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Browser Extensions · head to head

AdBlock Plus vs Privacy Badger

AdBlock Plus logo

AdBlock Plus

Browser Extensions

The world's most popular ad blocker

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Privacy Badger logo

Privacy Badger

Browser Extensions

Automatically learn to block invisible trackers

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: AdBlock Plus acceptable Ads allowlist model generates controversy over ad filtering conflicts of interest; Privacy Badger it is not an ad blocker; the project states its aim is to prevent non-consensual tracking rather than to block ads
  • They diverge on capability: AdBlock Plus covers Ad blocking, Privacy Badger covers Automatic tracker detection.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which AdBlock Plus and Privacy Badger actually diverge.

Attributes where AdBlock Plus and Privacy Badger differ
AttributeAdBlock PlusPrivacy Badger
PlatformsChrome, Edge, Firefox, Opera, Safari, Yandex BrowserChrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera
Founded20061990

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Browser Extensions).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in AdBlock Plus

  • Ad blocking
  • Acceptable Ads
  • Custom filters
  • Social media blocking
  • Safari support

Only in Privacy Badger

  • Automatic tracker detection
  • Learning algorithm
  • Do Not Track support
  • No filter lists required

Both cover

  • Chrome support
  • Firefox support
  • Edge support
  • Opera support

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

AdBlock Plus

  • Acceptable Ads allowlist model generates controversy over ad filtering conflicts of interest
  • Smaller feature set compared to open-source alternatives like uBlock Origin
  • Less customization and dynamic filtering compared to uBlock Origin
  • Mobile version less comprehensive than desktop extension
  • Chrome version increasingly limited due to Manifest V3 migration

Privacy Badger

  • It is not an ad blocker; the project states its aim is to prevent non-consensual tracking rather than to block ads
  • There is no Safari build, and Safari on iOS lacks extension capabilities Privacy Badger needs to work
  • Chrome on Android does not support extensions, so Android users have to switch to Firefox or Edge
  • Protection is aimed at third-party trackers and does not comprehensively cover tracking by the site you are actually visiting

Pricing, plan by plan

AdBlock Plus

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Ad blocking
    • Acceptable Ads option
    • Custom filters

Privacy Badger

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Automatic tracker learning
    • Third-party blocking
    • Do Not Track

Which should you pick?

Choose AdBlock Plus if

  • You need ad blocking.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Opera, Safari, Yandex Browser.
  • You also want acceptable ads.
AdBlock Plus review

Choose Privacy Badger if

  • You need automatic tracker detection.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera.
  • You also want learning algorithm.
Privacy Badger review

Questions people ask

Is AdBlock Plus or Privacy Badger better?
Neither clearly leads. AdBlock Plus starts at Free and Privacy Badger at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, AdBlock Plus or Privacy Badger?
AdBlock Plus starts at Free and Privacy Badger at Free.
Does AdBlock Plus or Privacy Badger run on more platforms?
AdBlock Plus runs on Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Opera, Safari, Yandex Browser. Privacy Badger runs on Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera.
Can I use AdBlock Plus for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What can AdBlock Plus do that Privacy Badger cannot?
AdBlock Plus covers Ad blocking, Acceptable Ads, Custom filters, Social media blocking. Privacy Badger covers Automatic tracker detection, Learning algorithm, Do Not Track support, No filter lists required. Both handle Chrome support, Firefox support, Edge support, Opera support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

AdBlock Plus: What does Adblock Plus block?

Adblock Plus blocks banner ads, pre-roll and mid-roll video ads on YouTube, pop-ups, sidebar ads, and most standard display formats. With Acceptable Ads disabled and EasyPrivacy enabled, it achieved a 100/100 score on AdBlock Tester in April 2026.

Source
AdBlock Plus: What browsers does Adblock Plus support?

Adblock Plus is available for Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Opera, Safari, and Yandex Browser.

Source
AdBlock Plus: Is there a premium version of Adblock Plus?

Yes. Adblock Plus Premium costs $40 annually or $4 per month and allows users to block cookie consent pop-ups, while the free version includes core ad blocking.

Source
AdBlock Plus: What is Acceptable Ads?

Acceptable Ads is an opt-in setting that allows advertising Adblock Plus deems unobtrusive to display on websites; it is disabled by default but can be toggled in Settings.

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Related pages

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More on Privacy Badger

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