Updated: October 30, 2026
Chrome no longer runs the original uBlock Origin. If you want to stay in Chrome, these are the main alternatives. The most useful question is not only "how well does it block?" but also "how does it make money?", because that tells you whether it lets some ads through.
The options compared
| Option | Type | How it makes money | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| uBlock Origin Lite | Chrome extension | Donations | Closest to the original, very light |
| AdGuard | Chrome extension | Paid apps and plans | Many settings and filter lists |
| Ghostery | Chrome extension | Paid plans and other services | Tracker blocking and insights |
| Brave | Browser | Its own ad and rewards system | Built-in blocking, no extension |
| Qhawa | Chrome extension | Donations | Ads, YouTube and scam warnings |
What to check before choosing
- Does it accept money from advertisers? Some blockers have "acceptable ads" programs that let paid ads through by default.
- Is it built for Manifest V3? Anything else will stop working in Chrome.
- How often is it updated? YouTube changes often.
- What does it do with your data? Read the privacy policy.
Or keep the original in another browser
If you want the full uBlock Origin, it still works in Firefox. See uBlock Origin on Firefox.
What Qhawa does
Qhawa blocks ads and trackers with public lists like EasyList, removes YouTube ads, skips sponsor segments and warns you before known phishing and malware pages load. It has no acceptable ads program, does not sell data and lives on donations. We make Qhawa, so weigh our opinion accordingly and compare.
Add to Chrome
Frequently asked questions
What is the best alternative to uBlock Origin for Chrome?
For most people, uBlock Origin Lite is the closest. If you also want scam warnings or YouTube sponsor skipping, Qhawa adds those. If you want the full original, use Firefox.
Is uBlock Origin Lite as good as uBlock Origin?
It blocks most ads, but it has fewer advanced options and can be slower to react to YouTube changes.
Do I need more than one ad blocker?
No. One good blocker is enough; two at once can break pages.
Sources
More guides
- Free ad blocker for Chrome: how to choose one
- uBlock Origin not working in Chrome? What happened
- uBlock Origin Lite: what it is and how it compares
- What is phishing? Real examples and how to avoid it
- Is this website safe? 7 signs of a scam site
- How to block YouTube ads in Chrome for free
- Scam website checker: is this link safe?
- Phishing examples: 8 real-world messages explained
- Does a Mac need antivirus? An honest answer
- Ad blockers for Chrome compared (2026)
- uBlock Origin not working on YouTube? How to fix it
- YouTube blocking ad blockers: why, and what you can do
- uBlock Origin on Firefox: the full version still works