What Is the Best Free Ad Blocker for Android

While many companies make Android devices, Google ultimately owns Android and controls the Google Play store. And although Google allows in-browser advertizement blocking, it prohibits system-wide ad blockers.

What's the difference between in-browser ad blocking and system-wide ad blockers? Google is fine with you lot blocking ads on a browser similar Chrome, but Google won't let an ad blocker block ads within other apps, such every bit within (Google owned) YouTube or games. This is partially due to security concerns over giving i app access to your other apps and services. Just some other reason is that app developers rely on ads for the majority of their revenue — and when developers make money, Google makes money.

Fifty-fifty though you practice have the option to download a tertiary-party, system-wide ad blocker for Android from a source other than the Google Play store, you should be very careful. Google vets apps for security issues and vulnerabilities. If you lot download apps from other providers, make certain to appraise the app for prophylactic.

You should likewise avoid giving root access to an advertizing blocker app. Root admission means the app has full command (superuser or superadmin permission) over your device.

The best free advert blockers for Android

If y'all're on the hunt for the all-time complimentary pop-up blocker for Android, you're probably looking for an app capable of in-browser blocking, rather than system-broad ad prevention (as explained in a higher place). In that location are enough of good, free advertizing blocker apps for Android phones that will banish ads from your browser — let's jump in.

ane. AdAway

Despite beingness a gratis app, AdAway is capable of blocking ads device-broad. That ways information technology's not available on the security-vetted Google Play shop, just since it's open up-source software, anyone can check out its code for prophylactic, and bugs should get reported and squashed quickly.

Pros

Blocks ads device-wide
Loftier level of customization, with whitelisting and blacklisting available
Root access not required (optional)

Cons

Intended for tech-savvy users and may exist hard for some to use
Limited customer support
Not available in the Google Play store, so it lacks Google's security checks

2. AdBlock

For straightforward advertisement-blocking, check out AdBlock, a solid option in the category of gratuitous ad remover for Android. Information technology may non exist fancy, just information technology gets the job washed by preventing banners, pop-ups, pop-unders, video ads, floating ads, text ads, and pretty much any other type of ad.

Pros

Works in multiple Android browsers: Chrome, Firefox, Opera, and more
Blocks ads and trackers before they load, speeding upwardly your browsing

Cons

Tin't block ads in other apps
Occasionally misses some ads if they're cached by your browser

iii. TrustGo Ad Detector

A bit unlike from a traditional ad blocker, TrustGo Advertising Detector helps yous get rid of ads in a different way — it scans your device to root out the source of ads and trackers. Then you lot tin decide to snooze or uninstall whichever apps are pushing the well-nigh abrasive ads and pop-ups on your screen.

Pros

Helps you observe where annoying apps are hiding so you can regain command of your device
Identifies risky apps that might endeavor to steal your private data
Easy to use

Cons

Doesn't really cake any ads itself, then must exist paired with another advertizing blocking solution

The best paid ad blockers for Android

And then, why beat out money for a paid app when there's plenty of gratuitous and capable Android advertising blockers out at that place? Many premium advertisement blockers offer advanced features, more reliable blocking functions, or high levels of customization. Here are a few of our favorites.

i. AdGuard

AdGuard for Android is a robust ad blocker that prevents ads throughout your whole organization, not just in your browser. It also includes anti-tracking protection, blocks action analyzers, and allows a good bargain of customization. It has a basic, costless version, but the best features are available just in the paid version.

Pros

Blocks ads, pop-ups, banners, and video ads
Hides frames and empty spaces left later ads are blocked
Doesn't require root access to your device

Cons

Not bachelor in the Google Play shop, and then Google isn't vetting it for security
Requires VPN mode for ad blocking, and so can't be used in tandem with a VPN app

2. AdShield AdBlocker

AdShield uses advanced interception engineering to cake ads and evangelize an advert-gratis web experience. Designed with Android in listen, AdShield has a minimalist pattern that integrates easily with the Android platform.

Pros

Carefully crafted interface, including adaptive Night Fashion
Includes blocking for malicious websites and trackers
Prevents ads from loading, saving bombardment and data usage

Cons

Has a dominion-based extension option, but it only works in the Yandex browser
Tin't block ads in other apps like YouTube

three. AdLock

AdLock is a comprehensive ad blocker that blocks in-browser ads as well as ads in games, instant messaging apps, and other apps. That means information technology'southward not bachelor through Google Play, simply its features may convince you that you should take it anyway.

Pros

Blocks ads device-wide
No root access required
Filters HTTPS connections and checks links for malicious content

Cons

Not available in the Google Play store, so information technology's missing Google'southward regular security checks
Tin't piece of work simultaneously with VPN apps

Blocking ads and popups on an Android browser

Whatever one of the ad blockers mentioned above will assistance yous end intrusive ads on all Android browsers. Want to cake ads on other browsers and on your other devices, too? Bank check out our other guides:

Why should you try a secure browser?

Rather than downloading an advert blocker addition to your browser, did you know that yous can go built-in ad blocking with a secure browser? Gone are the days of having just three browsers to choose from. The browser space has grown considerably in recent years, with some browsers even designed specifically for privacy and security.

Avast Secure Browser for Android with search bar and new tab icons.

Avast Secure Browser for Android brings you lot native advert-blocking, anti-tracking, and avant-garde anti-fingerprinting technology to prevent advertisers from getting their hands on your personal information. Plus, enjoy full encryption of all your browsing information, bookmarks, downloads, IP accost, DNS queries, and more. Outset shielding your personal data today.

How to cake ads in Android apps

As already mentioned, Google doesn't permit apps that block ads in other apps. Why not? Because a device-wide ad blocker prevents all kinds of ads, drastically reducing advertising revenue for developers and, ultimately, for Google. Not only that, an app with device-wide permissions could be a security risk.

Still wondering how to cake ads in other Android apps? While y'all can download a tertiary-party app that's capable of device-wide advertizement prevention, it won't be available on the Google Play store. And though information technology might feel expert to occasionally stray from the tech giant, it'south worth keeping in heed that Google vets apps on its Play shop for security reasons. And while apps sometimes sneak through Google's security checks for a brief period — similar these adware apps that Avast discovered and got removed — Google generally blocks apps like these swiftly.

Downloading apps from a tertiary-party store or directly from an app programmer will ever be riskier than using the Google Play shop.

Choosing a trusted app

The sad fact is that malicious apps are out there, both inside the Play store and outside its ramparts. Then what's an Android user to practice? Well, there are a few simple checks you tin can make:

Read the app'southward title and description carefully. Typos are a red flag that it was cobbled together a bit carelessly and isn't legit.

Read the reviews. A real app should accept real reviews.

Look at the download stats. If it has hardly any installs, information technology may not be real.
Look at its permissions. Brand sure the permissions the app requires (to access your camera, photo library, text messages, etc.) are reasonable for the app'due south functions.

Need more tips? Meet our total guide to assessing app condom.

Why should I use an adblocker app on my Android phone?

Still not really sure if you should use an advertisement blocker? In that location are a multitude of benefits to blocking ads.

Faster browsing: When your device doesn't have to load ads, information technology can load the content you lot actually want to see much faster. That often ways a significantly faster Android.
Security: Malvertising is when cybercriminals manage to insert malware into ad networks. That means ads can appear even on legitimate sites. Blocking these ads blocks the mobile malware likewise, which protects your device.
Privacy: Many ads and advertising trackers can follow you effectually the internet, spying on y'all and capturing your individual information. Some ad blockers aid you prevent tracking on your phone to safeguard your sensitive individual data.

Specialized browsers, such every bit Avast Secure Browser, bring you even more than benefits:

Advanced anti-tracking: Prevent cut-border tracking techniques similar browser fingerprinting.

Built-in VPN: Encrypt your browsing data and hide your IP address.
Increased productivity: Declutter your net feel and use our innovative tab grouping characteristic to stay organized.

Blocking ads, either with an app or a secure browser, is sure to improve your internet experience. But if you're seeing tons of ads on your device, fifty-fifty when you're non online, you may exist suffering from an adware infection. That'due south when a malicious app takes over your device and showers ads everywhere. If that's your result, an advertisement blocker won't help, unfortunately. Instead, you'll need to download an adware removal tool to articulate up the infection and get your telephone working commonly again.

If your phone hasn't been infected with adware and you simply want a cleaner mobile experience, and so go ahead and download an Android ad blocker app — or a specialized secure browser — and buss online ads goodbye.

Avast Secure Browser has a Security & Privacy Center to manage options like VPN, ad and tracker blocks, and more.

Block ads and protect your privacy with Avast Secure Browser

Even better than an advertizement blocker is a secure browser with native ad-blocking capability. Avast Secure Browser is a super piece of cake-to-utilize app with a full suite of advanced security and privacy features, including a born advert blocker to clean up your online experience and boost your browsing speeds.

Cake advertisers, hackers, and your ISP from spying on you lot with our free and unlimited VPN and anti-tracking features. Enjoy full encryption for true private browsing, completely free. Install Avast Secure Browser today.