Honest Software

The Ultimate Adblocking & Privacy Guide

Last Updated: October 19, 2025

⚠️ CRITICAL NOTICES - READ FIRST

Welcome! This guide compiles the most reliable, privacy-respecting open-source tools for blocking ads in 2025. All recommendations are actively maintained and community-vetted.

Defense Strategy: For maximum protection, combine network-wide DNS blocking (for all devices) with browser-level ad-blocking (for advanced filtering). This layered approach provides comprehensive coverage across your entire network while allowing granular control in your web browser.

Table of Contents

  1. Recommended Browsers
  2. Network-Wide & System-Wide Ad-Blocking
  3. Browser Extensions
  4. YouTube Ad-Blocking
  5. Twitch Ad-Blocking
  6. Conclusion

Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge are not suitable for privacy. Google Chrome integrates deeply with Google's ad network and collects extensive user data. Microsoft Edge similarly prioritizes data collection and sends telemetry to Microsoft. Both browsers are designed to profile users rather than protect privacy. Firefox is better than Chrome/Edge but requires manual hardening for optimal privacy.

Fortunately, better alternatives exist that are just as convenient and fast as what you're used to, with privacy built-in by default rather than as an afterthought!

Main Recommendations

Brave Browser (Chromium-based) - Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android

Built-in Shields provide native ad-blocking immune to Manifest V3 restrictions. No extensions required for effective ad-blocking and fingerprinting protection. Built-in Twitch and YouTube filtering, superior mobile battery efficiency, and strong privacy defaults out of the box.

Limitations: Brave Shields struggle with dynamically-filtered ads that adapt based on user behavior (notably Facebook ads). For complex ad networks, uBlock Origin offers superior dynamic filtering. Additionally, Brave's Release version receives infrequent Twitch filter updates—use Brave Nightly or Beta for more current Twitch blocking, or supplement with AdGuard Extra.

Recommendation: For standard ad-blocking, Brave's built-in Shields are excellent. For advanced filtering or problematic ad networks (Facebook), consider Firefox with uBlock Origin instead.

⚠️ Important: You can make Brave even better by following this guide: Privacy Guides Recommended Brave Configuration

Waterfox (Firefox-based) - Windows, macOS, Linux

Privacy-focused Firefox fork with better privacy defaults than standard Firefox. Most privacy settings are enabled by default, telemetry is disabled, and it maintains full compatibility with Firefox extensions including uBlock Origin. Easy to use without breaking websites or requiring extensive configuration.

Other Privacy-Focused Browsers

Chromium-Based Options

DuckDuckGo Browser Platforms: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android

Lightweight privacy browser with built-in tracker blocker. Simple interface with automatic HTTPS upgrading and cookie popup blocking.

Helium Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux

Privacy-first Chromium fork with built-in ad-blocking. Removes all Google services and blocks trackers and third-party cookies by default with minimal interface and no bloat.

⚠️ Important: Helium is in the alpha development stage, meaning it's a very new project that could potentially have bugs or missing privacy features.

Cromite Platforms: Windows, Linux, Android

Privacy-focused Chromium fork with built-in ad-blocking. Removes Google services, includes custom privacy patches, and blocks ads and trackers by default. Active development with regular updates.

⚠️ Important: Cromite currently doesn't offer auto-updates for Windows devices.

Firefox-Based Options

Firefox Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android

Full Manifest V2 support for uBlock Origin without restrictions. Independent browser engine (not Chromium) with strong community support. Requires manual privacy configuration for optimal protection.

LibreWolf Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux

uBlock Origin preinstalled with enhanced privacy defaults. Most privacy-hardened option with no telemetry or Mozilla-specific features.

⚠️ Important: LibreWolf is being deprecated on macOS in September 2026 due to Apple code signing requirements. macOS users should consider Waterfox, Zen Browser, standard Firefox with manual hardening, or Mullvad Browser instead.

Mullvad Browser Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux

Developed in collaboration with the Tor Project to provide fingerprinting resistance. Designed to make all Mullvad Browser users look identical to websites, blending you in with all other users to prevent tracking through browser fingerprinting. More private than LibreWolf but less user-friendly.

Zen Browser Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux

Modern Firefox-based browser with enhanced privacy features and sleek interface. Highly customizable with a unique user interface that makes browsing smoother and faster. Features improved default privacy settings and performance enhancements thanks to Betterfox.

⚠️ Important: Zen Browser does not include uBlock Origin by default. You must manually install it from the Firefox Add-ons store.

IronFox Platforms: Android

Privacy-focused Firefox fork for Android with enhanced security and privacy features. Removes telemetry, includes privacy-respecting defaults, and supports Firefox extensions including uBlock Origin. Enables the experimental site isolation feature "Fission" by default.

Iceraven Browser (Advanced) Platforms: Android

Privacy-focused Firefox fork for Android that offers more customization options and a broader extension library. Minimizes telemetry and proprietary code, and enables about:config for advanced users. Installation requires downloading the APK from GitHub and enabling installation from unknown sources.

⚠️ Important: You must manually install uBlock Origin in Iceraven Browser, as it is not included by default.

Anonymous Browsing

Tor Browser - Windows, macOS, Linux, Android

Specialized browser for anonymous internet access. Routes all traffic through the Tor network to hide your IP address and location. Essential for maximum anonymity and accessing the dark web. Significantly slower than regular browsers due to encryption layers. Use only when anonymity is critical, not for general browsing.

Network-Wide & System-Wide Ad-Blocking

⚠️ Important Limitation: Network-wide DNS blockers cannot block YouTube ads because YouTube serves ads from the same domains as video content. For YouTube ad-blocking, you must use browser extensions or dedicated YouTube clients. DNS filtering works effectively for ads on all other websites and apps across all devices connected to your network (computers, phones, smart TVs, game consoles, IoT devices).

These solutions provide ad-blocking across all devices and applications. Network-wide DNS blockers work at the router/DNS level and protect all devices on your network. System-wide ad-blockers are installed directly on individual devices to filter traffic from all applications.

Understanding DNS Filtering Limitations

DNS filtering blocks ads by preventing your device from connecting to ad-serving domains. However, this method completely fails when ads are served from the same domain as content. Modern ad networks increasingly merge their ad and content domains to evade DNS blocking.

Services that DNS filters CANNOT block:

What DNS filtering IS effective for:

Bottom line: DNS filtering is a valuable layer of defense, but it cannot replace browser-level ad-blocking for YouTube, Twitch, Spotify, and other services that serve ads from first-party domains. Use DNS filtering for tracking prevention and layer it with browser extensions for comprehensive protection.

NextDNS

Cloud-based DNS with device-level analytics. Reliable and "just works" with excellent server coverage globally and clean, user-friendly interface. Per-device analytics and controls available.

Free tier with 300,000 queries per month. Paid plan costs $19.90 per year for unlimited queries.

ControlD

Advanced DNS with per-device profiles and hotswap features. More granular control than NextDNS with no-tracking VPN option and advanced profile switching.

Free tier available with basic features. Paid plans start at $6.49 per month or $39.95 per year.

AdGuard DNS

Works across AdGuard ecosystem. Can be set at router or account level. Also offers free public DNS servers with basic filtering (no customization or analytics).

Free public DNS servers available. Personal plan costs $2.49 per month or $19.99 per year. Team plan costs $7.49 per month or $59.99 per year.

Self-Hosted Network-Wide Solutions (Free & Open-Source)

AdGuard Home

Self-hosted network-wide ad and tracker blocker. Modern interface with encrypted DNS support (DNS-over-HTTPS, DNS-over-TLS, DNS-over-QUIC). Works on various platforms including Raspberry Pi, Linux servers, and Docker containers. More feature-rich than Pi-hole with easier setup.

Pi-hole

Self-hosted DNS blocker for entire networks. Requires Raspberry Pi or compatible hardware that must run 24/7 with technical setup required. Provides complete control over your network with no subscription fees and highly customizable options. Longer-established project with extensive community support.

System-Wide Ad-Blockers (Individual Devices)

⚠️ Important Considerations: Can conflict with VPNs and other network filtering tools. Most VPN clients allow you to configure your own custom DNS in the app settings. Network monitoring firewalls (Portmaster, Little Snitch, LuLu) may require additional configuration to work alongside VPNs—test thoroughly before relying on both simultaneously.

Desktop

AdGuard for Windows/Mac [PAID]

System-wide DNS and HTTPS filtering across all applications. Blocks ads in browsers and applications with firewall controls for network traffic and HTTPS filtering capability.

YogaDNS (Windows) - For Advanced Users Only

Redirects all Windows DNS requests through a custom DNS resolver. Lightweight DNS client that allows you to use any DNS provider with advanced filtering options. Requires technical knowledge to configure properly.

Network Monitoring & Firewalls

These tools provide granular per-application control over network connections, complementing DNS-level filtering with the ability to monitor and block individual app traffic.

Safing Portmaster - Windows, macOS, Linux

Advanced open-source network monitor and firewall with per-application control. Blocks ads, trackers, and malware at the network level before DNS queries. Completely free and open-source with integrated DNS-over-HTTPS support, detailed connection logging, and optional Safing Privacy Network integration. More powerful than DNS filtering alone for application-level privacy control.

Little Snitch (macOS) [PAID]

The established standard for macOS network monitoring and application firewall. Alerts you whenever any application attempts to connect to the internet with granular control rules. Runs in demo mode (3-hour limit, restartable) until licensed. Over 20 years of development with extensive rule customization options.

LuLu (macOS) - Free & Open-Source

Free, open-source macOS firewall by Objective-See. Performs basic firewall functions as effectively as Little Snitch without the cost. Completely free and community-auditable code. Ideal alternative if you want Little Snitch's functionality without licensing costs.

Android

RethinkDNS (Recommended)

Free and open-source DNS blocker with advanced firewall features. Completely free with no paid tier, includes app-level firewall (block internet for specific apps), integrated WireGuard VPN support, and is the most powerful per-device option. Preferred by users switching from Blokada.

AdGuard for Android

Comprehensive system filtering for all apps and browsers. Free version available with paid premium features.

Blokada

DNS-based blocker with optional VPN.

⚠️ Important: Does NOT include app-level firewall functionality (cannot revoke internet access from specific apps). Consider RethinkDNS for more granular control.

iOS

AdGuard for iOS

System-level filtering for all apps and browsers. Free version available with paid premium features.

Blokada

DNS-based blocker with optional VPN. Cloud features require subscription.

Browser Extensions

Browser extensions provide the most effective ad-blocking for web browsing. They can block ads that DNS-level blockers cannot (like YouTube ads) and offer more granular control over what gets blocked.

⚠️ Important Privacy Note: Each browser extension you install makes your browser more unique and easier to fingerprint. Installing multiple extensions increases your identifiability across websites. Use only essential extensions and consider privacy-focused browsers with built-in features to minimize your fingerprint.

Critical Rule: Do Not Mix Ad-Blockers

Using multiple ad-blockers causes conflicts and performance issues. Choose ONE primary ad-blocker per browser.

For Chromium Browsers (Chrome, Edge, Opera, Brave, Cromite)

Brave Shields (Built-in to Brave Browser)

Native ad-blocking built directly into Brave Browser. Immune to Manifest V3 restrictions and requires no extension installation. Toggle in Shields settings with options for Twitch and YouTube filtering.

If you use Brave, you don't need additional extensions unless you want supplementary features like SponsorBlock.

uBlock Origin Lite

Manifest V3 simplified version for Chromium browsers. Official uBlock Origin team project and best option for post-Manifest V3 Chrome. Free and open-source.

AdGuard Browser Extension

Alternative to uBlock Origin Lite on Chromium with advanced customization options. Good Manifest V3 alternative to uBlock Origin.

For Firefox Browsers (Waterfox, LibreWolf, Zen, etc.)

uBlock Origin (Recommended)

The most powerful open-source ad-blocker with community-maintained filter lists. Completely free and open-source with highly customizable filter lists, excellent performance, and active development and community support.

For iOS Safari

uBlock Origin Lite

Content blocker for Safari on iOS and macOS. Uses declarative rules to block ads and trackers natively with Safari, without consuming CPU or memory resources. Available for iOS 18.6+ and macOS.

AdGuard for Safari

Free Safari content blocker for iOS and macOS. Blocks ads and trackers in Safari with customizable filtering rules. Also available as part of AdGuard for iOS (system-wide app) with enhanced features.

Supplementary Extensions

AdGuard Extra

Companion extension designed to solve specific ad-blocking problems that standard ad blockers can't handle. Works alongside uBlock Origin, AdGuard, or other full-scale ad blockers to combat anti-adblock scripts and circumvention attempts. See documentation for details and userscript version.

ViolentMonkey (Recommended over Tampermonkey)

Open-source user script manager. Actively developed and maintained, compatible with 99% of scripts, and fast performance. Recommended over Tampermonkey because it's open-source.

YouTube Ad-Blocking

⚠️ Important Note About YouTube Ad-Blocking: YouTube frequently updates its ad-serving system to combat ad-blockers. When this happens, you may temporarily see ads until filter list maintainers update their lists to counter the changes. This is normal and usually resolved within hours to a few days. Do not panic and install multiple ad-blocking extensions as this will cause conflicts and make the problem worse. Simply wait for the filter updates to roll out, or temporarily switch to a third-party YouTube client until your ad-blocker is updated.

Browser-Based Solutions

These methods block YouTube ads directly in your web browser using extensions. They're the simplest option if you primarily watch YouTube in a browser.

Choose ONE of the following:

Brave Shields - Some of the most reliable YouTube filters available, built upon community filter lists.

uBlock Origin - Uses trusted community filter lists.

AdGuard Browser Extension (Alternative)

YouTube Enhancement Extensions

SponsorBlock

Automatically skips sponsor segments in YouTube videos. Community-driven segment database that's highly effective and works seamlessly with ad-blockers.

⚠️ Warning: Using SponsorBlock skips sponsored content that creators rely on for income. Consider supporting creators you enjoy through other means (Patreon, direct donations, merchandise) if you use this extension.

DeArrow

Replaces clickbait titles and thumbnails on YouTube with community-submitted alternatives. Helps eliminate sensationalized content and makes browsing more informative. One-time payment of $1 (or free with manual submission of your own titles/thumbnails).

Third-Party YouTube Clients

Alternative applications that access YouTube without using the official website or app. These provide ad-free viewing, additional privacy features, SponsorBlock integration, and often better interfaces than the official YouTube apps. They bypass YouTube's native ads entirely because they use different methods to access YouTube's content.

Desktop

FreeTube

Open-source YouTube client with ad-free viewing. Complete ad removal with SponsorBlock support and privacy-focused (no tracking).

⚠️ Important: Requires periodic updates due to YouTube API changes. Check GitHub for latest version.

Grayjay

Multi-platform video aggregator that supports YouTube, Twitch, Patreon, Nebula, and more. Ad-free viewing with subscription management across platforms, offline downloads, and background playback. Open-source with strong privacy focus.

Android

Grayjay

Multi-platform video aggregator for Android. Supports YouTube, Twitch, Patreon, Nebula, and other platforms. Ad-free with SponsorBlock support, background playback, and offline downloads.

Tubular

NewPipe fork with additional features. SponsorBlock integrated, Return YouTube Dislike support, and no Google Play Services required.

Alternatives: NewPipe, ReVanced

iOS

Yattee

Ad-free YouTube client with SponsorBlock support. Available through TestFlight beta or AltStore.

Smart TVs

Android TV / Google TV: SmartTube

Ad-free YouTube for TV screens. SponsorBlock integration, 8K video support, and user-friendly interface.

⚠️ Important: Must be manually updated within the app to continue working as YouTube updates their API. Check for updates regularly.

Samsung Tizen OS: TizenTube

Ad-free YouTube for Samsung TVs. SponsorBlock support, DeArrow integration, and works on 2017+ Samsung TVs. Requires TizenBrew installation.

Apple TV / iOS / macOS: Yattee

Ad-free YouTube client with SponsorBlock support. Available for Apple TV, iOS, and macOS.

Other Smart TVs: TizenTube Cobalt

TizenTube experience for non-Android TV systems. Compatible with Android TV (as alternative to SmartTube), VIDAA OS (Hisense TVs), and other HTML5-based TV systems.

Roku: Playlet

Ad-free video player for Roku devices available in the Roku Channel Store.

Twitch Ad-Blocking

Choose ONE method based on your browser:

Brave Browser (Release Version)

Enable Twitch filtering in Shields settings. Works adequately with AdGuard Extra as a supplementary extension for stronger filtering.

⚠️ Important: Brave's Release version doesn't receive Twitch filter updates as frequently as needed to keep pace with Twitch's rapid API changes. For more reliable Twitch ad-blocking, use:

uBlock Origin + Twitch Ad Script (Recommended for Firefox)

Most reliable Twitch ad-blocking option. uBlock Origin's dynamic filtering handles Twitch's complex ad delivery system effectively. Setup guide here.

⚠️ Important: uBlock Origin Lite does not effectively block Twitch ads because it lacks dynamic filtering capabilities. Use the full uBlock Origin on Firefox-based browsers for proper Twitch blocking.

AdGuard Extra (Supplementary)

Can help combat anti-adblock scripts on Twitch when used alongside other blockers, especially effective with Brave.

Conclusion

Best Practices

Selection Criteria

All tools in this guide meet these requirements:

Contributing: This guide is community-driven. If you find outdated information or have suggestions, please comment or DM me.

Credits: The original creator of this list, u/noimprovement7048, was banned from Reddit. They left me a great framework to create this guide, and it would have been significantly harder without their hard work.