Browser Plugins / Article • May '24 • Sophia Evan

Best Browser Plugins for Blocking Ads and Trackers

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Many internet users rely on browser extensions to enhance their experience by blocking ads and trackers. These tools not boost privacy but also speed up webpage loading times by getting rid of annoying ads and tracking scripts. With a range of options to choose from it can be tough to pick the best plugins that deliver optimal performance and features. This article will delve into some rated browser extensions for ad and tracker blocking considering their effectiveness, user feedback and compatibility with popular web browsers.

Popular Ad Blocking Tools

Ad blockers are indispensable for users seeking to get rid of advertisements while browsing the web. Here are some recommended ad blockers;

  • uBlock Origin; Renowned for its efficiency and minimal memory usage uBlock Origin is a crowd favorite. It provides filtering capabilities and works seamlessly with major browsers like Chrome, Firefox and Edge.
  • Adblock Plus; Among the most established ad blockers out there Adblock Plus offers customizable filters and a user friendly interface. It supports browsers including Chrome, Firefox, Safari and Opera.
  • AdGuard; This extension not blocks ads but also offers protection against phishing attacks and malware. AdGuard is compatible, with Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari and Opera.

Top Tools for Blocking Trackers

Blocking trackers is essential for safeguarding privacy and preventing websites from gathering user data. Here are some popular tools that help with tracker blocking;

  • Privacy Badger; Created by the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) Privacy Badger automatically blocks trackers based on their behavior. It is compatible with Chrome, Firefox and Edge browsers.
  • Ghostery; Ghostery offers insights into trackers present on websites and allows users to manage which ones to block. It works seamlessly on Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari and Opera.
  • Disconnect; This plugin stops tracking requests from sources to protect user privacy. Disconnect can be used with Chrome, Firefox, Safari and Edge browsers.

Combined Blocking Solutions

Certain plugins provide both ad blocking and tracker blocking functionalities in one package offering a solution for users. Noteworthy combined plugins include;

  • Brave Browser; While not strictly a plugin Brave Browser comes equipped with built in ad blocking and tracker blocking features for a hassle browsing experience.
  • Opera Browser; Similar, to Brave Browser Opera includes integrated ad blocking and tracker blocking options that can be easily activated within the browser settings.
  • DuckDuckGo Privacy Essentials; This plugin ensures strong protection by blocking ads and trackers while enhancing search privacy using DuckDuckGos search engine.

Performance Comparison

Here are the key points from the comparison of these plugins;

Plugin Ad Blocking Tracker Blocking Browser Compatibility Additional Features
uBlock Origin Yes No Chrome, Firefox, Edge Low memory usage
Adblock Plus Yes No Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Opera User-friendly interface
Privacy Badger No Yes Chrome, Firefox, Edge Learns from tracker behavior
DuckDuckGo Privacy Essentials Yes Yes Chrome, Firefox, Safari Enhanced search privacy

User Experiences and Reviews

Based on user feedback from platforms like Reddit and Trustpilot; uBlock Origin excels in ad blocking without causing browser slowdowns. Adblock Plus is popular for its ease of use. Faces criticism for allowing "acceptable ads”, by default. Privacy Badger receives praise for its approach to automatically blocking trackers based on learning.

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