ELI5: Why are ad-blocking extensions so easy to come across and install on PCs, but so difficult or convoluted to install on a phone? - r/explainlikeimfive (2024)

So I decided to test out various combinations of adblocking and see what would offer the most coverage to stop adverts when web browsing.

Device: Apple iPad mini 4

iOS version: 15.4.1

Date of Test: 11 May 2022

Test Method for Content Blocker with Safari

1. Install the content blocker
2. Set up ad block as per appropriate in Device settings. This can
3. Launch Safari
4. Load https://canyoublockit.com
5. Begin "extreme" test. Note pop-up/intersitel/banner/etc adverts.
6. Navigate to https://youtube.com
7. Launch video, and check if advert plays before video

Test Method for Standalone Browsers

1. Ensure no content blco*kers are running on device
2. Install browser from app store
3. Set up ad block as per appropriate in broser app settings
4. Load https://canyoublockit.com
5. Begin "extreme" test. Note pop-up/intersite/banner/etc adverts.
6. Navigate to https://youtube.com
7. Launch video, and check if advert plays before video

CAVEATS & LIMITATIONS

Only free versions of the Content Blocker apps are testedThe "extreme" ad tests are probably overkill for most peoples browsing habits, but this was the fairest way Icould see to compare apps.The speed of web page loads is not measured or consdiered here.This testing is not anticpated to affect in-app adverts, only web browsing is tested.For standalone browsers, I am comparing where they advertise adblock capabilty - but not where they say Ad tracking.Privacy, tracking, social blocking is not covered

CONTENT BLOCKERS WITH SAFARI

1. Adblock Pro

Completely stopped all adverts and then saw no adverts in 5 youtube.com videos, requires some extra steps in Safari to achieve this. Also still allows pre-video pop ups to launch, but prevents that tab going any further. It does require a subscription to make use of social and privacy features which is £1.99 monthly, or £9.99 anually.

1. 1Blocker

Completely stopped all adverts and then saw no adverts in 5 youtube.com videos. You still get pre-video ads load which can sometimes send you into redirect hell. It does require an annual or monthly subscription for extra features which is £1.99 monthly or £9.99 monthly. Unlike Adblock Pro there is an option for a £33.00 lifetime license. Places slightly below Adblock Pro due to sometimes loading pre-video ads. Would pick this over Adblock Pro for the lifetime purchase and the very transparent privacy policy.

1. Adblock Plus

Managed to stop pop up, intersite, page push, push notifcations, but only partially stoped banner ads. Failed with pre-video ads click, and also Youtube ads.

1. Ka-Block!

Allowed some page Push, but then all Banner, pre-video and many others. Managed to block intersite and push notifications. Abandoned Youtube test.

1. Block Bear

Allowed some page Push, but then all Banner, pre-video and many others. Managed to block intersite and push notifications. Abandoned Youtube test.

1. Adblocker

Allowed Page Push, Banner, pre-video and many others. Managed to block intersite and push notifications. Abandoned Youtube test.

1. AdGuard

Allowed all the adverts through and ended up in redirect hell. Abandoned Youtube test.

STANDALONE BROWSERS THAT ADVERTISE ADBLOCK CAPABILITY

1. Opera GX

Its built-in adblock capabilty stopped almost everything from the extreme test page - with 2 exceptions, pre-video pop-up ads and also youtube.com adverts still played when playing a video. Otherwise the best adblocking experience in a standalone iOS browser.

1. Brave

Managed to block pop-up, intersite, and push notification ads. I.e. page push came up, and all banner ads. Abandoned youtube test.

1. Microsoft Edge (Built in Adblock Plus)

Pretty bad. Having Adblock plus made slight difference - even with turning Acepable Ads = Off. Got hit with every single type of advert possible, and only seemed to be able to stop some Page Push ads, intersite and pop up - although not consistent. Abandoned youtube test.

1. Opera

Awful. Got all the adverts and then send to redirect hell immediately. Abandoned youtube test.

1. Firefox Focus

Awful. Got all the adverts and then send to redirect hell immediately. Abandoned youtube test.

1. Dolphin Browser

Awful. Got all the adverts and then send to redirect hell immediately. Abandoned youtube test. Alsor the general app performance was noticably poor when compared to all others browsers. Just loading Amazon.co.uk was incredibley slow - not sure if this is a limitation of the used iPad mini 4.

OTHER BROSER TESTED - BUT DO NOT ADVERTISE ADBLOCK CAPABILITY

Firefox

Managed to block pop-up, intersite, and push notification ads. I.e. page push came up, and all banner ads. Abandoned youtube test.

DuckDuckGo Browser

Awful. Got all the adverts and then send to redirect hell immediately. Abandoned youtube test.

Chrome

Awful. Got all the adverts and then send to redirect hell immediately. Abandoned youtube test.

U.C Browser

All adverts loaded, and got sent to redirect hell. Additionally the browser app itself provides a banner ad of its own at the bottom. Abandoned youtube test. Avoid.

RESULTS

The best performing Content Blockers were the ones that also came with full Safari Extensions. Using either AdBlock Pro or 1Blocker for free will cover most of your needs - but will have to pay if you want the other fetures such as social, tracking, annoyances, etc.

Biggest surprise was just how well Opera GX dealt with adverts by itself. I have gone for Adblock Pro w/ Safari and also keep Opera GX installed. Time will tell how well I get on with general browsing with Opera GX.

Please let me know if there are any other recommended AdBlockers I should take a look at?