Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Adblock Plus VS AdAway

Compare Adblock Plus VS AdAway and see what are their differences

Adblock Plus logo 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.

AdAway logo AdAway

An ad blocker that uses the hosts file. For Android, requires root.
  • Adblock Plus Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-03-18
  • AdAway Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-09-25

Adblock Plus features and specs

  • Blocks Ads
    Effectively blocks a wide variety of ads, including banner ads, video ads, and pop-ups, enhancing the web browsing experience.
  • Improved Speed
    By blocking ads, it can increase the speed at which web pages load, particularly on sites with heavy ad content.
  • Privacy Protection
    Helps to protect user privacy by preventing ad trackers from collecting data on browsing habits.
  • Customizable Filters
    Allows users to create custom filter lists to block specific content or ads from particular websites.
  • Open Source
    The source code is open to the public, allowing for transparency and contributions from the community to improve the product.

Possible disadvantages of Adblock Plus

  • Ad-Blocking Whitelist
    Adblock Plus allows certain 'acceptable ads' to be shown by default, which might not align with user expectations of an ad-free experience.
  • Potential for Website Breakage
    Some websites might not function correctly when ads are blocked, which can disrupt the user experience on those sites.
  • Revenue Impact on Websites
    Websites that rely on ad revenue may experience reduced income, which can affect the quality and availability of free content on the web.
  • Resource Usage
    Running the Adblock Plus extension can consume system resources, potentially impacting browser performance.
  • Complex Configuration
    Customizing filters and settings can be complex for non-technical users, potentially leading to suboptimal use of the tool.

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 device’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.

Analysis of Adblock Plus

Overall verdict

  • Adblock Plus is generally considered effective for users who want a simple solution to block unwanted ads without much configuration. However, some critics point out that it participates in an 'acceptable ads' program, allowing certain non-intrusive ads to be displayed by default, which may not align with all users' expectations of an ad blocker.

Why this product is good

  • Adblock Plus is a popular browser extension that blocks intrusive ads, which can enhance user experience by speeding up web page loading times and reducing clutter. It also adds a layer of privacy by preventing tracking scripts from loading, and it can help protect users from malicious ads that might contain malware.

Recommended for

    Adblock Plus is recommended for casual internet users looking for a straightforward and easy-to-install ad-blocking solution. It is also suitable for users concerned with online privacy and who prefer not to be tracked by advertisers.

Adblock Plus videos

Adblock Plus: Now Serving You More Ads! - The Know Tech News

AdAway videos

adaway put to the test, does it really work?

More videos:

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

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Adblock Plus and AdAway)
Security & Privacy
63 63%
37% 37
Ad Blockers
64 64%
36% 36
Privacy
100 100%
0% 0
Monitoring Tools
47 47%
53% 53

User comments

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Reviews

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

Adblock Plus Reviews

The Best Ad Blockers for YouTube 2024
Adblock Plus: AdBlock is a user-friendly free tool that received solid ad-blocking scores during our testing. It also offers a Premium subscription that can block additional nuisances like site notifications, survey requests, and floating videos.
Best Ad Blockers in 2023: Adblock Plus vs AdGuard vs uBlock Origin and More
Not to be confused with AdBlock Plus, AdBlock is a very simple and straightforward extension that offers ad blocking features, and it works admirably. The user interface is as simple as they come, with the option to pause the extension on the website you’re on — useful if a website won’t let you access it with such an extension enabled.
Best Ad Blockers
Adblock Plus (again, not to be confused with any variations on its name) is a standalone ad blocker that’s been around for quite some time. It is not the premium version of another ad blocker or a special edition. Adblock Plus is its own application.
22 NextDNS Alternatives
AdBlock Plus claims to be one of the most feature-rich and out-of-the-box ad blockers for smartphones, tablets, and PCs. People love having it because of its excellent adblocking mechanism and capabilities. AdBlock Plus extension is available for users who want to have a customized and controlled web experience. You can remove ads and malware from all the online destinations...
8 BEST Ad Blockers For Chrome In 2020 [Free Pop Up Blockers]
Not only is Adblock Plus free, but it also features acceptable ads. Instead of charging you the user, AdBlock Plus charges large companies who want to be a part of its acceptable ads program, thereby saving you money whilst allowing companies who depend on ad-generated revenue to continue offering you free content for years to come.

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 don’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.

Social recommendations and mentions

AdAway might be a bit more popular than Adblock Plus. We know about 73 links to it since March 2021 and only 65 links to Adblock Plus. 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.

Adblock Plus mentions (65)

  • How I stay (more) focused with ADHD
    Tip: I use Adblock Plus on desktop, and AdGuard on iPhone and iPad. - Source: dev.to / over 1 year ago
  • [Vent] YouTube forcing adblock removal, here's what you can do!
    Adblock plus => I only use this one with Edge because Opera has a default adblocker of its own, but this is also a very welcome extension and something that can (and will) keep you safe! Source: over 1 year ago
  • Why are there differences between the EasyList filter lists mirrors!?
    Why doesn't easylist.to link to its own version of the Fanboy's Annoyance List? Why are the lists (and especially the "EasyList Germany") on the mirror (?) of adblockplus.org more up-to-date than on easylist.to? Source: about 2 years ago
  • Problem with popups
    That can be annoying. Do you see them on Flipboard or when you navigate to the actual website of the article? If that's the case, then it would be up to the website that is hosting the article. I would recommend a good popup/ad blocker like adblock plus. Source: about 2 years ago
  • "He gets us" is taken over my feed
    Try AdBlock Plus, gets rid of a ton of junk. https://adblockplus.org/. Source: about 2 years ago
View more

AdAway mentions (73)

View more

What are some alternatives?

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

uBlock Origin - Popular and efficient blocker for Chromium, Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Opera, Safari, Thunderbird.

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

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

AdBlock - Ad blocker for Chrome, Safari and Opera on desktop and Safari for iOS devices.

Ghostery - Privacy tool for transparency and control

NextDNS - Block ads, trackers and malicious websites on all your devices.