Adblock Plus is one of the OGs in the scene. They’ve been around since 2006. ABP was originally created for Mozilla Firefox. It was the only reliable option at that time. Since then Adblock Plus has helped millions of users block ads on their browser.
However, parent company of ABP, eyeo GmbH has also made a lot of controversial decisions that has made many to move away from this ad blocker. The “acceptable ads” program being the most notable one. In this review, we will test Adblock Plus intensively and answer a lot of questions in the process.
Our Recommended Ad Blocker
Quick Overview
| 🌟 Feature | ✨ Details |
| ⭐ Rating | 100/100 |
| 💵 Price | $4/month or $40/year |
| 🆓 Free Version | Yes |
| ▶️ YouTube Ads | Yes |
| ⛔ Blocks Trackers | Yes |
| 💻Compatibility | Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge, and Opera |
Overall Score
Adblock Plus has maintained a perfect 100 out of 100 on Adblock Tester for quite some time now. Even after being updated to Manifest v3 platform, it is doing well and blocking ads and trackers like before
Testing Parameters
We test ad blockers using four key criteria. The four horsemen of online advertising. If an ad blocker can get through these, it’s doing its job.
- Contextual Ads: Ever seen an ad that seems to know a bit too much about your preferences? That’s not by chance, it’s contextual advertising. These ads track your online behavior, analyse your interests and serve super personalized content. A good ad blocker should stop these before they even load.
- Analytics Tools: Google Analytics, Hotjar, and similar tools don’t show ads, but they watch everything you do: what you click, how long you stay, how fast you scroll. This data is used to build a profile on you which can be exploited by advertisers. The best ad blockers stop these trackers in their tracks.
- Banner Ads: These aren’t nessesarily “spying on you”, but they’re annoying. Banner ads take up space, slow down pages and disrupt the browsing experience. Some are static, others flash and move making them even worse. A solid ad blocker should get rid of these completely.
- Error Monitoring Services: Sentry, Bugsnag and similar tools help developers catch bugs on their websites. That’s fine, but these tools also collect user data and consume system resources. While they don’t show ads, a privacy focused ad blocker should at least give you the option to block them.
Key Result Highlights
- Adblock Plus got a perfect score on Adblock Tester.
- In default mode, with “acceptable ads” and “basic distraction control” disabled that score goes down to 77.
- None of the results were inconclusive.
Pros and Cons
Pros
✔️ Perfect score on Adblock Tester
✔️ It’s open-source
✔️ Blocks YouTube ads
✔️ Free version has most of the essentials
Cons
❌ “Acceptable ads” enabled by default
❌ Not the best when it comes to blocking trackers
❌ Some basic features are locked behind paid subscription
❌ No system-wide support
Compatibility and Platform Availability
Adblock Plus is a browser extension. So no Android and iOS apps. No system-wide ad blocking on Windows and macOS. Just the browser extensions. On the plus side, it’s Manifest v3 compliant. Which means it should be supported on Chrome for the foreseeable future.
| Platform | Availability |
| Chromium Extension | ✔️ Yes |
| Firefox Add-On | ✔️ Yes |
| Safari Extension | ✔️ Yes |
| MV3 Compliance (Chrome) | ✔️ Yes |
| Windows App (System-wide) | ❌ No |
| macOS App (System-wide) | ❌ No |
| Android App (System-wide) | ❌ No |
| iOS App (System-wide) | ❌ No |
While there’s no system-wide support for Android, you can use the Adblock Browser by Adblock Plus, or you can use the extension with Firefox mobile.
Core Features of Adblock Plus
Adblock Plus is a free, open-source browser extension to improve your web experience by blocking unwanted content. It has many features to customise your browsing for a cleaner and faster online.
Full Ad Blocking
ABP blocks various types of ads: video ads, pop-ups, banner ads using open-source community filters. It doesn’t have a long list of built-in filters but has some local filters and allows you to add custom ones. This way you can tailor your ad-blocking to your needs.
Acceptable Ads
This is less of a feature, more of a thing you may probably want to disable. But by default Adblock Plus allows “acceptable ads” which are non-intrusive ads that meet certain criteria. This is to support websites that rely on ad revenue while keeping the browsing experience pleasant for users.
Enhanced Privacy
ABP has the EasyPrivacy tracking protection filters. Research from Stanford Law School’s Center for Internet and Society shows that these filters are the most effective. Adblock Plus also blocks social media widgets so they can’t track your activities outside their platforms.
Element Blocking
For those who want more control ABP allows you to block specific elements on a webpage. Whether it’s a pop-up, an image or an entire section of a page, you can remove unwanted content to enhance your browsing. This is a personal touch, you can curate the web to your liking.
Cross-Platform
Adblock Plus is available as a browser extension for major browsers: Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Microsoft Edge, Opera. It also has mobile apps for iOS and Android devices so you can have an ad-free experience across all your devices. This makes it a versatile tool for users who want a consistent ad-blocking solution.
In summary Adblock Plus has many features to improve your online experience by blocking ads and enhancing privacy. It’s customizable and cross-platform so it’s a tool for everyone.
Our Recommended Ad Blocker
Usability and Installation
Quick and Easy Installation
Getting Adblock Plus up and running is as easy as it gets. Just go to your browser’s extension store, find ABP, and click install. And you’re done in seconds. Or you can go to the Adblock Plus website, where it will nicely point you to the right download for your browser.
As soon as you install, you’re greeted with a donation page. It’s not aggressive, but it’s there, reminding you that ABP doesn’t run on goodwill alone. You can donate, if you’re feeling generous, but they’d much rather you upgrade to their premium plan. Which, let’s be real, feels like a paywall for features other ad blockers offer for free. But more on that later.
Anyway, once you skip the donation page or make a donation, you’re good to go. No account required, no hoops to jump through.
Simple and Easy to Use
At first glance, Adblock Plus looks super easy to use. Open the extension, and you get a clean UI with an on/off toggle for the current site. There’s even an option to disable ad blocking just for the current page. Which is nice if you want to support a site without disabling the blocker entirely.
But here’s where things get not-so-ideal. None of the essential privacy features are enabled by default. If you want to block extra trackers, push notifications, or social media widgets, you’ll need to dig into the settings. And while you’re there, you’ll find “acceptable ads” which, surprise surprise, is enabled by default.
Yes, ABP thinks some ads are okay, as long as they’re “non-intrusive”. If you want a real ad-free experience, you’ll need to turn that off. Which we highly recommend doing. And then there’s the premium feature paywall. If you were hoping to block cookie pop-ups and other annoyances, you’ll have to pay for a subscription. Considering other ad blockers offer these features for free, this feels a little nickel-and-dimey.
Minimal Customisability
Despite its quirks, Adblock Plus does give you some control. The element blocking feature on the main page is a nice touch. It lets you remove specific elements from a webpage in just a few clicks. If you like to fine tune your ad-blocking experience, ABP won’t disappoint. As long as you don’t expect the level of customization of uBlock Origin.
In the settings, you’ll find:
- Language filter lists to block region specific ads.
- An allowlist, if you want to support specific websites.
- A filter list in the advanced settings, where you can enable, disable or add custom filters and rules.
So, Adblock Plus does let you customize, but the best features are either hidden behind settings or a premium subscription. It’s user-friendly, but not the most efficient ad blocker out there.
Pricing and Free Version
How much does Adblock Plus cost?
The name Adblock Plus sounds like a premium version of AdBlock (yes, they’re the same company), but they’re actually separate extensions. Adblock Plus has a premium tier called Adblock Plus Premium, which costs $4/month or $40/year.
No free trial, but they do offer a 60 day money back guarantee, which is twice as long as most other services.
What Does the Premium Plan Add?
For that extra cash Adblock Plus Premium gives you two additional features:
- Blocks more annoyances like floaty video ads and pop-ups.
- Removes cookie consent notices, so you don’t have to click “reject all” on every website.
Now these features work as advertised, but they’re not that exciting. Most ad blockers have these on by default on the free tier.
Is Adblock Plus Premium Worth It?
Not really. We tested both the free and premium versions and ad blocking performance was identical. The only difference is that premium removes a few extra pop-ups, which uBlock Origin and AdGuard already do for free.
So unless floaty videos and cookie banners are your arch enemies and you really want to use Adblock Plus for that, there’s no reason to upgrade. The free version of Adblock Plus is fully functional and the premium plan doesn’t add enough value to justify the price.
Customer Support
When it comes to customer support Adblock Plus (ABP) has one direct contact: email. You can contact their support team at [email protected]. We found the response time to be super fast; we got a reply within 1 hour.
For those who prefer self help resources ABP has a full Help Center on their website. This covers everything from troubleshooting common issues to user guides on how to use the extension to its full potential. It’s a great resource if you want quick answers without having to talk to someone.
But it’s worth noting that ABP doesn’t have live chat or phone support. While the email support is fast and the Help Center is helpful, if you need immediate help or prefer to talk to someone in real time you might find these options lacking.
Why Adblock Plus Stands Out in 2025?
In the ever-changing world of online advertising and privacy Adblock Plus (ABP) is still here to stay in 2025. Founded in 2006 ABP has been the leading ad-blocking tool and has adapted to the modern challenges and user expectations.
Open-Source Development
ABP is open-source which means transparency and community involvement. This allows users and developers to see and contribute to the codebase ensuring continuous improvement and trust. In an era where data privacy is key this transparency gives users peace of mind about the tool.
User Control and Customization
ABP recognizes that its users are diverse and offers many customization options. Users can add custom filters, create allowlists and block specific content elements. This gives users the power to balance between content consumption and ad exposure.
Adaptation to Modern Browsing Issues
The digital advertising landscape has become more complex with ads appearing in many forms across platforms. ABP has evolved to tackle these issues and blocks intrusive ads on YouTube and social media sites. It can handle many ad formats so your browsing experience is smoother and less cluttered.
Responsive Support and Community
While ABP offers support through email and a help center it’s clear they are committed to helping. Users often get quick and helpful responses to their questions. And the active user community contributes to the forums and comments so you can troubleshoot and feature development.
In short Adblock Plus stands out in 2025 because of its user-centric features, adaptability to the changing digital landscape and transparent approach to development and community. These qualities mean ABP is the choice for users who want control over their online experience.
Is Adblock Plus Safe?
Yes, Adblock Plus is Safe. But it comes with some caveats.
Adblock Plus is a legit ad blocker, and it does what it says. Blocks ads, speeds up pages, and reduces tracking. It’s open-source, so its code is transparent and reviewed by the community, so less likely to have security holes or shady data collection. But the “Acceptable Ads” program is a sticking point for many, as it allows some ads to pass through by default. But you can turn it off in the settings.
What Makes Adblock Plus Safe?
- It’s Open-Source: ABP’s code is publicly available on GitHub. So security experts and independent developers can (and do) look at the code to make sure it’s spyware free and not malicious.
- It doesn’t sell your data: Unlike some adblockers that collect your data to fund their operation, Adblock Plus doesn’t sell or share your data with advertisers or 3rd parties. The company, eyeo GmbH, has said so multiple times, and the open-source nature of ABP keeps them accountable.
- You get regular updates & security patches: Online threats evolve and so does ABP. Frequent updates means new types of ads, trackers and malicious scripts are blocked, so your browsing is safe.
How Adblock Plus keeps your data safe?
- Blocks ads that track you: Many online ads track you. ABP blocks these ads so advertisers can’t build a profile on you based on your browsing habits.
- Blocks tracker & analytics: With EasyPrivacy filters, ABP can block analytics tools like Google Analytics and Hotjar which silently collect data about your site visits, clicks and time spent on pages.
- Protects you against social media tracking: Social networks like Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and LinkedIn embed tracking scripts even on non-social media websites. ABP removes these social widgets so they can’t monitor your activity across different websites.
- Optional Features for Extra Privacy: You can turn off Acceptable Ads and add extra privacy filters for more blocking.
How Well Does Adblock Plus Work in Real Life?
Adblock Plus does a good job blocking ads on most sites, but it varies by platform. Some sites were ad-free, others still managed to get some in. Here’s how ABP handled different types of ads on popular sites.
Does Adblock Plus Block YouTube Ads?
Not really. While YouTube’s homepage banners and bumper ads before videos were blocked, ABP struggled with pre-roll ads (especially the unskippable ones).
- Some videos had back-to-back unskippable ads before they even started.
- YouTube Shorts were filled with ads, every few videos.
- Banner ads and sidebar ads were blocked, but video ads? Not so much.
So while ABP cleans up some parts of YouTube, it’s not the best for blocking in-video ads. You might need a more aggressive ad blocker for that.
Does Adblock Plus Block Ads on News Sites?
Yes, but with some exceptions.
- On Forbes, ABP removed banner ads, video ads, newsletter pop-ups and notification prompts. But once we hit paywall after a few free articles, ABP couldn’t bypass it.
- The New York Times had a similar result. Banner ads were gone, but the paywall remained.
If you want an ad blocker to clean up news sites without bypassing paywalls, ABP works fine. But if you want full access, you’ll need something else.
Does Adblock Plus Block Social Media Ads?
Yeah, It blocks most of the ads on social media sites.
- On Reddit, ABP removed Promoted posts which blended in with regular posts on the homepage.
- On X (formerly Twitter), all sponsored posts were blocked.
- On Twitch, ABP failed to block self-promotion banners (Twitch’s own ads for sign-ups and discounts).
So if you want to scroll through social media without seeing promoted content, ABP works for Reddit and X but not Twitch.
Does Adblock Plus Block Shopping Ads?
It works, partially.
- On Crocs, ABP removed pop-ups (like those newsletter sign-ups) but left discount banners intact.
- On Amazon and AliExpress, it blocked some banner ads but sponsored listings and product ads still showed up in search results.
If you want an ad blocker that removes pop-ups but still shows you discount offers, ABP works. But if you want a completely ad-free shopping experience, it’s not enough.
How Does Adblock Plus Stack Up Against The Competition?
Adblock Plus vs. uBlock Origin
uBlock Origin Price: Free
Adblock Plus is the friendly, easy ad blocker, uBlock Origin is its no-nonsense, powerhouse cousin. While ABP keeps things simple with an interface, uBlock Origin offers better ad-blocking, stricter privacy, and more customization. ABP’s “Acceptable Ads” program lets some ads through by default, uBO blocks everything unless you allow it. If you want full control, better tracker blocking and no compromises, uBlock Origin wins.
Adblock Plus vs. AdGuard
AdGuard Price: $39.99/year
Adblock Plus and AdGuard both block ads, but AdGuard protects the system, while ABP is just an extension. AdGuard blocks ads in apps, games and all browsers, so it’s a more complete ad remover. While ABP has a free version with good features, AdGuard’s premium version offers more for your money. Especially if you want system-wide ad-blocking on multiple devices. If you’re just blocking in the browser, ABP is fine, but for ad blocking on all devices, AdGuard is the way to go.
Adblock Plus vs. Total AdBlock
Total Adblock Price: $19.99/year
Both blockers clean up websites, but Total AdBlock takes it a step further and adds antivirus. While ABP has a free version, Total AdBlock is a paid service, so you get more aggressive ad-blocking and extra security features. If you’re willing to pay for extra protection, Total AdBlock is a good option, but if you just want a free, no-fuss ad blocker, ABP will do.
Final Verdict
Despite their questionable decision to keep the acceptable ads program enabled by default, Adblock Plus performs well. It blocks most of what the internet throws at you, and it does a good job overall. It’s not perfect when it comes to tracker blocking. But with minimal setup you can have it up and running, which is a major advantage.
Moreover, Adblock Plus’ large user base and active community ads to the reliability of the product. If you need a solid adblocker, it’s an easy recommendation.
Adblock Tester Score: 100/100
Our Recommended Ad Blocker