Ghostery

Overview

Ghostery is a free browser extension that brings ad and tracker blocking together with cookie controls and tracker visibility. It is best suited to people who want these privacy tools across their supported browsers without paying or limiting installations by device count. Its main compromise is mobile browser choice: protection is available on iOS through Safari and on Android through Firefox or Edge, but not through Chrome for Android.

Key features

Ad and tracker blocking

Ghostery blocks banners, video ads, pop-ups, and sponsored content, while its anti-tracking protection replaces personal identifiers with random values and masks identifying signals. That combination makes it a broader choice than an ad-only blocker for readers who also want to disrupt tracking. Custom filter lists and an element picker provide more direct control over what is blocked; they will matter most to users willing to adjust their filtering rather than rely solely on defaults.

Cookie controls and tracker visibility

Never-Consent automatically rejects tracking cookies and sends opt-out signals on supported websites. The qualification matters: this is not a promise that every site will honor an opt-out. Ghostery’s Tracker Panel shows trackers it identifies and neutralizes on a page, while WhoTracks.Me adds information about tracking companies and the wider tracking industry. Ghostery also reports observed tracking information to WhoTracks.Me under its stated policy, a trade-off worth weighing for users who prefer not to contribute such observations.

Privacy and support

Ghostery says its extension telemetry is non-personal, with additional telemetry sent if a user opts in. For phishing and malware protection, it says it sends a partial URL checksum to its backend rather than the full URL. Users can consult FAQs, contact support, report bugs, or submit tracker data requests. Private Search is in closed beta, so it is not yet a generally available part of the product.

Pricing

The Ghostery Tracker & Ad Blocker plan costs 0.00 USD per free, with all features free and no subscription required. That includes the core ad blocking, tracker blocking, cookie consent handling, and tracker insights, as well as custom filter lists and the element picker. Ghostery says users can install it on as many devices as they like, so there is no stated device cap to weigh against its free price.

There is no paid tier to unlock the listed blocker features or raise a free-plan quota. A separate “Paid from” figure of 1.99 /yr appears, but without a corresponding plan or currency it does not establish a usable subscription option. Readers looking for a paid service or a generally available Private Search product should not choose Ghostery on that basis.

Platforms

Ghostery supports Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera, Safari, and Brave, with extensions across major desktop and mobile browsers. Its platform coverage includes Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, and Windows. On iOS and iPadOS, protection is through Safari; on Android, Ghostery supports Firefox and Edge but not Chrome, because Chrome for Android does not allow extensions. That makes browser choice part of the decision for mobile users, particularly anyone committed to Chrome on Android.

Who it's for

Ghostery is a strong fit for readers who want ad removal, tracker disruption, cookie opt-outs, and visibility into tracking in one free, open-source extension. Its unlimited device installation claim also suits people using several supported devices. It is a weaker fit for Android users unwilling to switch from Chrome, or for anyone expecting Never-Consent to control every website or Private Search to be ready for general use.

Pros and cons

• Pros: The listed blocking, cookie, and tracker-insight features are free, with no subscription required.
• Pros: Custom filter lists and an element picker give users more control than a blocker limited to preset filtering.
• Pros: Tracker Panel and WhoTracks.Me make tracker activity visible alongside blocking.
• Cons: Android support excludes Chrome, so users of that browser need Firefox or Edge to use Ghostery.
• Cons: Never-Consent applies on supported websites; it cannot be treated as a universal cookie-consent solution.
• Cons: Private Search remains in closed beta rather than being a generally available search option.

Alternatives

For a broader comparison, browse Ad blockers or Ad Blocking Software.

• Disconnect is worth considering if its freemium plan, free trial, and single-browser Basic Extension better match your needs; its listed platforms also include API and web.
• Blokada may suit Android users seeking a free ad blocker specifically for Android 5 or newer, or those who want a freemium option across its listed platforms.
• Adblock Plus is another freemium option across Android, extension, iOS, Linux, macOS, and Windows; its web extension is open source under GPLv3.
• AdGuard is a freemium alternative with Personal and Family annual plans listed for three and nine devices, respectively.
• AdLock may fit readers seeking a paid cross-platform option: its one-month plan is 9.95 USD per month for five devices and carries a 30-day money-back guarantee.
• 1Blocker is a freemium alternative for Apple-focused users, with support for extension, iOS, and macOS platforms.
• AdBlock is another freemium option across Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android; its Premium plan includes AdBlock VPN and Enhanced YouTube ad blocking.
• uBlock Origin is a free, open-source option if Android is the platform that matters most.

Verdict

Choose Ghostery if you want a no-subscription extension that combines ad and tracker blocking with cookie controls and visible tracker information across supported browsers. Its breadth at no cost is the clearest reason to choose it; the clearest reason to look elsewhere is its platform constraint for Android Chrome users, alongside the fact that Private Search is still in closed beta.