Best Ad Blocker for YouTube: What’s the Best Ad Blocker for YouTube?

uBlock Origin is the best ad blocker for YouTube. It’s free, lightweight, doesn’t slow down your browser, and blocks ads effectively on YouTube and everywhere else. Most people should start with uBlock Origin and try it for a week before looking elsewhere.

If you want something even simpler with one-click installation, Adblock Plus works well too. If you use Safari on Mac, AdGuard for Safari is your top choice.

The rest of this article explains why these tools work, how to set them up, and what trade-offs you’re making when you block ads.

Why You Might Want an Ad Blocker for YouTube

YouTube shows more ads now than five years ago. Many videos have ads at the start, middle, and end. Premium subscriptions exist partly because of ad frustration.

An ad blocker solves several problems:

• Removes video ads before they play
• Stops banner ads in the sidebar
• Prevents mid-roll ads in longer videos
• Reduces page clutter and loading time
• Lets you watch uninterrupted

This sounds simple, but there’s a real trade-off. YouTube creators earn money from ads. When you block ads, they earn less. This affects whether small creators can keep making videos.

Think about this: If you watch 10 hours of YouTube per week, you’re essentially saying “I don’t want to pay with my attention through ads, but I also don’t want to pay money for premium.” That’s a choice to make consciously.

Understanding How Ad Blockers Work on YouTube

Ad blockers are browser extensions that run on your computer. They work by filtering out content from ad networks before it displays on your screen.

Here’s what happens:

1. You visit YouTube.com
2. The page tries to load ads from Google’s ad network
3. Your ad blocker intercepts this request
4. The ad never reaches your browser
5. You see the video without ads

YouTube fights back constantly. They change how ads are delivered. Some ads are harder to block because they come from the same servers as regular video content. A good ad blocker updates regularly to stay ahead of YouTube’s changes.

This is an ongoing battle. When YouTube blocks the blocker, good blocker developers update their software. Bad ad blockers disappear or stop working.

Top Ad Blockers for YouTube: Complete Comparison

uBlock Origin (Best Overall Choice)

What it is: A free, open-source ad blocker maintained by volunteers.

Why it’s best:

• Uses the least computer memory of any blocker
• Updates frequently to bypass YouTube blocks
• Highly configurable if you want to adjust settings
• Works on Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Opera
• Completely free with no paid version

How it blocks on YouTube:

uBlock Origin removes ads at the network level. When YouTube tries to load an ad, uBlock stops it before your browser downloads it. This means YouTube doesn’t count it as a view for the creator, but you also don’t see the ad.

Setup: Go to your browser’s extension store, search “uBlock Origin,” and click add to browser. It works immediately with default settings.

Downsides:

• YouTube occasionally blocks it temporarily
• Looks technical (has advanced settings that confuse beginners)
• Requires you trust the developers (though source code is public)

Best for: Most people. Especially good if you use Firefox or want maximum control.

Adblock Plus

What it is: The oldest popular ad blocker. Available since 2006.

Why people choose it:

• Simple interface
• Works immediately
• Less frequent updates needed
• Available on all major browsers
• Has a free version

How different from uBlock:

Adblock Plus blocks more aggressively but uses more computer memory. It’s simpler to use but less customizable.

Setup: Same as uBlock. Go to your browser store, search “Adblock Plus,” add it. Works instantly.

Downsides:

• Uses 20-30% more memory than uBlock
• Slower updates when YouTube changes ad delivery
• Some people report it occasionally blocks legitimate content by mistake

Best for: People who want simplicity and don’t care about tweaking settings.

AdGuard (Premium but with Free Version)

What it is: An ad blocker available as browser extension or standalone app.

Why it’s different:

• Works on more devices than just browsers (phones, routers)
• Free version exists but premium adds features
• Better at blocking tracking elements
• Can block ads at network level (not just in browser)

AdGuard Premium costs: $25/year for one device, $35/year for multiple devices.

Free version limitations:

• Works but updates less frequently
• Limited filter options
• No priority support

Setup: Install browser extension from your extension store, or download the desktop app and install it.

Best for: People willing to pay who want blocking beyond YouTube. People with multiple devices.

AdGuard for Safari (Mac Users)

What it is: Special version designed for Apple’s Safari browser.

Why Safari users need it:

Safari doesn’t allow traditional extension blocking the way Chrome does. AdGuard for Safari works within Safari’s limits using content blockers.

Cost: Free version with limited features, premium at $1.99/month or $19.99/year.

Does it work on YouTube: Yes, removes most YouTube ads in Safari.

Setup: Download from Safari’s extension gallery.

Best for: Anyone using Safari on Mac or iPad.

Key Features

Feature	uBlock Origin	Adblock Plus	AdGuard	AdGuard Safari
Cost	Free	Free	Free/Paid	Free/Paid
Memory Usage	Lowest	Medium	Medium	Low
Setup Time	2 minutes	2 minutes	3 minutes	2 minutes
Update Frequency	Very Frequent	Frequent	Very Frequent	Frequent
YouTube Blocking	Excellent	Good	Excellent	Good
Customization	Advanced	Basic	Advanced	Basic
Works on Chrome	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Works on Firefox	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Works on Safari	No	No	No	Yes
Tracking Block	Basic	Basic	Advanced	Advanced

How to Install Your First Ad Blocker on YouTube

Follow these steps if you’ve never installed an ad blocker before.

For Chrome Users

Step 1: Open Chrome and go to the top right corner. Click the three dots (menu).

Step 2: Select “More tools” then “Extensions.”

Step 3: At the top left, click “Open Chrome Web Store.”

Step 4: Search for “uBlock Origin.”

Step 5: Click on the top result by Raymond Hill.

Step 6: Click the blue “Add to Chrome” button.

Step 7: A popup confirms “Add extension?” Click “Add extension.”

Step 8: Done. You’ll see a small icon appear in your Chrome toolbar.

Step 9: Visit YouTube. Ads are gone on your next video.

For Firefox Users

Step 1: Open Firefox and go to the top right. Click the menu button (three lines).

Step 2: Click “Add-ons and themes.”

Step 3: Search for “uBlock Origin.”

Step 4: On the official uBlock Origin result, click “Add to Firefox.”

Step 5: Confirm you want to add it.

Step 6: Done. Visit YouTube to test.

For Safari Users (Mac/iPad)

Step 1: Open Safari.

Step 2: Click Safari menu at top left, then “Settings.”

Step 3: Go to the “Extensions” tab.

Step 4: Click “Get Extensions” button.

Step 5: Search “AdGuard for Safari.”

Step 6: Click “Get” next to the official AdGuard result.

Step 7: Click “Open” to go to App Store.

Step 8: Click “Get” again, then sign in with your Apple ID.

Step 9: Wait for installation to complete.

Step 10: Return to Safari Settings. In Extensions, enable AdGuard for Safari.

Step 11: Visit YouTube to test.

Making YouTube Work Better With Your Ad Blocker

Once installed, your ad blocker works automatically. But you can optimize the experience.

Dealing with YouTube’s Countermeasures

YouTube sometimes tells people to turn off ad blockers. You might see messages like “Please turn off your ad blocker” on some videos.

This is a scare tactic. You can ignore it. YouTube can’t detect that you’re using an ad blocker with 100% certainty. The message appears on some videos even if you’re not actually blocking ads.

If videos stop playing when you have an ad blocker on, try these fixes:

Fix 1: Refresh the page.

Fix 2: Try a different ad blocker (YouTube blocks them in rotation).

Fix 3: Clear your browser cache and cookies.

Fix 4: Try in incognito mode to see if something else is interfering.

Fix 5: Update your ad blocker (most developers push updates weekly).

Whitelist Creators You Want to Support

If you like a creator, consider whitelisting their channel. This means ads will show on their videos only, so they earn money from you.

In uBlock Origin, click the shield icon on the site, then click the power button to turn off blocking temporarily.

In Adblock Plus, click the ABP icon, then “Disable on this page.”

Many people do this for creators they really support. It’s a middle ground between blocking all ads and paying for premium.

Understanding the Ethical Side of Ad Blocking

This section matters more than you might think.

YouTube creators need ad revenue. Many small channels make less than $100 per month from ads. When 50% of viewers use ad blockers, their income drops 50%.

Blocking ads isn’t illegal or technically wrong. Your computer, your choice. But it is worth understanding who pays the price.

Here’s the reality:

• Big creators with millions of subscribers barely notice
• Small creators with 10,000 subscribers feel it significantly
• New creators often quit because ads don’t pay enough
• Professional creators switch to sponsorships and paywalls

If you block ads on all videos, you’re choosing the free path. That’s legitimate. But know that some creators won’t survive on that model.

If you block ads on most channels but whitelist creators you genuinely like, you’re supporting the ecosystem better.

If you pay for YouTube Premium, ads are completely off. You pay, creators get paid, everyone’s happy.

There’s no perfect answer. Just be honest about the choice you’re making.

Alternative Solutions to Ad Blockers

What if you don’t want to use an ad blocker? You have options.

YouTube Premium Subscription

Cost: $13.99/month (or less with family plan at $22.99/month for up to 6 people)

What you get:

• Zero ads on all videos
• Videos continue playing when you lock your phone
• Download videos to watch offline
• Ad-free YouTube Music
• Premium Originals (YouTube’s own shows)

Is it worth it:

That depends on how much you watch. If you watch 5+ hours of YouTube per week, it’s probably worth it. You’d save 8-10 hours per month on ads. At $14/month, you’re paying about 2-3 dollars per hour of ad time saved.

Creators also get paid better from Premium subscriptions than from ad revenue, so they prefer you subscribe.

YouTube Music Premium

Cost: $11.99/month

Includes: YouTube Premium benefits plus ad-free Music app.

Better value if you use YouTube Music. Separate from the video subscription.

Family Sharing Plans

YouTube Premium Family Plan is $22.99/month for up to 6 people. If you split with family members, each person pays about $4/month. Much better value.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can YouTube Detect That I’m Using an Ad Blocker?

YouTube can usually tell when ads aren’t loading, but it can’t definitively prove you’re using an ad blocker. Your browser could just be slow, or your internet could be spotty. YouTube sometimes shows warnings to scare people, but they can’t force you to disable blockers. They can ban your account for other violations (like repeatedly breaching terms of service), but ad blocking alone isn’t technically bannable.

Will Using an Ad Blocker Slow Down My Computer?

No. Good ad blockers like uBlock Origin actually speed up YouTube because they reduce the amount of data your browser needs to load. Bad ad blockers or too many extensions can slow things down, but a single quality blocker makes pages load faster. The fastest option is a browser with no extensions at all, but an ad blocker is a net positive for speed.

Is It Illegal to Use Ad Blockers?

No. Ad blockers are legal in most countries. Using one violates YouTube’s terms of service technically, but YouTube doesn’t enforce this consistently or automatically. You won’t face legal consequences for using an ad blocker. You might face account suspension if you do other things that violate terms of service, but ad blocking alone isn’t criminally illegal anywhere.

Which Ad Blocker Works Best When YouTube Updates?

uBlock Origin and AdGuard update most frequently, usually within hours of YouTube changing their ad delivery method. Adblock Plus updates less frequently. If your blocker stops working, it usually means YouTube made a change and the developers are working on an update. This is temporary. Refresh the page or wait a few hours for the update.

Do Ad Blockers Protect My Privacy on YouTube?

Basic ad blockers don’t significantly improve privacy. They block ads, not tracking. For privacy, you need something like AdGuard (with tracking protection) or use YouTube while logged out of your Google account. Real privacy on YouTube requires additional tools like VPNs or privacy-focused browsers, not just ad blockers.

Conclusion: Pick One and Start Using It

You now know more about YouTube ad blockers than 99% of users. Here’s what actually matters:

Start with uBlock Origin. It’s free, it works, and you can always switch later. Install it today. It takes 90 seconds.

Use it for a week. If videos play smoothly and ads are gone, you’re done. Most people stop here and never think about it again.

If uBlock stops working (rare but happens during YouTube updates), try Adblock Plus. If you use Safari, use AdGuard for Safari instead.

The ethical part is up to you. If you feel bad about creators losing ad revenue, whitelist the channels you love or get YouTube Premium. That’s the right balance for most people.

Don’t install five different ad blockers. Don’t look for the “strongest” one. Pick one of the three mentioned here and use it. The differences between good ad blockers are small. Consistency matters more than perfection.

YouTube will keep trying to show you ads. Good ad blockers will keep blocking them. This will continue forever, like an arms race. As long as you have a major ad blocker updated, you’ll be fine.

Make your choice today and move on. You don’t need to think about this anymore once you’ve decided.