uBlock Origin has always tried to make a statement about the user’s right to block unwanted content. Created by Raymond Hill (aka gorhill), uBlock Origin quickly became the easiest recommendation for privacy-conscious users because of its open-source nature, customizability, and excellent ad-blocking. But Google Chrome’s Manifest V3 update threw a wrench into their works and essentially broke uBlock Origin’s advanced features in Chrome.
They had a tough choice to make: either modify uBlock Origin to fit Google’s new rules (and defeat its purpose) or lose Chrome users altogether. Instead, they chose a middle ground: create a leaner, simplified version called uBlock Origin Lite. This stripped-down version preserves core ad blocking while adhering to Google’s new rules. It keeps the open-source spirit alive without compromising on user protection.
| ⭐ Rating | 9.1 out of 10 |
| 💵 Price | Free |
| ▶️ Blocks YouTube Ads? | Yes |
| ⛔ Blocks Trackers? | Yes |
| 💻 Compatibility | Chrome, Safari, Firefox, and Edge |
Pros & Cons of uBlock Origin Lite
Now being a lighter version of already lightweight uBO, uBlock Origin Lite did have to make some compromises, but it gains a few points aswell.
Pros
- Completely free and open-source
- Lightweight and resource friendly
- Works on all major browsers
- Manifest v3 compliant
- A lot of filters to choose from
Cons
- No dynamic filtering
- No real-time filter updates
- No dedicated support team
uBlock Origin Lite Features Overview
uBlock Origin Lite keeps a lot of the features that made uBlock Origin stand out. It has the same default ad blocking experience as uBO. So if you never jumped into the settings to tweak it, you will practically get the same experience. It’s efficient, and powerful. It swiftly deals will ads, trackers, crypto-miners, and any other unwanted content that might make your browsing experience unpleasant.
The extension pop-up and the first page of the settings have a slider that lets you adjust how strict you want the ad blocking to be. It features uBlock Origin’s default filter list, EasyList, EasyPrivacy, and Peter Lowe’s ad and tracking server list. These lists are already very robust and covers most of it. And if you take a peek into the settings there are more filters that can be enabled.
What you’ll find missing is uBO’s famous dynamic filtering system. Because the developers chose to ditch it for a more declarative design. Which is good as it makes it very lightweight as there is no background processes actively running in the background.
Now let’s run out tests on uBlock Origin Lite to see if its features meet all our criteria.
Ad Blocker Features
| Features | Status |
|---|---|
| Blocks Banner Ads? | Yes |
| Blocks Video Ads? | Yes |
| Blocks Pop-ups? | Yes |
| 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) | 10 |
Even after being a lightweight, stripped down version of an already resource efficient ad blocker, uBlock Origin Lite does not compromise on any of the essential ad blocking features. Which is impressive.
Performance Test
How We Tested uBlock Origin Lite
We put uBlock Origin Lite through a mix of hands-on testing and browser-based benchmarks to see how it holds up in real life. We wanted to test not just how well it blocks ads but how efficiently it runs and if it lives up to the “lite” in its name.
Our process starts with installation and compatibility checks, to see how easy is it to set up across different browsers and systems. Then we look at usability: Is it user friendly for casual users? Does it have any customization options? From there we look at support and sustainability since uBOL is a free, open-source project. And of course we test it on real world sites like YouTube, Reddit and a few ad heavy news outlets.
We finish with benchmark tests to measure resource usage and blocking efficiency so you get the full picture of how uBOL performs in the wild. If you want to know the nerdy details of our methodology check out our full guide on how we test ad blockers.
Testing Websites
We tested uBlock Origin Lite on a few notorious ad jungles: YouTube, Forbes, The New York Times, Reddit, X (formerly Twitter), Twitch, and Crocs. These are a mix of streaming, news, e-commerce, and social platforms, each with their own brand of pop-ups, tracking scripts, autoplay videos and other ads that all come from different ad providers.
YouTube
YouTube is one of the toughest platforms for ad blockers to work, especially with the all their active measures against ad blockers. On top of that, YouTube has been serving ads using the same domains as the content, making it even more difficult for ad blockers to work properly. With uBlock Origin Lite turned on with complete filtering mode, we navigated the homepage, watched many videos from top creators that use YouTube ads and scrolled through many Shorts.
The result were surprisingly good. All the video ads were blocked including pre-roll and mid-roll interruptions, but occasionally a blank placeholder appeared before playback. Shorts ran clean in our tests with no in-feed ads.
- Skippable ads: Blocked
- Non-skippable ads: Blocked
- In-feed video ads: Blocked
- Bumper ads: Blocked
- Masthead ads: Blocked
- YouTube Shorts ads: Blocked
Ad Blocker Ad Type Coverage
| Ad Type | Status |
|---|---|
| Video Ads | Blocked |
| Banner Ads | Blocked |
| Shorts Ads | Blocked |
| Score (Out of 10) | 10 |
Forbes
Forbes is a mess of floating video players, oversized banners, cookie prompts and newsletter nags. uBlock Origin Lite took care of all the obvious clutter and blocked all banner ads and trackers. And with all the annoyance filters enabled, it even bypassed the free article limit and let us read more than 4 articles, along with the premium ones. Newsletter pop-ups were gone too.
- Banner Ads: Blocked
- Floating Video Ads: Blocked
- Newsletter Pop-ups: Blocked
- Paywall: Bypassed
The New York Times
The NYT is packed with inline ads, sticky banners and animated GIFs disguised as article previews. uBlock Origin Lite filtered out all of the ads and annoyances, and also managed to block their site’s paywalls. It kept the browsing experience smoother.
- Animated Ads: Blocked
- Banner Ads: Blocked
- Paywall: Bypassed
Reddit serves up “Promoted” posts like they’re just another meme. With uBlock Origin Lite, all of them disappeared from our timeline. A few empty divs remained (harmless but noticeable) and sponsored posts in comment threads occasionally slipped through but overall the homepage felt clean and organic again.
Twitch
Even on Twitch, uBlock Origin Lite blocked homepage banners, promotional overlays, and stream ads. Those full-screen interruptions before live content played? Still there. Since Lite doesn’t use dynamic script injection, this was expected. You’ll want to pair it with a dedicated player or DNS-level block for Twitch ads.
X (formerly Twitter)
On X, sponsored tweets are part of the timeline so they’re hard to target. Still uBlock Origin did great in all of the sessions and blocked all the obvious “Promoted” tweets and sidebar suggestions.
Crocs
Crocs.com hits you with sales banners and newsletter pop-ups as soon as you land. uBlock Origin Lite, with the annoyance filters turned on, blocked the pop-ups but not the native store banners. This felt intentional as the discount messages embedded in the page layout weren’t intrusive.
All-in-all uBlock Origin Lite, just like uBO scored a perfect 10/10 on website tests.
Ad Blocker Website Coverage
| Category | Subcategory | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Websites | Forbes | Blocked |
| Websites | New York Times | Blocked |
| Websites | Blocked | |
| Websites | Twitch | Blocked |
| Websites | X | Blocked |
| Websites | Crocs | Blocked |
| Score (Out of 10) | 10 | |
Third-Party Ad Block Testing
uBlock Origin Lite may be the little brother but it still packs a punch when put to the test.
- On AdBlock Tester, uBOL scored a perfect 100/100. It blocked all test categories: contextual ads, banner ads, analytics and sneaky error monitoring scripts. Every attempt to serve or track via third-party ads was blocked, clean and quiet.
- On Can You Block It, uBlock Origin Lite passed all three tests, including the tricky Advanced Adblocker Test. That one’s designed to detect if an ad blocker is running and uBOL remained completely invisible. No detection, no blocking prompts, no fuss.
- Finally, on Cover Your Tracks by EFF, uBOL blocked tracking ads and invisible trackers just like the full version. However it didn’t help much with browser fingerprinting, which means your browser still looks unique to sites using fingerprint-based identification. That’s not a uBOL shortcoming, fingerprinting is hard to stop without anti-fingerprinting tools, but worth noting for privacy enthusiasts.
| Test Name | Test Score |
| Adblock Tester | 100 |
| Cover Your Tracks | 2/3 |
| Can You Block It | 3/3 |
| Score (Out of 10): | 9.3 |
uBlock Origin Lite Plans, Pricing, Free Tiers, and Trial
There’s no catch here. uBlock Origin Lite, just like uBO, is 100% free. No premium version, no trial period, no upgrade nags. Just open-source software doing what it’s meant to do: block ads and trackers without asking for anything in return.
None of the features locked behind a paywall and you won’t be asked to donate or subscribe to use it. It is maintained by volunteers and privacy enthusiasts, not a VC-backed team looking to monetize your attention. Moreover, uBlock creators want the users to donate to the projects that maintain the blocklists instead.
This is nice in an ecosystem where many “free” blockers sell data, inject their own ads or constantly nag you to go premium. With uBOL, you install it, it works, and that’s it. Pure, transparent and community-driven.
| Category | Score |
| Value for Money | 5/5 |
| Free Version Usability | 5/5 |
| Score (Out of 10): | 10 |
How Usable is uBlock Origin Lite?
Compatibility
uBlock Origin Lite really shines here. Thanks to its compliance with Google’s Manifest V3 requirements, uBOL works perfectly on all Chromium-based browsers, including the latest versions of Chrome, Edge, Brave and Opera. Where the full uBlock Origin ran into compatibility issues, especially with Chrome’s newer extension policies, Lite was built to meet those constraints without sacrificing performance.
And that’s not all. There’s even a TestFlight version for Safari on macOS, making it one of the few modern ad blockers that can span Chrome, Firefox and Safari ecosystems. And of course, for the best experience, uBlock Origin Lite is perfect for Firefox, where it can block full throttle without restrictions. Want to learn more? Check out our article on the best ad blockers for Firefox in 2025.
Platform Availability
| Platform | Availability |
|---|---|
| Chrome 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
Installing uBlock Origin Lite is as easy as it gets. On Chrome, Edge, Brave, or any Chromium-based browser, you just go to the Chrome Web Store, click Add to Chrome and it’s ready to go. No pop-ups, extra permissions, or additional configurations required.
Firefox users can get it from the Mozilla Add-ons site, where it installs just as smoothly. If you’re on Firefox, you get the most unrestricted experience since Mozilla doesn’t have the same extension limitations as Google.
Safari is the wild card. There’s a TestFlight version of uBlock Origin Lite for macOS, so you’ll have to do a few extra steps to get it running. But don’t worry, it’s not some obscure dev-only setup. If you go to the uBlock Origin website, you’ll find a step-by-step guide that walks you through the process. It’s well documented and even first-timers shouldn’t have a hard time getting it up and running.
Installation Status
| Installation | Status |
|---|---|
| Quick Installation | Yes |
| Beginner Friendly | Yes |
| Clarity of Instructions | Yes |
| Score (Out of 10) | 10 |
Across all platforms, the install is quick, simple and doesn’t ask for anything extra. You install it and it works.
Ease of Use
uBlock Origin Lite was designed to be simple. If the original uBO felt a bit overwhelming with its matrix-style filtering and dev tools galore, Lite strips all that away. What you get is a slider-based interface that’s actually quite intuitive. You can install it, toggle a few levels of blocking (basic, optimal, complete) and forget about it. It’ll do its job in the background.
Even though it drops features like real-time filter editing and dynamic script blocking, it still allows you to set basic user rules and enable pre-curated filter lists. And while the filters don’t update in real time, the extension updates itself automatically, so you don’t have to lift a finger.
In short, it’s a one-click, works-out-of-the-box experience for non-techies and minimalists alike.
Ease of Use
| Ease of Use | Status |
|---|---|
| One Click Use | Yes |
| User Friendly Settings | Yes |
| Automatic Updates | Yes |
| Score (Out of 10) | 10 |
Customizability
This is where power users might feel the pinch. There’s no dynamic filtering, no element picker, no zapper tool and no way to write custom rules like in the full uBO. But uBlock Origin Lite doesn’t leave you in the dark.You still get a categorized filter list, where you can turn on additional blocklists for social media widgets, annoyance removers or regional ad servers. It won’t please the crowd that wants to block a specific div tag on a specific site. But for most users it’s enough to fine tune the experience without getting overwhelmed.
Customizability
| Customizability | Status |
|---|---|
| Accessible Filter List | Yes |
| Custom Filters | Yes |
| Manual Element Blocking | No |
| Score (Out of 10) | 8 |
If you’re the kind of person who just wants an ad blocker that “just works,” uBOL is perfect. If you’re the kind who likes to tinker under the hood, though, you might still prefer the classic uBlock Origin on Firefox or Edge.
Customer Support
There’s no official support team behind uBlock Origin Lite: no live chat, no help desk, no email hotline. And that’s kind of the point.
As an open-source project maintained by volunteers (thanks gorhill and contributors), support comes in the form of community knowledge. If you hit a snag or want to know how something works, your best bets are:
- The GitHub repository, where contributors maintain the code, respond to bug reports and document changes.
- The unofficial but active r/uBlockOrigin subreddit for casual questions, troubleshooting and filter tricks.
- A basic knowledge base via the GitHub wiki and readme files which cover most installation or feature related questions.
You won’t get a ticket number but you’ll get thoughtful answers, often from the people who build or use the tool every day.
| Customer Support | Description / Score |
| Availability of Support | Knowledge Base |
| Response Time | N/A |
| Support Quality | N/A |
| Score (Out of 10): | 1 |
Top Alternatives for uBlock Origin
While uBlock Origin Lite is a great fit for Chrome users who want fast, lightweight blocking with minimal setup, it’s not the only player in the game. Here are some solid alternatives worth considering.
uBlock Origin Lite | uBlock Origin | AdGuard | Total Adblock | |
Score | 9.1 | 9.4 | 9.6 | 8.2 |
Best For | Compatibility | Customizability | System-wide ad blocking | Security features |
Adblock Tester Scor | 100 | 96 | 95 | 100 |
Cover Your Tracks | 2/3 | 2/3 | 2/3 | 2/3 |
Compatibility | All browsers | Browsers | Browsers, Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS | Chromium Based Browsers, Android, and iOS |
Open-Source | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
Support | Knowledge Base | Community | Email, Knowledge Base | Email, Phone |
Starts At | Free | Free | $29.88/ | $19.99/ |
Final Verdict
uBlock Origin Lite is for minimalists. It doesn’t try to do everything and that’s exactly why it works. If you want a lightweight, privacy-respecting, zero-configuration ad blocker that just gets the job done, this is it.
It’s not for tinkerers or power users who want script-level control. It won’t replace the full uBlock Origin on Firefox. But for the everyday user who wants to browse without banners, trackers, or cookie pop-ups without touching a single setting, uBOL is a no-brainer.
It’s fast. It’s free. It’s open-source. And despite the limitations of Google’s Manifest V3 uBlock Origin Lite proves you can have ad blocking without bloat or compromise.
If Chrome is your daily driver and you’re tired of how many blockers feel half-broken these days, try uBlock Origin Lite. You might not even notice it’s there, and that’s kind of the point.
| Category | Score | Weight |
| Features | 10 | 20 |
| YouTube | 10 | 10 |
| Websites | 10 | 10 |
| Independent Tests | 9.3 | 15 |
| Pricing | 10 | 15 |
| Compatibility | 6 | 5 |
| Installation | 10 | 5 |
| Ease of Use | 10 | 10 |
| Customizability | 8 | 5 |
| Support | 1 | 5 |
| Bonus | 0 | N/A |
| Final Score: | 9.1 | 100 |
Frequently Asked Question
Is uBlock Origin Lite free to use?
Yes, uBlock Origin Lite is totally free. There are no premium features, no upgrade tiers, no hidden costs. It is fully free and open-source and maintained by volunteers.
What’s the difference between uBlock Origin and uBlock Origin Lite?
The full uBlock Origin is feature-rich and allows advanced filtering, scripting control and custom rules. uBlock Origin Lite is a simplified, Manifest V3 compliant version designed to work within Chrome’s new extension limits. It’s lighter, faster and easier to use, but less customisable.
Which browsers support uBlock Origin Lite?
uBOL works on all Chromium-based browsers (like Chrome, Edge, Brave and Opera), Firefox and Safari (via TestFlight on macOS). It’s especially useful on Chrome where the full version is limited by new extension policies.
Does uBlock Origin Lite block YouTube ads?
Mostly yes. It blocks banner ads, video ads and YouTube Shorts ads in most cases. But because it’s browser-level filtering (not dynamic scripts) occasional ads or placeholders may slip through.
Does uBlock Origin Lite block anti-adblock popups or paywalls?
To some extent. uBOL can block common overlay popups and trackers. And with it’s annoyance filters on, it is pretty good against soft paywalls and even some aggressive anti-adblock scripts. The performance here is very similar to the full uBlock Origin.
Can I create custom filters in uBlock Origin Lite?
Yes, you can enable extra blocklists but you can’t create complex dynamic filters or use the element picker like in the full version. It’s designed to be simple and hands-off.