Most people run anti-virus programs on their computers, but protecting r mobile devices does not always cross the mind of everyone. If you are able to prevent pop-up ads and malware on your phone, why wouldn’t you?
Not only will you improve the security of your device, but you can also improve its speed. When you install one of the best ad blockers for Android you will see improvement in the performance and usability of your phone.
What to Look for in an Android Ad Blocker
The importance of having an ad blocker is indisputable, but knowing which one to get is tricky. While the options available here are all great candidates for your phone, it is up to you to determine the one that fits your needs. With these helpful tips, you can make that determination easily.
Use
How you want the ad blocker to perform will determine which blocker is best for you. Some ad blockers only work in web browsing apps while others prevent ads in games and apps beyond the browsers. Almost every ad blocker, with only a few exceptions, will prevent ads in browsers. It is finding the ad blocker that works for other apps that can prove to be more difficult.
Security
Ad blockers can improve your device’s security by preventing harmful ads and malware from showing up on your screen. In addition to stopping ads, blockers stop websites and third-party viewers that attempt to see your information. The information they seek could be as innocent as your browsing habits or as damaging as your personal information. Ad blockers are not the end-all of protection and security, but they do act as an extra line of defense for your devices.
Speed
One amazing ad blocker benefit is a faster phone. Since your protected device no longer has to load in advertisements and pop-ups, the loading time necessary to pull up any windows on your device decreases. Some apps make faster speeds available only for paid users, but even without their boost, you should see a difference in your performance.
Price
Figuring out how much you might have to pay for an ad blocker can be tricky. Most apps entice you with a seemingly free download only to introduce a charge afterward. This kind of bait-and-switch can be troublesome because not every feature is offered for free like you might have thought. But many apps that use this method provide short subscriptions and free trials to not hold you down for long periods of time in case you are not satisfied with the results.
The Best Ad Blocker for Android
If you keep use, speed, security, and pricing in mind as you sort through these options, you will be able to make more informed decisions. Even if your favorite ad blocker charges for its services, you have a great chance of using a free trial to see just how great their product is.
AdGuard
AdGuard is a blocker that aims to help you filter out ads you don’t want while allowing ads for your favorite and most trusted websites. You can whitelist websites to allow them to show ads that can be helpful. With over 20 adblock lists, you know that you will have an easy time browsing the internet without interruption.
Pros:
- Saves battery and data
- Customizes lists
Cons:
- Some setup required
Best for: Custom Lists
Pricing: Free
Rating: 5/5 stars
Brave
One of the best ways to integrate an ad blocker into your browser is by the ad blocker being part of the browser. Brave has its own built-in security and ad blockers to make your experience the best it can be. It is available on both mobile and desktop devices, and you can set up your account so that it is the same on both devices.
Pros:
- Built-in ad blocker and pop up blocker
- Increased loading speed
- Saves battery
Cons:
- VPN requires a subscription
Best for: All-in-1 Browser and Ad Blocker
Pricing: Free
Rating: 5/5 stars
Adblock Browser
Here is another ad block built right into your browser. Just like Brave, it works essentially the same way Chrome does. If you have experience with Chrome, you will pick this blocker up easily. The overall layout is easy to understand, and you can pick and choose the ads you see in the ABB settings.
Pros:
- Easy to navigate
- Maximizes your battery life
Cons:
- Does not block ads in other apps
Best for: Chrome users
Pricing: Free
Rating: 5 stars
Blokada
If you are looking for ads to be removed across almost every single app you have, Blokada is for you. From YouTube to Facebook, you can expect ads to be out of sight. For the best experience, it’s a good idea to open the app and confirm that it is engaged as some users have had issues with it not always being on automatically.
Pros:
- Blocks ads in every app
- Free to use
Cons:
- Slightly slower initial app load time
Best for: Price
Pricing:
- Free
- 1 month: $6.49
- 6 months: $34.99
- 12 months: $61.99
Rating: 4/5 stars
Stop Ads with Ease
When you get into your downloaded ad blocker, you might have to invest a small amount of time to fine-tune what comes through and what does not. Some ads from trusted sources might interest you, but it is those untrusted sources that ad blockers work so hard to prevent.
Once you have your ad blocker running, you can sit back and approach your browsing with no worries.