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Is there a reliable Safari ad blocker?
- Thread starter zhaoxin
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Just use a Pi-hole it offers whole network ad blocking and works seamlessly with all connected devices on your network. There's no issues with compatibility or plugins breaking, it just works as they say 
Just use a Pi-hole it offers whole network ad blocking and works seamlessly with all connected devices on your network. There's no issues with compatibility or plugins breaking, it just works as they say
Not much use for when not at home though, without setting up VPN's etc.
I’ve tried most of the new ones from the App Store (since Safari Extensions are now deprecated. RIP uBlock Origin). Wipr didn’t have enough customization for me. You turn it on and there’s nothing you can do after that.
Unicorn Blocker and Roadblock were the other highest rated content blockers, and they didn’t work consistently or reliably for me.
I then tried the AdGuard App Store app, which works only with Safari, and it worked decently, but I bought the standalone AdGuard app from their website https://adguard.com/en/welcome.html
The standalone app works system-wide, regardless of your browser choice, and offers way more customization than the App Store app. It’s not free, but none of the good content blockers are. Like I said, I’ve tried many of the popular ones, and AdGuard is easily the best option, in my opinion. I highly recommend it. Check it out.
Unicorn Blocker and Roadblock were the other highest rated content blockers, and they didn’t work consistently or reliably for me.
I then tried the AdGuard App Store app, which works only with Safari, and it worked decently, but I bought the standalone AdGuard app from their website https://adguard.com/en/welcome.html
The standalone app works system-wide, regardless of your browser choice, and offers way more customization than the App Store app. It’s not free, but none of the good content blockers are. Like I said, I’ve tried many of the popular ones, and AdGuard is easily the best option, in my opinion. I highly recommend it. Check it out.
Just use a Pi-hole it offers whole network ad blocking and works seamlessly with all connected devices on your network. There's no issues with compatibility or plugins breaking, it just works as they say
You can't install that on MacOS so why even suggest it?
With Docker maybe but that uses an insane amount of resources when I tried that on Mojave a couple weeks ago.
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I'v always enjoyed using Safari but now that they ruined extensions and I can't use my favorites and the ones that heavily improved my browsing experience I don't know what to do..
Missing Greasemonkey (for userscripts/styles) and a good adblocker that allows me to add elements for blocking.
Because it uses a raspberry pi to block ads on a network level which imo is a good idea.
What I've been using for the past year or two is AdBlock for Safari. Pretty basic and sometimes glitches out but it's worked fine for me. https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/adblock-for-safari/id1402042596?mt=12
Thank you. AdGuard so far is the best for me.
As the others also mentioned, Pi-hole is a little heavier and not as easy to install as AdGuard.
Comparing to the other ad blockers so far, AdGuard is the only one that let the user customizes the filter lists.
There are some things you need to know if you decide to use AdGuard.
1. The version of AdGuard on App Store is not working at all. You need to install the version on their website. If you installed the AdGuard version on App Store. Then you can't install the version on their website successfully. You need to remove the App Store version and then reboot you computer first.
2. After installing, you need to manually enable the list of Safari on AdGuard -> Preferences -> Filters -> Add Filters. The default filters are good, and adding this filter will make it better if you use Safari as you primary browser.
3. In technical point of view, AdGuard is not a Safari Extension, as it doesn't appear in the extension tab. So I think it works the same way as Pi-hole does. The differences are, AdGuard is easier to install. You don't need to have a server or the knowledge of docker. However, AdGuard charges you 0.5 USD per month or 15 USD for a life license for each of your Macs. That may stop you from using it.
Glad it worked for you!
Yea, I've tried a bunch of modern Content Blockers, and none of them were any good. uBlock Origin was the best free option, but Safari Extensions are becoming extinct, and the uBlock app in the App Store is not the same thing.
I paid the $15 for the lifetime license for AdGuard, and I totally think it's worth it. I'm also using their mobile app for my iPhone and iPad, and you get all the same custom filter options and other user settings, so I think it's one of the best options currently available. But I agree, the app from their website is much better than their restrictive App Store app.
Another vote for AdGuard. Its system wide, and allows for more than the 5000 filter limit safari has. Also blocks pop-ups, gives you a tool to manually block sections of a website and has a bunch of other extensions I love with it.
I also use it on my iOS devices, it creates a system wide ad blocker I absolutely love it
AdGuard: It is not just about ad blocking for Safari. It is ad blocking for all apps - you can choose which apps. As an example, apps like those in the DevonThink suite have no way of including an ad blocker extension, but AdGuard does the job because it is system wide.
Where did you manage to find the life license for $15? I can only find the $59 license for Mac/PC on their website. Don't mind paying $15, bought the iOS app already as well which works fantastic.
The version on the App Store works fine on my Mac, but its on Mojave. The App Store version is for safari only whereas the one listed on the webpage is for the entire Mac. I had the old version that was an extension and got rid of it and downloaded the newer model which is an application that launches on startup Works just as well. Not adguards cost though, some are free.
https://adguard.com/en/license.html?lifetime=true
It seems their sale has ended. I bought it for $25, and it seems it's $49.95 now for a single PC/Mac license. I never saw the $15 option, so that must have been from a while ago...
I like how AdGuard for Safari now has two extensions in Safari, one of which says "AdGuard does not have permission to read or transmit ....."
Previously this existed only on Wipr which has served me very well over the last few years. However, since the debut of the Mac app, the developer has not been able to get around one single bug that I spoke with him about, and it is going to be one full year living with the bug.
Meanwhile, AdGuard takes care of the CSS formatting as good as Wipr, and as bonus takes care of my bug too. Time to switch, I fancy.
Quick Question:
With AdGuard for Safari, I am standing at 9 filters and 49903 rules. I would really like to enable one more filter that immediately takes the rule count to over 50,000. What might I do in this case?
Do I need the standalone app from their website to resolve this issue that seems to be a Safari limitation anyway?
Previously this existed only on Wipr which has served me very well over the last few years. However, since the debut of the Mac app, the developer has not been able to get around one single bug that I spoke with him about, and it is going to be one full year living with the bug.
Meanwhile, AdGuard takes care of the CSS formatting as good as Wipr, and as bonus takes care of my bug too. Time to switch, I fancy.
Quick Question:
With AdGuard for Safari, I am standing at 9 filters and 49903 rules. I would really like to enable one more filter that immediately takes the rule count to over 50,000. What might I do in this case?
Do I need the standalone app from their website to resolve this issue that seems to be a Safari limitation anyway?
Plus one to this!Just use a Pi-hole it offers whole network ad blocking and works seamlessly with all connected devices on your network. There's no issues with compatibility or plugins breaking, it just works as they say
You can also enable DNS over HTTPS (DoH) on a PiHole to stop your ISP from logging all internet traffic (as happens in the UK).
A PiHole is an excellent use case for a Raspberry Pi.
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I’ve never really trusted AdGuard on macOS, although do use it for iOS. Bought a lifetime license years ago but stopped using it on macOS some time ago.
Here’s some history...
https://adguard.com/en/blog/the-chronicle-of-adguard.html
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If you are worried about the Russian origins, for the last 2 years based in the EU (Cyprus) and so subject to privacy laws stronger than elsewhere. More trustworthy than one subject to the laws of my country (Australia).
The price is dynamic, basing on your ip and currency. For me, I could choose from CNY, Euro and USD, the price counting by CNY is around USD 15. I had also heard that if your were in Russian or if you could use INR, the price could be lower.
Sometimes there were a half price. e.g. last year in Black Friday and June 1st this year, which I also missed. So I may pay month fees until the next half price comes.