Software · head to head
Ghostery vs Privacy Badger
Privacy Badger
Software
Automatically learn to block invisible trackers
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Ghostery database of trackers requires regular updates to remain current; 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: Ghostery covers Tracker blocking, Privacy Badger covers Automatic tracker detection.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Ghostery and Privacy Badger actually diverge.
| Attribute | Ghostery | Privacy Badger |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Unknown | free |
| Platforms | Firefox, Chrome, Edge, Safari, Opera | Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera |
| Founded | 2009 | 1990 |
Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).
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 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
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 Privacy Badger
- Preventing tracker profiling by replacing identifying data with random valuesnot Privacy Badger
- Automatically rejecting non-essential cookie consentnot Privacy Badger
- Seeing which companies track a given site through WhoTracks.Menot Privacy Badger
Privacy Badger
No use cases recorded yet. See the Privacy Badger 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
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
Ghostery
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the Ghostery review.
Privacy Badger
Free- FreeFree
- Automatic tracker learning
- Third-party blocking
- Do Not Track
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.
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.
Questions people ask
- Is Ghostery or Privacy Badger better?
- Neither clearly leads. Ghostery 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, Ghostery or Privacy Badger?
- Ghostery starts at Free and Privacy Badger at Free.
- Does Ghostery or Privacy Badger run on more platforms?
- Ghostery runs on Firefox, Chrome, Edge, Safari, Opera. Privacy Badger 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 Privacy Badger is typically brought in for.
- What can Ghostery do that Privacy Badger cannot?
- Ghostery covers Tracker blocking, Ad blocking, Privacy dashboard, Enhanced anti-tracking. 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
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.
SourceGhostery: What browsers does Ghostery support?
Ghostery is available for Firefox, Chrome, Opera, Edge and Safari as a browser extension.
SourceGhostery: What data does Ghostery collect?
Ghostery collects no personal information, ensuring your privacy remains protected while using the extension.
Source