AdLock Review 2024
Independent tests conducted by in-house Cybernews experts are the foundation of our comprehensive ad blockers’ reviews. We combine in-house and external tests to gather empirical evidence and assess each provider.
Our reviews include technical specifications and insights to maintain the highest level of transparency. We aim to ensure our information helps readers make informed decisions independently.
Learn moreAdLock is a freemium ad blocker that claims to block various types of ads, both in the browser and in-app. This ad blocker deals with pop-up ads, banners, autoplay video ads, trackers, cryptocurrency mining ads, and other online threats.
Unfortunately, many customers, both of the free and paid plans, frequently share their disappointment with the product’s results. Whether it’s performance issues, ineffective ad blocking, interference with other online activities, or lackluster customer support – AdLock has its fair share of unsatisfied users.
As such, we recommend considering alternative reliable ad-blocking solutions. Our top suggestion for all your ad-blocking needs is Total Adblock.
We tested the AdLock ad blocker based on its performance blocking various ads and trackers, features, apps, ease of use, features, extensions, and price-to-value ratio. So, continue reading our AdLock review to learn all there is to know about this product.
Total AdBlock | Adlock | |
⭐ Rating: | ||
🥇 Overall rank: | #2 out of #10 | #5 out of #10 |
💵 Price: | From $1.59/month | From $0.73/month |
✂️ Free version: | Yes | Yes |
🛑 Blocks trackers: | Yes | Yes |
🍿 Blocks YouTube ads: | Yes | Yes |
🖥️ Compatibility: | Android, iOS | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS |
🌐 Supported browsers: | Chrome, Safari, Opera, and Edge | Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari, Opera, Yandex, Brave, Vivaldi |
🔥 Coupons: | Total Adblock coupon 80% OFF! | Adlock coupon 77% OFF! |
AdLock pros and cons
The Cybernews in-house research team and expert writers work together to regularly and thoroughly test ad blockers. We use a variety of testing methods to ensure our recommendations are fact-checked and relevant. Find out how we test and evaluate ad blockers.
AdLock capabilities
AdLock has a wide range of blocking capabilities and is one of the best ad blockers on the market. It blocks pop-ups, banners, autoplay video ads, cryptocurrency mining ads, and trackers.
Based on our tests, it can also block analytics tools, error monitoring, pop-under ads, native banner ads, push notification requests, direct link ads, and tracking ads. Because AdLock works on the whole system level (not only on the browsers), it can block ads on external platforms or applications like YouTube, Skype, KMPlayer, uTorrent, games, and others.
Additionally, with the Safebrowsing feature enabled, AdLock checks and notifies you about potentially harmful links before you click them.
Overall, AdLock is a powerful ad blocker that can ensure that you’ll enjoy browsing online without fearing malicious ads or being bothered by annoying pop-ups or in-video advertisements.
Is AdLock safe?
AdLock is a safe ad blocker. It’s based in Slovakia, which doesn’t belong to any intelligence alliance, therefore is more privacy-friendly, and has a research and development department in Ukraine. Based on the ad blocker’s transparent Privacy Policy, the only information AdLocker collects is for development purposes, and the data is not sold to third parties.
This premium and reliable ad blocker come with the underlined importance of users' safety and privacy. AdLocker offers many features to block malicious ads, trackers, and other online threats. It also has a high-rated reputation for its ability to make the browsing experience safer and smoother.
Compatibility
You can get AdLock for various platforms. There’s a system-wide application for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS devices. This dedicated app comes with a paid subscription.
On the other hand, there’s also a free AdLock extension that you can add to your browser. It works with Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge browsers.
AdLock cost and payment options
AdLock offers both free and paid subscription plans. In addition, the paid plans also come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
AdLock free | 1-month plan | 1-year plan | 5-year/ 5 devices plan | |
Compatibility | Browser (Chrome and Safari) only | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge browsers | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge browsers | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge browsers |
Number of devices supported | Unlimited | 1 device | 1 device | 5 devices |
Blocks ads in browser | ✅ (Only Safari and Chrome) | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Blocks in-app ads | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Blocks YouTube ads | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Blocks social media ads | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Blocks all types of ads | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Price | $0.00 | $3.50/month | $2.28/month | $0.73/month |
AdLock’s free subscription is only available for browsers (Chrome and Safari only), and it offers a more limited use than paid subscriptions. It still blocks most ads and can even block YouTube video ads.
On the other hand, the paid subscriptions are fully fleshed out. The premium AdLock version blocks browser and in-app ads and is compatible with Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge browsers. There are also dedicated apps for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS devices.
The best deal comes with the 5-year/5 devices plan. It allows you to cover up to 5 devices with a single subscription, costing only $0.73/month. Alternatively, you can pick the 1-month or 1-year plans that only cover 1 device per subscription.
If you intend to purchase AdLock, this provider only accepts payments via Visa, Mastercard, and PayPal.
Ad blocker pricing comparison
Although AdLock is cheap and offers free ad-blocking extensions, alternative ad blockers aren’t significantly pricier yet offer much greater results. Below is a brief comparison between AdLock and other suggested ad-blocking solutions.
Brand | Rating | Price | |
---|---|---|---|
NordVPN Threat Protection | from $3.89/month | ||
Total Adblock | from $1.59/month | ||
Surfshark CleanWeb | from $1.99/month | ||
AdLock | from $0.73/month |
How to use AdLock?
Setting up AdLock on your device is very easy. However, we prepared a simple guide for you to follow. So you can successfully enable this ad blocker and protect your device and data from malicious ads, links, and trackers. Here’s what you’ll need to do:
- Go to the official AdLock website
- Purchase a subscription plan of your choice
- Download the executable AdLock file on your device
- You may need to disable your antivirus software temporarily
- Install the AdLock application. When you get the dialogue box requesting to allow the app to make changes to your PC, click “Yes”. Proceed with the installation
- On the last installation step, leave the check box near the “Add AdLock to exclusion” marked to prevent local antivirus software from blocking it in the future
- Run the AdLock program, and on the left, select the “Activation” section where you need to input your License Key, which you received in your email. Press “Submit”
- Toggle on the big black button on the bottom to activate ad blocking
- Enjoy browsing ad-free!
Interface and ease of use
AdLock ad blocker is fit to work on various platforms. You can download the app version to your Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS devices or use the browser extension that works with Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge browsers.
Version | Use |
Desktop version | Windows and macOS, user-friendly, intuitive, customizable |
Mobile version | Android and iOS, well designed, user-friendly, and includes all features |
Browser version | Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge browsers, beginner-friendly, intuitive |
The tool is intuitive, easy to use, and beginner-friendly. For more experienced users, there’s the option to customize the settings, which can be a bit overwhelming for beginner users.
Desktop app
The Windows and macOS apps are essentially the same and come with the same features. The only issue is that AdLock is unavailable on the App Store and must be downloaded from the official website.
You can find all the features and setting on the main window. The app is easy to navigate and manage. Although going further and deeper into the settings and filters can look overwhelming with all the functionalities present in the application, it does not take a lot of time to get comfortable with it.
For tech-savvy users that usually prefer it, they can go for a dark theme.
One downside of the application we have encountered is that the local anti-malware tool can detect the AdLock installation file and the application itself as a false-positive threat to the system, and a user needs to take additional steps to work around it.
Mobile app
The mobile apps mirror the desktop versions, including all the same features and settings. There’s also no difference between Android and iOS versions, so you’ll get a reliable and efficient ad blocker tool no matter the device.
The main app window shows the summary of blocked ads and the settings you can customize. While testing this app, we noted how easy it was to navigate it, since all the features are grouped based on their functionality and can be accessed from the main window.
However, one of the main drawbacks we found is that AdLock is not available to download from the Google Play Store. Instead, we had to download the APK file from the official website.
Browser extension
AdLock browser extensions are available for Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge browsers and are slightly less powerful and capable when compared to the desktop or mobile app versions of this app.
The browser extension works only inside the system and can only block the ads present on the browser you’re using. In addition, you can get the free browser extension with limited features or purchase the premium version with most of the features also available in the app versions.
AdLock features
AdLock offers a vast list of features that protect your device and data from online threats. Overall, AdLock can block all kinds of ads, like pop-ups, banners, autoplay video ads, trackers, and cryptocurrency mining ads.
Advertising filters
AdLock also uses HTTPS and DNS filtering to block ads. This allows you to filter which ads you wish to block and which are still allowed.
The Advertising filters are based on EasyList technology, a primary filter list that blocks most ads, including images, objects, and others. The filters include:
- Annoyances filters – blocks callback forms, notifications, and online chats
- General filter (English) – a general list of blocking rules by EasyList
- Counters and analytics filter – blocks based on the EasyList rules
- Social media widgets filter – blocks social media ads and trackers
- Filters based on particular languages – lists of ad blocking rules for websites popular among particular language-speaking users
Anti-tracking feature
AdLock ad blocker offers an Anti-tracking feature that blocks trackers. In addition, this feature helps you hide your online presence, browsing activity, and personal data from advertisers.
Filtering
Filtering options for system applications allow users to adjust ad blocking based on their needs. This tool allows:
- Turning off filtering – allows ads for the application of choice
- Enabling filtering – for apps that need internet access and show too many ads
- Blocking – blocks access to the internet for apps that use it only to show ads
DNS blocking
The DNS blocking feature allows you to choose which domain filtering mode you want to use.
You can choose from Standard (a basic filter that involves blocking the DNS requests), Smart (blocks requests to denied domains after a quick DNS lookup), and Off (disables filtering).
Statistics
AdLock offers detailed statistics that are grouped into different categories. Those categories include:
- Ad blocking – statistics on blocked commercial content
- Protection – reports on blocked trackers, suspicious requests, and intrusion attempts
- Network – list of data on all network events, including blocking, filtering, allowing domains, content, requests
This way you’ll get all the needed information about what features were caught, what threats evaded, and other useful information.
Additional features
There are a few extra features available when you purchase an AdLock ad blocker. These features further enhance your protection online:
- Allow list – allows users to disable ad blocking on separate websites
- Safebrowsing – is based on Google’s Safe Browsing service and protects from malicious links that can potentially contain phishing sites or unwanted/malicious software
AdLock test results
To fully test AdLock's capabilities, we’ve challenged this ad blocker with several third-party testing tools. In addition, we’ve also tried its capabilities with our in-house tests.
Our test only supported the results we’ve gotten from the third-party tools. In addition, our in-house testing also showed that AdLock can very successfully block all YouTube ads.
We used a Windows computer and Chrome and Firefox browsers to test the tool. Here are the results we’ve got by testing AdLock:
- On AdBlock Tester, the AdLock software has blocked all provided ads and got the maximum score of 100/100. The ads include contextual advertising, analytics tools, banners, and error monitoring.
- On the Can You Block It extreme test, AdLock has also managed to block every threat as well. This includes pop-under ads, interstitial ads (ads that pop up before the page loads), push notification requests, in-page push ads (ads that pop up within the web page), video ads, banner ads, native banner ads (sneaky ads that are formatted to make it seem like it is a content published by the website owner) and even direct link ads.
- Cover Your Tracks test has shown strong protection against web tracking, and the AdLock software has been able to block both the tracking ads and invisible trackers.
Customer support
AdLock | |
24/7 live chat | ❌ |
✅ | |
Ticketing system | ✅ |
Knowledge base | ✅ |
FAQ | ✅ |
AdLock offers 24/7 customer support available for its free and paid subscription users. You can easily access the FAQ and knowledge guide pages or contact the support via email or their feedback system (this requires you to provide your email so they can contact you with a solution).
While there’s no live chat option, you won’t need to wait for too long to get support or help. AdLock offers speedy email responses and professional and knowledgeable agent support.
We tested their email support to ask questions about the product and our subscription. The responses were quick and informative, and the agents provided additional information.
So, if you ever encounter any issues with your AdLock ad blocker, you can be certain that the customer support agents will be more than capable of helping and supporting you.
Best alternatives to AdLock
AdLock is an acceptable option if you need a free or extremely affordable ad blocker. However, you get what you pay for with this product, which is subpar ad-blocking results. Therefore, we urge you to consider alternative services that are much more effective and are worth the price. Best of all, they offer generous money-back guarantees for risk-free testing.
NordVPN Threat Protection
NordVPN Threat Protection is the undisputed best all-in-one cybersecurity solution every netizen must have. The package includes the best VPN on the market alongside Threat Protection, which effectively blocks ads and malware. You can even expand your benefit package to include a password manager and secure cloud storage service.
You can enjoy NordVPN Threat Protection on all desktop and mobile device operating systems without missing essential features. Besides ad blocking, the feature also removes tracking parameters from URLs, blocks malicious websites, and scans downloaded files for malware.
Read More: NordVPN Threat Protection review
Total Adblock
As the name suggests, Total Adblock is focused purely on blocking ads and other online nuisances like trackers and excess notifications. Potential customers can start with the stripped-down free version to see how it works. However, we recommend the premium version, which guarantees excellent advertisement removal.
Total Adblock is available as a browser extension for Chrome and Edge, or as a mobile app for both Android and iOS. You can also combine the service with TotalAV and TotalVPN to cover all your cybersecurity needs.
Read More: Total Adblock review
Surfshark CleanWeb
Consider Surfshark CleanWeb if you need a robust ad-blocking service for every device you own. One Surfshark subscription supports unlimited device connections, allowing you to reap ad-blocking benefits without any limitations. Moreover, the service includes a secure and ultra-fast VPN at no extra cost.
Surfshark CleanWeb offers both apps and browser extensions for customer ad-blocking needs. The two versions vary in their included features. We recommend the CleanWeb 2.0 extension, which has excellent results during tests and allows whitelisting websites for making exceptions.
Read More: Surfshark CleanWeb review
Video review
Still not sure whether AdLock is for you? Check out our in-depth video review about AdLock:
Is AdLock any good and worth getting?
AdLock is a budget-friendly and secure ad blocker for blocking various browser and in-app ads, including YouTube ads. This ad blocker is safe to use, doesn’t collect sensitive information about your subscription, and offers various customization capabilities and filters.
Unfortunately, its ad-blocking results aren’t up to par with what’s expected from premium ad-block services like Total Adblock. It also lacks the option to cover other critical online security aspects, such as online anonymity via a VPN and account protection through a password manager. Ultimately, it’s a suboptimal ad blocker simply because better options exist.
FAQ
Does AdLock really work?
Yes, AdLock does work – it’s confirmed by the tests we’ve ran. You can use this ad blocker to successfully prevent malicious ads, in-video ads, banners, trackers, and other online threats from targeting your device and sensitive data.
What is the difference between Total AdBlock and AdLock?
Total AdBlock and AdLock are two different ad blockers available for purchase. Total AdBlock was created by TotalAV (a top-rated antivirus provider), while AdLock is a completely separate product.
Is AdLock free to use?
There’s a free AdLock browser extension that you can get. It offers a slightly more limited version of the AdLock ad blocker. To get all features available, or get an app version of this ad blocker, which blocks ads on the DNS level, then the subscription prices start at $0.73/month.
How much does it cost to get an AdLock?
AdLock subscription prices start at $0.73/month with a 5-year/5-devices plan. A limited browser extension version is available and is completely free to use.
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