Compared to Android and computer operating systems, iPhones are much more closed. This means Apple has control over both the App Store and the operating system and they have limited app developers from accessing a lot of it. This is why there is a scarcity of proper ad blocker for iPhones. And even the ones that are there, have limited capabilities as they only work with Safari.
While Safari based ad blockers are definitely still ad blockers, we have also identified a few ad blockers that work system-wide. This master-list contains the best ad blockers for iPhones both Safari-based and system-wide.
A Quick Comparison Between The Top 5 Best Ad Blockers for iOS
| Ad Blocker | Adblock Tester Score | Starting Price | Where it Works | Why it’s the best? |
| Total Adblock | 100 | $19.99/year | Chrome, Android & iOS | Easy setup, one-click |
| NordVPN | 91 | $71.88/year or $12.99/month | Everywhere | Streaming ads and privacy |
| Surfshark Cleanweb | 98 | $47.85/year + 3 months | Everywhere | Best VPN ad blocker bundle |
| AdGuard | 100 | $39.99/year | Everywhere | Blocks everything |
| 1Blocker | 100 | $14.99/year or $2.99/month | iOS, iPadOS & macOS | Integrates with Apple ecosystem |
1. Total Adblock – Best Ad Blocker for Web Browsing
🏆 Adblock Tester Score: 100/100
💵 Starting Price: $19.99 for the first year, then $99.99/year
Total Adblock is the most effective ad blocker for Safari on iPhone. It removes ads, trackers and pop-ups while keeping browsing fast and private. White it doesn’t block ads system-wide, it’s perfect for web browsing.
Ad-Free Safari Browsing
Total Adblock blocks all ads in Safari. It removes pop-ups, autoplaying video ads and banners on news sites, blogs and e-commerce platforms. It uses Safari’s content blocker API so ads never load and browsing is faster.
Stops Tracking and Improves Privacy
Total Adblock stops websites from tracking your browsing habits. It blocks tracking pixels, fingerprinting scripts and social media widgets. Advertisers can’t follow you across sites or collect data.
Customisable Filtering
Total Adblock lets you adjust settings to your needs. The Allow List lets you whitelist specific sites to support content creators. You can also enable or disable certain types of ads and fine tune blocking filters. And you can enable and disable the blocklists directly from Safari’s extension settings on iOS.
YouTube Ad Blocking Workaround
Total Adblock can’t block ads in the YouTube app but provides a workaround. You can just play the video on Safari to watch ad free. This way, you can also safely log into your Google account, without worrying about the browser.
Simple Setup and Lightweight
Total Adblock is easy to install from the App Store. Activates in a few taps in Safari’s content blocker settings. Runs in the background without affecting battery life or device performance.
Who is Total Adblock for?
Total Adblock is ideal for iPhone users who want a fast, simple, and highly effective ad-blocking experience in Safari. It’s a great choice for:
- Users who browse mostly in Safari and want an ad-free experience.
- Privacy conscious users who want to block trackers.
- People who want a simple and easy to use ad blocker.
- Users who don’t need system-wide ad blocking.
2. NordVPN Threat Protection – Best For Security
🏆 Adblock Tester Score: 91/100
💵 Starting Price: $71.88/year or $12.99/month
If you already use NordVPN, you’re getting an ad blocker without even realising it. And if you’re not using NordVPN yet, this might be the perfect excuse to start.
Blocks Ads Outside of Safari
Most ad blockers on iOS are limited to Safari content blocking, but NordVPN Threat Protection goes further. Since it runs through Nord’s VPN, it filters network traffic before it even reaches the device. This means it blocks ads in other apps, games and even some streaming platforms. This is something that standalone Safari ad blockers can’t do.
Blocks Tracking Across Apps and Websites
Threat Protection is mainly a privacy tool. It blocks trackers, analytics tools and third-party cookies, so advertisers can’t follow you across different apps and websites. Since it works at the VPN level, tracking prevention applies outside Safari too, making it more effective than regular content blockers.
Bypasses App Store Restrictions
NordVPN is known for its VPN, but what Apple probably doesn’t realise is that it also sneaks in a system-wide ad blocker under the name Threat Protection. While Apple usually doesn’t allow system-wide ad blocking, NordVPN gets around this by bundling ad filtering inside its VPN service, making it one of the few iOS apps that blocks ads beyond just Safari.
Phishing and Malware Protection
Beyond ad blocking, NordVPN Threat Protection is a security layer. It warns you about dangerous websites, phishing links and malicious downloads. If a website is flagged as suspicious, it blocks access before anything harmful can load, keeping you safe from scams and malware.
Just Toggle It On
Setting up Threat Protection is super easy. Just open the NordVPN app, go to Settings and toggle it on. That’s it. No need to mess with filter lists or complicated configurations. It just works.
Who Is Threat Protection For?
Threat Protection is a part of NordVPN. So to get the best value out of it, the user must be in need of both a VPN and an ad blocker. It’s perfect for:
- NordVPN users who want an ad blocker without downloading a separate app.
- iPhone users looking for system-wide ad blocking beyond Safari.
- Privacy-focused users who want to block trackers and fingerprinting.
- Anyone who wants an extra layer of phishing and malware protection.
3. Surfshark CleanWeb – The VPN That Also Blocks Ads
🏆 Adblock Tester Score: 98/100
💵 Starting Price: $47.85/year + 3 months
Surfshark CleanWeb is one of the only ad blockers for iPhone that goes beyond Safari. Apple’s restrictions prevent most apps from blocking ads system wide but Surfshark gets around this by bundling ad-blocking with its VPN. So you get both privacy and ad-blocking in one app making it one of the best dual purpose tools for iOS users.
System-Wide Ad Blocking
Unlike traditional ad blockers that only work in Safari, CleanWeb blocks ads system wide by filtering traffic at the VPN level. This means it can remove ads from apps, games and mobile websites, making it one of the only ways to block in-app ads on iOS. It won’t block ads inside the YouTube or Facebook app but it works well across news apps, blogs and shopping platforms so browsing remains clean and clutter free.
Blocks Trackers and Stops Personalised Ads
Contextual ads track everything you do online. CleanWeb stops Google, Facebook and advertisers from following your activity across apps and websites. It blocks tracking cookies, fingerprinting scripts and hidden analytics tools so your browsing remains private. By cutting off these background trackers, CleanWeb also reduces bandwidth usage so you’re not wasting data loading ad-tracking elements in the background.
Phishing and Malware Protection
Beyond ad-blocking, CleanWeb adds another layer of security by blocking access to known phishing and malware sites. If you accidentally click on a scam link, CleanWeb will prevent the page from loading, reducing the risk of fraud or malware infections. This feature makes CleanWeb a great choice for users who want ad-blocking and security in one package.
Fast, Lightweight and Easy to Use
Since CleanWeb runs within the Surfshark app, there’s no need to install a separate ad-blocker. Setup is quick and easy. Go to the Surfshark app. Open settings and toggle on CleanWeb from VPN settings. Once enabled, CleanWeb runs in the background blocking ads and trackers without slowing down browsing speed or affecting battery life.
Who Is Surfshark CleanWeb For?
For iPhone users who want more than just a Safari based ad blocker, Surfshark CleanWeb is one of the best all in one solutions available in 2025. It’s best for:
- Users who want both a VPN and an ad blocker in one app.
- People looking for ad-blocking that works beyond Safari.
- Those who want to block trackers and phishing sites.
4. AdGuard – Most Versatile Ad Blocker
🏆 Adblock Tester Score: 100/100
💵 Starting Price: $39.99/year or $99.99 for a Lifetime License (Promo Code: ADBLOCKTESTER30 for 30% discount
AdGuard is a full-featured ad blocker for iOS, with both Safari-based and system-wide protection. With its advanced features, AdGuard gives you a cleaner, faster and more secure browsing on your iPhone.
Safari Ad Blocking
AdGuard removes various types of ads in Safari, including banners, pop-ups and video ads. You can also whitelist websites or block specific elements on a page. You will basically get the same level of ad blocking you get with AdGuard on a desktop browser.
Privacy Protection
AdGuard goes beyond ad blocking and blocks trackers and web analytics tools that follow your online activity. It blocks all traffic that tries to collect user information about you, along with your browsing behaviour. Your personal data stays safe while you browse.
DNS Based System-Wide Ad Blocking
AdGuard’s DNS protection allows you to set up secure DNS servers and block ads and trackers system-wide, beyond Safari. This means ads and trackers are blocked across all apps and your device is more private and secure.
User-Friendly Interface
AdGuard has a simple interface with customization options, so you can set your ad blocking preferences. DNS protection and Safari content blocking can be managed and the app has widgets for quick access to these features.
Who Is AdGuard For?
With its many features and robust protection, AdGuard is perfect for iOS users who want to improve their browsing experience by removing unwanted ads and protecting their privacy. It’s for:
- Users who want both Safari-based and system-wide ad blocking on iOS.
- Those who care about online privacy and tracking.
- Who prefer customisable ad blocking and a user-friendly interface.
- Users who want a full-featured solution to speed up and secure their browsing.
5. 1Blocker – Best for Apple Ecosystem
🏆 Adblock Tester Score: 100/100
💵 Starting Price: $14.99/year or $2.99/month
1Blocker is built exclusively for Apple devices. It works great on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Unlike other ad blockers, 1Blocker feels like a part of Safari, so it’s one of the best option for iOS users who want an optimized, Apple-friendly ad-blocking experience.
Blocks Ads Without Slow Down Safari
1Blocker integrates directly with Safari’s content blocker API, so it removes pop-ups, banners and autoplay videos without slowing down your browsing. Ads are blocked before they even load, so pages are clean and fast. Unlike VPN-based ad blockers, it doesn’t run in the background, so zero battery drain and no performance slowdowns.
Advanced Privacy
1Blocker blocks trackers and stops websites from collecting your personal data. It prevents advertisers from tracking your search history, clicks and building a digital profile. With fingerprinting protection and tracker blocking, it enhances privacy without breaking website functionality.
Customisable Blocking & User Control
1Blocker’s biggest strength is customisation. You can create custom rules, block specific website elements and even enforce HTTPS for extra security. If you don’t want full ad-blocking on certain sites, it has an Allow List for easy site whitelisting.
Blocks YouTube Ads (But Only on Safari)
1Blocker removes YouTube ads in Safari, including pre-rolls, mid-rolls and banner ads. But it doesn’t block ads inside the YouTube app, so if you use the app you’ll still see ads. For Safari users though, it’s one of the few ways to watch ad-free YouTube without a premium subscription.
Easy Setup & Apple Ecosystem Integration
1Blocker is easy to install. Just download it from the App Store, enable the filters in Safari settings and customise blocking preferences in the app. Since it syncs across iPhone, iPad and Mac, you get the same ad-blocking experience on all your Apple devices.
Who is 1Blocker for?
For Apple users looking for a lightweight, powerful and highly customizable ad blocker, 1Blocker is the best option. It’s for:
- iPhone users who want fast and efficient ad-blocking in Safari.
- Privacy conscious users who want extra tracking protection.
- Users who want customisable ad-blocking settings.
- People who use Safari on iPhone, iPad and Mac and want seamless integration.
Pricing Comparison – Which One Offers the Best Value?
Ad blocking on iOS is limited so you want to get the most for your money. Some ad blockers are one time buys, others yearly subscriptions. A few sync across Apple devices so are more valuable for users in the Apple ecosystem.
Total Adblock has the lowest first year cost so great for users who want an affordable short term solution. But its renewal price jumps to $99.99 per year which is one of the highest on this list. Since it only works on one device users who need both iPhone and Mac protection have to pay separately so not as cost effective for multi-device users.
NordVPN includes Threat Protection Pro as part of its VPN service so ad blocking, malware protection and phishing prevention in one package. Allows up to 6 devices so you can protect your iPhone, iPad and Mac under the same plan. But at $71.88 per year its only worth it if you need both ad blocking and a VPN.
Surfshark bundles CleanWeb with its VPN so great for users who want both privacy and ad blocking. Unlike Total Adblock Surfshark allows unlimited devices so one subscription covers iPhone, iPad, Mac and even family members’ devices. If you already need a VPN this is one of the best bundled deals available.
AdGuard is the only ad blocker on this list that offers a lifetime license so great for users who don’t want to pay yearly fees. With one purchase you get ad blocking on iPhone, iPad and Mac, up to 3 devices under the same plan. The yearly plan costs $39.99 which is cheaper than Total Adblock’s renewal price but if you plan to use an ad blocker long term the $99.99 lifetime license is by far the best value.
1Blocker is the cheapest option for Apple exclusive users. One time purchase only $38.99 so cheapest lifetime license on this list. Syncs across iPhone, iPad and Mac so great for users fully invested in the Apple ecosystem. Works only with Safari but fast and lightweight ad blocking without battery drain.
Which One Offers the Best Value?
AdGuard and 1Blocker offer exceptional value if you opt for their lifetime licences. However, Total Adblock’s first year pricing is also very attractive. But, Both NordVPN and Surfshark offer great yearly and two-year plans that are great if you need both an ad blocker and a VPN. To sum it up, the best value depends heavily on your specific needs.
Wrapping Up
Ad-blocking on iOS comes with a lot of limitations. But the right ad blocker can still make browsing faster, cleaner, and more private. If you want a simple Safari-based solution there are more than a few options for you. And while fewer in number, there are some solid system-wide ad blockers too. Choosing the right tool depends on your needs and how much control you want over ads and trackers.