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Privacy Badger vs AdBlock Plus

Privacy Badger logo

Privacy Badger

Software

Automatically learn to block invisible trackers

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
AdBlock Plus logo

AdBlock Plus

Software

The world's most popular ad blocker

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

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

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Privacy Badger and AdBlock Plus differ
AttributePrivacy BadgerAdBlock Plus
PlatformsChrome, Firefox, Edge, OperaChrome, Edge, Firefox, Opera, Safari, Yandex Browser
Founded19902006

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (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 Privacy Badger

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

Only in AdBlock Plus

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

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.

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

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

Pricing, plan by plan

Privacy Badger

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

AdBlock Plus

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

Which should you pick?

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

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

Questions people ask

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