When I say Wipr 2 is the most minimal, uncluttered ad blocker I have ever used, I am not exaggerating. It doesn’t even have a universal pause button. And that’s what makes it special. However, it also makes it hard to review using our general framework, so this one will be a bit different.
But before we get to that, let me explain why Wipr 2 can’t be reviewed. It’s just five blocklists on your Safari. The app does nothing other than tell you whether it’s working. So, the only way to test it is to enable the blocklists and see how they perform in benchmarks and websites. We’ll also answer some questions.
| 💵 Price | $4.99 |
| 🏷️ Free version | No |
| ▶️ Blocks YouTube Ads? | Yes |
| ⛔ Blocks Trackers? | Yes |
| 💻 Compatibility | Safari, macOS, iOS |
Pros & Cons of Wipr 2
Pros
- Simple and clutter-free interface.
- Seamless Safari Integration.
- Effective Ad Blocking.
- Avoids Detection.
- Lightweight and efficient.
- Affordable One-Time Payment
Cons
- No Universal Pause Button.
- Does not allow users to customise or adjust blocklists
- Works only on Safari.
- No Trial Version
How Well Does Wipr 2 Perform in Real-World Tests?
Wipr 2 blocks ads really well. We browsed through news, social media, and video websites, and it blocked most banner ads. The only place where it lacked was Yahoo Mail, where I saw more ads than usual as it failed to block any. However, other than that, Wipr 2 should be fine for regular use. Also, it blocks some paywalls, but it sometimes fails to block pop-ups.
Here’s a checklist for what it can and cannot do.
| Banner Ads | Blocked |
| Floating Ads | Blocked |
| Video Ads | Blocked |
| Mail Ads | Allowed |
| Pop-ups | Partial |
| Cookie Consent | Blocked |
| Notification Prompt | Blocked |
| Paywalls | Blocked |
| Adblock Detection | Blocked |
It performs mostly well in real-world scenarios. It also does that while avoiding detection. So, if you frequent a website that doesn’t allow ad blockers, this might be the right one for you.
Does Wipr 2 Block YouTube ads?
Yes, Wipr 2 does block YouTube ads. We have tested it on YouTube videos, banners, and shorts. It blocked everything. Also, Wipr 2 often blocks ads after they are loaded. This means you may see an ad for a split second before it is blocked. While this may seem like an inconvenience, there’s a chance this is how it avoids detection. This makes YouTube ad blockers somewhat future-proof.
How Much Does Wipr 2 Score in Benchmarks?
We have tested Wipr 2 on four benchmark sites, and it has performed admirably.
- Wipr 2 got perfect scores on AdBlock Tester and d3ward’s Ad Block Test. While we have seen perfect scores in AdBlock Tester before, d3ward’s tool makes it much more difficult as it does rigorous testing against scripts. Most adblockers can’t go past 99%. This is the first one that has gotten a perfect 100% on our tests.
- Can You Block It? is a website that simulates different ads to test whether your ad blocker works. If you don’t see any ads, it works how it’s supposed to. This site also tests for detection. Wipr 2 easily avoided detection, while other ad blockers often fail this test.
- Cover Your Tracks tests your browser against invisible trackers and fingerprinting. While Wipr 2 performed well in the previous
How to use Wipr 2?
Wipr 2 is very minimal, which is both its strength and weakness. And it only works on iOS and macOS. Once you’ve installed and opened Wipr 2 on your Mac, you will see a screen that says “Wipr is disabled in the settings app.” The app only has two buttons, “Refresh” and “More”, but they’re not going to do anything in terms of actual functionality.
Open Safari, and from the menu bar, click on Safari > Settings > Extensions. There, you will find four blocklists and Wipr Extra. Enable all of them. Wipr should be active and block ads and annoyances.
Now, disabling or temporarily pausing Wipr 2 is a bit hard as you have to repeat this process. There is no easy toggle on and off button on the app or in the extension widget.
Is Wipr 2 Worth It?
Unlike most other ad blockers, Wipr does not require a subscription. However, you can purchase it from the App Store for a one-time charge of $4.99. For a lifetime purchase, Wipr is an excellent value for money. It mostly stays out of your way and blocks ads for you.
The developers have promised to never switch to a subscription model. However, they accept one-time, monthly, or yearly donations if you want to donate.
Wipr 2 does not offer a refund. However, the regular Apple App Store refund policy may apply. Moreover, the app does not have a trial.
Wrapping Up
Wipr 2 is a no-nonsense ad blocker for Apple devices. Its approach to ad blocking is straightforward. However, the user interface may leave more to be desired. But for the minimalists out there, this ad blocker may be the perfect option.
If you want to explore more ad blockers for Safari, check out our top 5 best ad blockers for Safari.
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