Everyone knows that ads can be quite annoying, popping up on every website and tracking usage across them all. Some may even infect your computer with damaging viruses that are difficult to remove, so we deem it best to install an ad blocker. It will not only restrict ads but also protect your personal information and privacy while you surf the Web. Here, we review some of the best free ad blockers compatible with the Microsoft Edge browser.
1. uBlock Origin
uBlock Origin resists being labeled as an ad blocker and calls itself a “wide-spectrum content blocker.” It is an open-source browser extension for filtering content across platforms. Since it is very lightweight on your system’s CPU and memory, it makes extra effort compared to other blockers not to slow down your computer.
uBlock Origin’s primary aim is to neutralize privacy invasion through filters and block lists. The downside to this is that block lists become obsolete with time, as new trackers are created every day. The developers have countered this flaw by designing an advanced mode where users can curate their own resource type filtering rules based on the website’s origin. With personalized filters, users can get the most out of uBlock Origin.
Filters in uBlock Origin are extremely flexible, allowing you not just to block ads, but also remove certain effects on websites that might block you from viewing content. This could extend all the way to scripts some sites employ to prevent you from viewing them with an ad blocker.
2. AdGuard
AdGuard blocks unwanted ads on webpages, including video ads, pop-ups, banners, text ads, and floating ads.
In addition, AdGuard provides a safe web interaction by protecting users from phishing, malware, spyware, and dangerous websites. It achieves this by routinely checking and blocking malicious content, restricting trackers, hiding your IP address, and blocking third-party cookies.
The “Parental Control” feature on AdGuard makes it an excellent choice for parents and guardians. This feature blocks access to inappropriate websites and prevents children from accessing obscene materials online. To provide the perfect Internet experience for their children, parents can curate an allowlist or whitelist that comprises sites they believe are safe for their children to view and use.
3. AdBlock
AdBlock promises a “worry-free and distraction-free Internet experience for everyone.” The developers of this ad-blocking software understand that most content creators monetize their content via advertising, which is why AdBlock uses the Acceptable Ads program standard to select and restrict annoying ads while allowing unobtrusive ones.
The disadvantage of this ad-blocking technique is that sites the program deems acceptable may be rather intrusive for some users who would rather not see any ads at all, as opposed to blocking only those that pose a significant nuisance. If you find the “acceptable” ads intrusive, you can opt to edit your filters manually via the extension’s settings.
Another solution is to disable the Acceptable Ads filter list by unchecking the option to Allow some non-intrusive advertising in AdBlock’s settings. You can also disable ads on specific YouTube and Twitch channels.
4. AdBlock Plus
AdBlock Plus may sound like just another version of AdBlock, and on the surface, it certainly looks like it. From the “stop sign” aesthetic of their logos to their use of the same ad filter algorithm, they are very similar products. There are, however, a few key differences that might make you favor AdBlock Plus.
Its interface is slightly more modern with a flat, colorful aesthetic that clearly divides different elements that require your attention. This makes it easier to operate for people with vision issues. The settings menu is also more condensed. It’s relatively easy to find its Show acceptable ads option so that you can go scorched-earth on ads if you’d like.
If you care about making sure you get ads on certain YouTube and Twitch channels, you may be better off going for AdBlock instead, as AdBlock Plus doesn’t have an easy way of accomplishing this.
5. AdBlocker Ultimate
AdBlocker Ultimate ensures an ad-free experience by using the “Ultimate Ad Filter” to prevent and block all display ads, including pop-ups and video ads. It keeps users’ data away from activity analyzers and online trackers and helps users avoid malicious sites and online threats such as phishing.
The extension does not have a default list of acceptable ads. Instead, it allows users to curate lists of acceptable websites to visit as opposed to using an “Acceptable Ads” model.
At its core, you may notice that it functions a lot like AdGuard does. That’s because AdBlocker Plus started out as a fork of the project. It has taken a life of its own, however, adding new features such as anti-circumvention methods to counter websites that attempt to show warnings that dissuade visitors from using ad blockers.
6. Ghostery
Ghostery offers privacy and web protection by preventing sites from tracking users’ data. The ad blocker not only protects your online presence but provides meticulously detailed insight into the apps tracking you and how the trackers work.
Its extensive level of detail is ideal for people who expect to see exactly what’s going on under the hood of their extensions. This also can help more curious users learn more about what the websites they visit are really trying to harvest from them.
Ghostery’s free version includes a straightforward customization process where users select an ad-blocking strategy from several different options, including advertising, analytics, consent buttons, and telemetry.
7. Privacy Badger
Privacy Badger is a tool made by the Electronic Frontier Foundation that is almost entirely focused on masking your fingerprint on the Internet by blocking all tracking activity on every website you visit. This makes the task of harvesting your data nearly impossible.
While it’s not a pure ad blocker, it certainly functions wonderfully alongside any other item in this article to provide one more extra-thick layer of privacy, catching whatever every other ad blocker you use missed.
Upon testing, Privacy Badger demonstrated its ability to make cross-site tracking attempts yield a 404 error. It refused to even pick up the request, intercepting it and making it impossible to accomplish its task.
How to Enable an Ad Blocker as an Extension in Microsoft Edge
Using uBlock Origin as an example, let’s take a look at how to enable an ad blocker extension in the Edge browser.
- Visit the Edge Add-ons webpage of your desired ad blocker: uBlock Origin, in this case.
- Click on the “Get” button at the top right.
- A confirmation screen should pop up asking whether you want to add the extension. Select “Add extension.”
The ad blocker should then be added to your browser and ready to use.
If you wish to customize your ad blocker, click the “Extensions” icon in the toolbar, then click on its entry.
The extension will open its user interface. While there, you can access settings by clicking on its gear icon.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any cons to installing ad blockers?
Ad blockers don’t cause any damage to regular users, but they might be bad news for content creators and website owners, as most ad blockers resist advertisements and block analytic scripts. As a result, when you visit a creator’s content page or website, your ad blocker will conceal your digital identity, so much so that you will be invisible in their analytics. This poses a problem for digital creators, as it prevents them from accessing crucial marketing information, such as traffic sources and page views.
Are all ad blockers available as browser extensions?
Usually, yes. Some ad blockers give you the option to download their apps and run them on a mobile device. Nevertheless, most ad-blocking apps that can only be accessed as browser extensions. If your preferred ad blocker falls into this category, it must be included as an add-on.
Do free ad blockers steal your personal information?
No. Ad blockers, free and paid, do not steal your personal information. However, they may ask for access to limited personal data, such as your browsing history or data submitted in web forms. It’s usually only to provide you with more personalized services or assist the developer. Outside of that, they do not access or record any information without the consent of their users.
Image credit: All images and screenshots by author.
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