Ghostery and uBlock Origin - a comparison

What is uBlock Origin?

uBlock Origin is a free browser extension that is used to filter content online. It is not classified among adblockers, rather it is used to give users greater privacy protection while also focusing on boosting CPU and memory efficiency. The extension was developed by Raymond Hill and his blocklists are now widely used by the ad-blocking community. And as an open-source extension, regular features and updates are also provided by developers engaged with the improvement of the extension. 

Why should I switch from uBlock Origin?

uBlock Origin alternative browser extensions will become essential for Chrome users starting on October 9, 2024. This date represents Google’s hard deadline for the final phase-out of Manifest V2, which has supported many popular browser extensions up to now. However, due to significant changes in the Manifest V3 requirements, uBlock Origin has opted not to update its extension to comply with this new format, which Google has designed to increase security but also limits the functions that many ad blockers use. As a result, Chrome users who rely on uBlock Origin are now seeing a warning banner indicating the extension’s incompatibility and are being encouraged to seek out and download alternative ad-blocking solutions that meet Manifest V3 standards to maintain uninterrupted ad-blocking and privacy features.

Why You Should Use a Content Blocker For Online Privacy

Using a content blocker extension for online privacy is increasingly vital in our digital age. Content blockers serve as a crucial barrier between users and the pervasive tracking technologies employed by advertisers. They prevent unwanted ads from loading, which not only enhances browsing speed but also significantly reduces the risk of exposure to malicious software often hidden within intrusive ads.

More importantly, content blockers help maintain user privacy by obstructing trackers that monitor online activities and harvest personal data without consent. This data is often used to build detailed user profiles, which are then exploited for targeted advertising, sometimes leading to privacy breaches.

By using a content blocker, individuals regain control over what information is shared online and with whom, fostering a safer, more private internet experience. In an era where personal data is a highly valued commodity, employing a content blocker is a simple yet effective step toward safeguarding one's digital footprint.

What platforms does uBlock Origin work on?

You can install uBlock Origin on the following platforms:

• Google Chrome*

See note under "Why should I switch from uBlock Origin?"

• Chromium
• Microsoft Edge
• Opera
• Firefox

Please be aware that uBlock Origin is in no way related to uBlock.org, which is a relatively new and less recognized content blocking extension. To avoid any confusion, we advise that you should only download uBlock Origin as the original open source, community-powered extension, which you can find on their website.  

How does uBlock Origin compare to Ghostery?

User Interface

The user interface (UI) relates to the layout of any given piece of software, and it should ideally be designed to ensure that the user can easily navigate the various features.

This is an area that Ghostery is widely recognized for, thanks to the clean, professional format that encourages users to engage and interact with the various features.

Every section is clearly labelled, and you can click on the small ‘I’ icon next to each option to get a more detailed explanation about what it can be used for.

Users may not experience the same ease of use with uBlock Origin. The developer’s main point of focus appears to have been to provide powerful features for expert users, which means the aesthetics are not as pleasing as Ghostery. However, uBlock Origin’s design appearance does not have any impact on its effectiveness.

Control options

There are three modes users can try with uBlock Origin: Easy, Medium, and Hard. Default settings are applied on Easy mode, with a few additional options made available. Medium mode is more advanced and suitable for tech-savvy users, while if you are comfortable using the Advanced setting, you should be able to achieve much more control.  

However, due to the large number of power-user features and settings, you may struggle to find the balance of right options to suit your needs.

In addition to blocking annoying adverts and invasive trackers, Ghostery provides additional information about trackers so you always have the best privacy protection while online.

Both Ghostery and uBlock Origin are extensions that automatically block all ads and data mining trackers. If needed, you can change these settings at any time by simply making the alterations in the settings section.

Privacy

Since its inception, uBlock Origin has never accepted payments, instead directing users who wish to donate to give money to blocklist maintainers. This gives users total assurance that they are using a privacy protector that has their best interests at heart and that their data is not being captured or used for profit when the extension is activated.

Ghostery also does not collect personal data through its anti-tracking extension or via any of the other privacy features it offers to users. In addition to blocking ads and trackers, you can also enhance your privacy with the Private Search and Private Browser options, both of which are free to download and use. 

Both Ghostery and uBlock Origin are open source, so the code can be analyzed by anyone. They also both have strong communities around the world who offer constant updates that are used to improve the features and functionality of the respective extensions.  

Speed

Thanks to Ghostery’s default settings, all the advertising and background clutter that can slow down web page loading is removed. This lessens the load on your device, which should result in faster loading pages and fewer issues navigating the page.

While it may not be immediately apparent, this will also help to improve your energy efficiency as your device’s CPU and memory will use fewer energy resources during the loading process.  

Speed is also a big feature point for uBlock Origin, as it is a lightweight extension that should not interfere with the loading of web pages as you browse.

What are the pros and cons of uBlock Origin?

Pros

• Web pages load faster
• Open-source extension with a strong web-based community
• Customized power user features offer enhanced blocking control 

Cons

• Design layout may make it difficult to use for some
• uBlock Origin is not available for the Safari web browser

What are the pros and cons of Ghostery?

Pros

• Free to download on multiple devices, including iPhone
• Automatically blocks all adverts, third-party trackers, and cookie pop-ups

Cons

• Some users may not find the additional tracker information useful
• Compared to uBlock there are fewer options to add custom block rules

Summary

When it comes to blocking trackers, Ghostery and uBlock Origin perform overall very well. They both struggle alike with blocking Youtube ads, given Google's crackdown directed towards them and other ad blockers.

Ghostery is a dedicated cookie, tracker and ad blocker that will ensure intrusive ads are removed from the web pages you view. Some ads will be blocked by uBlock Origin if they contain trackers, while those that don’t have trackers can still be shown. 

It means that the all-round blocking capabilities of Ghostery ensure there is less chance that your data will be captured. The more user-friendly design of Ghostery also makes it easier for users to learn about trackers and the companies behind them, increasing their digital knowledge so it can be passed onto others to enhance their privacy online. 

Note that uBlock Origin has launched uBlock Origin Lite, a simplified version of uBlock Origin that works with Manifest V3, a new set of rules that limits ad blocker extensions on Chromium browsers like Chrome, Edge, Opera, and Vivaldi. This version uses less memory and has a simple privacy slider, but it also carries a smaller amount of features and filter lists. It only blocks ads and trackers based on static lists and cannot eliminate hard-to-block ads or give users fine-grained control over each site.

Read our full review here.

Take control of your digital privacy today!

Compared to opting out or cookie blocking, downloading the Ghostery Privacy Suite is a more efficient way of enhancing your online privacy.

Get in touch with our team if you have any questions - we are always happy to help!