uBlock Origin Lite vs uBlock Origin: What Changed in Chrome

Updated: October 28, 2026

uBlock Origin Lite (uBOL) is the version of uBlock Origin built for Chrome's Manifest V3 extension platform. It exists because Chrome stopped running the original uBlock Origin, which depended on the older Manifest V2.

How is uBlock Origin Lite different from uBlock Origin?

	uBlock Origin	uBlock Origin Lite
Platform	Manifest V2	Manifest V3
Runs in Chrome today	No	Yes
How it filters	Inspects each request live	Rules declared in advance
Custom filter lists	Any list, any time	Limited
Element picker and dynamic rules	Yes	Reduced
Memory use	Low	Very low

What are its filtering modes?

uBlock Origin Lite lets you choose how strongly it filters on each site, from basic network blocking to more complete filtering that also hides page elements. The stronger modes need broader permission to read the sites you visit, which the extension asks for when you turn them on.

What can't it do in Chrome?

Manifest V3 caps how many rules an extension can use and removes the ability to decide on each request in real time. In practice, uBOL blocks most ads and trackers, but it can be slower to adapt when a site changes how it serves ads, and advanced users lose some of the fine control they had.

Is uBlock Origin Lite good enough?

For most people, yes: it blocks the bulk of ads and keeps Chrome light. If you relied on custom rules or the full element picker, Firefox still runs the complete uBlock Origin.

Alternatives worth knowing

uBlock Origin in Firefox if you want the full version.
Brave if you prefer blocking built into the browser.
Other Manifest V3 blockers, as long as they do not take money from advertisers.

What Qhawa does

Qhawa is also built for Manifest V3 and uses public lists like EasyList. On top of ad blocking, it warns you about known phishing and malware pages, removes YouTube ads, and shows which brands paid to reach you. It is free and never charges advertisers.

Try Qhawa for freeBlocks ads, trackers and scams. It never charges advertisers or sells your data.
Add to Chrome

Frequently asked questions

Is uBlock Origin Lite made by the same developer?

Yes. It comes from the same developer as uBlock Origin, adapted to the rules of Manifest V3.

Does uBlock Origin Lite block YouTube ads?

It blocks many of them, but YouTube changes its systems often and Manifest V3 limits how fast blockers can react.

Can I install the original uBlock Origin in Chrome?

Not anymore in a stable way. Chrome disabled Manifest V2 extensions, and modified versions from outside the store are risky.

uBlock Origin Lite: what it is and how it compares