What are the Best Ad Blockers for Safari?

Safari is the primary browser for Apple users. It’s simple, straightforward, and easy to use, just like most company products. The only frustrating thing that can occur during usage is an unstoppable stream of online advertising. You can’t open a single web page without being bombarded with pop-ups, autoplay video ads, and banners. As if the obnoxious cookie policy drop-downs, special offers, and begging for subscriptions the second you open a web page weren’t enough. And after you finish closing all of that clutter, you might even struggle to remember why you ever visited that website.

As for us, the one thing that makes us grit our teeth is how irrelevant all those ads usually are. It’s time to admit that we gave all our privacy to the big web, and yet advertisers still fail to amuse us with relevant content. If the advertisers don’t care so much about delivering to the right audience, then we shouldn’t tolerate their products in the first place. It’s time to find a top ad blocker for Safari that will save us from headaches.

Top 4 Ad Blockers for Safari Browser

AdLock

AdLock stands out as a premium solution that effectively blocks ads across all websites while maintaining good performance. There might be minor operational quirks here and there, but a responsive development team addresses them instantly.  

Pros:

• Delivers exceptional ad-blocking power, even handling difficult mid-roll ads effectively
• Receives regular updates that quickly address any user concerns
• Demonstrates strong technical support with fast issue resolution
• Provides an excellent balance of performance and blocking capability
• Works seamlessly on iOS and macOS.

Cons:

• May need occasional reinstalling to maintain optimal performance
• Could experience minor slowdowns during heavy browsing sessions
• Sometimes needs manual enabling/disabling for perfect functionality

Wipr

Wipr appears to be a mixed bag – while some users find it highly effective and appreciate its hands-off approach, others may find it too basic and insufficiently thorough in ad blocking. We included it in our list of best ad blockers for Safari for his clear source of income. At least your privacy won’t be at a cost with this one. 

Pros:

• Effectively blocks cookie announcements and tracking elements
• Works smoothly with Safari’s privacy features like “Hide IP” and “Block Cross-site Tracking”
• Offers completely automatic operation with no configuration needed
• Updates automatically in the background
• Remains undetected by many websites’ ad blocker detection
• Offered for a one-time charge of $1.99.

Cons:

• Might miss some obvious banner ads and pop-ups according to some users
• Can be difficult to troubleshoot when issues arise
• Lacks any customization options or user rules
• May require complete disabling to access certain sites
• Support response time could be inconsistent

Ghostery

A privacy-focused tool that emphasizes tracker blocking alongside ad blocking capabilities. It provides detailed insights into tracking activities on websites.

Pros:

• Provides comprehensive protection against ads, trackers, and cookies when working properly
• Delivers excellent visual feedback through pie charts showing what’s being blocked
• Works seamlessly across Apple devices when properly set up
• Offers a lightweight and user-friendly interface
• Maintains good browsing speed while blocking unwanted content

Cons:

• Might experience functionality issues requiring restart or reinstallation
• Can stop working after closing and reopening Safari
• May show weaker ad-blocking performance compared to paid alternatives
• Could be difficult to set up initially for some users
• Occasionally misses trackers and ads, particularly in recent versions

Magic Lasso 

A Safari-specific ad blocker designed to be battery-efficient and fast. It focuses on speed and efficiency but may miss some ads.

Pros:

• Delivers reliable basic ad blocking with efficient performance and a clean interface.
• Offers a responsive and helpful customer support team that actively addresses user concerns.
• Includes Family Sharing capabilities for multi-device households.
• The simple setup process with a straightforward interface suitable for non-technical users.

Cons:

• Pro version can have some limitations, including potential issues with YouTube ads and certain “good ads” showing through.
• Link blocking system might feel aggressive for some users and can require Pro subscription for whitelisting.
• Customization options may feel limited for advanced users, particularly when dealing with login-required sites.
• Update notifications might occasionally feel intrusive, though recent updates seem to have improved this.
• Family Sharing setup can be somewhat confusing and might require additional subscription steps.

Key Features to Look for in a Safari Ad Blocker

When looking through the App Store, you’ll find dozens of options, each claiming to be the best ad blocker for Safari. To help you navigate through their marketing promises, we’ve compiled a straightforward list of eight key features to consider:

1. Filter List Quality and Updates

The foundation of any good ad blocker is its filter lists. Look for:

• Regularly updated filter databases to fight new ad types
• Multiple filter list options for different types of content
• Custom filter list support for advanced users
• Regional filter lists for location-specific ads

2. Privacy Protection Features

Beyond ad blocking, privacy features are crucial:

• Tracker blocking capabilities
• Social media tracker prevention
• Cookie consent popup blocking
• Anti-fingerprinting protection

3. Performance Impact

Efficient resource usage is essential:

• Minimal impact on page load times
• Low memory usage
• Efficient CPU utilization
• Battery-friendly operation

4. Customization Options

Look for flexibility in configuration:

• Whitelist capability for trusted sites
• Element hiding rules support
• Custom rule creation options
• Per-site blocking controls

5. User Interface

A good interface makes management easier:

• Clean, intuitive settings panel
• Easy enable/disable controls
• Clear statistics and reporting
• Quick access to common functions

6. Support and Updates

Ongoing support ensures long-term effectiveness:

• Regular software updates
• Responsive technical support
• Active development community
• Clear documentation and guides

7. Additional Features

Extra features that add value:

• Malware domain blocking
• HTTPS filtering support
• Popup blocking
• Anti-mining protection

8. Compatibility

You should look for Safari ad blockers for iOS and macOS that come from the same developer. This ensures that any issues will be fixed on both platforms.

Ad Blocker and Ad Blocker Extension for Safari: What to Choose?

First and foremost, ad blocker extensions for Safari are not really extensions but standalone apps. Shocker, we know. Extensions for other browsers are small add-ons that modify how the browser works. They have more access to the web page and can actively analyze and block ads, trackers, and other elements in real time. Ad blockers for Safari can’t see or interact with the web page directly—they just provide a list of rules for Safari to follow. This makes Safari ad blockers less effective but more privacy-focused. In an ad-blocking hierarchy, Safari ad blockers take the last place, behind the other browsers’ extensions and standalone apps.

Safari’s capabilities limit even the best Safari ad blockers, while standalone Mac ad blockers have way more freedom and power over the incoming traffic. We threw together this table to help you figure out the major differences.

So, while Safari content-blocking apps are more efficient with system resources, standalone Mac apps typically provide better ad-blocking results, specifically within Safari.

An easy way to think about it: Safari content blocking is like having a bouncer with a strict guest list, while standalone apps are like having a full security system that can monitor and control everything coming into the building.

How to Install and Configure an Ad Blocker in Safari

iOS Safari ad blocker

With AdLock, you can remove ads from Safari on all iOS devices completely free. We know Apple users rarely get premium features without paying, so we’re excited to offer you this powerful tool at no cost.

1. Download and install the AdLock app for iOS.
2. Go to Settings → Safari or Settings → Apps → Safari in newer versions of iOS.
3. Find Extensions and enable all AdLock toggles. 
4. Open AdLock and turn on the “Ad-free web surfing” switch to activate ad-blocking. Allow some time for it to load the necessary filters.
5. If you want to block ads outside of Safari as well, you can subscribe to the $12 yearly or $3.49 monthly Premium plan after enabling the toggle. While subscribing may seem contradictory to avoiding stacking subscriptions, this single plan provides ad-free access across dozens of apps. 

macOS Safari ad blocker

Installing the best free ad blocker for Safari on macOS is as simple as on iOS. Follow this four-step guide, and you’re good to go:

1. Download AdLock from AppStore;
2. Press Open settings in the dialog window;
3. Tick boxes next to AdLock and AdLock Icon in your Safari settings;
4. Enjoy surfing the ad-less web.

Conclusion

While Safari’s built-in privacy features aren’t enough for today’s aggressive advertising landscape, you have options ranging from free Safari ad blockers like AdLock to powerful standalone solutions. The key is finding the right balance between effective ad blocking and browser performance so you can focus on content without fighting through pop-ups or watching your browser slow to a crawl. With the right tool, browsing can be both fast and ad-free – it’s just a matter of choosing what works best for your needs.