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AdAway alternatives: 5 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave AdAway: not on Google Play; install from F-Droid, and VPN mode blocks using another VPN. We ranked 5 alternatives by how directly each one replaces AdAway, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Blokada currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1Blokada logoBlokadaFree plan + paidYesAndroid, iOS4 of 466.5
2AdGuard logoAdGuardPaidNoWindows, macOS, Linux +34 of 457.2
  1. Blokada logo

    1. BlokadaTop pick

    Best for: Android users who want free system-wide blocking without root

    Free plan + paidOpen sourceAndroid, iOS

    66.5

    score / 100

    Why switch from AdAway

    Free open-source system-wide blocker with a friendlier interface.

    Pros

    • Free, open-source system-wide blocking on Android
    • No root or jailbreak needed
    • Optional WireGuard VPN and parental-control apps

    Cons

    • Free version is Android only
    • Cloud, VPN and family features are paid
    • Multiple app editions can be confusing
    Visit Blokada Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.3100
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Blokada a good AdAway alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Free version
    Blokada 5, free and open source
    Checked Oct 25, 2026blokada.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Root required
    No
    Checked Oct 25, 2026blokada.org(opens source in a new tab)
    VPN devices
    Up to 5 (Blokada Plus)
    Checked Oct 25, 2026blokada.org(opens source in a new tab)
    VPN protocol
    WireGuard
    Checked Oct 25, 2026blokada.org(opens source in a new tab)
  2. AdGuard logo

    2. AdGuard

    Best for: People who want ads blocked in every app and browser on their devices

    PaidWindows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Browser extension

    57.2

    score / 100

    Why switch from AdAway

    Paid app with HTTPS filtering for more complete blocking.

    Pros

    • System-wide filtering in browsers, apps and games
    • Lifetime licence option
    • Detailed filters, custom rules and per-app control

    Cons

    • Full apps are paid
    • Full Android app is installed outside Google Play
    • Local HTTPS filtering requires trusting a root certificate
    Visit AdGuard Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.369
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is AdGuard a good AdAway alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Free trial
    14 days
    Checked Oct 25, 2026adguard.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Licences
    Personal 3 devices, Family 9 devices
    Checked Oct 25, 2026adguard.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Lifetime licence
    Available
    Checked Oct 25, 2026adguard.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Refunds
    30-day money-back guarantee
    Checked Oct 25, 2026adguard.com(opens source in a new tab)

The best AdAway alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

Blokada logo

Best AdAway alternative for most people

Blokada

Free open-source system-wide blocker with a friendlier interface.

Rethink DNS logo

Best AdAway alternative for a free option

Rethink DNS

Adds encrypted DNS and a per-app firewall to blocklist filtering.

Blokada logo

Best AdAway alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

Blokada

Free open-source system-wide blocker with a friendlier interface.

TrackerControl logo

Best AdAway alternative for open source

TrackerControl

Shows and blocks the trackers each app contacts.

AdGuard logo

Best AdAway alternative for Mac

AdGuard

Paid app with HTTPS filtering for more complete blocking.

StevenBlack hosts logo

Best AdAway alternative for Windows

StevenBlack hosts

Curated unified hosts lists you can add as an AdAway source.

AdGuard logo

Best AdAway alternative for Linux

AdGuard

Paid app with HTTPS filtering for more complete blocking.

Blokada logo

Best AdAway alternative for iPhone and Android

Blokada

Free open-source system-wide blocker with a friendlier interface.

Rethink DNS logo

Best AdAway alternative for working in the browser

Rethink DNS

Adds encrypted DNS and a per-app firewall to blocklist filtering.

AdAway alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to AdAway?

Blokada ranks first right now. Free open-source system-wide blocker with a friendlier interface. Rethink DNS and TrackerControl follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to AdAway?

Yes. Blokada (free plan + paid), Rethink DNS (open source), TrackerControl (open source) and StevenBlack hosts (open source) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to AdAway?

Yes: Blokada, Rethink DNS, TrackerControl and StevenBlack hosts.

Which AdAway alternatives work on Linux?

AdGuard and StevenBlack hosts run on Linux.

Why do people switch from AdAway?

The complaints we hear most: not on Google Play; install from F-Droid; VPN mode blocks using another VPN; can't stop ads from the same domain as content.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces AdAway, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.