Ghostery and uBlock Origin - a comparison

What is uBlock Origin?

uBlock Origin is a free browser extension that is used to filter content online. It is not classified among adblockers, rather it is used to give users greater privacy protection while also focusing on boosting CPU and memory efficiency. The extension was developed by Raymond Hill and his blocklists are now widely used by the ad-blocking community. And as an open-source extension, regular features and updates are also provided by developers engaged with the improvement of the extension. 

Why should I switch from uBlock Origin?

October 9, 2024 marked Google's final phase-out of Manifest V2, fundamentally changing how ad blockers work on Chromium browsers. Because the original uBlock Origin depends on capabilities removed by Manifest V3, it is no longer available on Chrome. Instead, Chrome users can install uBlock Origin Lite, a simplified Manifest V3-compatible version, continue using the full extension on a browser that still supports it, such as Firefox or Brave, or choose another Manifest V3-compatible alternative such as Ghostery to maintain comprehensive ad and tracker blocking.

Is uBlock Origin still a reliable ad blocker after Manifest V3?

Short answer is yes but it depends on which browser you use.

Google's transition to Manifest V3 fundamentally changed how content blockers work on Chromium-based browsers such as Chrome, Edge, Opera, and Vivaldi. Because the original uBlock Origin relies on capabilities no longer available under Manifest V3, Chrome users can no longer install the full extension and are instead limited to uBlock Origin Lite.

While uBlock Origin Lite still blocks many ads and trackers, it relies primarily on static filtering rules and offers fewer advanced blocking features than the original extension. Users who want the complete uBlock Origin experience should use Firefox or Brave. Edge and Opera also still allow the full extension for now, though they are expected to follow Chrome's path.

If you're looking for a Chromium-compatible alternative that continues to provide comprehensive ad, tracker, and cookie pop-up blocking, Ghostery fully supports Manifest V3 while preserving a wide range of privacy features.

Why you should use a content blocker for online privacy

Using a content blocker extension for online privacy is increasingly vital in our digital age. Content blockers serve as a crucial barrier between users and the pervasive tracking technologies employed by advertisers. They prevent unwanted ads from loading, which not only enhances browsing speed but also significantly reduces the risk of exposure to malicious software often hidden within intrusive ads.

More importantly, content blockers help maintain user privacy by obstructing trackers that monitor online activities and harvest personal data without consent. This data is often used to build detailed user profiles, which are then exploited for targeted advertising, sometimes leading to privacy breaches.

By using a content blocker, individuals regain control over what information is shared online and with whom, fostering a safer, more private internet experience. In an era where personal data is a highly valued commodity, employing a content blocker is a simple yet effective step toward safeguarding one's digital footprint.

What platforms does uBlock Origin work on?

You can install uBlock Origin on the following platforms:

• Firefox
• Brave
• Microsoft Edge
• Opera

Chromium-based browsers are still supported for now, though they may eventually follow Chrome's path.

Please be aware that uBlock Origin is in no way related to uBlock.org, which is a relatively new and less recognized content blocking extension. To avoid any confusion, we advise that you should only download uBlock Origin as the original open source, community-powered extension directly from Github or the appropriate extension stores.

What can uBlock ad blocker actually block?

uBlock Origin blocks much more than traditional display advertisements. Depending on your browser and configuration, it can filter:

• Display and banner ads
• Video ads on supported platforms
• Third-party tracking scripts
• Malicious domains and known phishing resources
• Cookie consent pop-ups using compatible filter lists
• Social media widgets
• Cryptocurrency mining scripts
• Various page annoyances such as newsletter overlays and promotional banners

Exactly what gets blocked depends on your browser, the enabled filter lists, and whether you're using the full version of uBlock Origin or uBlock Origin Lite.

What filter lists does uBlock Origin use?

uBlock Origin's blocking capabilities are powered by community-maintained filter lists. These lists contain rules that tell the extension which advertising, tracking, and unwanted elements should be blocked.

The extension includes several filter lists by default and allows users to enable many additional community lists depending on their needs. Because advertisers constantly change how ads are delivered, keeping filter lists up to date is essential for maintaining effective protection.

Is uBlock Origin free to use?

uBlock Origin is completely free and open source. It has no paid version, subscription, or premium features.

Developer Raymond Hill also does not accept donations for uBlock Origin itself. Instead, users who wish to support the project are encouraged to donate directly to the volunteers and organizations that maintain the filter lists powering the extension.

uBlock Origin on Chrome vs Firefox: What's the difference?

The biggest difference today is browser support.

On Firefox and Brave, users can still install the full version of uBlock Origin with its advanced filtering engine, dynamic filtering, and extensive customization options.

On Chrome and other browsers that rely on the Chrome Web Store, such as Vivaldi, Google's Manifest V3 restrictions mean users are limited to uBlock Origin Lite. Edge and Opera still offer the full extension through their own stores for now, though both are expected to complete the Manifest V3 transition. While Lite continues to provide effective ad and tracker blocking, it offers fewer advanced filtering capabilities and customization options than the full version.

If you want the complete uBlock Origin experience, Firefox and Brave remain the recommended browsers. If you prefer Chrome or another Chromium browser, Ghostery Tracker & Ad Blocker provides a full-featured Manifest V3-compatible alternative with comprehensive ad, tracker, and cookie pop-up blocking.

How does uBlock Origin compare to Ghostery?

User Interface

The user interface (UI) relates to the layout of any given piece of software, and it should ideally be designed to ensure that the user can easily navigate the various features.

This is an area that Ghostery is widely recognized for, thanks to the clean, professional format that encourages users to engage and interact with the various features.

Every section is clearly labelled, and you can click on the small ‘I’ icon next to each option to get a more detailed explanation about what it can be used for.

Users may not experience the same ease of use with uBlock Origin. The developer’s main point of focus appears to have been to provide powerful features for expert users, which means the aesthetics are not as pleasing as Ghostery. However, uBlock Origin’s design appearance does not have any impact on its effectiveness.

Control options

There are three modes users can try with uBlock Origin: Easy, Medium, and Hard. Default settings are applied on Easy mode, with a few additional options made available. Medium mode is more advanced and suitable for tech-savvy users, while if you are comfortable using the Advanced setting, you should be able to achieve much more control.  

However, due to the large number of power-user features and settings, you may struggle to find the balance of right options to suit your needs.

Ghostery complements ad and tracker blocking with tracker transparency, automatic cookie pop-up blocking, and browsing assistance, making it easier to understand and control what happens on each website.

Both Ghostery and uBlock Origin are extensions that automatically block all ads and data mining trackers. If needed, you can change these settings at any time by simply making the alterations in the settings section.

Privacy

uBlock Origin is free, open source, and developed by volunteers. Rather than accepting donations for the extension itself, its developer encourages users to support the maintainers of the community filter lists that power its blocking capabilities.

Ghostery is also free, open source, and does not collect personal data through its tracker-blocking extension. Beyond blocking ads and trackers, Ghostery provides tracker transparency, automatic cookie pop-up blocking, and browsing assistance to help users enjoy a cleaner and more private web.

Speed

Thanks to Ghostery’s default settings, all the advertising and background clutter that can slow down web page loading is removed. This lessens the load on your device, which should result in faster loading pages and fewer issues navigating the page.

While it may not be immediately apparent, this will also help to improve your energy efficiency as your device’s CPU and memory will use fewer energy resources during the loading process.  

Speed is also a big feature point for uBlock Origin, as it is a lightweight extension that should not interfere with the loading of web pages as you browse.

What are the pros and cons of uBlock Origin?

Pros

• Web pages load faster
• Open-source extension with a strong web-based community
• Customized power user features offer enhanced blocking control on supported browsers

Cons

• No longer available on Chrome
• Interface may overwhelm some users
• uBlock Origin is not available for the Safari web browser

What are the pros and cons of Ghostery?

Pros

• Free to download on multiple devices, including iPhone
• Fully compatible with Manifest V3 browsers
• Automatically blocks all adverts, third-party trackers, and cookie pop-ups

Cons

• Some users may not find the additional tracker information useful
• Compared to uBlock there are fewer options to add custom block rules

Summary

Both Ghostery and uBlock Origin provide excellent protection against online advertising and tracking. YouTube ads remain the toughest challenge for both, given Google's crackdown on ad blockers — effectiveness there depends heavily on your browser and up-to-date filter lists.

The biggest difference today is browser compatibility. Firefox and Brave still support the full version of uBlock Origin, while Chrome users are limited to uBlock Origin Lite because of Manifest V3. Ghostery fully supports Manifest V3, delivering comprehensive ad, tracker, and cookie pop-up blocking on every major browser while remaining easy to use.

If you want the complete uBlock Origin experience, Firefox and Brave are the browsers to use. If you prefer Chrome or another Chromium browser, Ghostery Tracker & Ad Blocker is an excellent choice.

uBlock Origin Lite vs uBlock Origin: What Is the difference?

Although they share a name, uBlock Origin Lite and uBlock Origin are different products.

The original uBlock Origin offers advanced filtering capabilities, extensive customization, and support for dynamic filtering rules. These features are still available on browsers such as Firefox and Brave.

uBlock Origin Lite was designed specifically for Manifest V3 and is available on Chromium browsers including Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Opera, and Vivaldi. It uses fewer system resources and offers a simplified experience with a privacy slider, but it includes fewer features and filter lists than the original extension.

Unlike the full version, Lite relies primarily on static filtering rules. As a result, it cannot block some harder-to-filter ads or provide the same level of site-specific customization and advanced filtering.

Read our full review here.

Take control of your digital privacy today!

Instead of managing cookie banners and tracking preferences on every website, let Ghostery block ads, trackers, and cookie pop-ups automatically. You'll spend less time clicking and more time enjoying a cleaner, more private web.

Get in touch with our team if you have any questions - we are always happy to help!