Best ad blockers for Android in 2023

A lot of sites and Android apps depend on ads to generate revenue and make a business. However, some ads can be intrusive or malicious, which interrupts your browsing experience.

Fortunately, there’s a myriad of useful tools on how to prevent that – Android ad blockers (especially with a built-in VPN) are ideal for disabling intrusive or misleading ads, and pop-ups, blocking malicious websites, and even preventing third parties from tracking you and compromising your data.

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Total Adblock is a secure ad blocker for Android designed to remove pop-ups, banners, video ads, third-party trackers, and is excellent at muting all notifications in your browsing apps. Check out the free trial or opt out for a premium plan.

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• Blocking filters included
• Excellent ad-blocking test results
• 7-day free trial

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For this reason, we researched and tested some of the best ad blockers for Android in 2023 to ensure it actually works and blocks the most notorious adware. Keep reading to find our best pick.

Top 5 best ad blockers for Android in 2023

1. Total Adblock – overall best ad blocker for Android for 2023
2. Surfshark CleanWeb – affordable Android ad blocker with a VPN
3. Atlas VPN SafeBrowse – Android ad blocker with a VPN for browsing
4. Proton VPN NetShield – secure ad blocker for Android with a VPN
5. Avast – free secure browser with a built-in ad blocker for Android

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What to look for in the best Android ad blocker for Android?

Besides the ability to block ads and trackers, there are additional elements that can help you decide which Android ad blocker is best for you. Below we’ve listed some of the key criteria we looked at while picking the best ad blockers:

• Types of ads blocked. Ensure the ad blocker is able to get rid of all sorts of ads, including pop-ups, banners, social media apps, video ads, and other types.
• Compatibility with Android and browsers. Check if the tool offers an app or a browser extension for Android, its ease of use, and its setup. Some ad blockers are limited to certain operating systems they’re compatible with. Choose the one that’s accustomed to mobile devices.
• Blocking filters. With this feature, you can select which ads you want to avoid and which ones to keep, and configure the settings according to your preferences. Usually, the filters are provided in collections called filter lists.
• Privacy measures. Check provider's privacy settings for no-logs policy. Implementing a no-logs policy will ensure none of your data will be compromised.
• Additional features. Look out for Android ad blockers with a built-in VPN, antivirus, and malware scanner, two-factor authentication. Extra features will enhance the security of your Android device.
• Pricing. A reliable and high-quality Android ad blocker doesn’t need to break the bank. There are plenty of providers with good value for money that offers flexible pricing, free trials, or money-back guarantees.

The best Android ad blockers – our detailed list:

There’s a great many various ad blocker tools available. However, we've compiled a list of the top Android ad blocker providers to make it easier:

1. Total Adblock – the best ad blocker for Android devices

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Our best ad blocker pick for Android is Total Adblock. It’s designed to remove pop-ups and mute all notifications in your browser and apps. This tool also blocks banners, video ads, and third-party trackers, this way protecting private user data.

Compatibility. Even though you can’t download Total Adblock from Google Play Store (as it doesn’t allow system-wide ad blockers), you can get an app file from Total Adblock’s website and install it on your Android device manually.

Features.You'll be able to block ads, and trackers, disable push notifications, in-video ads on YouTube, and more. Also, Total Adblock offers blocking filters: Base filter (necessary for quality ad blocking); Tracking Protection filter (for trackers); Social Media filter (for widgets like “share and “like” buttons); Annoyances filter (blocks cookie notices and pop-ups). For fully-fledged protection, you can get the whole Total Security pack – you’ll get a real-time antivirus, safe browsing (VPN), and an ad blocker included.

Test results. In the Adblock tester, Total Adblock scored very well – 94/100 points. It blocked all the ads, except the ones in the Google Analytics tool, GIF images, and error trackers but showed good results overall.

In terms of pricing, premium plans start at $2.42/month. You can try the premium service for free with its 7-day free trial.

Learn more in our Total Adblock review.

2. Surfshark CleanWeb – budget-friendly Android ad blocker with a VPN

Visit Surfshark Adblock

Surfshark has an blocker feature CleanWeb, which falls into the best Android ad blockers list. It’s powerful and can block all types of adware, and phishing attempts.

Compatibility. To enable CleanWeb (newly released CleanWeb 2.0) feature on Android devices, you’ll be required to use a VPN. Luckily, it is compatible with all popular OS and can be set up as a browser extension as well.

Features. The CleanWeb feature will automatically detect malicious sites and block them, protecting you from malware. In addition, you’ll be able to save your mobile data, as the intrusive ads that take up a lot of space and data won’t be loading for you anymore. Also, if you enjoy streaming – it blocks YouTube ads both in the app and the browser.

Test results. Overall, Surfshark’s CleanWeb results on Adblock tester are good – it scored 64/100 points. It hasn’t passed Google Analytics tools, GIF image, static image, and error monitoring tests.

As for pricing, Surfshark offers really affordable plans. Its services start only from $2.30/month, and there's a 7-day free trial or a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you’re already a registered Surfshark VPN user – the CleanWeb feature is free.

Learn more in our Surfshark CleanWeb review.

3. Atlas VPN SafeBrowse – intuitive and browsing-focused ad blocker for Android

Visit Atlas Adblock

Atlas VPN is has a built-in ad blocker suited for beating malvertising, third-party trackers, video ads, and more. The SafeBrowse feature is really easy-to-use and great for beginners.

Compatibility. To use the SafeBrowse feature, you have to acquire a VPN service. Luckily, Atlas VPN is compatible with Android devices and can be set up really easily.

Features. This ad blocker will automatically block malicious websites and ads on Android devices, be it a tablet or mobile phone. The trackers that have been detected will be instantly blocked, and you’ll get the lists of them. For extra security, there’s a two-factor authentication – every time you log into your Atlas VPN account, you’ll be asked to confirm your identity.

Test results. During our tests, Atlas VPN scored high marks (70/100 points on Adblock tester) with blocking ads, pop-ups, in-video ads, and other online threats. It only struggled with blocking static images and gifs.

Try out the SafeBrowse ad-blocking feature with a VPN – use a 30-day money-back guarantee or get the premium plan for as low as $1.82/month.

For more information on features and extras of this provider, read our Atlas VPN review.

4. Proton VPN NetShield – secure Android ad blocker with a VPN included

Visit ProtonVPN Adblock

Proton VPN has a powerful ad blocker NetShield that's well-suited for Android devices. Like other leading providers, it does not only block ads but also protects you from malicious websites, intrusive trackers, and malware.

Compatibility. NetShield comes with Proton VPN which can easily be set up on different devices – it supports all popular OS.

Features. NetShield works with DNS blocking and can locate and block the trackers, usually used by companies that are collecting data across the web. So, instead of a DNS database supplied by your ISP or a search engine, you’re using a DNS resolver managed by Proton VPN. NetShield will also unblock the geo-restricted streaming platforms, such as YouTube and block video ads on the browser version.

Test results. The Adblock tester results confirmed good performance – it scored 70/100 points. This ad blocker can block most of YouTube ads, banners, and trackers. However, it didn't work with pop-ups, notification requests, and images.

Proton VPN and ad blocker combination pricing starts at $4.99/month, and you can test out a full-featured version with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

For more information about the full package, read our Proton VPN review.

5. Avast – free secure browser with a built-in ad blocker for Android

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Avast is one of the very few secure services that provide a free browser with a built-in ad blocker for Android devices. It’s able to block all kinds of ads (banner ads, video ads), pop-ups, browser notifications, browser fingerprinting, and trackers.

Compatibility. There is no separate app for Android devices. However, to use Avast ad blocker, you can download the Avast Secure Browser from the Google Play store, it’s very easy to set up and use.

Features. Avast Secure Browser blocks online ads by default and can significantly improve website loading times. Also, it blocks online tracking, which stops the third-parties from seeing your online activity. The secure browser has adjustable ad-blocking modes: Basic, Balanced, and Strict Blocking. What’s more, there’s whitelisting available – you can manage the sites on which you have enabled the ad blocker. Android devices also can get the Encrypted Media Vault, where downloaded files can be kept encrypted and accessed through the Avast browser.

Test results. During our tests, Avast secure browser managed to get an outstanding score – 95/100 points on the Adblock tester. It only hasn’t passed the Google Analytics tool test.

All in all, besides not having an app for Android devices, it worked perfectly on the browser. If you want a free, clean browsing experience, Avast is the one.

For more information, read our Avast Antivirus review.

6. AdLock – safe Android ad blocker with multiple filtering options

Visit AdLock

AdLock is yet another ad blocker for Android with strong detecting and ad-blocking capabilities. It can stop pop-ups, banners, autoplay video ads, trackers, and cryptocurrency mining ads.

Compatibility. There's no available app to download to your Android device. However, you can set up this ad blocker on all popular browsers as an extension. Additionally, it can work simultaneously with other VPNs.

Features. AdLock works by blocking DNS – it uses a local VPN to filter out traffic and blocks requests for phishing and malicious sites. More so, AdLock has whitelisting and multiple filtering options for system applications: you can adjust the behavior of the apps that you’re using on Android devices by disabling filtering, enabling, or blocking. Specifically, on Android devices, HTTPS filtering allows blocking ads on websites that use this protocol. Moreover, AdLock blocks video ads on the YouTube app with the share button and selecting AdLock from the app list.

Test results. During our tests on Adblock tester, AdLock scored average marks – 64/100 points and hasn’t passed only the error monitoring test, which is a nearly-excellent result.

In terms of pricing, you can use it for free on browser extensions on Android devices.

Check AdLock review to learn more about this ad blocker.

7. Ghostery – Android ad blocker focused on tracker blocking

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Using AI anti-tracking technology, Ghostery stands as a reputable ad-blocking option for Android. It’s a completely free service customized to maintain your browsing as private and secure.

Compatibility. Ghostery has a private browser, which can be downloaded on Android and other platforms. It doesn’t collect any personal user data, has an integrated private search engine, and protects devices from trackers.

Features. This ad blocker works by blocking DNS. It’s known to speed up the sites and the intuitive extension panel displays how long it takes to load the page. It’s quite an expressive set of features for a free service. Even though Ghostery is mostly focused on blocking trackers, it does block ads, pop-ups, and cookies. If you get annoyed by YouTube ads – great news. Ghostery was able to block auto-play ads on YouTube, so you won’t be bothered by them anymore.

Test results. During our tests, Ghostery scored 75/100 points on the Adblock tester (only failed at error monitoring) – which is a good result.

As mentioned, you don’t have to spend a buck on Ghostery – the browser is free for Android devices.

How we selected and tested these Android ad blockers

In order to select the best Android ad blockers, we’ve done thorough research and testing to see how functional and reliable the tool is. Here are the key criteria we went by:

• Compatibility with Android. We made sure our selected ad blocker tools were compatible with Android devices and functional on apps and browsers, since not all ad blockers support mobile devices.
• Adblock tester. We tested each provider on Adblock tester, which measures the strength of the ad blocker and gives you a result on the capability to block the ads.
• Feature suite. We looked into each ad blocker feature suite and tested it on Android devices. The best ad blocker will offer you complete protection against ads, malware, phishing scams, and provide extra protection measures – a VPN, antivirus, secure cloud storage.
• Security. Most ad blocker providers for Android don’t replace anti-malware software and won’t fully protect you from viruses, so we selected the providers with extra security to ensure top-class encryption.
• Privacy. Ad blocking prevents you from seeing those – and we made sure to select the providers that can ensure that and other privacy measures.

Best Android ad blockers comparison

See how different Android ad blockers compare to each other:

	Total Adblock	Surfshark Cleanweb	Atlas VPN SafeBrowse	Proton VPN NetShield	Avast Secure Browser	AdLock	Ghostery Ad Blocker
Brand
Types of ads blocked	Pop-ups,banners, video ads, third-party trackers	Pop-ups, banners, video ads, cookie consent pop-ups, trackers, malware	Third-party trackers, malware, video ads	Trackers, malware	Pop-ups, banner ads, video ads, social media ads, browser notifications, browser fingerprinting and trackers	Pop-ups, banners, autoplay video ads, trackers, Cryptocurrency mining ads	Trackers, pop-ups, cookies
Adblock tester score	94/100	64/100	70/100	70/100	95/100	64/100	75/100
Cookie removal	✅	✅	❌	❌	✅	❌	✅
Free version available	Yes (Free 7-day trial)	Yes (Free 7-day trial)	No (Only the VPN has a free version)	No (Only the VPN has a free version)	Yes	Yes (Free 14-day trial)	Yes
YouTube ad blocking	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
Price	$2.42	$2.30	$1.82	$4.99	$4.58	$0.73	Free
Comes with	Stand alone or antivirus	VPN or VPN+antivirus bundle	VPN	VPN	Private browser	Stand alone	Stand alone

Why do you need an ad blocker on your Android device?

It can be pretty self-explanatory why you would need to block ads on your Android device. It’s super annoying and pushy, right? However, there are more uses to it than just blocking the ads. Below we listed the top reasons why you need ad filtering for your Android phone or tablet.

• Remove intrusive ads. Most websites and apps on Android and other devices rely on ads to generate income. Ad blocker is the best way to get rid of them and improve your browsing experience.
• Remove cookie notifications. A reliable ad blocker can hide cookie notifications without allowing or declining permission to use cookies. It lets you avoid cookie pop-ups on every website.
• Avoid phishing scams. Online scams can be planted almost anywhere, even in an ad. The powerful ad blocker will identify, block, and mitigate targeted threats and ransomware on your Android device.
• Secure your Android device. With a fully-fledged ad blocker suite, you get additional protection, such as a VPN or antivirus, and secure your Android even more.
• Reduce data usage and save battery life. Ads take up some amount of space and data. Hence, using an ad blocker will save your mobile data, improve browsing speeds, and save your Android’s battery life.

Best Android ad blockers based on your needs

Just like any tool, different ad blockers for Android devices have their own strengths and drawbacks. Before selecting an ad blocker, you should identify your needs and what you will use it for. Let’s take an in-depth look at how ad blockers can adjust to your preferences:

• YouTube ad blockers for Android. If you don’t want to see bloated ads on YouTube videos, you either need a premium subscription or an ad blocker. With it, you’ll be able to cut the ads from YouTube, whether you’d be streaming it on the app or browser.
• Ad blockers for Android TV. If you’re streaming your favorite shows on Android TV and don’t want to see ads – just stream ad-free by using an ad blocker on the big screen. Various ad blocker tools are customed to home devices as well. Some of them have a built-in ad blocker, and some need to be set up manually via DNS.
• Ad blockers for Android tablets. Similarly, as on your phone, Android tablets also need an ad blocker to ensure your browsing or streaming is smooth. You can use it either as an app or a browser extension.

Are free ad blockers for Android safe?

Yes and no. Some of the free ad blockers for Android might be safe. However, we don’t recommend them. Free services are limited in supported platforms, features, security, and what it offers to your device overall.

Built-in free browser ad blockers for Android might not block the ads and pop-ups or might be designed to block only a certain type of ads. Simply put, it’s limited in its capabilities and can minimally solve the annoying ads.

If you want to have a safe, ad-free browsing experience, investing in a premium option is the way to go. We recommend either getting a top-class ad blocker or trying it with a free trial and a money-back guarantee:

1. Total AdBlock. Block all sorts of adware and prevent pop-ups on your Android device. Try service for free – use a 30-day money-back guarantee or a 7-day free trial.
2. Surfshark CleanWeb. This VPN provider with a built-in ad blocker blocks all types of adware and phishing attempts. You can try it for free with a 7-day free trial or a 30-day money-back guarantee as well.
3. Atlas VPN SafeBrowse. Super user-friendly option for blocking malicious websites and ads on Androids. It comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Browsers with built-in ad blockers for Android devices

If you’d prefer using a browser with an already built-in ad blocker rather than getting a separate ad blocker app for your Android device or manually configuring it via DNS, there are a few powerful options you can choose.

Google Chrome comes with an in-built browser for the majority of Android devices. It has been updated to block the ads by default. However, it still passes through many of them alongside other intrusive and potentially spiteful malvertising.

Here are some other high-quality browsers with built-in blockers:

• Opera browser – can work with another ad blocker add-on or app.
• Pure Browser – easy-to-use and configure, smooth ad-free browsing experience with improved performance and speeds.
• Dolphin Browser – fast loading times and powerful ad-blocking engine.
• Vivaldi – integrated ad blocker will not only block intrusive ads but also protect your Android devices from trackers.

Video review

If you feel like watching a video instead, check out our video on how to block ads on Android devices. You'll learn all about the top three ad blocker tools and their functionality.

Conclusion

There are many choices when it comes to getting an ad blocker for your Android device. The selection starts from free ad blocker apps to built-in ad blocker browsers and fully-fledged ad-proof online protection suites.

You can pin down your choice by deciding what your needs are and how determined you’re about to prevent the notorious adware, ransomware, and malvertising on your Android device.

We always recommend getting the full range of services, including privacy and security features that ensure no ads will get through and your online browsing will be encrypted and secure. Suites like Total Adblock will help you achieve that and safeguard your Android device.

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