Best ad blockers for iPhone and iPad

Browsing on your iPhone or iPad can become a real pain when you're constantly bombarded with ads. Pop-ups, banners, and those pesky video ads can really throw you off. Thankfully, there are some great iOS ad blockers that can help clear up your screen. Based on my own experience, let's explore some top picks so you can find the perfect one for your needs.

How does an ad blocker work on iPhone or iPad?

Wondering how ad blockers do their thing on your iPhone or iPad? They basically keep ads from popping up on your screen, helping everything load faster and look tidier. By blocking ad scripts before they can load, you get fewer interruptions. As a bonus, your battery doesn't have to work as hard without all those ads, which can give it a bit of a break, too.

The easiest way to block ads on iOS

For a quick solution to blocking ads on your iPhone and iPad, you can start with the built-in feature in Safari. Just go to Settings > Safari >Turn on Block Pop-ups. This step will help reduce those annoying pop-up ads while you're browsing.

Although it can handle some annoying ads, choosing a reliable ad blocker for iPhone and iPad will give you more thorough coverage across all apps and browsers. Below, we'll take a look at some of the best options available to keep your iOS experience as ad-free as possible.

Best ad blockers for iPhone and iPad

Want to skip the details and quickly pick an ad blocker? 

Check out this table:

Let’s compare	AdLock	CleanWeb by Surfshark	1Blocker	Distraction Control on iOS 18
Block ads	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes (limited to Safari)
Block pop-ups	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes (limited to Safari)
Custom filters	Yes	No	Yes	No
Easy to use	Yes	Yes	No	Yes
Availability	All browsers	All browsers	All browsers	Safari only
Price	Included with Setapp for $9.99	From $12/month	Free limited, paid from $1.25/month	Free with iOS 18

Are you more into details? Here are some best ad blockers for iPhone and iPad I've explored, complete with personal insights and experiences.

1. AdLock: Best for effortless ad removal across apps

AdLock has quickly become one of my favorite solutions for blocking ads on iOS devices. This app offers comprehensive protection by removing ads in Safari and within various apps, creating a much smoother experience. The best thing for me is that AdLock stops video and audio ads on streaming services.

Platform: iOS, macOS

Price: Available through Setapp's subscription for $9.99

Pros:

• Blocks a wide range of ads seamlessly
• Easy-to-use interface
• Additionally, it enhances security by blocking ad-related malware

Cons:

• The design is somewhat dated

Why I choose AdLock: I remember the very first time I used AdLock and noticed an immediate improvement in my browsing — no more annoying pop-ups on news sites. Plus, being part of Setapp means I can explore many other apps without additional costs, making it a convenient and versatile choice.

2. Distraction Control feature: Remove distracting items on Safari iOS 18 for free

This Safari ad-blocking feature in iOS 18 helps minimize distractions by reducing some ads. It's convenient as it doesn't require any additional downloads.

It is obvious that the problem may be for those iPhones on which iOS 18 can't be installed. Therefore, I would still prefer to install AdLock because it's compatible with iPhones running iOS 12.1 or later.

Platform: iOS

Price: Free with iOS 18.

Pros:

• Integrated into the OS, reducing the hassle
• Immediate effect without installs

Cons:

• Limited to Safari and doesn't cover in-app advertisements

Why it's useful: While not a full Safari ad blocker, Distraction Control gives you a taste of ad reduction without any effort on your part, making it a handy starting point.

You may also like the article about what's new in iOS 18.

3. CleanWeb by Surfshark: Best for bundled privacy and ad blocking

Surfshark's CleanWeb feature provides ad-blocking capabilities as part of its VPN package, offering comprehensive digital privacy and ad protection.

Platform: iOS, macOS

Price: Included with Surfshark VPN, from $12/month.

Pros:

• Blocks ads and trackers effectively
• Offers additional privacy with its VPN service

Cons:

• Requires running a VPN, which can affect browsing speed

Why it's useful: I love the added layer of privacy. Surfshark not only blocks ads but keeps my browsing secure, which is great for peace of mind, especially when using public Wi-Fi.

4. 1Blocker: Ultimate choice for customized ad filtering

1Blocker is also on my list of "The best adblock for iPhone." It's perfect for users who want detailed control over their browsing experience. The app offers an impressive array of customizable rules, allowing you to decide exactly what gets blocked. You can block various elements such as trackers, social media widgets, adult content, comments, and more. This level of customization means you can tailor your browsing just the way you like it.

Platform: iOS, macOS

Price: Free limited version, paid from $1.25/month.

Pros:

• Offers a high degree of customization
• Powerful filtering options

Cons:

• The setup can be a bit complex for beginners

Why it's useful: When I needed more control over specific types of content, 1Blocker was up to the task. 

You may also like the best ad blockers for Mac article.

How to enable ad blockers on iPhone and iPad

Once you've chosen your best adblock for iOS, you'll need to take one important step to enable your chosen ad blocker for Safari or another browser or app.

Here's how to enable ad blocker in iOS settings:

1. Download your ad blocker to your iOS device.
2. Go to the Settings app.
3. Scroll down and tap Safari.
4. Tap Content Blockers.
5. Now, turn on All Websites.

   

Now you can block ads on Safari on your iPhone or iPad

There are plenty of options out there for ad blockers on your iPhone or iPad, and finding the right one depends on what you value most.

If you're looking for an all-around great choice to block personalized ads on iPhone or any other kind of ads, consider using AdLock, which is highly effective across both browsers and apps. For those who prioritize privacy, Surfshark, with its VPN capabilities, offers excellent protection and ad-blocking. If you want detailed control, 1Blocker is your go-to with its customizable settings. For a quick, no-frills solution directly within Safari, iOS 18's Distraction Control is a simple place to start. Not the best free ad blocker for iPhone, though.

Good news! You can try AdLock free for seven days with Setapp. The platform offers access to more than 250 Mac, iOS, and web apps ranging from efficiency boosters to creativity enhancers. My personal favorites are CleanMy®Phone, an iPhone cleaner app, PDF Search, an AI-powered tool to instantly search across PDFs, and GreenBooks, an app to manage money. Give them a try!