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Guide

Best Adblockers for Safari in 2025

Key Points

  • Dedicated ad blockers go beyond Safari's built-in protections. Ad blockers also improve your browsing speed and overall experience.
  • Some top ad blockers for Safari are Ghostery, AdGuard, Total Adblock, Wipr 2, and 1Blocker.
  • There are a range of pricing models, but the free versions are good enough for most people.
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Best Adblockers for Safari in 2025
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Ad Blockers for Safari in 2025

Open a webpage without protection and you’ll face autoplay videos and hidden trackers that slow your device and harvest your data. That's the reality of browsing without protection in 2025.

Safari offers some built-in defenses like Intelligent Tracking Prevention (ITP) and a pop-up blocker. They help, but they don’t block ads or stop every form of tracking. Plus, as sites have rolled out new tactics over the years, like dynamic YouTube ads and cookie pop-ups, these tools fail to address new annoyances.

Ad blockers fix that. They plug into Safari and stop unwanted content before it loads.

Ghostery and similar ad blockers stop trackers that profile your browsing and block ads, which can make pages load up to twice as fast. Some Safari ad blockers also remove distractions and simplify page layouts to make sites cleaner.

Ad blockers are the easiest way to browse faster, safer, and without the clutter. You might also find the best iPhone ad blocker helps save battery life by blocking unnecessary content.

The ones for Safari work best when they are built specifically for Apple devices. This is important because Safari is built differently under the hood compared to browsers like Chrome and Edge.

Choosing the Best Ad Blocker

Choosing the right ad blocker means finding one that fits how you browse without creating new problems. We believe any ad blocker worth using has several key features.

First, consider its ad-blocking power. Pick a tool that other users recommend. It should block banners, pop-ups, YouTube video ads, and trackers without breaking most websites.

Good ad blockers also offer strong privacy protection. They stop fingerprinting, social media trackers, and site analytics. While their main job is not to block malware sites, they should block deceptive ads. This helps protect you from visiting risky pages.

Ease of use is also important. Installation should be fast through the App Store, and the interface should be clean and simple. If you are an experienced user, you might want advanced filter controls. Look for customization options, too. The best blockers let you allow certain sites, set your own rules, and use regional filters.

Most importantly, make sure it works well with Apple devices; your ad blocker should run smoothly on Mac, iPhone, and iPad with Safari for speed and efficiency. 

Finally, consider its speed impact. Top blockers are lightweight and can even make Safari faster by stopping data-heavy ads. You should also think about the price and whether the ad blocker is open-source.

Top Ad Blockers for Safari in 2025

Blocking ads on Safari is necessary, and Safari has plenty of strong ad blockers.

Ghostery leverages sophisticated machine learning to target the most aggressive trackers and ads. The extension also shows you what's blocked in real-time, so that you have control without any added complexity. You can understand what's blocked without ever feeling overwhelmed.

What sets Ghostery apart is unparalleled transparency, showing you what's blocked in real-time. Ghostery provides insight and control without all the complexity.

AdGuard is a powerful all-around choice. It blocks ads, trackers, and malware, and it lets you customize filters. That flexibility makes it a good fit for families and anyone who values strong security controls.

Total Adblock does a fair job at removing ads across the board, including on streaming sites, but with a catch. Wipr 2 is the “set it and forget it” pick. It’s lightweight, affordable, and simple to use. You install it once and it just works.

1Blocker offers deep customization and syncs across your Apple devices, so you get a consistent, personalized setup on Mac, iPhone, and iPad.

All of these tools run as Safari extensions, which means they integrate well with Apple’s system on macOS, iOS, and iPadOS. They update automatically to keep up with new ad tactics and maintain smooth performance.

Reviews of the Best Safari Ad Blockers

You can block ads on Safari easily with the right tools. And while some ad blockers are complicated, the best adblock for Safari is easy to set up and use right away.

Let's get into the nitty-gritty. We've reviewed some of the most notable ad blockers.

Ghostery

The best ad blocker for iOS not only blocks ads but also trackers and makes your device run faster.

Ghostery has established itself as a leading ad blocker for Safari, particularly for users prioritizing privacy. It acts as a powerhouse of an ad blocker, leveraging an extensive tracker database to effectively block ads and analytics, including those found on platforms like YouTube and social media.

A standout feature is its Never-Consent capability, which automatically rejects cookie pop-ups, alongside a new distraction eraser that allows users to remove individual on-screen distractions.

Ghostery offers excellent privacy insights in a lightweight and fast package with advanced anti-tracking technology and detailed blocking statistics. While its in-depth tracker analysis might be more than some folks need, its core offering is free (with optional donations), making it an ideal choice for everyday users who value both ad blocking and privacy protection.

A free ad blocker for iPhone stops interruptions during your daily scrolling.

AdGuard

AdGuard is another veteran in the game. Many folks block ads on Safari to speed up their browsing and reduce distractions.

This robust solution offers a wide array of features, including custom rules, regional filters for tailored blocking, malware protection, and even parental controls. Its effectiveness across various ad types is a significant advantage, and its open-source nature adds to its appeal for many users.

While a free Safari extension is available, system-wide ad blocking for comprehensive device protection requires a premium app. AdGuard is particularly well-suited for families or for users who appreciate the ability to deeply customize their ad-blocking experience.

Total Adblock

Total Adblock, developed by the creators of TotalAV, presents itself as a user-friendly and minimal ad-blocking solution. The extension offers features to hide cookie banners, social media widget icons, and provide malware and scam protection.

However, a significant drawback is its requirement for a premium subscription to block unlimited ads. What's worse, numerous reviews in the Chrome Web Store raise concerns about the extension generating frequent self-advertisement pop-ups. Some users even label it as a scam, which could impact user trust.

Wipr 2

Wipr 2 is an ad blocker just for Apple devices and Safari. Wipr 2 gets rid of ads and trackers while also blocking cookie notices and crypto miners. It also troubleshoots common issues by itself and supports accessibility features VoiceOver and Dynamic Type.

Wipr 2 costs $4.99, and you never pay a subscription fee.

However, unlike Ghostery and AdGuard, Wipr 2 only works with Safari. It also does not have advanced customization options or system-wide DNS-level blocking, unlike some other tools. Wipr 2 is another good "set it and forget it" extension, so you'll want to look elsewhere if you want a lot of customization. And while it does cost a few bucks, we count it as a positive that a subscription isn't required.

Wipr 2 is for people who want something easy to set up and leave alone, without monthly fees. But it's not for users who use many different browsers like Chrome and Edge, or for those who need an ad block app on non-Apple devices. It also doesn't block YouTube ads.

1Blocker

1Blocker works only on Apple devices. Paid plans cost between $1.25 and $2.99 per month. The paid subscriptions offer three different lengths; the features remain the same. A lifetime plan is also available for $39.99.

The free version of 1Blocker only allows one category to be blocked at a time (either Ads, Privacy, Annoyances, Adult Content). Full functionality requires a premium subscription. There are plenty of extra features for advanced users. It's most similar to AdGuard with the options for additional filter lists.

1Blocker can be configured to block YouTube ads and ads on X (Twitter) and adult content. However, like Wipr, it does not work for users with mixed device ecosystems.1Blocker won't work for people who mainly use browsers other than Safari.

Privacy & Security Considerations

A good-quality ad blocker will protect your privacy online. Most ad blockers come with some basic protection. Others do more to act as a shield against various tracking methods that advertisers and websites use to monitor your behavior across the web.

Privacy-oriented ad blockers stop third-party cookies and tracking scripts. (Think of "scripts" on a webpage as small sets of instructions. These instructions run automatically in the background.) Companies use these to follow you from one site to another, but privacy tools prevent them from building detailed profiles about your behavior.

User Experience & Customization

A good ad blocker matters. A well-designed ad blocker installs easily and "just works" after the initial setup. The best ad blockers offer a set it and forget it experience and work seamlessly in the background. However, you should also be able to easily access settings if needed.

The best adBlock for Safari lets you enjoy a cleaner web now and reduces pop-ups that get in your way.

You need an ad blocker that not only performs exceptionally well but is also user-friendly. That's why we're proud to say that PCMag rated Ghostery for the best interface across adblockers.

Choosing the Best Ad Blocker for Safari

Our top recommendations depend on what you value most. Pick the best iOS ad blocker to make your sessions smoother:

  • If you want something lightweight, Wipr 2 is a great choice. You install it, and it starts blocking ads without any fuss. But it is not a solution against YouTube ads or troublesome ads.
  • Perhaps you prefer more coverage. For a price, AdGuard and 1Blocker let you fine-tune your blocking settings; you can decide exactly what to block or allow.
  • For a powerful, all-in-one solution, consider Ghostery. It blocks both ads and trackers while still tackling pesky ads, like YouTube ads, with no purchase or subscription.

You can pick the tool that best fits how you want to use the internet. People often choose the best ad blocker for iOS to avoid annoying ads during videos. 

Install a free ad blocker for iPhone to protect your data and improve your experience.

As always, get in touch with our team if you have any questions.