Top 4 Best Ad Blockers for Android in 2024

Ad blocking on Android is very different from pretty much all other platforms. For many users, Android is not the primary device for web browsing. Which means the most intrusive ads target apps and games. While we should be clear from the start, if you’re looking to block ads within dedicated apps for YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram, our list won’t really help you. But when it comes to those full-screen ads in your apps, games, and sometimes even your lock screen, we think we can help you with that. It goes without saying that the ad blockers on our list will also block ads on web pages and provide good protection against trackers. One more thing to note is that none of the ad blockers on our list is available on the Google Play Store, so you may need to install an apk or source it from another app store like Galaxy Apps for Samsung or f-droid. That said, let’s start with our top 4 picks for the best ad blocker on Android. 

Overview of the Top Contenders

Here’s a quick look at the key details of our top four picks, such as pricing, compatibility, and other essential information.

Most Reliable Ad Blocking & Security Solution: Total Adblock

From the creators of the trusted TotalAV antivirus, Total Adblock brings reliable ad-blocking and security to Android with a no-nonsense approach. It’s a simple, practical, and one-click solution to Android ad blocking. This VPN-based ad blocker is extremely easy to use. You just install and enable it, and it’s ready to block ads across Android apps, games, and browsers.

Unlike more customisable ad blockers, Total Adblock prioritises a streamlined experience, making it perfect for users who want hassle-free protection. Total Adblock performs exceptionally well on Android, blocking video ads, pop-ups, and trackers to create a cleaner browsing experience. The app also emphasises security, blocking malware and phishing links to keep your device safe. 

Features

• Comprehensive Ad Blocking: Blocks ads across Android apps, games, and browsers.
• Anti-Malware and Phishing Protection: Prioritizes security by blocking dangerous sites and links.
• Privacy Protection: Prevents tracking to maintain user privacy.
• Cross-Platform Compatibility: Available for Android, Windows, macOS, and iOS.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Extremely easy to use with a one-click setup
• Effective ad-blocking and security in one tool
• High priority on security with malware and phishing protection
• No-root VPN-based solution for Android

Cons

• Limited customisation options
• Not available on the Google Play Store

Most Comprehensive: AdGuard

AdGuard offers the same level of versatility on Android as it does on desktop operating systems. You get system-wide ad blocking, HTTPS filtering, an accessible list of filters dedicated to blocking ads, trackers, social media widgets, pop-ups, self-promotion banners, and many more annoyances. It is a full-featured ad blocker that blocks ads across apps, games, and browsers. It uses a local VPN on your device to intercept and block ads, which means it does not require any root access. 

The app is not available on Google Play Store, as Google does not allow system-wide ad blockers on the platform. However, Samsung, Xiaomi, and Huawei users can download it from their dedicated app stores, such as Galaxy Apps, App Gallery, and Mi Store. The local VPN method, while making the ad blocker compatible with a wide range of Android phones, can be battery-consuming. Moreover, it also prevents you from running an actual VPN. To solve this, you can use AdGuard as a private DNS, eliminating the need for the app to be installed on your system altogether. 

AdGuard on Android requires a premium plan and offers a 7-day free trial without requiring payment information. However, as all AdGuard plans allow the use of 3-9 devices, if you already have an AdGuard subscription that you use on another device, you can use that on your Android phone, too.

Features:

• System-Wide Ad Blocking: Blocks ads across apps, games, and browsers.
• Customisable Filters: Provides access to extensive filters for ad and tracker blocking.
• DNS-Level Blocking: The private DNS option allows ad blocking without installing the app.
• Multiple Device Support: One subscription can cover 3–9 devices.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Comprehensive system-wide ad blocking.
• Supports multiple devices with one subscription.
• Option to use DNS-based blocking without the app.
• Customisable filters for advanced users.

Cons

• Not on Google Play.
• High battery consumption.

Easy to Use: AdLock

AdLock is a practical ad blocker that offers solid ad-blocking capabilities across Android apps and browsers. Like AdGuard, AdLock is unavailable on the Play Store. But we could not find it on any other reputed app stores either. You can download it as an apk from the official AdLock website.

AdLock is mainly for users who want a straightforward ad blocking experience without a complex setup process. It is simple and effective. However, they recommend installing a CA certificate if you want to use HTTPS filtering, which blocks ads even on the most secure websites and apps. 

You need a licence to use AdLock on Android, and we could not find the option to activate a free trial on the mobile app. However, an AdLock premium subscription allows its use on up to 5 devices, so if you already have a subscription, you can likely use that on your phone too. 

AdLock uses a local VPN to intercept ad traffic. Although this VPN setup limits the simultaneous use of another VPN, it effectively blocks ads on most major apps and browsers. For users who don’t want extensive customisation and prefer an ad blocker that “just works,” AdLock is a convenient choice.

Features:

• System-Wide Ad Blocking: Blocks ads across apps, browsers, and other Android interfaces.
• VPN-Based Ad Blocking: Uses a local VPN to intercept ads; no root is required.
• HTTPS Filtering: Blocks ads from most secure sites and apps.
• Privacy Protection: Blocks trackers alongside ads for improved privacy.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Easy to set up and use.
• Comprehensive ad blocking across Android apps and browsers
• Strong privacy protections by blocking trackers
• Comparatively inexpensive
• Usable on up to 5 devices with a single subscription

Cons

• Does not offer DNS-level ad blocking
• Only available as an apk
• Prevents simultaneous VPN use.
• Limited customisation options.

Best Free Ad Blocker: AdAway

AdAway is a free, open-source ad blocker for Android that has built a strong reputation among users who value privacy. Back in the day, AdAway required root access to work by modifying the host file on Android devices. But you can use a VPN mode on your non-rooted phone to make it work. This makes it accessible to a much broader user base and enhances compatibility. AdAway is available on GitHub and F-Droid, and it provides a straightforward solution for Android users looking to block ads at the system level without having to spend money.

AdAway redirects known advertising and tracking domains to an invalid IP address and blocks them across apps, browsers, and other services. As it is an open-source project, AdAway’s code is freely available for anyone to review, which makes it transparent and trustworthy. While it requires some setup, Especially for users opting to modify the host file, AdAway still remains a powerful option for Android users.

Features:

• Hosts File Ad Blocking: Modifies the host file to block ads at the network level.
• VPN Mode: Allows ad blocking without root access.
• Open-Source: Developed by a community of contributors on GitHub.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Free and open-source.
• Blocks ads across all apps and browsers.
• Works with both root and non-root devices.

Cons

• Requires more setup than typical ad blockers.
• Root access provides better functionality but is optional.
• Limited customer support options due to community-based development.

Alternatives

All four ad blockers we recommend worked great when we tried them on our Android devices. But there are a few alternatives you can try.

Firefox with uBlock Origin

uBlock Origin is one of our favourite ad blockers. It’s free and open-source, yet it is more powerful than most paid alternatives. The only problem? It only works with browsers. But thanks to Firefox, you can use uBlock Origin as a browser extension for Firefox on Android. This is definitely not a system-wide solution, but if your main concern is ads on websites, this is a great way to block those ads. Moreover, as you can not really block YouTube ads on the Android app, even with the four ad blockers we have recommended, this is a great way to block YouTube ads, as long as you’re cool with watching YouTube videos from a mobile browser. 

VPNs

As you have noticed, all four of the ad blockers on our list use local VPNs to block ads, which prevents you from running an actual VPN simultaneously. While AdGuard allows you to subscribe to AdGuard VPN to add that functionality, you can also just get a VPN with ad blocking functionality. We recommend Surfshark, NordVPN, and Windscribe. All three of these come with an Ad blocker and cookie pop-up blocker.

DNS

As we have already mentioned, AdGuard offers DNS-level ad blocking. This means you can configure a custom DNS using AdGuard’s dashboard online and then use that on your Android device to handle all your queries. While there are a lot of popular DNS providers out there, such as Google and Cloudflare, most of them don’t offer ad blocking. However, there are a few more like AdGuard that do. You can try NextDNS and Control D. NextDNS lets you customise your DNS extensively and also offers a firewall. Control D focuses on security with the option to block malware and harmful content from the source. 

Wrapping Up

Ad blocking on Android has its own set of challenges, especially with Google Play Store restrictions on system-wide ad blockers. And even with ad blockers, it’s very difficult to block ads on streaming platforms and social media apps. This is particularly noticeable on apps like YouTube, where ads are almost impossible to block on the official app due to the tight controls Google places on it.

Despite these limitations, there are still reliable ways to enjoy an ad-free experience on Android. There are now solutions that bypass the need for root access or complicated setups, making it much more feasible to block ads across apps, games, and even browsers. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Android Really Block Ads?

Yes, Android can block ads, but the options are more limited than on other platforms due to Google Play Store’s restrictions on system-wide ad blockers. Effective ad blockers for Android often use a local VPN to filter out ads across apps and browsers without requiring root access. Although you may not find these ad blockers in the Play Store, they can still be sourced from reputable app stores or directly from developers’ websites.

What is the best ad blocker for Android?

The best ad blockers for Android are Total Adblock, AdGuard, AdLock, and AdAway. While the best one depends on your needs, these four offer good performance. Total AdBlock is extremely easy to use and prioritises security. AdGuard is compatible with a wide range of devices, and it offers the same level of performance across platforms. AdLock, while a newer ad blocker, offers an easy and straightforward user experience. Finally, AdAway is for the technical users who know their stuff and want the most amount of control over the content on their Android phone.