Imagine you are all set to learn how to bake or make another mouthwatering dish from YouTube, and just when the tutorial is about to start, an annoying ad appears. It could be you trying to learn a new physics concept or doing anything for that matter. Does this situation frustrate you? The ads are not only annoying but also risky if they are from companies that you do not trust, making YouTube ad blockers essential for you.
In addition to uninterrupted streaming, a YouTube ad blocker ensures data privacy, improves your browser’s performance, and prevents exposure to targeted advertising. However, it is undeniable that if users are going smart, so are notorious hackers. What if the YouTube ad blocker extension you install turns out to be bait to steal your data? That situation could be tricky. Hence, you must install only legitimate ad blockers from reliable sources.
Since choosing an ad blocker for YouTube is significantly time-consuming and tedious, we are here to help. This article presents carefully selected ad blockers based on their ad-blocking capabilities, extra privacy and security features (for instance, availability of a VPN), compatibility with different browsers, the value for money you get from them, and many other factors. Let us proceed straight to them without wasting your valuable time.
Well-Researched List of the Best YouTube Ad Blockers
Below are the best YouTube ad blockers and ad blocker extensions for Windows that we recommend the most.
1. Adblock Plus
Adblock Plus is a popular YouTube ad blocker extension you can use to block YouTube and other ads. This free ad blocker lets you experience a cleaner and faster web by blocking all annoying and intrusive ads, including pre-and mid-roll video ads, pop-ups, tracking, and malware. Moreover, it supports websites and creators by allowing you to unblock acceptable ads.
Furthermore, using AdBlock Plus ad blocker for YouTube is as simple as eating a piece of cake. All you need to do is download the extension and either use the default settings or adjust to add whitelists and change the types of filters.
Pros
- Free and open-source
- Customizable
- User-friendly
Cons
- Acceptable ads are enabled by default
- Limited premium features
Click here to get Adblock Plus
Also know: How to Unblock YouTube Videos in 2025
2. Surfshark CleanWeb
Next, we have Surfshark CleanWeb as our pick for the best ad blocker for YouTube. A part of Surfshark Starter, it allows you to block all ad banners, pop-ups, and videos for a more streamlined and less cluttered experience.
Moreover, Surfshark CleanWeb enhances your privacy and security with its robust VPN (Virtual Private Network) that secures your connection, an option to create a new identity or a proxy email to protect your information and prevent data leaks, and a cookie pop-up blocker that automatically declines consent pop-ups to ensure uninterrupted web browsing.
Pros
- Comprehensive ad blocking
- Improved browsing experience
- Advanced security features (like data breach alerts, malware protection, etc.)
- Easy to use
Cons
- Priced on the higher end than standalone ad blockers
- Occasional ad leakage
- Too aggressive ad blocking (may block legitimate ads or website functionality)
Click here to get Surfshark CleanWeb
3. Ghostery
Ghostery can be an excellent choice for those looking for Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Opera, and Edge YouTube ad blockers. This free tracker and ad blocker extension boasts powerful ad-blocking capabilities for an uninterrupted and fast experience. Moreover, its advanced anti-tracking and cookie blocking prevent websites from tracking your personal information.
Pros
- Effective ad blocking
- User-friendly interface
- Automatic cookie consent notice rejection with never-consent
- Free and open-source
Cons
- Limited customer support
- No system-wide ad blocking (operates only within the browser)
- May cause interruptions or slower video playback
4. Total Adblock
Total Adblock is another YouTube ad blocker extension we recommend. You can use this extension to eliminate pop-ups, banners, and trackers. Moreover, it lets you whitelist acceptable ads and pop-ups and apply various convenient blocking filters. Furthermore, this ad blocker is also available in the Total Security antivirus package for complete malware protection and removal.
Pros
- TotalAV antivirus integration
- User-friendly
- Also available as a mobile app
- Free trial available
Cons
- Account creation required
- Limited customer support
Click here to get Total Adblock
5. Privacy Badger
While specifically designed for blocking trackers, Privacy Badger is an effective YouTube ad blocker. It automatically identifies and disables hidden trackers and sneaky third-party scripts when browsing the internet. Unlike any conventional ad blocker, this one does not draw its power from filter lists but instead uses heuristic learning to detect tracking behavior in real-time.
Pros
- Privacy focused
- Free and open-source
- Effectively blocks ads from third-party trackers
Cons
- Does not block all ads, unlike traditional ad blockers
- Limited mobile support
- No option to manually add or remove trackers
Click here to get Privacy Badger
Also know: Free Ad Blocker Extensions for Microsoft Edge to Use
Best YouTube Ad Blockers: The Conclusion
The best ad blockers for YouTube in this article are what you need for uninterrupted sessions of watching entertainment videos and learning from YouTube. You can weigh each of these YouTube ad block extensions and apps against your requirements to choose the one that fits your needs.
However, if you come across any other effective YouTube ad blockers, share them in the comments section to help others. You can also share in the comments section any doubts, concerns, questions, suggestions, or feedback you may have about this article. We will be happy to help you.
