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5 best ad blockers for Android in 2025


Our Verdict

As of January 2025, my pick for the best ad blocker for Android is Total Adblock. It provides excellent ad-blocking capabilities and effectively blocks malware and trackers for a smoother and safer online experience. Key features include customizable filters that lets me manage specific elements like social widgets, cookie prompts, and whitelisting options for trusted sites.

Total Adblock, Surfshark CleanWeb, and Proton VPN NetShield, among others, are this year’s top Android ad blockers. Each offers something unique and excels in different areas, but all dominated our in-house ad-block testing. In this article, I will present our test results and take a deeper look at each of the top ad blockers of 2025.

Overall, Total Adblock is the best when it comes to blocking different types of ads on Android. Surfshark’s CleanWeb is a close second, offering affordability and a VPN bundle. Third on the list is another VPN provider – Proton – whose NetShield proved to be a reliable ad blocker. Notable ad blockers like Avast, AdLock, and Ghostery also made it to the list for their ability to block Android’s ads. You’ll find their detailed descriptions, pros, and cons below.

Best ad blockers for Android 2025

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Akvile Tamasiuniene Nijole Simaitiene Copywriter Cybernews sarunas karbauskas Author's picture
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Best ad blockers for Android in 2025 – detailed list

There are many great ad blocker tools to choose from, which is why we tested numerous providers ourselves. Here’s our list of the top Android ad blocker providers.

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

Total Adblock banner
Free version:Yes (7-day free trial)
Features:
Tracker and ad blocker, filters (Annoyances filter, Tracking Protection filter, Social Media filter), Allow list
Customer support:Knowledge base, video tutorials, blog, email, FAQs
Current deal:Get 80% OFF Total Adblock!

Total Adblock is the best ad blocker for Android in 2025 based on our research team’s test results and offered features. Especially on Firefox, Total Adblock blocked 100/100 ads – an absolutely perfect score.

StrengthsWeaknesses
  • Perfect ad blocking score with Firefox browser extension
  • Excellent in-house test results
  • Strong web tracking protection
  • Blocks ads on browsers and other apps
  • Improves load time
  • Reduces the possibility of clicking on malware
  • Helps use less battery & data
  • Only partially blocked ad scripts and error trackers
  • Less effective on Yahoo and Yandex

Test results. Performing the ad blocking test, Total Adblock managed to score 77/100 on Chrome and 100/100 on Firefox. The D3ward test also showed great results in blocking 80/100 and 81/100 ads on Chrome and Firefox, respectively. Finally, in the CoverYourTracks tracker test, Total Adblock showed strong and reliable protection for both Firefox and Chrome.

Total Adblock test results screenshot
Total Adblock interface and test results

Compatibility with browsers and devices. Total Adblock is fit to work with almost all popular browsers and can even be downloaded as an app to your Android and iOS mobile devices. All the same features are available throughout all browser versions of this ad blocker, so you won't get a lesser option just because of your browser choice.

You can download Total Adblock on your Android device through their official website or as Chrome, Firefox, or Edge extensions. It was easy to install, especially the free version. Our team performed tests with Total Adblock on Pixel 9 with Android 14 and Nokia 6.2 with Android 11. It worked very well on both devices. Additionally, the Total Adblock extension was tested on Firefox and Chrome, showing great results on both browsers.

Pricing and subscription plans. Total Adblock has a fully free version; however, it’s quite limited. For the full scope of features and better ad blocking, you can choose either a monthly or yearly subscription. Overall, a year of Total Adblock costs $1.59/month, with up to 80% discount available for new subscribers. A monthly subscription has a slightly lower value, costing $8.25/month with no discount.

Compared to other premium ad blockers, Total Adblock offers excellent protection from ads and trackers at a very affordable price. And if you can’t afford to pay, you can still get limited but still very good features for free.

As for the ad blockers on this list, comparing Total Adblock to free VPNs like Avast, AdLock, and Ghostery shows that Total has better performance and overall features. Meanwhile, comparing it to premium ad blockers like Proton VPN NetShield and Surfshark CleanWeb shows that Total Adblock is cheaper. So, by all metrics, it has the best value for money.

Personal experience. Overall, Total Adblock was one of the easiest ad blockers to use out of the ones I tried. Our research team also pointed out that Total Adblock had the best overall performance, so it objectively deserves its spot. Using my Android device with this ad blocker on was a significantly better experience, as I immediately noticed the lack of banners and pop-up ads on news sites.

While testing showed some poorer performance in Yahoo and Yandex, as well as on social media like TikTok, I personally did not expect Total Adblock to eliminate all ads. In times when people promote brands and products in their own social media posts or videos, it’s impossible for all the world’s ad blockers to identify that sort of promotional content. But when it comes to those really annoying ads, I was satisfied with Total Adblock’s performance.

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

Surfshark cleanweb banner
Free version:Yes (7-day free trial)
Features:
Malicious website and ad blocking, YouTube ad blocking (on app and browser)
Customer support:24/7 live chat, email, guides and articles, FAQs
Current deal:86% OFF Surfshark CleanWeb 2.0 + 3 months FREE

Surfshark CleanWeb is a great tool for removing unwanted ads, cookies, and trackers. You would also get the benefit of Surfshark VPNs identity protection and IP address masking. CleanWeb performed very well in our in-house test, blocking 87/100 ads on Firefox via the D3ward test platform.

StrengthsWeaknesses
  • Strong protection against web tracking
  • Blocked social media ads well
  • Blocks web and app ads
  • All the benefits of a VPN, like data encryption
  • Unique GPS spoofing feature
  • Works with Smart TV to block ads on it
  • Missed some minor elements, like cosmetic filters
  • Slightly worse Adblock test platform results

Test results. Surfshark CleanWeb had very successful tracking blocking and moderately successful ad blocking results. The ad blocking performance varied depending on the testing platform, so, for example, CleanWeb performed significantly better on the D3ward test (89/100 blocked ads on Chrome) than on the Adblocker test (67/100 blocked ads on Chrome). But with the addition of VPN features, it’s fair to say that Surfshark provides reliable protection against tracking and ads.

Surfshark CleanWeb test results Android
Surfshark CleanWeb interface and test results

Compatibility with browsers and devices. As CleanWeb is part of the Surfshark VPN suite, you can expect compatibility with browsers like Chrome, Firefox, and Edge, as well as Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows operating systems. Which is better – app or browser extension – depends entirely on your expectations.

If you use the Surfshark app, CleanWeb will block ads and trackers on all websites and apps you visit. That also includes all browsers that you would use. With a browser extension, this feature would only apply to that browser. However, you would get CleanWeb 2.0. This updated version is more effective at blocking cookies and includes malware and data breach alerts. It can also work independently without the use of a VPN. Both options are equally easy to set up and use; it just depends on what you need.

Pricing and subscription plans. Surfshark offers two distinct subscription plans, Starter and One, and an additional expansive plan called One+. These subscriptions are available to purchase and last a month, a year, or two years. All options include a 30-day money-back guarantee and a CleanWeb feature.

Surfshark’s prices start at $2.19/month, which is very affordable for a service that also offers a VPN. It’s a bit more than Total Adblock but cheaper than Proton VPN, while also offering more VPN servers and better ad-blocking results. Besides, there are seasonal deals like Surfshark VPN Black Friday discounts, so you can get it for even less.

Personal experience. While not without flaws, such as a bit average ad blocking performance with Adblock testing platform, I found Surfshark CleanWeb to still be one of the best ad blockers overall. Additional features, such as perfect tracker blocking and VPN more than makes up for sometimes wavering test results. Besides, the extra privacy layer that VPN features provide definitely makes me feel more confident online.

A particularly noteworthy benefit of CleanWeb is the ability to block ads on the web and in other apps. Surfshark's unique GPS spoofing feature is also handy in more than one way. Overall, when it comes to functionality, I find Surfshark to be one of the most user-friendly services.

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

Proton VPN adblocker
Free version:No (only the VPN has a free version)
Features:
Malware, ad, and tracker blocker, malware-only blocker
Customer support:Email, knowledge base, FAQs
Current deal:Cyber Monday! Get up to 70% OFF Proton VPN NetShield!

Proton VPN NetShield is one of the best VPN and ad blocker bundles in the market. With plenty of identity protection features and great ad-blocking abilities, NetShield is a great option for those who want the most out of their service.

StrengthsWeaknesses
  • Very good ad blocking performance on D3ward test platform
  • Very strong protection against tracking on both Chrome and Firefox
  • VPN included
  • Blocks ads on browsers and apps
  • Lower chance of clicking on malware
  • Missed some banner advertising
  • Only partially blocked cosmetic filters

Test results. Proton VPN NetShield had moderately successful ad-blocking performance and great tracker-blocking test results. With the Adblock test, NetShield blocked 74/100 ads on Chrome and 68/100 ads on Firefox, struggling with some banners. With the D3ward test, the results were slightly better – NetShield blocked 81/100 ads on Chrome and 77/100 ads on Firefox. Proton VPN NetShield excelled in tracker blocking tests, showing strong protection on both Chrome and Firefox.

Proton VPN NetShield Android test
Proton VPN NetShield interface and test results

Compatibility with browsers and devices. Proton VPN NetShield is available on all Proton browser extensions and apps. Proton VPN can be installed on Chrome, Firefox, and Edge, as well as macOS, Android, iOS, and Windows. On either of these platforms, I had no trouble with the installation process, though it’s worth noting that NetShield is only available with the paid Proton VPN subscription. If you have a free version, you will not receive ad-blocking features.

Pricing and subscription plans. Proton VPN is a bit pricey, especially when compared to Surfshark, which is also a VPN with ad-blocking capabilities but costs less. Proton VPN costs from $2.99/month. There is only one plan with all available Proton VPN features, and the subscription price just depends on the duration – 1 month, 1 year, or 2 years. All subscriptions include a NetShield ad blocker and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Personal experience. Personally, I really like using Proton VPN. It barely takes 5 minutes to install and start using it, and NetShield was pretty much effortless to use. While the actual ad blocking varied in effectiveness, Proton VPN NetShield still performed well, especially for a service that is primarily a VPN. Overall, I would recommend this provider if you want to get more features than a standard ad blocker can provide.

4. Avast Secure Browser – free secure browser with a built-in ad blocker for Android

Avast ad blocker
Free version:Yes
Features:
Tracker, ad, and website blockers, adjustable ad-blocking modes, encrypted media vault
Customer support:Live chat, phone, email, knowledge base
Current deal:Avast Secure Browser now $4.58/month!

Avast Secure Browser is a unique ad blocker as it offers its own browser to access websites safely and without annoying ads. Besides, it is completely free, making it one of the most appealing options in the market.

StrengthsWeaknesses
  • Great Adblock test results
  • Strong protection against ads on Avast own secure browser
  • VPN included in premium subscription
  • Multiple completely free privacy features
  • Poor D3ward test results
  • Not very effective against trackers

Test results. Avast Secure Browser had probably the most polarizing results during our tests. For example, it worked better on the Android Nokia testing device than the Android Pixel 9. Then, on the Adblock test platform, it managed to block 91/100 ads – a remarkably good result. However, on the D3ward test platform, it only blocked 4/100 ads. Tracker-blocking tests also didn’t go that great. But, overall, it’s really impossible to state with any sort of confidence that Avast's Secure Browser is anything but effective against ads.

Avast Secure Browser Android test results
Avast Secure Browser Android interface and test results

Compatibility with browsers and devices. Avast Secure Browser offers its own secure browser, though it is compatible with other platforms and operating systems. However, during the tests I noticed that different devices with the same operating system might have different ad blocking performance results, so check in advance if it will work with yours. Or you can always just download it, as it doesn’t cost a thing. On the plus side, Avast now also offers a VPN with its paid plan, as well as additional, stronger, ad-blocking features.

Pricing and subscription plans. You can get an Avast Secure Browser without paying a penny. The free version includes an ad blocker, anti-tracking capabilities, an extension guard, secure banking mode, a privacy cleaner, and encrypted syncing for bookmarks and history. The paid PRO version, costing $4.58/month, also has a VPN and supports multiple devices (compared to the free version’s 1).

Personal experience. The reason I ranked Avast Secure Browser so high, despite multiple issues during tests, is because I got to see its full capabilities. At times, when things went well during testing, Avast was perhaps one of the best-functioning and most effective ad blockers out of all that I have tested. Besides, I think that the issue could be more with the free version rather than Avast as an ad blocker in general. This suspicion is mainly confirmed by the fact that the paid PRO version is significantly more effective and pretty much faultless when used.

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

AdLock ad blocker
Free version:Yes (browser extensions only)
Features:
Allow list, ads report, anti-tracking, safe browsing, filtering, DNS
Customer support:24/7 email, blog, FAQs, user guide
Current deal:Get up to 70% OFF Adlock

AdLock ad blocker is one of the best when it comes to ad filtering and tracker blocking. During our in-house tests, it performed very well at blocking ads, making it almost as good as more advanced competitors.

StrengthsWeaknesses
  • Very good test results
  • Strong protection against web tracking
  • Multiple ad filters
  • Uses VPN to filter traffic
  • Not very effective against analytics trackers
  • Worse performance with Apple trackers

Test results. Overall, AdLock performed very well in all of the tests, with better performance on the D3ward platform. On the Adblock platform, AdLock blocked 70/100 ads on Chrome and 76/100 ads on Firefox. On D3ward, however, AdLock got 87/100 ads on Chrome and 88/100 ads on Firefox. Strong protection, though not faultless, was shown on the CoverYourTracks tracker test platform.

AdLock Android test results
AdLock interface and test results

Compatibility with browsers and devices. AdLock used to be quite difficult to get, but now you can download it on your Android device straight from their website. There still isn’t a Google Play app. AdLock is compatible with browsers such as Chrome and Firefox and works very well on both. I also didn’t find any issues with the way it works or the installation process. Though, since AdLock is free, you can download it to try it out on your Android device.

Pricing and subscription plans. AdLock is free and can be downloaded from its official website. To get coverage for more than one device and a 30-day money-back guarantee, you would need to subscribe to the premium plan, which costs from $1.05/month, depending on the duration. The options are 1 month, 12 months, or 5 years. The longer the subscription, the lower the divided price.

Personal experience. What I like the most about AdLock is that it works very well, even as a free service. Also, despite utilizing quite complex filters to block ads, AdLock is very simple to navigate and use on the surface level. If it came only to my personal experience, I would rank AdLock higher; however, more details had to be taken into account before making the final verdict.

6. Ghostery – free Android ad blocker focused on tracker blocking

Ghostery banner
Free version:Yes
Features:
Tracker, ad, and pop-up blocker, private browser, private search
Customer support:FAQs, email, GitHub repository, blog
Current deal:Check out all coupons

Customizable and effective, Ghostery is one of the best ad blockers for Firefox. With its new AI anti-tracking technology, this service provider recently made significant improvements in how it detects and blocks ads.

StrengthsWeaknesses
  • Almost perfect Firefox ad blocking results
  • Removes all kinds of ads, including autoplay videos
  • Customizable settings for different websites
  • User control over privacy settings
  • Only moderate protection against trackers
  • Did not fully block ad scripts

Test results. It’s worth noting that Ghostery on Android is only available as a Firefox extension. However, ad blocking test results on Firefox were great – Ghostery blocked 100/100 ads in the Adblock test and 94/100 ads in the D3ward test. Tracker blocking results were also quite good, but not as good as multiple anti-tracker features would lead you to expect. Though, it’s still one of the best tracker blockers.

Ghostery Android test results
Ghostery interface and test results

Compatibility with browsers and devices. While normally supporting more platforms and browsers, Ghostery is only available as a Firefox browser extension for Android devices. However, given how reliable and strong it is with blocking ads on Firefox, including video ones, it might be worth the adjustment. The installation process was very simple, especially for Ghostery’s free version, and the user interface makes the extension very easy to navigate. Most of the time, Ghostery just sorts things out for you; you’d hardly need to open settings to make adjustments.

Pricing and subscription plans. Ghostery is available as a free service. There are no paid plans, and the service itself is open-source. If you like it, you can make a monetary contribution, which would allow more improvements and support the admins. Like pretty much all free ad blockers, Ghostery only covers one device.

Personal experience. I liked using Ghostery, and I think it works very well for what it is – a free open-source ad blocker. Admittedly, Firefox is not my go-to browser, so the fact that Ghostery is only available as a Firefox extension is a bit of a downside for me. However, it’s definitely not a worthy reason not to give it a try, especially since it’s constantly improving.

How we selected and tested these Android ad blockers

To select the best Android ad blockers, we’ve performed thorough research and testing to see how functional and reliable the available options for Android are. Here are the key criteria we focused on:

Compatibility:Android app, browser extensions (like Chrome and Firefox)
Independent testing:Positive results from AdBlocker and d3ward tests
Types of ads blocked:Social media ads, banners, pop-ups, etc.
Blocking filters:Fuss-free filtering, allow lists
Versatility:Tracker and malicious sites blocking, additional functionalities, including filters, VPN, antivirus
Security:Strong encryption
Privacy:No-logs
  • Compatibility with Android (20%). 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.
  • Independent testing (20%). We tested each provider using AdBlock Tester and d3ward, both of which measure the strength of the ad blocker and give you results based on the ad-blocking capability.
  • Types of ads blocked (15%). Only the best ad blockers for Android can get rid of all sorts of ads, including pop-ups, banners, social media apps, video ads, and other types. We made sure that the tools on this list are versatile and can protect against all kinds of ads.
  • Blocking filters (15%). 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.
  • Versatility (10%). We looked into each ad blocker feature suite and tested it on Android devices. The best ad blocker will offer you complete protection against different kinds of ads, malware sites, and trackers. As a bonus, they may provide extra protection measures – a VPN, antivirus, secure cloud storage.
  • Security (10%). 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 (10%). A reliable ad blocker will make sure you are not bombarded with annoying and potentially dangerous ads, but that is not the only privacy feature you should be looking at. For example, you want your ad blocker to follow a no-logs policy – Surfshark and Proton VPN do not track data, and so you can rest assured that the integrated ad-blockers will maintain your privacy too.

Best ad blockers for Android comparison

See how different Android ad blockers compare to each other:

Android ad blockerRatingPriceTypes of ads blockedAdBlock Tester scoreCookie removalFree version availableYouTube ad blockingComes with
Total Adblock
4.7
$1.59/monthPop-ups,banners, video ads, third-party trackers100/100❌ NoYes (Free 7-day trial)✅ Yes (through app or browser extension)Stand alone or antivirus
Surfshark CleanWeb
4.6
$2.19/monthPop-ups, banners, video ads, cookie consent pop-ups, trackers, malware89/100✅ Yes (on browser extensions only)Yes (Free 7-day trial)✅ Yes (by using browser extension)VPN or VPN+ antivirus bundle
Proton VPN NetShield
4.2
$2.99/monthTrackers, malware74/100❌ NoNo (Only the VPN has a free version)❌ NoVPN
Avast Secure Browser
4
FreePop-ups, banner ads, video ads, social media ads, browser notifications, browser fingerprinting and trackers91/100✅ YesYes✅ YesPrivate browser
AdLock
4.3
FreePop-ups, banners, autoplay video ads, trackers, Cryptocurrency mining ads76/100❌ NoYes✅ Yes (through free AdLock Player)Stand alone
Ghostery Ad Blocker
4.1
FreeTrackers, pop-ups, cookies100/100✅ YesYes✅ Yes (through browser extension)Stand alone or private browser

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

Advertisements can be annoying, disruptive, and even dangerous regardless of which device they appear on. However, they are particularly troublesome on mobile devices, such as Android smartphones, where ads can take up a lot of space and may be hard to close with a tap of a finger. Here are some of the main reasons why employing a reliable ad blocker on Android is recommended:

  • Remove intrusive ads. Most websites and apps on Android rely on ads to generate income. A trusted ad blocker is the best tool 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 inside harmless-looking ads. A 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 are likely to get additional protection via such extra features as a VPN or antivirus, and secure your Android even further.
  • Reduce data usage and save battery life. Ads can take up space and data. Hence, using an ad blocker will save your mobile data, improve browsing speeds, and save your Android’s battery life.

What is the best free ad blocker for Android?

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 they offer to your device overall.

Built-in free browser ad blockers for Android might not block 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. To test a top-class ad blocker risk-free, take advantage of a free trial and use money-back guarantees:

  1. Total Adblock. Block all sorts of adware and prevent pop-ups on your Android device. Try the 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.

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 a built-in ad blocker 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 dangerous malvertising.

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

  • Firefox – although Firefox doesn’t have a built-in ad-blocker, the Firefox Add-ons are available to Android users.
  • 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 options when it comes to getting an ad blocker for your Android device. The selection ranges from free ad blocker apps to ad blockers built into browsers to fully-fledged ad-proof online protection suites.

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

We recommend Total Adblock for the best ad-blocking services. This Android-compatible tool blocks ads, trackers, scripts, and malicious websites. Independent tests by AdBlock Tester and d3ward have shown excellent ad-blocking capabilities, too, and, on top of all that, the tool is budget-friendly.


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