Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

AdAway VS Pointer Pointer

Compare AdAway VS Pointer Pointer and see what are their differences

Note: These products don't have any matching categories. If you think this is a mistake, please edit the details of one of the products and suggest appropriate categories.

AdAway logo AdAway

An ad blocker that uses the hosts file. For Android, requires root.

Pointer Pointer logo Pointer Pointer

Pointer Pointer is an entertainment and fun site that allows users to have fun with their cursor.
  • AdAway Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-09-25
  • Pointer Pointer Landing page
    Landing page //
    2025-03-18

AdAway features and specs

  • Open Source
    AdAway is an open-source application, which means its code can be reviewed and improved by the community. Users can ensure there are no malicious elements.
  • Free
    The app is completely free to use, providing an accessible solution for ad blocking without any subscription fees.
  • Custom Hosts Files
    Allows users to add custom hosts files or use pre-existing ones, giving flexibility in the sources used for blocking ads.
  • Root Access
    Utilizes root access to modify the deviceโ€™s host files directly, providing effective ad-blocking at the system level.
  • Battery Efficiency
    Blocks ads at the system level, which may reduce the number of ads loaded and displayed, potentially increasing battery life.

Possible disadvantages of AdAway

  • Requires Root
    AdAway requires root access, which could be a limitation for users who do not have rooted devices or are uncomfortable with rooting their devices.
  • Complex Setup
    The initial setup can be complex for users who are not familiar with rooting or handling system-level modifications.
  • Potential Security Risks
    Rooting a device can expose it to additional security risks. Improper use or configuration might lead to vulnerabilities.
  • Compatibility Issues
    May not work seamlessly with all devices or custom ROMs, leading to potential compatibility issues.
  • Limited Technical Support
    Being a community-driven project, professional technical support is limited compared to commercial ad-blocking solutions.

Pointer Pointer features and specs

  • Entertainment
    Pointer Pointer offers a unique and entertaining experience by finding a photo with a person pointing at the cursor location, which can be amusing to users.
  • Simplicity
    The website features a simple and intuitive interface, making it easy to interact with and enjoy without requiring any technical skills.
  • Novelty
    The concept of finding and displaying a corresponding pointing image at different cursor positions is a novel idea that captures users' curiosity.
  • User Engagement
    The website encourages users to move their cursor around, increasing interaction and engagement as users test different positions to see new images.

Possible disadvantages of Pointer Pointer

  • Limited Functionality
    Pointer Pointer offers a single-function experience, which may lead to limited user engagement over time as there are no additional features to explore.
  • Novelty Wears Off
    While the concept is initially intriguing, the novelty can wear off quickly, leading to a decrease in repeat visits from users.
  • Lack of Practical Use
    The site does not serve a practical purpose or provide any useful information, which might not appeal to users seeking productivity or educational content.
  • Slow Performance
    Depending on the speed of the internet connection, loading new images might take time, potentially leading to a less satisfying user experience.

AdAway videos

adaway put to the test, does it really work?

More videos:

  • Review - Adaway review (android application)
  • Review - adaway app review

Pointer Pointer videos

No Pointer Pointer videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

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Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to AdAway and Pointer Pointer)
Security & Privacy
100 100%
0% 0
Entertainment
0 0%
100% 100
Ad Blockers
100 100%
0% 0
Social Networks
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare AdAway and Pointer Pointer

AdAway Reviews

22 NextDNS Alternatives
AdAway is an open-source and free ad-blocking app for android mobile operating systems no matter what the model of the phone is. This free ad blocker for Android helps mobile users to enjoy surfing the internet without any annoying ads and blocking malware. Both rooted and non-rooted devices can equally get benefits of AdAway so you donโ€™t have to be worried if you have any...
Best AD Blockers for Android [ 2022 ]
There are a ton of ways to block ads on Android, but knowing, which is the most effective option is tricky. Is it AdAway, Add guard, the next DNS, or maybe another random ad blocker app that you never even heard of.
The best ad blockers in 2020
You will need to allow installing third party apps (or download AdAway through the F-Droid app), as AdAway isn't available in the Google Play store.

Pointer Pointer Reviews

We have no reviews of Pointer Pointer yet.
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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, AdAway should be more popular than Pointer Pointer. It has been mentiond 73 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

AdAway mentions (73)

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Pointer Pointer mentions (43)

  • Show HN: See what country you would hit if you went straight (1 BC โ†’ Present)
    This seems to be from the same universe as the excellent https://pointerpointer.com/. - Source: Hacker News / 11 months ago
  • Issue with mouse hover
    I've just installed Sonoma and it works mostly ok. Though I've ran into this issue where the OS doesn't seem to know where my mouse is until I click. The cursor itself is displayed where it should be and all, but if I right click something on the dock then I can't really click anything in the menu. If I hold the right click and then hover to what I want to do in the menu then it works. I also went to the website... Source: over 2 years ago
  • Show HN: I made a really silly personal landing page
    Very neat! Reminds me of this: https://pointerpointer.com I'll say, I'm very disappointed in what happens when I put the cursor between your eyes. :). - Source: Hacker News / over 2 years ago
  • What are some amazing websites that are flying under the radar?
    This website where people point at your pointer. Source: about 3 years ago
  • Clock
    This reminds me of https://pointerpointer.com/ which finds pictures with the right pointer instead of quotes with the right time. - Source: Hacker News / about 3 years ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing AdAway and Pointer Pointer, you can also consider the following products

Blokada - The best ad blocker for Android. Free and open source.

The Useless Web - The Useless Web is a massive collection of some of the worldโ€™s most pointless websites.

Adblock Plus - AdBlock Plus is a browser extension for Firefox, Chrome, Opera, and several other popular browsers that prevents intrusive ads like pop-ups and malicious code from appearing on websites you visit.

Archive.org - Internet Archive is a non-profit digital library offering free universal access to books, movies...

AdGuard - Surf the Web Ad-Free and Safely. Shield up!

Reddit - Reddit gives you the best of the internet in one place. Get a constantly updating feed of breaking news, fun stories, pics, memes, and videos just for you.