This ever happened to you? You were browsing for a new pair of shoes, and not every site you visit is showing you ads for shoes. Or maybe you texted your friend about your upcoming trip and now you’re getting ads for backpacks and suitcases. A bit creepy, isn’t it?
This is what Ghostery tries to fix. Billed as a tracker and ad blocker, Ghostery promises to give you a cleaner, faster, and more private browsing experience. It’s designed to keep you in control, letting you surf the web without those prying eyes and annoying ads.
But does it really live up to the promise? From its user-friendly interface to its powerful blocking capabilities, there’s a lot to unpack. Let’s get started.
| ⭐ Score | 8.8 out of 10 |
| 💵 Price | Free |
| ▶️ Blocks YouTube Ads? | Yes |
| ⛔ Blocks Trackers? | Yes |
| 💻 Compatibility | Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Opera and Edge |
Pros and Cons
Ghostery offers a compelling list of benefits as well as some drawbacks. Let’s have a closer look:
Pros
- Advanced community-maintained tracker database
- User-friendly interface
- Automatically rejects cookie consent notices
- Free and open-source
- Provides in-depth analytics
Cons
- No System-Wide Ad Blocking
- Limited Customer Support
- Poor results in Cover Your Tracks
Ghostery Features Overview
Ghostery offers a full-fledged privacy suite with an extension, privacy browser, search engine, statistical reports, and newsletter. But we’re only covering the Tracker & Ad Blocker available as a browser add on. And here’s a rundown of the features that stand out.
Let’s start with the bread and butter. The ad-blocking and anti-tracking features. While in the case of most ad blockers there’s nothing much to talk about in this regard. They all block ads and trackers. But what we like about Ghostery is how it blocks them. It maintains a comprehensive tracker database that’s constantly updated by the community. And you can see from the settings exactly what it’s blocking. Moreover Ghostery also employs AI-driven technology to prevent trackers.
Because of EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) 2018, a lot of websites now require explicit consent from the users before injecting their browsers with cookies and trackers. While this measure is there to protect the users, it also can be a bit of an annoyance. Ghostery handles this for you with the “Never-Consent” feature, where it automatically rejects these cookie consent notices.
If you want to peek behind the curtain, Ghostery’s WhoTracks.Me provides in-depth insights into who is tracking you and now. It is driven by Ghostery’s open-source community-driver tracker database. Based on the database and user reports, Ghostery provides detailed reports on the trackers it has blocked, complete with information about their behaviour and reach.
Ghostery also has a few extra perks up its sleeve. Ghostery’s Tracker Database acts as its main filter but there’s more. You can enable experimental filters to help Ghostery fix broken pages faster and provide feedback. Moreover, there’s also regional filters that allow for a more localised tracker and ad blocking. And finally, Search Engine Redirect Protection prevents Google from redirecting search result links through their servers instead of linking directly to pages.
Ad Blocker Features
| Features | Status |
|---|---|
| Blocks Banner Ads? | Yes |
| Blocks Video Ads? | Yes |
| Blocks Pop-ups? | Partially |
| Blocks Social Media Widgets? | Yes |
| Blocks Sponsored Posts? | Yes |
| Blocks Floating/Overlay Ads? | Yes |
| Blocks Trackers? | Yes |
| Blocks Malicious Sites? | Yes |
| Blocks Notification Requests? | Yes |
| Hides Cookie Prompts? | Yes |
| Score (Out of 10) | 9.5 |
We have a checklist of essential ad blocker features. Ideally an ad blocker should tick all the boxes here. We tested Ghostery and found all the features present, securing a score of 9.5 out of 10.
Performance Test
We have a four-step process to see just how well they perform in the real world. In steps three and four, we get down to the nitty-gritty by testing the ad blocker on popular websites and running it through some independent tests. But before we dive into that, let’s walk you through how we test ad blockers.
How Do We Test Ad Blockers?
We don’t just take their word for it, we run every single ad blocker through a comprehensive set of tests before giving it our thumbs up. Here’s how we test:
Step 1
We install the ad block extension on our browser of choice, Google Chrome. Why Chrome, you ask? It’s the backbone for many Chromium-based browsers like Edge, Opera, and Yandex. While this means we’re skipping over Firefox and Safari, the results generally hold true across different browsers.
Step 2
Once we’ve got it installed, we dive headfirst into the extension’s main page and settings. We’re checking out how user-friendly it is, how customizable the options are, and whether it’s easy enough for anyone to navigate without a manual. Plus, we verify if it lives up to the promises made in its marketing materials.
Step 3
Next up, we take the ad blocker for a spin on some of the most visited websites out there. So YouTube, Forbes, The New York Times, Reddit, X, and more. Does it effectively block ads, pop-ups, cookie prompts, and those notification requests?
Step 4
Finally, we put the ad blocker through its paces using four third-party testing tools:
- Adblock Tester: This tool runs 22 checks using 11 different advertising and analytical services to see how well the ad blocker performs.
- d3ward Ad Block Test: A GitHub project that tests the ad blocker against 135 ad providers, filters, scripts, analytics, trackers, and OEMs.
- Can You Block It: This website offers three progressively tougher tests, each one pushing the ad blocker a bit harder than the last.
- Cover Your Tracks: Focuses on tracking and fingerprinting to show how well the ad blocker protects your online anonymity.
Ideally, a good ad blocker should pass all four of these tests with flying colours. But we don’t stop there. To keep things grounded, we also revisit some websites before and after installing the ad blocker to see if it genuinely deals with all the ads. Once we’ve wrapped up all our testing, we tally up the scores and give the ad blocker an editorial rating out of 10.
Testing Websites
To really put Ghostery to the test, we took it for a spin on some of the most popular websites we all frequent. Think of it as a real day in the life ad blocker test, but in a bit more controlled environment. Here’s how Ghostery performed on each site:
YouTube
YouTube ads are getting more and more annoying these days. And instead of making them less intrusive, YouTube is working on implementing more ads while cracking down on ad blockers. So it’s a bad time for YouTube ad blocking. But with Ghostery on duty, all those banner ads on the home page and video pages? Vanished. No bumper ads sneaking in before your video, and absolutely zero pre-roll or mid-roll ads to interrupt your viewing pleasure. Even YouTube Shorts were blissfully ad-free. It’s almost like having YouTube Premium without actually paying for it.
- Skippable in-stream ads: Blocked
- Non-skippable in-stream ads: Blocked
- In-feed video ads: Blocked
- Bumper ads: Blocked
- Masthead ads: Blocked
- YouTube Shorts ads: Blocked
Check out our guide on the Best Ad Blocker for YouTube for more options.
Ad Type Blocking
| Ad Type | Status |
|---|---|
| Video Ads | Blocked |
| Banner Ads | Blocked |
| Shorts Ads | Blocked |
| Score (Out of 10) | 10 |
Yahoo
Yahoo news and mail sites are filled with adverts which gives us a great opportunity to test Ghostery. Usually in the Yahoo News front we get a lot of display ads from different providers. With Ghostery, we got rid of all of those. However, Ghostery could not block the floating videos. It also couldn’t block any of the ads we found on Yahoo Mail.
- Self-report (homepage): Blocked 19 ads and trackers
- Banner Ads: Blocked
- Floating Videos: Allowed
- Mail Ads: Allowed
Forbes
Forbes is notorious for its barrage of ads and pop-ups. Browsing through their site can sometimes feel like wading through a sea of distractions. But with Ghostery activated, the experience was refreshingly different. The home page and articles were clean. No banner ads, no floating video ads, no mid-article interruptions. Ghostery even blocked those notification requests. However, it couldn’t quite get rid of the newsletter pop-up or bypass the soft paywall that appears after a few free articles. So while it made browsing smoother, it didn’t grant unlimited access.
- Self-report (homepage): Blocked 18 ads and trackers
- Banner Ads: Blocked
- Floating Video Ads: Blocked
- Newsletter Pop-ups: Allowed
- Paywall: Did Not Bypass
The New York Times
Visiting The New York Times, there were no flashy animated banners on the home page, nothing popping up in the middle of articles, and the sidebars were free of clutter. But, just like with Forbes, We eventually hit a paywall. Ghostery couldn’t sneak me past that subscription prompt, but it certainly enhanced the experience up until that point.
- Self-report (homepage): Blocked 8 ads and trackers
- Banner Ads: Blocked
- Paywall: Did Not Bypass
Reddit can be a mixed bag when it comes to ads, especially those sneaky promoted posts that blend into your feed. With Ghostery doing its thing, these sponsored posts were nowhere to be found. Scrolling through subreddits felt cleaner and more streamlined.
- Self-report (homepage): Blocked 4 ad or tracker
- Promoted Posts: Blocked
X
On X, the usual smattering of sponsored tweets was pleasantly absent. So you can expect an ad free doom scrolling session with Ghostery.
- Promoted Posts: Blocked
Twitch
Ghostery couldn’t remove the self-promotion banners that appear below live streams and at the bottom of the page. These are often part of the platform’s own promotions or streamer-specific content.
- Self-report (homepage): Blocked 6 ads and trackers
- Self-promotion Banners: Blocked
Crocs
Last but not least, We swung by the Crocs website, because who doesn’t love comfy footwear? This site has discount pop-ups that seem to interrupt the browsing. Surprisingly, Ghostery successfully blocked the pop-up here.
- Self-report (homepage): Blocked 33 ads and trackers
- Pop-up: Blocked
Now let’s see how Ghostery did overall during this test:
Website Access Status
| Category | Subcategory | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Websites | Yahoo | Partial |
| Websites | Forbes | Blocked |
| Websites | New York Times | Blocked |
| Websites | Blocked | |
| Websites | Twitch | Allowed |
| Websites | X | Blocked |
| Websites | Crocs | Blocked |
| Score (Out of 10) | 7.9 | |
Third-Party Ad Block Testing
- Ghostery secured 98 points out of 100 on AdBlock Tester. Results for two of the checks were inconclusive.
- It got a 99% score on d3ward ad block testing tool, where it failed to block scripts from loading.
- Ghostery passed the first two tests on Can You Block It. But failed on the Advanced Test as its presence on our browser was detected.
- On Cover Your Tracks, Ghostery failed all three of the tests. It provided zero protection against tracking ads and invisible trackers. However, it got a “nearly-unique fingerprint” which may provide some protection
Overall Ghostery got a 7.2 out of 10. But since we have tested ad blockers that managed to get more than 9.5 on this section, Ghostery’s score is not that impressive. Especially the 0 it got on Cover Your Tracks even though it’s an ad blocker that specifically prioritises privacy.
Ad Blocker Test Results
| Test Name | Test Score |
|---|---|
| Adblock Tester | 98 |
| d3ward Ad Block Test | 99 |
| Cover Your Tracks | 0/3 |
| Can You Block It | 2/3 |
| Score (Out of 10) | 7.2 |
Ghostery Plans, Pricing, Free Tier, and Trial
Although Ghostery doesn’t have any premium plans, it still offers some cool perks for those who choose to contribute. As a Ghostery Contributor, you gain access to historical tracker stats that reveal blocking trends, helping you keep a closer eye on your digital footprint. You’ll also get to explore the Ghostery Advanced Tracker Analytics for a deeper dive into what’s happening behind the scenes. Contributors also enjoy exclusive extras like custom colour themes and priority user support. Moreover, the Ghostery Private Browser comes bundled with the Ghostery Private Search engine. As a Contributor, you get to use this private search completely ad-free.
Ghostery does not offer any one-time payment as contributions. From their site, you can either choose monthly or yearly donations. There are three monthly donation options, $1.99, $4.99, and $11.99. The yearly donation options are $23.90, $59.90, and $149.90. Whatever amount you choose to donate, the perks will remain the same.
Now, these donation perks don’t really change the ad blocker much. So it is just as feature packed and usable with or without those perks. And as there is no premium version, there is no free trial either.
Category Scores
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Value for Money | 5/5 |
| Free Version Usability | 5/5 |
| Score (Out of 10) | 10 |
If you like using Ghostery, it is totally worth contributing to. Your donations will be used to further develop the products on Ghostery Privacy Suite, and help with maintenance of WhoTracks.Me database.
How Usable is Ghostery Tracker & Ad Blocker?
Compatibility
Ghostery is available as a browser extension for Chrome, Edge, Opera, Firefox, Safari, and pretty much any other browser based on Chromium or Firefox. If you’re on Android, you can add it as a Firefox add-on. However, there aren’t any dedicated apps for Windows, macOS, iOS, or Android that offer system-wide ad blocking. But you’re looking for a more comprehensive solution, Ghostery offers the Ghostery Privacy Browser, part of the Ghostery Privacy Suite. This standalone browser is available on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. Plus, Ghostery is compliant with Chrome’s Manifest V3 platform, so you can count on it being supported for the long haul.
Platform Availability
| Platform | Availability |
|---|---|
| Chromium Extension | Yes |
| Firefox Add-On | Yes |
| Safari Extension | Yes |
| MV3 Compliance (Chrome) | Yes |
| Windows App (System-wide) | No |
| macOS App (System-wide) | No |
| Android App (System-wide) | No |
| iOS App (System-wide) | No |
| Score (Out of 10) | 6 |
Installation
Getting Ghostery up and running is as easy as pie. Just search for it in your browser’s extension store or head over to the Ghostery website, which will guide you to the right place. Once you add it to your browser, you’ll be greeted with a friendly welcome page. It walks you through enabling Ghostery and even shows you how to pin it to your browser’s toolbar for easy access. The installation process is pretty straight forward.
Installation Overview
| Installation | Status |
|---|---|
| Quick Installation | Yes |
| Beginner Friendly | Yes |
| Clarity of Instructions | Yes |
| Score (Out of 10) | 10 |
Ease of Use
Using Ghostery feels intuitive, even if you’re not an advanced user. The main extension icon lets you pause protection with a single click. You can choose to pause it temporarily, setting a timer for one hour or one day, or pause it indefinitely if you need to. It also shows you exactly how many elements it’s blocking, neatly categorised and displayed in a colourful donut chart. You’ll see real-time stats on trackers blocked and modified, and you can quickly check the status of ad-blocking, anti-tracking, and never-consent.
Peeking into the settings, you’ll find the Privacy Protection section. Here, you can toggle features like ad-blocking, anti-tracking, and never-consent on or off. There are also options to enable Search Engine Redirect Protection and Experimental Filters if you want to ramp up your privacy even more. Ghostery also offers a WhoTracks.Me section that lets you control how much tracking statistics are displayed on the main page.
Overall Ghostery is very easy to use. You can set up and forget about it. But if you want to change things up a bit based on your preference, there’s very little opportunity to mess things up.
Ease of Use
| Ease of Use | Status |
|---|---|
| One Click Use | Yes |
| User Friendly Settings | Yes |
| Automatic Updates | Yes |
| Score (Out of 10) | 10 |
Customization
Ghostery lets you tailor the ad blocker to your needs. You can turn on Regional Filters to block ads specific to certain countries or regions, and even add your own custom filters.
In the settings, the Websites section lets you manage all sites with adjusted protection status. It is essentially your personal allowlist. If there are sites you trust and want to support by allowing ads or trackers, you can easily make those adjustments here.
But here’s where Ghostery really shines, the Trackers section. This is where you get a deep dive into the entire tracker database. It shows you exactly what’s being blocked, and you can choose to allow specific activities if you wish. The database categorises trackers into groups like Advertising, Site Analytics, Consent Management, Social Media, Hosting, and more. It’s community-driven too, so contributors can add new trackers to keep the list fresh and up-to-date. This database acts like a powerful filter, giving you control over your online privacy.
Customizability
| Customizability | Status |
|---|---|
| Accessible Filter List | Yes |
| Custom Filters | Yes |
| Manual Element Blocking | No |
| Score (Out of 10) | 8 |
Customer Support
Ghostery only has customer support over email. We could not find any live chat, phone, or knowledge base. The site says contributors get priority support. We did not contribute. However, when we emailed with our standard support queries, we were immediately assigned with a ticket number and received the support we needed within 24 hours.
Customer Support
| Description | Score |
|---|---|
| Availability of Support | |
| Response Time | 3/3 |
| Support Quality | 3/3 |
| Score (Out of 10) | 7 |
Top Alternatives for Ghostery
Ghostery is a solid option when it comes to online privacy. But let’s see how it stacks up against the competition.
Ghostery | Stands AdBlocker | AdGuard | uBlock Origin | |
Our Rating | 8.8 | 8 | 9.6 | 9.4 |
Best For | Online Privacy | YouTube & Facebook ad blocking | System-wide ad blocking | Customizability |
Adblock Tester Scor | 98 | 53 | 95 | 96 |
Cover Your Tracks | 0/3 | 0/3 | 2/3 | 2/3 |
Compatibility | Browsers | Browsers | Browsers, Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS | Browsers |
MV3 Compliance | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
Open-Source | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
Support | Email, Knowledge Base | Community | ||
Starts At | Free | Free | $29.88/ | Free |
Verdict
All in all, Ghostery Tracker & Ad Blocker proves to be a solid online privacy tool. It effectively blocks ads across major platforms like YouTube and Reddit, smoothens your browsing experience, and puts you back in control of your digital footprint.
While it doesn’t utilise traditional open-source filters and showed mixed results in some third-party tests, its real-world performance and comprehensive feature set, especially for a free tool, make it an easy recommendation.
In our tests, Ghostery got an overall score of 8.8 out of 10.
Overall Category Scores
| Category | Score | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Features | 9.5 | 20 |
| YouTube | 10 | 10 |
| Websites | 7.9 | 10 |
| Independent Tests | 7.2 | 15 |
| Pricing | 10 | 15 |
| Compatibility | 6 | 5 |
| Installation | 10 | 5 |
| Ease of Use | 10 | 10 |
| Customizability | 8 | 5 |
| Support | 7 | 5 |
| Final Score | 8.8 | 100 |
Frequently Asked Question About Ghostery
Is Ghostery Trustworthy?
Yes, Ghostery is a trustworthy online privacy and ad blocking extension. It’s an open-source project. Which means its code is transparent and available for public review. This transparency allows the community to inspect and verify that there are no hidden agendas or malicious code. Ghostery focuses on blocking trackers and ads to protect your personal data from being collected without your consent.
Does Ghostery Cost Money?
No, Ghostery is free to use. The Ghostery Tracker & Ad Blocker extension can be downloaded at no cost for browsers like Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Opera, and Edge. While all of its features are free, Ghostery does offer an option to become a Contributor. By making a donation, you can access additional perks like advanced tracker analytics, custom themes, and priority support. However, these contributions are optional, and the main functionality remains the same regardless of any monetary contributions.
Does Ghostery Spy on You?
No, Ghostery does not spy on you or even collect your personal data unless you explicitly share it with them for support or feedback. Ghostery is designed to protect your privacy. The extension operates locally on your device to block ads and trackers without sending your browsing data back to Ghostery’s servers. Since it is open-source, developers and users can look at the code to ensure there are no hidden data collection practices.
Is the Ghostery Privacy Browser Any Good?
The Ghostery Privacy Browser is a dedicated browser that integrates all of Ghostery’s privacy features into one package. It is available on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS.The browser provides built-in ad and tracker blocking, automatic cookie rejection with the Never-Consent feature, and a private search engine. If you’re looking for an all-in-one browser focused on privacy, the Ghostery Privacy Browser is definitely worth a shot.
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