phishing attacks, or any fraud links. To maintain privacy it offers VPN and stops malware attack automatically.

Therefore, Clario’s feature is not just restricted to Ad blocking it also offers anonymous browsing. It also offers 24*7 customer support to resolve all your concerns. And all these features do not affect ensure that your browsing experience is improved.

Download Clario for Mac

13. Total AdBlock – Best Adblocker for Mac

Total AdBlock is one of the excellent ad-blocking solutions for Safari on iOS devices. Although this ad-Safari blocker’s extension is unfortunately not currently accessible for Mac devices, it effectively gets rid of all kinds of annoying ads on iPhones and iPads. But don’t worry! If you’re a Mac user, you can still use this ad-blocker with all the other popular browsers, including Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Firefox, and Opera.

Total Adblock also takes proper care of your online privacy by blocking trackers and third-party cookies. So you can surf on Safari (and other browsers) without worrying that some advertisers and third-party companies might snoop on your activities or collect your data. Additionally, thanks to its unique features like YouTube ad-blocker, your entire online experience is improved and becomes faster and much safer.

If you want to enhance your whole browsing experience, then consider relying on the premium version, which lets you block unlimited ads. In addition to this, you will also get anti-virus and anti-malware protection for free, and a complete 30-day money-back guarantee.

Download Total AdBlock for Mac

14. 1Blocker – Amazing AdBlocker for macOS

1Blocker is the next best Free Ad Blockers for Mac that you can consider if you are seeking for one of the finest ad blockers for Mac, particularly for Chrome and Safari. When it comes to providing you with the ability to synchronize your settings and account preferences for advertisements online, 1Blocker Mac Chrome is the single most and the ideal option. In this manner, even if you switch devices, you will still be able to get the previously configured settings all at once.

When it comes to concealing and blocking all advertisements from your Chrome browser, the program performs very well, just as its name suggests. In addition to removing advertisements while you are browsing the internet, the program has a number of other features as well.

Additionally, the technology will eliminate all advertisements from social networking websites such as Facebook and streaming platforms such as YouTube among other websites.

Download 1Blocker for Mac

Top Best Ad Blockers for Mac in 2024: Listed

So, we hope now that you are familiar with the best ad blocker for Mac tools of all time, you can surf the internet without any obstructions. You can download and use any of the tools provided for the best experience. However, if any doubts or questions related to the guide are troubling you, then you can write the same in the comments below. We will help you with every possible solution.

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How to adblock Safari and Chrome on a Mac

Annoyed by online adverts and want to get rid of them? You’ve come to the right place. In this article we explain how to easily block adverts, popups, trackers and more on your Mac, using a variety of free and paid-for tools in the Safari and Chrome web browsers.

We have a separate guide if you specifically wish to block autoplay videos on Mac . And another for those who wish to block ads on iPhone or iPad .

Before we proceed, please bear in mind that the site whose adverts you’re blocking probably relies on revenue from advertising. That may not worry you, and we know that some of the online advertising out there really does cross a line in terms of intrusiveness. Just don’t complain if a site you love suddenly closes, or starts to charge visitors, because people refused to view its adverts.

Adblock in Safari

We’ll start with how to block adverts using Apple’s web browser, Safari. IN this article we have details of some third-party ad blockers that work with Safari but you don’t actually have to install a third party ad blocker to not see adverts in Safari – you can just set up Safari to block ads for you, here’s how:

Block ads in Safari using Reader mode

Strictly speaking, if you want to block adverts in Safari on the Mac you’ll need to install third-party ad-blocking software – and we’ll talk about that in a moment. But a far simpler approach is to use Safari’s built-in Reader mode, which is practically as good.

Reader isn’t quite an ad blocker, because it blocks a bunch of other visual distractions too: sidebars, mastheads, comments, social elements, videos. (It’s the same principle as the ‘Read later’ services we discuss at the end of this article.) You just get the text and the pictures, which can be a far calmer experience than some of the more visually ‘busy’ sites.

As a general rule, you can activate Reader mode at any time, although it’s not really possible on Home pages of sites that feature multiple stories and links.

There are a few different ways to enable the Reader mode. Here’s how to enable Reader mode in Safari: 

• Go to the menu bar at the top of the screen and select View > Show Reader
• Hit Shift-Command-R.
• Click the Reader button (the one with three and a half horizontal lines) next to the URL bar.

This will then strip the page down to its bare bones, leaving only the content behind.

From Safari 11 onwards it’s been possible to be more sophisticated and tell the browser to always open article pages from particular domains in Reader mode – or even to use Reader by default all the time.

Here’s how to set reader mode up for certain websites:

When you’re on a site you want to give this treatment, go to Safari > Settings for This Website (or you can right-click the URL box and choose Settings for This Website).

You can also remove domains from, and add them to, the Reader list in Safari’s Preferences page. Click on Safari > Preferences.

Click on the Websites pane.

Select Reader in the left-hand column.

You’ll see a list of all the websites currently open and any you have configured to use Reader. Select the website you want to default to Reader mode and click the menu to the right of it and select On (or Off if you don’t want it to use Reader mode).

How to use Reader mode all the time on Safari

You can actually set Reader mode to be the default option on any website that supports it! Here’s how:

• As above go to Safari > Preferences and choose Reader.
• At the bottom of this page you’ll see the option: ‘When visiting other websites’. Set this to On and Reader will be activated by default on all compatible web pages.

Note that if you have a website that is already defaulting to Off then you won’t see it in Reader mode.

How to block popup adverts in Safari

If popup ads are driving you mad then you can quickly put a stop to them. Since Safari 11 it’s been possible to block pop-up windows via Safari Preferences.

In Safari 12 and 13 here’s what you need to do:

• Go to Preferences.
• Select the Websites tab.
• Click on the Pop-up Windows option in the left-hand column.
• Now you can either make a rule for the website you’re currently visiting by clicking on the drop down menu to the right of its name, or go to the bottom of the window and click on the drop-down menu next to ‘When visiting other websites’.
• Then select either Block and Notify, Block, or Allow.

Best ad blocker for Safari

Reader mode is a great solution, but if you want to block the adverts but leave the rest of the visual elements intact, you need to install a third-party ad blocker. There are lots of them out there, plenty of which are free, but tread carefully.

Our top recommendation is be the donation-ware Safari extension AdBlock, which deals with graphical ads, text ads and even ads in YouTube videos.

AdBlock also lets you whitelist pages on sites whose adverts you do want to see, to support them or because the ads may be useful. To whitelist the whole site you’ll need to upgrade to the AdBlock Gold level that costs £4.99/$4.99.

You can download AdBlock here .

If you’re looking for something a little more advanced, we recommend AdGuard . It comes in two forms: a free-to-use Safari extension and a £29/$30 app with a 14-day free trial. While the Safari extension is decent and acts in a similar way to AdBlock, the desktop app provides advanced features across macOS, not dependent on a particular browser.

As well as blocking ads and pop-ups from websites, you’re able to block tracking from most online sources and even be warned of malicious websites that you might stumble across online. It provides granular control over your ad blocking settings, allowing you to whitelist sites and self-promoting ads, and is incredibly simple to use.

You can download AdGuard here .

Best ad tracker blockers

Another pest online: trackers that follow your movements around the web to serve up ads. This is why you’ll be looking at a product on one site, then an ad for it magically appears when you visit another site.

To stop this intrusive (and frankly creepy) behaviour follow these steps:

Open up Safari and go to Preferences > Privacy and enable the ‘Prevent cross-site tracking’ option.

Block ads in Chrome on the Mac

Google’s Chrome browser is a popular alternative for Mac users, and even though Google is a full paid-up member of the advertising fan club, it allows plenty of scope for ad-blocking.

How to block Popups in Chrome

Let’s start by disabling popups, something which can be done from Chrome’s own settings – no need to install any extensions.

• In Chrome select Chrome > Preferences.
• Scroll down and click Advanced.
• Below the heading ‘Privacy and security’, click the option Content settings.

Best Chrome ad blockers on the Mac

As with Safari, Chrome won’t actually block adverts for you – and there isn’t an easily accessed equivalent of Reader mode. (Google has publicly discussed something similar called Distill Mode, but there’s no straightforward way for Mac users to turn this on without recourse to extensions.)

Many well known ad blockers are browser-agnostic, fortunately. The two suggested above – AdBlock and AdGuard – are both able to deal with adverts in Chrome.

‘Read later’ services

If you decide you don’t want to install an ad blocker, an alternative solution is to use a read-later service. These are simple systems that let you easily save an article in a form that strips out the adverts; you can then read if later (or right away, for that matter) without being troubled by all the visual tomfoolery.

Our favourite such service is Pocket . Sign up to the service and you’ll be able to create a ‘Read later’ button as a bookmark in Safari, Chrome or whichever other browser you like.

Open an article, click the button and it’ll save to your account. You can then read the ad-free version online (from any machine) or, best of all in our experience, offline using the iPhone app .

Author: David Price , Editor

David has loved the iPhone since covering the original 2007 launch; later his obsession expanded to include iPad and Apple Watch. He offers advice to owners (and prospective owners) of these devices.

Recent stories by David Price:

• WWDC 2024: Everything you need to know
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uBlock Origin - Free, open-source ad content blocker.

Easy on cpu and memory..

Github (gorhill/uBlock)

uBlock Origin is not just an “ad blocker“, it's a wide-spectrum content blocker with CPU and memory efficiency as a primary feature.

Open-source ad blocker

The uBlock Origin is a free and open-source, cross-platform browser extension for content filtering—primarily aimed at neutralizing privacy invasion in an efficient, user-friendly method.

CPU and memory efficiency

Globally, uBlock Origin could save consumers more than $1.8 billion/year( study ). Open source ad blockers are a potentially effective technology for energy conservation.

Various browsers support

uBlock Origin’s extension is available for several of the most widely used browsers, including: Chrome, Chromium, MS Edge, Opera, Firefox and all Safari releases prior to 13.

About uBlock Origin

In 2014 uBlock Origin’s founder, original author and lead developer, Raymond Hill, created the original uBlock extension, with its development initiated by forking the codebase of HTTP Switchboard with a separate blocking extension, uMatrix, which had been previously designed for advanced users. The initial uBlock was developed by Raymond Hill in order to enable community-maintained block lists while simultaneously adding additional features and upgrading the code quality to proper release standards. First released in June 2014 as an exclusive Chrome and Opera extension, in late 2015 the initial uBlock extension expanded to other browsers under its current name – uBlock Origin. (occasionally represented globally as – uBlock₀).

Following this 2015 introduction, a collaborative comsource and Sourcepoint industry research survey reported an 833% growth rate over a 10-month period ending in August 2016, the most rapid growth among any industry software publicly listed at that time. This report attributed this enormous surge to collective user demand for “pure” blockers with the capacity to operate outside the “acceptable advertising” program used by AdBlock, and other industry extensions.

Quickly gaining traction throughout the entire ad-blocking industry, the uBlock Origin Firefox version collected over 5 million active users, with its Chrome extension subsequently compiling over 10 million active users. Developer Nik Rolls then officially released uBlock Origin for the Microsoft Edge browser in December 2016.

In January 2017, uBlock Origin was added to the repositories for Debian 9 , and Ubuntu (16.04), and the uBlock Origin extension was awarded the prestigious IoT honor of “Pick of the Month” by Mozilla.

As of 2024, uBlock Origin continues to be maintained and actively developed by founder and lead developer Raymond Hill.

The uBlock Origin extension remains an industry leading, open-source, cross-platform browser extension with software developed specifically for multiple platform use, and as of 2024, uBlock Origin’s extension is available for several of the most widely used browsers, including: Chrome, Chromium, Edge, Opera, Firefox and all Safari releases prior to 13.

The uBlock Origin project still specifically refuses donations at this time, and instead advises all of its clients, users and supporters to donate to block list maintainers.

Ghostery Ad Blocker For Safari Mac

This short guide will teach you how to block ads, remove trackers, pop-ups and other annoyances, distracting you when you’re browsing the internet using Safari for Mac.

There are three ways helping to block popups on Safari for Mac: updating Safari, enabling Reader Mode, and downloading an ad blocker.

How to Block Ads Using Safari Preferences

Eliminating advertisements in Safari can be achieved by adjusting the pop-up window settings within the Safari preferences on your Mac. This approach effectively blocks the vast majority of pop-up ads, though it's not uncommon for a few to bypass these settings. For users who are okay with manually closing the sporadic pop-up that appears, modifying the ad settings in Safari is a straightforward process. By fine-tuning these preferences, you can significantly reduce the intrusion of ads during your browsing sessions, leading to a cleaner and more focused online experience.

To update your Safari preferences for blocking ads and popups:

• Go to ‘Preferences’ in the Safari browser and click on the ‘Websites’ tab
• Click ‘Popup Windows’ on the left
• You can activate the Safari popup blocker and select whether you want to ‘Allow’ ‘Block’ or ‘Block and Notify’ popups when they appear.

‍Check out the Safari User Guide on Apple.com for more guidance on how Safari blocks ads and popups.

How to Block Ads Using Safari Reader Mode

Safari Reader Mode is a built-in tool that is designed to hide ads and other visual distractions when you’re reading a webpage. It is especially beneficial when reading blogs and articles as it displays an article's basic text and images in a clean and user-friendly format.

‍Follow these simple steps to activate Reader Mode and block popups in Safari:

• Visit a website
• Click on ‘Settings for Visited Website’ in the Safari menu
• Tick two boxes: ‘Use Reader when available’ and ‘Enable content blockers’

Block Ads On Safari Using an Ad Blocker

Reader Mode can be effective in certain situations e.g. when reading a blog or news article. However, you will need to download a third-party ad blocker on Safari if you want to get rid of ads on Safari without removing all visual elements from web pages. 

‍ Ghostery is ranked as one of the best free ad blockers on the market. In summary, Ghostery for Mac, iPhone and iPad:

• Hides ads in Safari and other web browsers 
• Blocks trackers on websites and non-private search engines
• Prevents private data from leaving your browser
• Stops companies from tracking and profiling your browsing activity

‍Our Safari ad blocking browser extension is equipped with advanced AI technology which prevents various tracking techniques and allows you to browse the internet safely and quickly. The Ghostery adblock download is available for macOS, iOS, and iPadOS.

‍Check out our recent blog if you want to learn more about ad blockers .

How to Block Ads in Safari on Mac

Above, we have outlined the best ways to get rid of ads on Mac. To summarize, you can block popups and ads on Mac by going into Safari Preferences, enabling reader mode, or by downloading a specialist ad blocker for Mac. 

‍Ghostery’s browser extension is one of the best ad blockers for macOS that will block ads, prevent tracking, and improve your browsing experience while using a Mac. 

Updating your preferences in Safari or activating Reader Mode can block ads and other visual distractions. However, downloading a dedicated ad and Safari popup blocker is the best solution if you want to protect your personal data and enhance your browsing experience.

‍ Download the Ghostery ad blocker extension for Safari if you want to remove ads, prevent tracking, and improve your digital privacy. 

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The Best Ad-blockers for Mac

Finding the right ad-blocker for your Mac will make your online life more enjoyable, more private, and much safer. Ads aren’t just annoying – they’re also a security risk and slow down every browser, app, and device that runs them. 

But with so many to choose from, how do you pick the best ad-blocker for you? They all make the same promises, and their names all sound the same. And until you use one, it's difficult to know if it actually works. 

To save you a lot of time and frustration, we’ve tested the best and worst ad-blockers available for Mac computers. We’ve whittled the list down to five providers that do more than just hide ads. Each one offers a suite of privacy tools that will transform your online experience. 

Read on to find out why we picked them and which one is best for you. 

What’s the best ad-blocker for Mac: Our top 5 picks

• Total Adblock - The #1 ad-blocker for Mac. Stops every kind of ad, tracker, and much more. The premium plan includes a complete antivirus package.
• AdLock - The best budget ad-blocker. Offers excellent customization, completely blocks every kind of ad, and even keeps you safe from malware and other threats.
• AdGuard - Easy-to-use, open-source browser extension that monitors and blocks ads, tracking, phishing, malware, and other threats.
• 1Blocker - Beginner-friendly and easy to configure for your needs. Effective against ads, trackers, and other online annoyances.
• Wipr - Goes beyond just ads and trackers, blocking everything from crypto miners to frustrating GDPR pop-ups.

Why are these the best ad-blockers for Mac in 2024? 

Every ad-blocker we recommend for your Mac has passed rigorous tests and met strict criteria. Here’s a sample of what we looked for in each:   

• Compatible with every popular Mac internet browser (Including Safari, Chrome, and Firefox)
• Blocks every kind of ad – banners, pop-ups, pre-roll video ads, and more
• Blocks intrusive tracking scripts and programs
• Low-cost premium subscriptions
• Plenty of customization
• Doesn’t use up too much CPU

Best ad-blockers for Mac: In-depth analysis

Let’s look at each ad-blocker and see why it made this list – beating countless competitors in the process.

1. Total Adblock Editor's Choice | April 2024

Total Adblock is the best ad-blocker for Mac. The free version works against every kind of ad, pop-up, and intrusive tracker – while the premium version provides a complete antivirus and cybersecurity package.

• Premium: Block Unlimited Ads + FREE Total AV: $2.42/mth 70% OFF
• Free: $0/mth
• Blocks every type of ad and tracker
• Stops ads on free streaming sites
• Works with every popular Mac browser
• Easy to use
• Premium plan includes TotalAV antivirus
• Premium plan only available on annual subscription
• Free plan has lots of pop-ups promoting the premium version

We tested Total Adblock’s free and premium plans, and were impressed by both. After installing it on our text Mac, every ad immediately disappeared from Safari. With no ads running, page load times were much faster, and websites were easier (and more pleasant) to navigate. 

Total Adblock also enables you to block websites known for hosting malware , remove cookies and GDPR notices, and customize your ad filters for specific types of ads and individual websites. You can even turn on a filter that stops social media sharing buttons from appearing on websites. Turning on all these features makes your browser even faster, boosts your privacy, and adds a layer of protection. 

The premium plan also includes a free TotalAV antivirus package that protects against malware, phishing, viruses, and other state-of-the-art cybersecurity tools. This makes Total Adblock the most comprehensive ad-blocker on this list. 

BEST AD-BLOCKER FOR MAC: Total Adblock stops every kind of ad and tracking software on your Mac. Upgrade to the premium plan, and you get a free antivirus package. Includes a seven-day trial and 30-day money-back guarantee.

Adlock is a freemium Safari browser extension with the best value paid plans. The basic version will block every kind of ad. The premium plan goes further, blocking tracking, encrypting your data, and much more.

• 60 months: $1.05/mth 70% OFF
• 12 months: $2.28/mth 35% OFF
• 1 month: $3.5/mth
• Works with popular Mac browsers and apps
• Budget-friendly
• Install it on five devices simultaneously
• Lots of customization
• Includes spam and scam filters
• Installation is a bit tricky
• Free browser extension isn’t as effective as apps
• Less features than some competitors

Adlock works well on every kind of website, but we were really impressed by how it performed on social media and streaming sites. Aside from banner ads, it blocks pre-, mid-, and post-roll ads from video streams and newsfeeds. As a result, everything loaded faster, with less buffering in videos and faster refreshing on social media feeds. 

You get a massive amount of configuration and advanced filtering options when using Adlock. It has different ad filtering tiers, depending on how thorough you want them to be (blocking every ad or allowing some). You can also create custom rules for different types of ads and websites. And you can easily switch between preferences within the browser extension. 

Adlock’s premium plan is the best value on this list, packing massive protection and configuration into a low-cost subscription. 

BEST BUDGET OPTION: AdLock’s incredibly low price doesn’t mean you’re sacrificing quality. It blocks every ad, tracker, and piece of spam we tested. Includes a 30-day money-back guarantee.

AdGuard is an open-source ad-blocker that offers unbeatable customization, beyond just blocking ads and trackers.

• Free extensions: $0/mth
• 1 yr personal license/3 devices: $29.88/mth
• lifetime personal license/3 devices: $59.99/mth
• 1 yr family license/9 devices: $65.88/mth
• lifetime family license/9 devices: $129.99/mth
• The most customizable blocker on this list
• Blocks every kind of ad on browsers and apps
• Lots of manual settings
• Available as a browser extension and standalone apps
• Works against ads on free streaming sites
• Apps are a bit buggy
• Apps only available on paid subscription

AdGuard’s free browser extension effectively blocks every kind of ad and tracking script, making websites faster, more secure, and more enjoyable to use. Its default settings will be sufficient for most people, while advanced users will enjoy the options for customizing filters and manually adding scripts via Adlock’s open-source GitHub repository. 

The premium version includes a wide range of additional tools. You can block ads and tracking on standalone apps (like torrenting platforms ), hide your IP address, encrypt your data, block crypto miners and phishing sites, and much more. 

While we found AdGuard’s apps a little buggy, every setting and feature we tested worked well. We’ll accept a few glitches for the protection it offers. 

SUPER CUSTOMIZABLE: AdGuard is packed with excellent customizable tools to keep you safe, private, and ad-free online. Includes a seven-day free trial and 60-day money-back guarantee.

4. 1Blocker

1Blocker is an ad-blocking extension built exclusively for Safari. It’s custom-built to block every ad on the browser – and much more.

• Free version: $0/mth
• Premium: $2.99/mth
• /year: $14.99/mth
• Blocks 13,000+ types of tracking codes
• Built for Safari
• Block adults sites from a Mac or iOS device
• Easy customization
• Doesn’t block every type of ad
• Best features require a paid subscription
• Doesn’t work with Chrome or Firefox

1Blocker goes much further than blocking ads and tracking programs. You can use 1Blocker to block or disable spam, adult sites, cookies, comment sections on websites, and much more. You can even use it to hide your IP address. It’s an all-round online privacy tool marketed as a simple ad-blocker. 

You can also customize 1Blocker in various ways, so you get the best experience out of the extension for you. This includes individual settings for specific websites or types of ads, allowing some tracking, and even blocking certain types of CSS code from running. 

As a Safari-only extension, 1Blocker does have some limitations. It won’t block ads on any other browser on your Mac, and it doesn’t hide ads or tracking on standalone apps. However, the premium plan is cheap for everything it includes, so if you only use Safari, it's excellent value. 

BUILT FOR SAFARI: 1Blocker is a Safari extension packed with more than just ad-blocking tools. It's easy to use, super customizable, and incredibly effective. Includes a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Wipr is another excellent Mac-only ad-blocker. This time, it's a standalone app that also blocks ads on apps and non-Apple browsers (Chrome, Firefox, etc.).

• Dedicated app for iOS and macOS
• Ad blocklist automatically updated twice a week
• Blocks crypto miners and GDPR pop-ups
• Super cheap premium plan
• Not as customizable as other blockers

Wipr is the easiest ad-blocker on this list to set up. It’s built to work “straight out of the box” – so there’s almost no configuration needed when you first download and open the app. It runs reliably in the background, blocking ads (and much more) with minimal impact on your browsers, apps, or computer. 

Aside from ads, Wipr also works against every form of tracking and analytics script we tested, protects your device from crypto mining hijackers, and blocks annoying GDPR pop-ups. You can also block social media widgets and other small annoyances that build up on websites without you noticing. 

Wipr updates its “blocklist” of ads automatically twice a week to ensure nothing new slips through. It also creates cool reports with stats on how many ads and trackers it's blocking at any time. 

EASY SETUP: Wipr works the second you install it, with almost no configuration needed, and automatically updates to ensure no ads ever break through.

How to install an ad-blocker on Mac

Standalone ad-blocker apps.

You can download plenty of excellent Mac ad-blockers as standalone apps. Just follow these simple steps: 

• Download the ad-blocker app from the App Store. We recommend Total Adblock.
• Open the app and configure it for your device. 
• Restart your browser and any apps that are running. 
• Done! Say goodbye to annoying ads.

Ad-blocker browser extensions

Every popular Mac browser allows you to install extensions – including Safari, Chrome, and Firefox. To use an ad-blocker as a browser extension:

• Visit your browser’s extension marketplace and find the ad-blocker (or use a search engine). 
• Install the ad-blocker extension on your browser. We recommend Total Adblock or AdLock.
• Close and restart your browser to ensure the ad-blocker runs correctly.
• Hey, presto – no more ads!

Adblocker VPNs

The best Mac VPNs include built-in ad-blockers as part of their security package. Follow these steps to install one on your Mac:

• Sign up to a VPN with an adblocker included. We recommend NordVPN.
• Install the VPN on your Mac.
• Open the app and turn the ad-blocker on. 
• Connect the VPN’s secure servers for an added layer of security.
• Restart your browser and any apps you had running. 

A VPN-ad-blocker combination won’t just spare you from annoying and malicious ads. You’ll also benefit from state-of-the-art encryption, airtight security protocols, a new IP address that hides your actual location, and much more. 

Ad-blocker antiviruses

Many top Mac antivirus tools include ad-blockers in their cybersecurity package. So, aside from enjoying an ad-free internet, you’ll also be kept safe from malware, phishing, identity theft, and many other serious online threats. 

To get an antivirus-ad-blocker combination, do the following: 

• Sign up to a Mac antivirus that includes an ad-blocker. We recommend Intego. 
• Install the antivirus on your Mac computer.
• Turn on the ad-blocker and other settings. 
• Restart your device, browser, and any apps running with ads. 
• That’s it!

Ad-blockers for Mac FAQs

Does apple allow ad-blockers on its devices.

Yes, Apple has allowed ad-blockers on its devices and the App Store since 2015. You can access ad-blockers for your Apple devices as browser extensions for Safari, Chrome, Firefox, etc., and download them from the App Store.

If you’re using an iOS device, we suggest downloading a standalone ad-blocker app from the App Store, like Total Adblock. This means ads will be blocked on your browser and any apps that usually host them (like YouTube and TikTok). 

If you’re using a MacBook, you can install an ad-blocker as a browser extension. Once again, we recommend Total Adblock or Adlock. 

Does AdGuard sell your data?

No, AdGuard does not sell your data. 

According to its privacy policy, Adguard does not sell or share user data with third-party advertisers, data brokers, or any other third-party companies. It also does not collect any personal data that could be used to identify individual users, such as your name, phone number, or address.

AdGuard does collect some "non-personal data” to improve its ad blocking software and to provide support. This data includes information about your device and browser and some usage data (number of ads blocked, filters used, etc.). However, this data is collected anonymously and not tied to personally identifiable information.

Why does Safari not block ads?

Like most web browsers, Safari allows ads because they are a significant source of revenue for many websites and content creators that display or host them. Without ads, many websites wouldn’t generate enough revenue to operate.

Safari has limited built-in ad blocking tools you can configure to reduce the number of ads you see. Unfortunately, these are focused mostly on spam and malicious ads, and many websites and ad platforms have built tools to bypass them. 

If you want a completely ad-free experience, you need to install an ad-blocker for Safari that stops 100% of ads running on the browser. We recommend Total Adblock – it blocks every kind of ad, tracking programs that collect your data, malware, and much more. 

How to choose the right ad-blocker for your Mac 

You’re probably reading this guide because you’re tired of banner and video ads clogging up every website you visit. But the best ad-blockers for Mac do much more than just remove these annoyances. 

  Here’s what to look for when choosing one: 

• Works with Mac browsers: We’ve only selected ad-blockers that work with Safari, Chrome, Firefox, and other lesser-known Mac browsers. 
• Blocks every type of ad: The top ad-blockers work against banner ads, pop-ups, pre-roll video ads, and much more.
• Stops tracking and analytics: The ad-blockers on this list stop websites and social media apps from harvesting and selling your browser data to advertisers. 
• Good value: We’ve only picked ad-blockers with free plans or trials, simple subscriptions, and generous money-back guarantees. 
• Customization: You’ll have complete control over what kind of ads you see, on which websites, and much more. 
• Extra security tools: As well as blocking ads and trackers, these apps and browser extensions protect you from spam, malware, phishing, and other threats. 
• Lightweight: Every ad-blocker we’ve listed works without impacting your Mac’s battery, CPU, browser speed, and page load times. In fact, they might speed everything up!

Picking the right ad-blocker for your Mac is essential for sparing yourself from annoying (and potentially dangerous) ads – while also making the internet a nicer experience. 

We’ve chosen the five best, based on strict criteria: they’re easy to use, highly customizable, cheap (or even free!), and – of course – block every annoying ad and pop-up. They’ll also boost your privacy by blocking intrusive tracking and keep you safer online by monitoring and blocking malware and other viruses.   

Thanks to generous free plans, trials, and money-back guarantees, you can try them out risk-free, and decide which is right for you. 

wasn't right for you?

We recommend you check out one of these alternatives:

'ZDNET Recommends': What exactly does it mean?

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When you click through from our site to a retailer and buy a product or service, we may earn affiliate commissions. This helps support our work, but does not affect what we cover or how, and it does not affect the price you pay. Neither ZDNET nor the author are compensated for these independent reviews. Indeed, we follow strict guidelines that ensure our editorial content is never influenced by advertisers.

ZDNET's editorial team writes on behalf of you, our reader. Our goal is to deliver the most accurate information and the most knowledgeable advice possible in order to help you make smarter buying decisions on tech gear and a wide array of products and services. Our editors thoroughly review and fact-check every article to ensure that our content meets the highest standards. If we have made an error or published misleading information, we will correct or clarify the article. If you see inaccuracies in our content, please report the mistake via this form .

The best secure browsers to protect your privacy online in 2024

Web browsers have become flooded with ad-sponsored content, making browsers a key battleground for end-user privacy. While Chrome is the most widely used browser in the world, there are alternative browsers and ways to improve your security available to help you stay anonymous online.

Data is one of today's key ingredients for generating revenue. Online advertising companies can use web browsing histories to fingerprint individual browsers over time, creating shadow user profiles to reveal information including a user's interests, product searches, and more -- which can lead to targeted advertising. When you look for a privacy-focused browser, you will want to investigate how advertising trackers and cookies are managed, whether or not search histories are stored or shared, and whether or not the browser developer has a transparent privacy policy in place. 

Also:   The best VPN services (and why you need one to protect your privacy)

What is the best secure browser for privacy in 2024?

ZDNET experts have kept a finger on the pulse of the secure browser market for decades and many of us have tried and tested different options throughout the years. Brave is our top pick for the best browser for privacy based on its approach to user privacy, ad tracking prevention, privacy settings, usability, and speed. 

Below, you will find other recommendations for secure browsers that can protect your privacy -- not only from cyberattacks, but also from businesses that scrape, store, and sell your data. 

Best secure browsers for privacy in 2024

Best browser for privacy overall.

• Not in the traditional online ad business
• Privacy-focused by default
• Chromium challenger
• Some users report compute resource issues

Brave f eatures: Chromium-based | Blocks third-party ad trackers | Blocks cookies | Incognito windows | Onion routing | VPN | Off the record browsing

Brave is a Chromium-based browser that blocks ads, fingerprinting, and ad trackers by default.

Brave supports millions of users worldwide. The organization's business model relies on privacy-protecting ads that pay publishers and users when users pay attention to ads. The company is transparent about this revenue stream, and it is optional -- with users rewarded in crypto tokens if they opt in to ad viewing.

Brave has several privacy-enhancing settings, including options to block third-party ad trackers, upgrade unsecured connections to HTTPS, as well as block cookies and fingerprinting. Invasive ads and trackers are disabled, which the company says then improves loading times on desktop and mobile.

Also: The best web hosting services for building your dream website

Brave  removed Google code  from its Chromium to improve user privacy, including some account integration, background sync, and inline extensions. There is also a "Tor mode" available for use, which provides anonymized onion network routing. 

The browser developer also offers a VPN and firewall service which protects sessions even outside of the browser. Many users say the browser exceeds expectations, although others find some functionality, such as VPN connectivity, could use improvement. 

Brave also offers a feature called " Off the Record " (OTR) for users who may be victims of intimate partner violence. The browser developer says the feature "aims to help people who need to hide their browsing behavior from others who have access to their computer or phone."

Mozilla Firefox

Most secure browser for tracking protection.

• Enhanced tracking prevention
• Focus on accessibility
• Trusted by millions of users
• Strict tracking protection may break websites
• May require heavy PC resources

Mozilla Firefox f eatures: Enhanced tracking protection | Firefox Focus for mobile | Strict privacy standards |   DNS queries sent to a secure resolver service | Focus on accessibility | Encrypted Client Hello

Firefox is a must-have for individual browser privacy across multiple devices. 

One of Firefox's most important privacy features is enhanced tracking protection. Mozilla has borrowed Tor techniques to block browser fingerprinting, and Firefox developers are constantly seeking to improve tracking-prevention features.

Firefox is rich with choices to customize the browser for privacy. It blocks social media trackers, cross-site tracking cookies, tracking in private windows, crypto miners, and fingerprinting scripts. There is a "strict" mode, too, that might break some sites when trackers are hidden in content -- but there are ways to allow enhanced tracking protection for trusted sites. Furthermore, a recent improvement is the introduction of Encrypted Client Hello (ECH).

Users enjoy Firefox's privacy focus but note that it can be a resource hog.

The other option for Firefox fans is Firefox Focus , a privacy-focused browser for iOS and Android that blocks trackers and has a built-in ad blocker.    

Mozilla also offers a VPN , with the option to connect up to five devices to over 500 servers in 30 countries.

The Tor browser

Best for anonymous browsing.

• High levels of anonymity
• DuckDuckGo integration
• Constant updates and improvements
• Learning curve to use
• Can be slow

The Tor browser f eatures : Onion routing | DuckDuckGo integration | Access to websites outside of the clear web

Another great choice for improving your privacy on the web is the Tor browser, a non-profit project focused on anonymizing users online.

Its proprietary web browser disguises a user's IP address and activity by relaying it through a network of servers (nodes) run by volunteers. Bouncing your information around makes it exceptionally difficult to track, which is great if you don't want your ISP or anyone else spying on your online activity. 

Tor can be a crucial tool for whistleblowers, journalists, activists, and people avoiding censorship. The Tor browser is also a popular choice for accessing the deep web: A collection of websites and pages that are inaccessible through traditional means, like search engines, in what is known as the "clear" web. 

Also:  How to use Tor browser (and why you should)

The Tor browser's default search engine is DuckDuckGo, which will not log or store your search queries.

While it isn't a mainstream choice, the Tor browser is a well-regarded browser for people who don't want to be tracked across the web, and it gets updated frequently by  the Tor Project . Users applaud the network's tough approach to privacy but note slow speeds and occasional problems with Captchas.

Page loads in the Tor browser can be slower and some sites might not work well due to the architecture of the Tor network. Nonetheless, the Tor browser is a privacy-preserving browser worthy of consideration.

Best browser for private searches

• Available across different operating systems
• Solid commitment to user privacy
• Email protection settings
• Bland browser design

DuckDuckGo f eatures: Chrome and Firefox supported | Mobile and desktop private browser | Does not collect user data | AI experiments | No search engine query trackers

When it comes to DuckDuckGo, user privacy comes first. 

The privacy-focused search engine and browser is a vocal supporter of consumer privacy rights and now handles millions of user search queries daily.

There is a growing appetite for privacy-focused alternatives to tech giants like Facebook and Google. DuckDuckGo's Privacy Essentials extension for Chrome , Firefox , and Microsoft's Edge  has also proven popular. Its reputation is built on the idea that it does not collect user data but can provide the same search results as those that do. 

DuckDuckGo used to be a search engine rather than a full browser, but then released a mobile-friendly browser app and, now, a desktop version. The organization's browser provides a private search, website protection and blockers, web encryption, and more.

DuckDuckGo is experimenting with AI-assisted technologies to improve the search experience and has recently upgraded its browser . Users appreciate the firm's privacy focus, although some complain of censorship -- a concept DuckDuckGo staunchly denies . 

Mullvad Browser

Best for use with a vpn.

• Two heavyweight privacy developers
• Fingerprint, tracker blocks
• Tor-based privacy features
• New, so less thoroughly tested

Mullvad Browser f eatures : Fingerprint masking approach | Removes online identifiers | Private mode enabled by default | Blocks trackers, cookies

Mullvad is a relatively new entry to the secure browser market.

Not to be confused with the Tor browser, the Mullvad Browser is marketed as the "Tor Browser without the Tor network." The browser is built by the Tor Project team and distributed by Mullvad, a respected Swedish virtual private network provider. 

The idea behind the browser is to emulate the Tor network by creating a similar fingerprint for all users, improving anonymity. Furthermore, the browser comes with a private mode out of the box, tracking and cookies are blocked, and online functions used to extract information from visitors -- such as device identifiers -- are prevented.

You can use the browser as a standalone product, or you can combine it with Mullvad VPN . Users have given generally positive reviews, although you may find yourself signing up for the VPN for the best setup -- and it's not the cheapest on the market.

However, you should keep in mind that Mullvad was  subject to a search warrant by the National Operations Department (NOA) of the Swedish Police in 2023. Mullvad staff said that as the customer data did not exist, law enforcement was left with nothing (and no customer information). 

What is the best browser for privacy?

Brave is our top pick for the best browser for privacy based on its approach to user privacy, ad tracking prevention, the wide range of privacy settings on offer, usability, and speed. However, no browser is perfect, so you must decide which option suits you best.

Which is the right browser for privacy for you?

Not one size fits all, so be sure to reference the table below to better understand which browser suits your use case.

Factors to consider when choosing a secure browser

When you are switching to a more secure browser, there are some important factors to consider:

• Online identifiers : You should check to see if the browser tracks any of your activities, visits, or search queries. This data can be used to create profiles for targeted advertising and may be used to track you across different websites.
• Audits : The best secure browsers will conduct frequent security audits and have consistent patch releases to fix vulnerabilities and bugs that could expose users to risk. 
• Speed vs. security : Some browsers will route your traffic through a number of servers to vastly reduce the likelihood of you being tracked. However, you will need to decide how slow you're willing the connections and browsing to be.
• VPN : If you want to use a VPN, consider whether or not the browser works well with one -- or if the browser offers a built-in solution.

How did we choose these browsers for privacy?

While investigating the best browsers for privacy in 2024, we compared each of these browsers and extensions to determine what makes them different and which is best for different use cases. 

• Balance : The balance between managing user privacy and funding a business can be a tricky one for companies to manage, but as we've shown, many developers are willing to wave the security flag on behalf of users over potential opportunities to generate more revenue.
• User experience : We reviewed customer feedback to ensure that the majority of users find the browsers easy to install and use.
• Features : We like to see additional privacy-enhancing features, like onion routing. We chose providers who offer more than standard browsing experiences. 
• Platform support : We selected browsers offering a range of support for different operating systems and platforms, as well as mobile coverage. 

How does a privacy browser work?

A privacy browser works by automatically erasing your browsing and search history and cookies. It also may limit web tracking, and some even help hide your location (IP address). Privacy-focused browsers may also promote virtual private network (VPN) usage and may include features designed to bypass censorship blocks and keep users as anonymous as possible, such as access to onion routing and refusing to log site visits or web searches.

Do I need a privacy browser?

If you are concerned about your online privacy, you should install a privacy browser or at least an extension. We have to take responsibility for our own privacy online these days, and you can't rely on companies to do the job for you. 

Also:  How to delete yourself from internet search results and hide your identity online

We can recommend a few basic steps to take: Download one of the privacy-first browsers listed above that doesn't log your queries and activities, install a VPN, and use messaging apps with end-to-end encryption. 

Does using a private browsing window hide my IP address?

If you're using Chrome, an incognito window doesn't hide your IP address. It simply doesn't store your browser history, information you've entered into forms, or what permissions you've given to sites you've visited. Microsoft Edge, Firefox, and Opera all use a similar form of "anonymous" web window for browsing, but they aren't truly hiding your online identity. 

Also:   The best VPN services (and whether it's worth trying free VPNs)

If you want to block your IP address from being viewed or tracked, you can download a VPN , which masks your IP address so your service provider (or anyone else, for that matter) can't see what you're doing.

What is the most common personal web security risk?

Honestly? Putting your personal or contact information on social media. If you have your full name, phone number, address, or place of work anywhere on your social media, someone can use it to wreak havoc on your personal accounts. 

To prevent this, avoid using your real name online where possible, turn off location tracking, and don't post about your place of work if you can help it. All it takes is a single piece of personal information for someone with very bad intentions to get ahold of your entire online presence -- and so if you're posting photos of you away from home and on holiday, for example, you're letting people know your home is vulnerable.

Also:  The best security keys

Those innocent-looking name generator memes are another big issue; the ones that have you type out your first pet's name and your childhood street name (or something similar) to make up a gnome (or whatever) name. These are answers to common password recovery questions, so by letting the world know that your Christmas elf name is Fluffy Elm Street, you could be handing over all of your personal accounts to internet criminals. 

Are there other browsers worth considering?

Online privacy and security are hot topics today. The amount of data quietly collected on each and every one of us is staggering -- and beyond targeted advertisements, you may not realize it. 

The browsers we've recommended above can help tighten up your defenses against tracking and online monitoring, but as no browser is a perfect solution, you may also want to consider the alternatives below:

ZDNET Recommends

5 ways to improve your chrome browser's security (and why you should), the best vpn services of 2024: expert tested, the best cheap vpns you can buy.

Ads are coming to Discord: from ad-free sanctuary for gamers to ad-infested chaos?

No, it’s not a belated April Fools joke. Ads are indeed coming to Discord. The most popular messaging platform among gamers, is preparing to roll out ads despite being pointendly anti-ads in the past.

On Saturday, March 30, The Wall Street Journal reported that ads from game developers are coming to Discord within a week , meaning the time when Discord users see the ads for the first time is just round the corner. But it should not come as a surprise to those who can read between the lines.

Last month, Discord’s SVP Peter Sellis announced that the platform would be extending its Quest feature, opening it to more developers .

“Sponsored” Quests are ads that appear at supposedly an opportune moment while you’re using Discord. They will prompt you to stream the advertised game for a certain amount of time, and if someone tunes into your stream, you may receive an in-game item or some other bonus in return. Before opening the feature to all developers, Discord said it had trialed it with select partners, such as Fortnite, and “received great feedback” from them.

“Quests will show up tastefully in Discord where you can opt-in to stream your game to friends and win rewards for playing,” Sellis said. Cue in the word “tastefully.”

Speaking to the WSJ, Sellis said that game developers would have an opportunity to run their “paid promotions” — a.k.a. ads — which would appear live on the bottom-left of the screen. It will work as follows: users will be asked to complete an in-game task (quest) from the advertisers and if at least one friend is watching them doing so, they will be rewarded.

How ads will be targeted

Advertisers make more money from ads that are highly relevant to the user. And to make them relevant, they need to collect as much data about the user as possible — the more, the better. Discord will target ads based on a user’s age, location, and gameplay. However, users will be able to opt out of some personalization.

Discord told ArsTechnica that users would still be able to opt out of promotions that are based on their activity or data, but noted it did not mean they won’t see any ads at all.

“Users may still see Quests, however, if they navigate to their Gift Inventory and/or through contextual entry points like a user’s friends’ activity. They’ll also have the option to hide an in-app promotion for a specific Quest or game they’re not interested in,” Swaleha Carlson, senior product communications manager at Discord, told the publication .

For now, the ads that Discord is going ahead with do not sound that intrusive or invasive. There is no talk yet about incorporating ads from marketplaces, like Amazon, or some other companies that push products unrelated to gaming, like make-up kits or home goods. However, this may change in the future.

When asked about whether or not Discord would introduce other ad formats, Carlson did not give a definitive answer, saying that they would “continue to iterate based on what [they] learn.” This leaves Discord a lot of room for maneuver on the ad scene, so we have to wait and see.

Meanwhile, the announcement came as a shock to some Discord users who still remember that its CEO Jason Citron used to be adamantly against relying on ad profits, and insisted on relying on subscriptions for revenue. In an interview to NPR in 2021 , Citron said that that privacy of Discord users is paramount to him, and that he believes that people should know that their “data is not going to be used against them in any way that is improper.”

While the current format is less intrusive than Facebook’s or other platforms’, it’s a slippery slope that could lead to a significant increase in ads down the road. Imagine a world where your cozy gaming chat is interrupted by ads for everything from energy drinks to cryptocurrency scams — it’s not what the users are signed up for, and it would certainly erode their trust in the platform.

If Discord made a U-turn on its stance towards ads, who’s to say they won’t keep pushing the boundaries? The path to monetization is paved with good intentions — until it isn’t.

As for the timing of the ad launch, Discord told Bloomberg in March that it wants to go public at some point in the future , but although its revenues quadrupled since 2020, it is still not profitable . So, apparently a foray into ads is an attempt to change that, so that the company can go to IPO.

How to block ads on Discord with AdGuard

While we’re yet to see these ads, AdGuard will likely be able to block them, keeping your experience on Discord nice and clean. Note that you’ll need to use the AdGuard desktop app for that — it’s available for both Mac and Windows operating systems.

AdGuard apps use filter lists to determine which content to block. AdGuard will check the traffic against its filter lists, and if the content matches any of the predefined filter rules, then AdGuard will prevent it from loading.

Most ad blockers are browser extensions. By their nature, they are only capable of filtering traffic in their respective browsers, and cannot block ads elsewhere. In contrast, AdGuard desktop apps are able to block ads across all browsers and other apps, including Discord, because they are not bound by these restrictions.

Unfortunately, on Android and iOS, due to OS restrictions, it’s nearly impossible to filter traffic inside non-browser apps. So in the case of Discord ads you will have to rely only on DNS-level blocking. It’s hard to make any definitive conclusions until these changes come into effect, but there is a huge risk that DNS filtering won’t block such in-app ads. However, if you use only Discord’s web version, AdGuard on mobile will work nearly as efficiently as on desktop.

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Easy Adblock for Safari 4+

Andrew shephard, capturas de pantalla, descripción.

Welcome to Easy Adblock – your one-stop solution for an uninterrupted and private browsing experience! Tired of incessant ads, trackers sneakily collecting your data, and pop-ups disrupting your browsing? Easy Adblock is here to rescue your online world from clutter and intrusion. With our user-friendly app, empower your web experience across all sites and enjoy the web the way it was meant to be: clean, fast, and private. Features: Adblock: Say goodbye to all kinds of unwanted ads. Our advanced ad-blocking technology keeps annoying banners, video ads, and pop-ups at bay. Anti Adblock: Some sites detect adblockers and limit functionality – not on our watch! Browse freely without sites blocking you for using an adblocker. Privacy Shield: Protect your digital footprint. Our Privacy Shield stops trackers in their tracks, ensuring your browsing habits remain yours alone. Cookie Cruncher: Fed up with constant cookie consent notices? Our Cookie Cruncher hides these notifications, keeping your browsing smooth and uninterrupted. Popup Purge: Eliminate distractions. Chat widgets, newsletter popovers, and social widgets won’t bother you anymore. Global Adblock: Our Global Adblock feature targets and blocks region-specific ads, giving you a tailored ad-free experience no matter where you are. Easy Adblock is more than just an ad blocker; it's a comprehensive tool designed to enhance your browsing experience while maintaining your privacy. With just a few taps, you can customize your settings and enjoy a seamless, ad-free journey across the internet. Whether you're reading your favorite blog, watching videos, or shopping online, Easy Adblock works silently in the background, giving you the peace of mind to focus on what matters most. Why Choose Easy Adblock? User-Centric Design: Easy to install and effortless to use. Customize your preferences with our simple interface. Light on Resources: Unlike other adblockers, Easy Adblock won’t slow down your device. It’s lightweight and efficient, designed for optimal performance. Regular Updates: We stay ahead of advertisers. Regular updates ensure that even the newest ad strategies are blocked. Customer Support: Have questions? Our dedicated support team is here to help you with any issues or concerns. Download Easy Adblock now and transform your browsing experience! Keep your focus on content that matters, free from the hassle of ads and trackers.

Privacidad de la app

El desarrollador, Andrew Shephard , ha indicado que las prácticas de privacidad de la app pueden incluir la gestión de datos descrita a continuación. Para obtener más información, consulta la política de privacidad del desarrollador .

No se recopilan datos

El desarrollador no recopila ningún dato en esta app.

Las prácticas de privacidad pueden variar, por ejemplo, dependiendo de tu edad o de las funciones que uses. Más información

Información

• Soporte de la app
• Política de privacidad

Compatibilidad

Hasta seis miembros de la familia pueden usar esta app si está activado En familia.

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