uBlock Origin
Open SourceThe most efficient ad blocker for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge. Block ads, trackers, and malware with minimal memory usage.
By Raymond Hill (gorhill) v1.61.0 50M+ installs Updated
Pros
- Extremely low memory footprint compared to other ad blockers
- Highly customizable with custom filter lists
- Blocks ads, trackers, malware domains, and pop-ups
- Completely free and open source — no paid tiers
- Advanced mode for power users (dynamic filtering)
Cons
- Advanced mode can be complex for beginners
- Some sites may break without whitelisting
- No sync between browsers natively
Overview
uBlock Origin is widely regarded as the most efficient and effective content blocker available. Unlike heavier alternatives, it uses minimal CPU and memory while providing comprehensive protection against ads, trackers, and malware-serving domains.
Why uBlock Origin?
The secret to uBlock Origin’s performance is its optimized network request interception engine. It evaluates URLs against multiple filter lists simultaneously without the overhead of other extensions.
Key Features
- Cosmetic filtering – Removes HTML elements ads would occupy
- Custom filter lists – Import Easylist, uBlock filters, and community lists
- Dynamic filtering – Block/allow JavaScript and frames per-site
- My Filters – Write your own custom rules
- Logger – Real-time view of all blocked/allowed requests
Setup Tips
- Install from your browser’s extension store
- Enable “I am an advanced user” for dynamic filtering
- Add regional filter lists for non-English sites
Technical Specs
- Category
- Browser Extensions
- Platform
- Chrome, Firefox, Edge
- Pricing
- Open Source
- Version
- 1.61.0
- Developer
- Raymond Hill (gorhill)
- Released
- Jun 2014
- Updated
- Nov 2025
- Installs
- 50M+