Safari is a web browser developed by Apple Inc. It's the default browser for all Apple devices, including Mac computers, iPhones, and iPads. Safari is known for its sleek design, fast performance, and integration with other Apple services. It offers features like tabbed browsing, private browsing mode, built-in security measures, and synchronization across multiple devices using iCloud. Safari also supports extensions, allowing users to customize their browsing experience with add-ons like ad blockers, password managers, and productivity tools.

Benefits of using Safari

Using Safari offers several benefits for users across various Apple devices:

1. Integration: Safari is tightly integrated with the Apple ecosystem, providing seamless synchronization across Mac computers, iPhones, iPads, and other Apple devices. This integration allows users to access their browsing history, bookmarks, and open tabs across multiple devices through iCloud.
2. Performance: Safari is optimized for Apple hardware and software, resulting in fast browsing speeds and efficient resource usage. It is designed to take advantage of Apple's hardware acceleration technologies, delivering smooth scrolling, responsive user interface, and quick page loading times.
3. Privacy and security: Safari prioritizes user privacy and security by implementing features like Intelligent Tracking Prevention, which prevents websites from tracking users across the web. It also includes built-in protections against malicious websites, phishing attempts, and harmful scripts, ensuring a safer browsing experience.
4. Energy efficiency: Safari is known for its energy-efficient design, which helps extend battery life on MacBooks and other Apple devices. It minimizes CPU usage and power consumption, allowing users to browse the web for longer periods without draining their device's battery quickly.
5. iCloud Keychain: Safari includes iCloud Keychain, a password management feature that securely stores and syncs passwords across all Apple devices. It generates strong, unique passwords and autofills them when logging into websites, making it easier to manage passwords and improve security.
6. Extensions and customization: Safari supports a wide range of extensions and plugins from the Mac App Store, allowing users to customize their browsing experience. Users can install ad blockers, password managers, productivity tools, and more to enhance Safari's functionality according to their preferences.

Ad-blocking extensions for Safari

Ad-blocking extensions for Safari work differently compared to extensions for other browsers. They provide Safari with a set of rules, or filters, that specify what content to block, but the blocking itself is performed by Safari.

These extensions typically offer different types of rules to target specific elements on web pages:

• Ad-blocking rules: these rules target different types of ads, including banner ads, pop-up ads, interstitial ads, and video ads. By blocking these ads, Safari ad blockers help improve page load times and reduce distractions for users

• Tracking protection rules: these rules block tracking scripts, cookies, and other tracking mechanisms used by advertisers and third-party trackers to monitor users' online behavior. By preventing these trackers from collecting data, Safari ad blockers help protect user privacy and prevent targeted advertising

• Social media blocking rules: some ad blockers offer rules for blocking social media widgets and buttons, such as Facebook Like buttons and Twitter Share buttons

• Malware and phishing protection rules: in addition to blocking ads and trackers, some ad blockers include rules to block known malware and phishing sites. This helps protect users from accidentally visiting malicious websites that could harm their devices or compromise their personal information

Using ad blockers offers several benefits:

• Reduced distractions: best ad blockers for Safari remove the visual clutter of advertisements, allowing you to focus on the content you're interested in without being interrupted by irrelevant or intrusive ads

• Enhanced privacy: ad blockers prevent advertisers and other third parties from tracking your online activity, thus protecting your privacy and reducing the amount of data collected about you

• Improved security: by blocking potentially harmful ads, ad blockers can reduce the risk of encountering malicious content such as malware or phishing scams, thereby enhancing your online security

• Faster browsing: without the overhead of loading numerous ads and tracking scripts, webpages load faster when ad blockers are enabled, leading to a smoother and more efficient browsing experience

• Bandwidth savings: blocking ads can also save bandwidth by preventing the downloading of large ad assets, which is especially important on mobile devices with limited data plans

• Improved battery life: since ad blockers reduce the processing and network activity associated with loading ads, they can help prolong battery life on portable devices like smartphones and laptops

How to choose the best ad blocker for Safari

When selecting the best ad blocker for Safari, consider the following criteria:

• Effectiveness: ad blockers offer a wide range of filters to block various types of ads and online irritants, such as pop-ups, banners, video ads, and tracking scripts. The more extensive and regularly updated the filter lists are, the better the ad blocker will handle new advertising techniques. Also, pay attention on privacy-oriented filters among the suggested ones while choosing the best ad blocker for Safari

• Compatibility: ensure that the ad blocker is compatible with your Safari browser and operating system

• Customization options: choose the best ad blocker for Safari that lets you to allowlist specific websites, to add custom filters and individual custom rules, and to adjust the level of blocking based on your preferences. This flexibility can help ensure that the ad blocker doesn't interfere with legitimate content or essential website functionality

• Performance: choose a lightweight and efficient ad blocker that ensures a smooth browsing experience

• User reviews and reputation: before choosing an ad blocker, read user reviews and assess its reputation for reliability, effectiveness, and trustworthiness. Look for ad blockers with a strong track record and positive feedback from users

Top best ad blockers for Safari

AdGuard

AdGuard is an ad blocker that prevents tracking, protects you from phishing and malware, and speeds up page loading. AdGuard’s goal is to put users back in control of their devices and their Internet experience.

Pros

• Filters: the filters in the AdGuard’s app have been optimized specifically for Safari to provide the best filtering quality. There are over 50 filters to choose from, including AdGuard's own and other popular lists. Also, AdGuard offers language-specific filters, so if you visit sites in your native language and not just English, there is likely a filter tailored for you

• Manual blocking: the app allows you to manually block any element on the page using the built-in action extension. It also gives you access to options like adding the page to the allowlist or reporting a missed ad

• Easy to use: ad blocker has a user-friendly interface that makes it easy to set up all the settings

Cons

• No filtering log: due to the way content blockers are implemented in Safari, AdGuard for Safari does not see the web requests and therefore cannot display them in the filtering log, like other AdGuard apps do

Adblock Plus

Adblock Plus is a free ad-blocking app that allows users to block unwanted ads such as pop-ups, video ads, banners, and ads disguised as content. The program prevents distracting ads and tracking, resulting in a calm and enjoyable web experience.

Pros

• Customizable filters: AdBlock Plus provides users with customizable filter lists, allowing them to block specific ads or elements on web pages based on their preferences

Cons

• Resource consumption: some users have reported that AdBlock Plus can consume significant system resources, which can affect browser performance and page loading times, especially on older or slower devices

• Acceptable ads controversy: the inclusion of "acceptable ads" has been controversial for AdBlock Plus, with some users criticizing the practice as contradictory to the purpose of ad blocking, as they prefer to block all ads for a cleaner browsing experience and enhanced privacy

Ghostery

Ghostery Is a free browser extension that provides fast, easy, and safe browsing by protecting your privacy online. It blocks trackers from accessing your personal information and eliminates ads to keep the websites you visit uncluttered. The app offers customized defaults that block trackers and ads right out of the box, minimizing the need for customization and maintenance.

Pros

• Tracker blocking: Ghostery blocks a wide range of trackers, including advertising trackers, analytics tools, social media widgets, and more

• Dashboard: Ghostery provides users with insights into the trackers and scripts present on each website they visit. This transparency allows users to understand how their data is being tracked and make informed decisions about their online privacy

Cons

• Ads within the app: some users report seeing ads that block off parts of the Ghostery interface

Wipr

Wipr is a popular ad blocker for Safari that focuses on providing a seamless browsing experience by blocking ads and trackers.

Pros

• Interface: Wipr has a user-friendly interface that is easy to set up and use

• Minimal impact on battery life: Wipr is designed to be lightweight and resource-efficient, minimizing its impact on battery life and system performance

• Tracker blocking: in addition to blocking ads, Wipr effectively blocks tracking scripts and cookies, helping users maintain their privacy and anonymity while browsing the web

Cons

• No customization: Wipr does not offer any customization options , which is a real drawback, especially for users who prefer to fine-tune their ad blocking settings

Magic Lasso

Magic Lasso Adblock is a fast, efficient and high performance ad blocker for the iPhone, iPad and Mac with native Safari integration.

Pros

• Custom rules: you can create custom rules directly from within Safari via the Share menu

• Speed: by cutting down on ads and trackers, Magic Lasso makes websites load faster and saves data

• Lightweight and resource-efficient: battery boost improves energy efficiency and responsiveness by blocking JavaScript that may cause slowdowns

Cons

• Limited features: ad blocker does not support adding personalized blocklists from external sources, limiting users to the filters and lists that come pre-configured with the software

1Blocker

1Blocker for Safari is a robust ad-blocking extension designed to improve browsing privacy and performance for MacOS and iOS users. Developed by 1Blocker LLC, it offers a range of features to block ads, trackers, pop-ups and other unwanted content, providing users with a cleaner and smoother browsing experience in Safari.

Pros

• Blocking control: 1Blocker has a Safari Button extension that allows you to control blocking right from the browser

• Allowlist: you can select categories to turn off for each site. For example, if you want to support your favorite blog by allowing ads, but still want to block tracking and social buttons on that site, you can do this in “Allowlist”

• Regular updates: 1Blocker updates its built-in rules from the cloud twice a week

Cons

• Free plan limitations: some features in 1Blocker are only available with a paid subscription, limiting access to certain features unless users opt for the premium version

Why is AdGuard for Mac better than extensions for Safari?

• Comprehensive functionality: AdGuard for Mac offers a more comprehensive set of features compared to the AdGuard extensions for Safari. While the extensions focus primarily on ad blocking within the Safari browser, AdGuard for Mac provides system-wide ad and tracker blocking, covering all applications and browsers on the Mac operating system

• Customizable filters: AdGuard for Mac offers advanced filter customization options, allowing users to create and fine-tune filtering rules according to their specific preferences. This flexibility allows users to tailor their ad blocking experience to their needs, including blocking specific types of ads or allowlisting specific websites

• Enhanced performance: AdGuard for Mac typically offers better ad blocking performance and efficiency than browser extensions. By operating at the system level, AdGuard for Mac can intercept and block ads before they even reach the browser, resulting in faster page loads and a smoother browsing experience

• More control and customization: AdGuard for Mac gives users more control and customization over their ad blocking settings. Users can fine-tune filters, allowlist specific websites, and adjust other preferences to tailor the ad blocking experience to their needs. In contrast, browser extensions may offer more limited customization options

• DNS filtering: AdGuard for Mac includes DNS filtering capabilities, allowing users to block ads and trackers at the DNS level. This feature provides an additional layer of protection by intercepting and blocking ads before they even reach the device, enhancing privacy and security across all applications and browsers

FAQ

1. What is an ad blocker, and how does it work?

An ad blocker is a software tool designed to prevent advertisements from appearing on web pages. It works by detecting and blocking ad scripts, banners, pop-ups, and other types of online ads.

2. Why should I use an ad blocker for Safari?

Using an ad blocker for Safari can enhance your browsing experience by removing intrusive ads, reducing page loading times, conserving bandwidth, and improving privacy and security.

3. Are ad blockers legal to use?

Yes, ad blockers are legal to use. They simply modify the way web content is displayed on your browser, and users have the right to control the content they see online.

4. Can ad blockers prevent tracking by advertisers?

Yes, many ad blockers have built-in features to prevent tracking by advertisers and third-party trackers. These features help protect user privacy by blocking tracking cookies and other tracking mechanisms.

5. Do ad blockers slow down browsing speed?

In some cases, ad blockers can improve browsing speed by preventing ads from loading, thus reducing the amount of data transmitted over the network. However, poorly optimized ad blockers or those with excessive filtering rules may slow down browsing speed.

6. Can ad blockers block all types of ads?

Ad-blocking extensions for Safari provide adequate protection against various types of ads, including banner ads, pop-ups, video ads, and tracking scripts. However, Safari extension blockers are limited by their restricted environment and may be less effective than more comprehensive ad blockers available for desktop systems or other web browsers.

7. How do I choose the best ad blocker for Safari?

When choosing the best ad blocker for Safari, consider factors such as effectiveness, ease of use, customization options, performance impact, and additional features. Evaluate user reviews, expert recommendations, and trial versions to find the best ad blocker for Safari that suits your needs.

8. Why is AdGuard for Mac better than extensions for Safari?

AdGuard for Mac is better than Safari extensions for several reasons:

• Enhanced filtering: ad blocking is more effective with AdGuard for Mac because it does not delegate filtering to Safari like extensions do. This allows it to implement more advanced blocking methods

• Comprehensive functionality: unlike Safari extensions, AdGuard for Mac offers system-wide ad and tracker blocking, covering all applications and browsers on macOS and not just Safari

• Enhanced performance: operating at the system level, AdGuard for Mac provides better ad-blocking performance and faster browsing compared to browser extensions

• DNS filtering: AdGuard for Mac includes DNS filtering for additional privacy and security across all applications and browsers