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Browser Extensions · head to head

Ghostery vs HTTPS Everywhere

Ghostery logo

Ghostery

Browser Extensions

Block ads and stop trackers

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
HTTPS Everywhere logo

HTTPS Everywhere

Browser Extensions

Encrypt the web automatically

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Ghostery database of trackers requires regular updates to remain current; HTTPS Everywhere product discontinued as of January 2023
  • They diverge on capability: Ghostery covers Tracker blocking, HTTPS Everywhere covers Automatic HTTPS.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Ghostery and HTTPS Everywhere actually diverge.

Attributes where Ghostery and HTTPS Everywhere differ
AttributeGhosteryHTTPS Everywhere
Pricing modelUnknownfree
PlatformsFirefox, Chrome, Edge, Safari, OperaChrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera
Founded20091990

Identical on both: starting price (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 Ghostery

  • Tracker blocking
  • Ad blocking
  • Privacy dashboard
  • Enhanced anti-tracking
  • Safari support

Only in HTTPS Everywhere

  • Automatic HTTPS
  • Encryption enforcement
  • Rule-based upgrading
  • Observatory integration

Both cover

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

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Ghostery

  • Blocking ads and sponsored content before they loadnot HTTPS Everywhere
  • Preventing tracker profiling by replacing identifying data with random valuesnot HTTPS Everywhere
  • Automatically rejecting non-essential cookie consentnot HTTPS Everywhere
  • Seeing which companies track a given site through WhoTracks.Menot HTTPS Everywhere

HTTPS Everywhere

No use cases recorded yet. See the HTTPS Everywhere review.

Where each one falls short

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

Ghostery

  • Database of trackers requires regular updates to remain current
  • Some sites break functionality when trackers are aggressively blocked

HTTPS Everywhere

  • Product discontinued as of January 2023
  • Functionality now built into all modern browsers natively
  • No longer receives security updates or maintenance

Pricing, plan by plan

Ghostery

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Ghostery review.

HTTPS Everywhere

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Automatic HTTPS upgrade
    • Rule sets
    • Custom rules

Which should you pick?

Choose Ghostery if

  • You need tracker blocking.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Firefox, Chrome, Edge, Safari, Opera.
  • You also want ad blocking.
Ghostery review

Choose HTTPS Everywhere if

  • You need automatic https.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera.
  • You also want encryption enforcement.
HTTPS Everywhere review

Questions people ask

Is Ghostery or HTTPS Everywhere better?
Neither clearly leads. Ghostery starts at Free and HTTPS Everywhere at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Ghostery or HTTPS Everywhere?
Ghostery starts at Free and HTTPS Everywhere at Free.
Does Ghostery or HTTPS Everywhere run on more platforms?
Ghostery runs on Firefox, Chrome, Edge, Safari, Opera. HTTPS Everywhere runs on Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera.
Can I use Ghostery for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Ghostery best used for?
Ghostery is most often used for blocking ads and sponsored content before they load, preventing tracker profiling by replacing identifying data with random values, automatically rejecting non-essential cookie consent, seeing which companies track a given site through whotracks.me. Of those, blocking ads and sponsored content before they load and preventing tracker profiling by replacing identifying data with random values are not what HTTPS Everywhere is typically brought in for.
What can Ghostery do that HTTPS Everywhere cannot?
Ghostery covers Tracker blocking, Ad blocking, Privacy dashboard, Enhanced anti-tracking. HTTPS Everywhere covers Automatic HTTPS, Encryption enforcement, Rule-based upgrading, Observatory integration. Both handle Chrome support, Firefox support, Edge support, Opera support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Ghostery: Is Ghostery completely free?

Yes. Ghostery is a free ad blocking browser extension that you can install without paying a subscription. All of Ghostery's features are completely free to use, including ad blocking, tracker blocking, and cookie consent banner handling.

Source
HTTPS Everywhere: Is HTTPS Everywhere still maintained?

No. HTTPS Everywhere was retired in January 2023 because major browsers added native HTTPS upgrade features, making the extension obsolete.

Source
Ghostery: What browsers does Ghostery support?

Ghostery is available for Firefox, Chrome, Opera, Edge and Safari as a browser extension.

Source
HTTPS Everywhere: What functionality did HTTPS Everywhere provide?

The extension automatically redirected HTTP connections to HTTPS when available, improving encryption and privacy on unencrypted websites.

Source
Ghostery: What data does Ghostery collect?

Ghostery collects no personal information, ensuring your privacy remains protected while using the extension.

Source
HTTPS Everywhere: What is the recommended replacement?

Modern browsers including Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari now include built-in HTTPS upgrade features that automatically redirect to secure connections, making HTTPS Everywhere unnecessary.

Source
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