Ad blocking on iPhones and iPads is significantly different, mostly because of Apple. As advertising is Google’s primary revenue stream, they tend to be more lenient about apps with intrusive ads and trackers on the Play Store. But not Apple; they have strict policies about ads, and that’s why you don’t see as many intrusive ads on iPhone apps as much as you do on others. However, similar to their restrictions on ads, they also restrict ad blockers by limiting their use to only Safari. And Apple’s restrictions on sideloading do not help the matter at all.
Just because Apple is strict about ads on apps does not mean you get an ad-free experience on iOS. So, while blocking Safari ads may rid you of ads and trackers for websites, for a better experience, you need a more system-wide approach. That may seem complicated with all the restrictions in place, but it is not impossible.
We have tested multiple ad blockers on iPhones and iPads and shortlisted four services that do it best. One of them can block ads and trackers throughout the system. So here are the top four best ad blockers for iPhones and iPads.
Overview of the Top Contenders
Before we discuss each ad blocker, let’s review some essential information, such as compatibility and pricing.
Total Adblock | 1Blocker | AdLock | AdGuard | |
Best For | Security | Advanced users | Ease of use | Best overall |
Compatibility | Chromium Based Browsers, Android, and iOS | Android | Browsers, Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS | Browsers, Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS |
Open-Source | No | Yes | No | Yes |
Support | Email, Phone, Help Center | Email, Phone | Email, Knowledge Base | |
Starts At | $19.99/year | Free | $3.50/month, $34/year | $29.88/ |
Security-Focused: Total Adblock
Total Adblock is a straightforward, reliable ad blocker that is well-suited for iPhone and iPad users. It delivers a smooth and secure ad-blocking experience for Safari on all iOS devices, making it ideal for beginners. Once you set it up, Total AdBlock effortlessly removes banners, pop-ups, and notifications.
Created by the developers behind TotalAV antivirus, Total Adblock comes with extra security features, making it an easy choice for users who want a simple solution that also keeps user safety in mind. With a premium plan, you even get TotalAV’s antivirus included, adding an extra layer of protection. And if you’re unsure, the 30-day money-back guarantee lets you explore Total AdBlock risk-free.
Total Adblock also blocks trackers alongside ads, helping keep your browsing data private and reducing targeted advertising. Although Total Adblock doesn’t extend beyond Safari due to iOS restrictions, it performs effectively within those limits, allowing for a cleaner, safer online experience. With an easy setup and minimal configuration, Total Adblock is ideal for users who prefer a “set-it-and-forget-it” tool that’s both user-friendly and powerful.
Features
- Tracker Blocking: Blocks trackers to protect browsing data and reduce targeted ads.
- Prioritises Security: Restricts malicious sites and phishing links from opening.
- Easy Safari Integration: Works directly with Safari, removing ads and clutter from websites.
- Simple Setup: Designed for ease of use, requiring minimal configuration to start blocking ads.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Easy setup and user-friendly interface
- Provides additional privacy by blocking trackers
- Comes bundled with TotalAV, which also works on iOS
Cons
- Only works within Safari
- Limited customisation options
- Free version is not that great
For Power Users: 1Blocker
Tired of constant ad interruptions on your iPhone? If so, 1Blocker offers a streamlined way to block ads, specifically in Safari. This means no pop-ups, banners, or trackers. Unlike many other solutions built for all platforms, 1Blocker is designed with iOS in mind and focuses solely on Safari, so while it won’t work in other apps or browsers, it’s perfect for those who use Safari as their default browser on iPhone. With 1Blocker, you get more than just basic ad blocking. You can choose what you want to block. Ads, annoyances, adult content, social media widgets, and trackers. 1Blocker gives users much flexibility to customise their browsing experience without making it too complicated.
Setting up 1Blocker is simple. You download it from the App Store, open it, and enable content blocking for Safari in your settings. From there, you can select blocking categories, like ads or trackers, and eliminate annoyances with just a few taps. While the free version lets you block a single category, upgrading to the premium unlocks unlimited categories, custom rules, and iCloud sync so that you can keep your settings across multiple devices. You can even create regional rules to improve ad blocking in specific countries and whitelist trusted sites for a more personalised experience.
Features
- Advanced Filtering Options: Allows blocking of ads, trackers, comments, and specific web elements.
- Blocks Adult Content: Contains an adult site blocklist that prevents access to almost all adult sites.
- Protects Against Fingerprinters: Blocks scripts that gather information about your browser, operating system and device.
- Custom Rules: Users can create personalised rules for a tailored ad-blocking experience.
- Battery-Friendly: Designed to minimise battery usage while blocking ads in Safari.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Blocks YouTube ads on Safari
- Extensive customisation options for advanced users
- Blocks a wide variety of web elements and annoyances
- Consumes very little battery
Cons
- No system-wide blocking
- Some advanced features require a subscription
- Can be a bit complex for some users
Privacy-Focused: AdLock
Similar to Total Adblock and 1Blocker, AdLock’s functionalities on iOS are limited to Safari. Starting at just $3.5 a month, AdLock provides complete protection from all ad types and trackers while handling annoyances like notifications, pop-ups, and cookie consents. With its anti-tracking tools and Safe Browsing integration, AdLock ensures that your online activity remains private and shields you from potentially malicious sites.
AdLock’s subscriptions serve up to 5 devices, making it a great value for money. And with cross-platform support, you can use it on your iPhone, iPad, MacBook, Windows PC, and Android phone. AdLock’s user-friendly setup and consistent performance make it an ideal choice for iPhone users who want straightforward, privacy-focused ad blocking. And if you want to try it risk-free, there’s a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Features
- Anti-Tracking: Blocks trackers to keep your data private and reduce targeted ads.
- HTTPS Filtering: Blocks ads from most secure sites and apps.
- Safe Browsing Integration: Warns against unsafe sites, enhancing online safety.
- User-Friendly Setup: Easy to install and activate, with minimal setup required.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Effective ad blocking and privacy features for Safari
- Focuses on user safety with anti-tracking and safe browsing tools
- Straightforward and simple to use
- Great value for money
Cons
- Limited to Safari
- Customisation options are limited compared to some other blockers
- No free version will be available once the trial ends
System-wide Support: AdGuard
Now, AdGuard does this a bit differently. The AdGuard app from the App Store is good at what it does. It blocks ads on Safari and has too many filters for blocking ads, trackers, annoyances, self-promotions, cookie consents and more, which is good. But AdGuard is also a DNS resolver. This means it can block ads on a DNS level. We’ll get into the details of what that means. But for now, it means that ads get blocked before they can even reach your iPhone and it makes browsing the web super fast.
So, how do you get it to work? You go to adguard-dns.io, sign up and get a private DNS. The dashboard will let you customise how you want it to block ads and other content. Then, from the AdGuard app, you can enable DNS protection and add the custom DNS server. This feature makes AdGuard an ideal choice for users looking for the closest possible thing to system-wide ad blocking on iOS.
Features
- System-Wide Ad Blocking: Blocks ads across apps, games, and browsers.
- DNS Resolver: The private DNS feature blocks ads across Safari and compatible apps.
- Customisable Filters: Extensive filter options for personalised ad and tracker blocking.
- Malware and Phishing Protection: Shields users from malicious sites, enhancing security.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Block ads system-wide
- A single subscription supports multiple devices
- It uses DNS-based blocking even without the app
- Customisable filters for advanced users
Cons
- Requires manual DNS setup for system-wide blocking
- Some features need a subscription
- It may have a learning curve for some users
How to Block Ads on iPhone with DNS?
Computers and networks communicate through IP addresses instead of domain names, but we use domain names because they are easy to remember. Now, DNS resolvers translate our domain names into IP addresses and vice versa. DNS ad blockers intercept your requests and block our known ads and other annoying elements while the translation is taking place. It’s a simple way to block ads system-wide on your device, including Safari and other apps that use network connections.
While most ad blockers on Android use a local VPN to block ads, Apple has certain restrictions about that. Moreover, as sideloading apps is very difficult on iPhones, running an ad-blocking DNS is the easiest way to block ads system-wide. And it doesn’t even require an app. So how do you do it? First, you must acquire the DNS addresses from a provider of your choice. AdGuard and NextDNS are two great options; You can sign up on their websites and get free private DNS addresses for iOS devices. Once you have your primary and secondary addresses, follow these steps on your iPhone:
- Open Settings and go to Wi-Fi.
- Tap on the (i) icon next to the Wi-Fi network you’re connected to.
- Scroll down to Configure DNS and select Manual.
- Delete any existing DNS entries and add your primary and secondary IP addresses
- Tap Save.
The DNS is now set up on your iPhone and will start blocking ads in Safari, apps and other network based activities. Both AdGuard and NextDNS allows you to customise your ad blocking experience from the dashboard on their website.
DNS ad blocking is great way to block ads on iPhone but it has some limitations. For example it can’t block ads that are built into apps like ads on YouTube. But it works great on browsers like Safari and most third-party apps so it’s a good choice for general ad blocking. Since it doesn’t require a background app DNS based blocking is very light on resources and will preserve your iPhone’s battery life.
Wrapping Up
Apple’s restrictions surely make it tough to find the right ad blocker. While solid options for blocking ads on Safari exist, system-wide solutions are scarce. However we have tried to keep different ad blockers that will cater to users with different needs.
Total Adblock has a great balance of ease of use and security features, perfect for those who want to improve online safety with minimal hassle. 1Blocker has many customisation options, which is great for advanced users who want more control over what gets blocked in Safari. AdLock’s anti-tracking and safe browsing features stand out to users who prioritise reliability. AdGuard’s DNS-based ad blocking is system-wide and works on all apps along with Safari.
Each of these has something to offer. Whether you want privacy, ease of use or advanced customisation, one of these ad blockers will do the trick. Apple’s restrictions might limit ad blocking on iOS, but these will get you the closest to an ad-free experience. Choose what you like and enjoy a cleaner, faster and more secure browsing on your iPhone.