10 Ways to Block Ads on YouTube for Free in 2026
If you‘re tired of sitting through multiple ads every time you want to watch a YouTube video, you‘re not alone. YouTube has been steadily increasing the frequency and length of pre-roll and mid-roll video ads in recent years. While these ads support creators and keep YouTube free, they can quickly become disruptive to your viewing experience.
Luckily, there are a number of ways you can block ads on YouTube for free in 2024. Some methods, like browser extensions, are quick and easy to set up. Others, like network-level ad blocking, take a bit more configuration but block ads more comprehensively. Here are the top 10 ways to start watching YouTube ad-free today:
1. uBlock Origin
uBlock Origin is a popular open-source ad blocker available for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge. It‘s one of the most efficient and widely used ad blockers. In addition to blocking YouTube ads, it prevents ads and pop-ups on most websites while giving you granular control over your filters.
uBlock Origin is light on system resources and is less intrusive than some other ad blockers. Installing it is as simple as adding the extension to your browser. Make sure to only download it from the official source, as some malicious actors try to spread fake versions.
2. AdBlock
AdBlock is another well-established ad blocker that‘s simple to set up and effective at removing YouTube ads. It has extensions for all major browsers and boasts over 65 million users.
One standout feature of AdBlock is its "Acceptable Ads" program. With this enabled, some non-intrusive ads are allowed through the filter to support websites. However, you can toggle this off for a completely ad-free experience. Just be aware that AdBlock collects some anonymized user data.
3. AdGuard Browser Extension
AdGuard is a comprehensive ad blocking tool that offers both browser extensions and standalone apps. The AdGuard browser add-on is a good choice for eliminating YouTube ads across Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari.
In addition to blocking video ads, AdGuard hides the placeholder ad windows that sometimes remain after an ad is removed. It also has advanced tracking protection and can be customized with your own filtering rules.
4. Ghostery
Ghostery is a privacy-focused extension that blocks trackers and ads on Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Opera. It‘s a solid choice for minimizing YouTube ads as well as protecting your data from aggressive tracking scripts.
One helpful feature is Ghostery‘s detailed breakdowns and analytics of all the trackers on each site you visit. This gives you visibility into who‘s trying to collect your data behind the scenes. The extension lets you control which types of trackers to allow or block.
5. Adblock Plus
Adblock Plus is one of the oldest and most widely used ad blockers. It remains a popular choice for stripping ads from YouTube in your browser. The extension is available for Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and several other browsers.
Like AdBlock, Adblock Plus participates in the Acceptable Ads initiative by default to allow some non-intrusive advertising through. You can disable this in the settings for maximum ad blocking. Keep in mind that Adblock Plus is more resource-intensive than some alternatives.
6. Blokada (Android)
If you mainly watch YouTube on an Android phone or tablet, Blokada is a solid choice for eliminating ads. It‘s a free and open-source ad blocking app that creates a local VPN on your device to filter out ads.
Because Blokada works at the DNS level, it can remove ads from YouTube and most other apps on your phone. The downside is that it doesn‘t block YouTube ads as effectively as a browser extension. You may still see some short ad segments from time to time.
7. AdGuard (iOS)
For blocking YouTube ads on iOS, AdGuard is one of the best options. Its iOS app is a fully-fledged content blocker that removes ads from Safari and other web browsers on your iPhone or iPad.
Setting up the AdGuard app is a bit more involved than a browser extension. You need to install a configuration profile and enable content blocking in Safari‘s settings. However, it‘s very effective at eliminating all YouTube ads once configured.
8. YouTube Vanced (Android)
YouTube Vanced is a popular modded version of the official YouTube Android app. It offers several enhanced features including built-in ad blocking. Using Vanced, you can watch YouTube videos on mobile without any ads at all.
The catch is that Vanced violates YouTube‘s terms of service. Google has been cracking down on the app and the official website has been taken down. Vanced still works for now if you can find a safe download source. But there‘s no guarantee it will continue functioning.
9. NewPipe (Android)
NewPipe is an open-source YouTube client for Android that has a built-in ad blocker. The app lets you watch videos, subscribe to channels, and create playlists with a more privacy-friendly interface.
While NewPipe is not an official YouTube app, it‘s actively maintained and available through the F-Droid repository. To use NewPipe, your device needs to allow apps from unknown sources. Be aware that like Vanced, NewPipe operates against YouTube‘s terms.
10. SmartTubeNext (Android TV)
If you watch a lot of YouTube on a smart TV or streaming device, SmartTubeNext is worth checking out. It‘s an alternative YouTube app for Android TV that removes ads and offers advanced playback controls.
To install SmartTubeNext, you need to sideload the app onto your Android TV device. The app does not require root access and works on most Android TV devices and Fire TV sticks. Again, keep in mind that using an unauthorized YouTube client violates the terms of service.
Bonus: DNS-Level Ad Blocking
For maximum ad blocking across all your devices, you can set up DNS-level filtering. This intercepts ads on the network level before they reach your devices. With the right DNS configuration, you can block the majority of YouTube ads in any browser or app.
Two popular options for DNS ad blocking are AdGuard DNS and NextDNS. Both offer free plans that are reasonably effective at filtering out YouTube ads. You‘ll need to change your DNS settings on each device or on your router.
The main advantage of DNS ad blocking is that you can configure it once for your whole network. The downside is that it won‘t remove ads as thoroughly as a dedicated browser extension. Especially stubborn YouTube ads can sometimes slip through.
The Ethical Dilemma of YouTube Ad Blocking
While blocking ads leads to a cleaner and less cluttered YouTube experience, it‘s important to remember that ads are what keep YouTube free and support the creators you watch. When you block ads, the YouTubers you follow do not get paid for your views.
If you want to enjoy an ad-free experience while still supporting creators, YouTube Premium is the way to go. For a recurring fee, Premium removes all ads, lets you play videos in the background, and offers offline downloads. It also provides creators with a more stable source of income.
Ultimately, the choice of whether to block ads is a personal one. But if you do enjoy YouTube videos for free, considering allowing ads from time to time, subscribing to YouTube Premium, or using alternative income sources for creators like Patreon, memberships, or merch sales. That allows the YouTube ecosystem to remain sustainable in the long run.