5 Best VPNs With Ad Blockers – Tested and Working in 2024

Reliable VPNs with built-in ad blocking are hard to find, as only a few can effectively block annoying pop-ups and trackers, despite promises. Still, ad block VPNs are definitely worth it because they offer much more protection than a traditional browser extension.

My team and I tested 43 VPNs with ad blockers and listed the best ones that combat intrusive ads and safeguard your privacy. My testing criteria included efficacy in blocking ads, privacy features, speed, ease of use, and reliability.

ExpressVPN stands out as my top choice for an ad blocker VPN. It prevents annoying ads while boasting a vast global network of fast servers that keep your connection secure. Plus, its strict no-logs policy means your data isn’t collected, stored, or shared with third parties. You can try ExpressVPN without risk (all plans are backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee). Editor's Note: Transparency is one of our core values at vpnMentor, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process.

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Short on Time? Here Are the Best VPNs With Ad Blockers in 2024

Editor's Note: We value our relationship with our readers, and we strive to earn your trust through transparency and integrity. We are in the same ownership group as some of the industry-leading products reviewed on this site: Intego, Cyberghost, ExpressVPN, and Private Internet Access. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.

Why VPN Ad Blockers are Better Than Ad Blocking Browser Extensions

VPNs with ad blockers provide online privacy and ad-free browsing. Unlike browser extensions, VPNs with built-in ad blockers protect all your traffic from ads, trackers, and malware, not just on one browser. Also, browser ad blockers often allow “acceptable” or “non-intrusive ads” because they get paid to show them.

A VPN also ensures your online activities remain anonymous by routing your traffic through an encrypted tunnel to a server in another location. So, VPN ad blockers mask your IP address, which classic ad blockers can’t. This changes your virtual location, protecting you from online advertisers, snoops, hackers, and ISPs. For example, Twitch only provides ads in some countries, such as the US, so changing your IP to another country would be beneficial.

Your speed might improve, too, since VPNs with ad blockers stop ads before they reach your device. Meaning you won't be slowed down by data-consuming adverts.

The Best VPNs With Ad Blockers — Full Analysis (Updated 2024)

1. ExpressVPN — The Most Effective and Secure Ad Blocking VPN With Impressive Privacy Protection

Editor’s Choice Editor’s Choice Try Risk-Free for 30 Days
Tested November 2024

Available on:

Windows Mac Android iOS

Chrome Router Smart TV More

Try ExpressVPN >

www.expressvpn.com

ExpressVPN’s built-in ad blocker efficiently prevents annoying ads on your devices, both on browsers and apps. While testing ExpressVPN’s ad blocker, I encountered no ads on the web and app versions of YouTube and Twitter. The Threat Manager feature adds another layer of protection, blocking harmful trackers that collect your data and links associated with malicious activity.

It also offers impressively fast streaming speeds. My speeds averaged 94Mbps on the nearby US servers (only a 9% drop from my base speeds of 102Mbps). Notably, you need only 25Mbps for buffer-free streaming in 4K. So, in addition to having no ads or trackers, you can stream Twitch in the highest quality without slowdowns. ExpressVPN also doesn’t limit your bandwidth, so you can take advantage of its impressive ad blocking capability 100% of the time.

Thanks to a strict no-logs policy, ExpressVPN doesn’t collect, store, or sell your data to anyone. Even if it could, the RAM-only servers regularly delete your personal data (every 15 minutes or so). Meanwhile, the IP/DNS/WebRTC protection reliably safeguards data that reveals your real location. So, you can browse privately on any site without worrying about ads, trackers, snoopers, or the VPN company itself.

The only downside is the high subscription fees. However, ExpressVPN provides generous discounts that bring the price down. For example, a 12-month plan cost me only $6.67/month, and I also got an extra 3 months of subscription for free. It’s also possible to get a refund if you’re not 100% satisfied with the VPN, thanks to ExpressVPN’s 30-day money-back guarantee.

Useful Features

• User-friendly apps. All ExpressVPN apps work with all popular sites and streaming platforms right out of the box. Plus, to turn on the ad block, you simply need to check the relevant boxes in the Advanced Protection section of the Options.
• Privacy-friendly location. ExpressVPN is headquartered in the British Virgin Islands — outside the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliances (an international intelligence-sharing agreement). You can rest easy knowing that your data won’t be handed over to the authorities.
• Military-grade encryption. AES 256-bit encryption makes your internet traffic unreadable to any third parties, including sites, ad networks, and ISPs.
• Server-wide obfuscation. In addition to protecting your data and disabling tracking, ExpressVPN’s obfuscation tech disguises your VPN traffic as regular internet data. This lets you avoid firewalls that block VPNs, such as those imposed by some ISPs or network administrators at schools and workplaces.

2. CyberGhost — Ad Blocker and Private Browser Effectively Prevent Ads and Trackers

Available on:

Windows Mac Android iOS

Chrome Router Smart TV More

Try CyberGhost VPN >

www.cyberghostvpn.com

CyberGhost's built-in ad blocker effectively stops dangerous ads and malware so you can browse your favorite sites safely. I tested its Content Block feature on YouTube — it stopped banners, bumper ads, and even some overlay (in-video) ads. Plus, it fends off trackers, phishing links, and spyware. Download the VPN's free private browser so no one can see what you're doing online — it's available for Windows, Mac, and iOS.

Apps are user-friendly and easy to navigate across various devices. Block Content can be enabled with a single click on Windows, Mac, and Android. While iOS usually doesn’t allow VPN ad blockers, you can still use its free Private Browser. It's also easy to find a suitable server and browse ad-free, thanks to its neat and modern design.

The VPN protects your privacy with RAM-based servers that wipe your data with every reboot. Plus, its headquarters is in Romania, a privacy-friendly country outside the data-sharing pact of the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliances. It also enforces a strict no-logs policy to ensure that none of your data is ever stored or shared — recently verified by Deloitte, a third-party audit firm.

On the downside, month-to-month plans with a short 14-day refund period are expensive. However, you can get substantial savings with long-term plans – up to 84%. I paid only $2.03/month. Using the money-back guarantee, you can try CyberGhost free for 45 days. Getting a refund is straightforward — I canceled via 24/7 live chat and had my money in my PayPal 3 days later.

Useful Features

• Fast speeds. During my tests, my speed only dropped by an average of 6% on nearby servers and 18% on some faraway ones. CyberGhost also prevents ads and trackers from leaching your bandwidth, so you won't notice a speed difference with the VPN enabled.
• Optimized servers. CyberGhost provides servers optimized explicitly for lag-free streaming, torrenting, and gaming. Simply expand the app to find these specialty servers listed according to online activity.
• Perfect forward secrecy. This feature changes your encryption key every 15 minutes. In the unlikely event hackers can break through its military-grade AES 256-bit encryption, a key can't be used to unlock your past and future data.

3. PIA — Customizable Features to Block Ads and Personalize Your Security Level

Available on:

Windows Mac Android iOS

Chrome Router Smart TV More

Try Private Internet Access >

www.privateinternetaccess.com

PIA’s MACE feature reliably blocks annoying pop-ups on websites (like Google ads). In addition, this ad blocker prevents your online activity from being tracked by advertisers. For example, it blocks analytics and most social media trackers. While testing PIA’s MACE, it successfully stopped 80% of ads from loading. Plus, PIA also regularly updates a list of malicious domains to protect against malware and phishing scams.

It also lets you customize its privacy settings to suit your needs. You can pick between super-secure AES 256-bit encryption and faster (but secure) AES 128-bit encryption. There’s the option to choose WireGuard and OpenVPN protocols, too. For enhanced security, I recommend OpenVPN and AES 256-bit encryption — I use them for online banking and shopping.

One drawback is that new VPN users might find PIA complicated. However, all apps come pre-configured, so you can start using the VPN right away without tweaking any settings. Plus, MACE can be toggled on with just a click and is supported on Windows, Mac, and Linux apps. You can get MACE on Android by downloading the app’s APK file directly from PIA.

Long-term PIA plans start at only $2.03/month. This is the best deal as it’s pocket-friendly and offers the same features as the more expensive monthly plans. For extra peace of mind, a 30-day money-back guarantee lets you try PIA without risk. You can get a full refund by canceling via the dashboard or contacting 24/7 live chat.

Useful Features

• Unlimited device connections. You can install and use PIA to block ads and malware on any number of devices under one subscription.
• Split tunneling. With this feature, you can decide which applications and websites use the VPN and which don't. It can be customized to route only your browser traffic through it, ensuring ad blocking only where you need it most.
• MultiHop and obfuscation. This is a double VPN feature that routes your connection through 2 separate VPN servers while obfuscation disguises your VPN traffic as regular traffic. That way, you can use PIA on restricted networks, like school and work.

4. NordVPN — Threat Protection Feature to Avoid Ads, Trackers, and Malware

Available on:

Windows Mac Android iOS

Chrome Router Smart TV More

Try NordVPN >

www.nordvpn.com

NordVPN’s ad and tracker blocker, Threat Protection, also doubles as an anti-malware tool, automatically scanning files you download and blocking known malicious websites. It’s also customizable — desktop users can choose to turn on either web or file protection (or both). For Android or iPhone, only the lightweight Threat Protection Lite option is available, which drops the file-scanning feature to focus solely on blocking ads and trackers.

Its fast speeds also let you watch UHD content without interruptions. During my tests, I recorded an average speed of 104.14Mbps on its UK, France, and German servers (only a 4% decrease from my base speed). There’s also unlimited bandwidth, meaning you can stream and download as much as you want.

While Threat Protection offers comprehensive ad blocking, it may slow down your connection. However, this isn’t really a problem, as NordVPN is an exceptionally fast VPN to begin with.

NordVPN offers several plans to fit your budget, with its Standard long-term option costing only $2.99/month. Plus, all subscriptions have a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Useful Features

• NordLynx Protocol. This protocol is based on WireGuard, offering fast and secure connections. In my tests, it maintained high speeds even when ad blocking was enabled, ensuring a seamless browsing experience.
• Specialty servers. Tor over VPN enables you to connect to the Tor (The Onion Router) network while enhancing your privacy without needing a Tor browser. Its obfuscated servers hide the VPN use, so you don’t get blocked on restricted networks.
• Ad blocking extensions. NordVPN offers feature-rich browser extensions for Chrome, Edge, and Firefox. All its extensions are free and come with built-in Threat Protection Lite, so you can browse the internet ad-free without a slow connection.

5. Surfshark — Ad-Free Browsing on an Unlimited Number of Devices

Available on:

Windows Mac Android iOS

Chrome Router Smart TV More

Try Surfshark >

www.surfshark.com

With Surfshark you can browse ad-free on all your devices since it allows unlimited simultaneous connections. Its CleanWeb ad blocker is integrated into almost all its VPN apps, including browser extensions. I tested Surfshark on multiple devices at the same time, and it didn’t affect its ad blocking capabilities or performance.

Speedtest.net is usually full of ads, but the Surfshark Chrome extension removed them all

I was concerned with Surfshark's headquarters within the jurisdiction of the 14 Eyes alliance. However, It is serious about your privacy, upholding a strict no-logs that's been verified by an independent third-party.

There's also no risk in trying Surfshark's ad blocker because it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. I contacted support via its 24/7 live chat feature and asked for a refund. It was quickly approved, and the money returned to my bank account after 5 days.

Useful Features

• MultiHop servers. These servers send your traffic through an additional layer of security, making it more difficult to track your activity or location.
• Bypasser. This customizable split tunneling feature allows you to select which apps or websites bypass the VPN.  That way, you can access local content while the rest of your traffic remains encrypted and ad free.
• Rotating IP. When enabled, Surfshark assigns you a new IP address every 5 minutes without disconnecting the VPN or changing your location. This makes it much harder to track you using your IP.

Quick Comparison Table: Ad Blocker VPN Features

In the table below, you can see a quick comparison of the best VPNs that offer ad blocking features. I've lined up essential details like price, device connections, and money-back guarantee for you to easily compare them.

Editor's Note: We value our relationship with our readers, and we strive to earn your trust through transparency and integrity. We are in the same ownership group as some of the industry-leading products reviewed on this site: Intego, Cyberghost, ExpressVPN, and Private Internet Access. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.

Tips on Choosing the Best VPNs With Ad Blockers

Besides the reliable ad blockers, all the VPNs I shortlisted have strong security and privacy features, fast speeds, and global server networks. However, if you want to run your own tests, feel free to use this checklist:

• Ability to block ads, trackers, and malware. This is the main function you're looking for in an ad blocking VPN. I tested each VPN by visiting websites known for ads and seeing how effectively ads were blocked.
• Device compatibility. It's important that the VPN is compatible with a range of devices. This means you can block ads whether you're browsing on your computer, phone, or tablet.
• Privacy and security features. In the context of ad blocking, you need strong privacy and security to ensure no advertisers can track you. Look for VPNs that follow a strict no-logs policy and use AES 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, and leak protection.
• Fast speed. Slowdowns can always lead to a frustrating online experience, even without ads. I conducted speed tests on all the VPNs by looking for minimal speed drops to ensure a smooth, ad-free browsing or streaming experience.
• Global server network. Look for a VPN with a worldwide server network to access the content you need (like your Netflix US, Hulu, and Disney+ subscriptions).
• Excellent customer support. This is essential for any issues you might encounter. During my tests, I contacted the customer support teams of each VPN to evaluate their responsiveness and knowledge about ad blocking.
• Reliable money-back guarantee. You should be able to try the ad blocking features without risk. I noted which VPNs offered at least a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can test the ad blocking capability yourself.

Editor's Note: Transparency is one of our core values at vpnMentor, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process.

FAQs on VPNs With Ad Blockers

Why and how do ads track my online activity?

Ads track your online activity to gather data and provide you with personalized content. Advertisers use “trackers” to collect data on your online activities, like where you are and what you buy, to customize ads for you. To keep your online activities private, you need a reliable ad blocker VPN.

Common methods ads spy on you include:

• Cookies. These are small files websites place on your device. They store information about your browsing habits, such as pages visited or items added to a shopping cart.
• Web beacons (pixel tags). These tiny, invisible images embedded in websites and emails record your activities, such as opening an email or visiting a website.
• Fingerprinting. This involves collecting data about you, such as the type and version of your operating system, browser type and version, screen resolution, and specific device settings.

How does a VPN ad blocker work?

A VPN ad blocker works by blocking the domains known to host ads and trackers. Launch your VPN, activate the blocker feature and connect to a server, it will then intercept the requests sent from your device before they reach the internet. If a request is bound for a domain identified as an ad server, the VPN ad blocker blocks it. VPNs do this by maintaining an updated blocklist of domains that host ads.

However, not all VPNs come with an ad blocker. Also, ad blockers may not be effective against all types of ads. Some ads embedded directly into the content might slip through, like in-video ads on YouTube, Twitch, or Netflix.

Is it safe to use a VPN ad blocker?

Yes, using a VPN ad blocker is safe. In fact, without a VPN, your online privacy is vulnerable to various cyber threats, including malicious ads and trackers. Stay safe online by using a premium VPN with an ad blocker and robust security features. Otherwise, your private information might get collected by adware and sold to the highest bidder.

Hackers and scammers often use harmless looking ads that expose you to cyber threats. Dangers hidden behind malicious ads include identity theft, stealing financial information, and infecting your device with malware. Bear in mind that VPN ad blockers alone can’t prevent browser fingerprinting — however, they hide your actual IP address and DNS requests.

Do I need an ad blocker if I have a VPN?

Yes. A VPN secures your online privacy by encrypting your data and hiding your location. However, it doesn't typically block ads or prevent ad trackers from collecting your browsing information. The optimal solution is to invest in a VPN that incorporates an ad blocker.

Ad blockers alone can block trackers and ads, but they lack the ability to shield your data from potential online threats. That’s why the best solution is to get a VPN with an ad blocker. It’s one app that gives you both forms of online protection, ensuring your browsing experience is clean and secure.

Is using a VPN to block ads legal?

Yes, using a VPN to block ads is legal. In most jurisdictions, there's nothing in the law that prohibits you from using a VPN to block annoying ads. Using a VPN with an ad blocker is a legitimate way to enhance your online privacy, security, and browsing experience.

However, keep in mind that while blocking ads is legal, it may be against the terms of service on some websites or online services. Some rely on ad revenue, so they discourage ad blocking, with some blocking access to their content if they detect you're using an ad blocker.

It's also worth noting that while VPN use is legal in most places, some countries restrict or ban their use. Always ensure you're aware of and compliant with your local laws when using these tools.

Can VPN block ads on streaming platforms like YouTube and Twitch?

Yes, but not every VPN can remove YouTube ads. A reliable YouTube ad blocker VPN helps you stop banner and video ads. That’s why you need a tried-and-tested VPN with ad blocking functionality. Most VPNs on this list can block ads on YouTube and other sites (like Hulu, Spotify, and Google).

For platforms like Twitch, you can also avoid ads with a VPN by connecting to a server in a country where ads aren’t broadcast.

However, note that sites like Hulu employ advanced ad block detection systems that are often a step ahead of most VPNs or dedicated ad blockers. This makes it incredibly challenging for most ad blocking solutions to work on them.

How to block ads using a VPN on Android or Chrome?

You can block ads on Android or Chrome by using a VPN with an ad blocking feature. While not all VPNs offer this feature with their browser extensions, they will all block ads in Chrome if you use the VPN app and have the ad blocker enabled.

For Android, I've noticed that some VPNs don't include the ad blocking feature in their apps available on the Google Play Store due to Google's policies on ad blockers. However, they often provide an APK file with ad blocking capabilities on their official website. You can download the APK file directly and install it on your device.

Once you've got the VPN app or extension with ad blocking, you need to enable the feature in the settings. It's typically as simple as checking a box or sliding a toggle. After that, connect to a VPN server, and you should be able to browse adfree on your Android device or Chrome browser.

Can I use a free VPN ad blocker to remove ads?

Yes, but you’d be risking your online privacy. Most free VPN ad blockers offer low-quality security, making it easy for hackers to hijack your traffic and steal your information. It’s safer to get a premium VPN with an ad blocker and money-back guarantee. After all, most free VPNs have throttled speeds, limited server networks, and unreliable privacy features.

Plus, some free services have been caught selling user data to third parties to make a profit. You should also avoid free ad blocker APKs for Android from unknown sources, as you could be installing malware on your device.

Get the Best VPN With an Ad Blocker

Traditional ad blocking extensions are not as effective at keeping your online privacy. A reliable VPN with a built-in ad blocker secures your browsing data, maintains your privacy, and stops those annoying pop-ups that disrupt your online experience. But not all VPNs have this functionality or work as effectively.

I recommend ExpressVPN. Its ad blocker, paired with Threat Manager, excels at stopping ads, trackers, and malware. Meanwhile, your online activities will remain confidential thanks to 256-bit encryption, and your speeds will be more than fast enough for UHD streaming. You can even try ExpressVPN risk-free — it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

To summarize, these are the best VPNs with ad blockers...

Editor's Note: We value our relationship with our readers, and we strive to earn your trust through transparency and integrity. We are in the same ownership group as some of the industry-leading products reviewed on this site: Intego, Cyberghost, ExpressVPN, and Private Internet Access. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.

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