Privoxy vs uBlock Origin
Privoxy
privoxy.orguBlock Origin
github.comSide by side
| Figure | Privoxy | uBlock Origin |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | — |
| macOS | Yes | — |
| Linux | Yes | — |
| Android | — | Yes |
| Self-hosted | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 2 | 1 |
| Spec score · Ad blockers | 8.7 (#9) | 8.6 (#12) |
| Browser support | multiple-browsers | multiple-browsers |
| Device coverage | desktop | desktop-and-mobile |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| License | Privoxy source code is released under the GNU General Public License version 2 or any later version. | The repository is licensed under GPL-3.0/GPLv3. |
Plans
In their own words
Privoxy
Privoxy is free, non-caching web proxy software for privacy controls, access rules, and changes to HTTP headers and web pages. It can modify page text, remove banners and web bugs, filter HTML annoyances, and inspect HTTPS requests and responses. A browser-based configuration and control utility includes rule tracing and remote toggling, and Privoxy can be chained with other proxies. It can serve multiple clients across a network or as a LAN gateway. The software runs on Windows, GNU/Linux, Mac OS X, Haiku, BSD variants, Solaris, and other Unix systems. It is licensed under the GNU GPL version 2 or later, with a free plan listed at free. A basic configuration is included with a new installation, but many advanced features need to be enabled. Privoxy handles HTTP and HTTPS proxying; it does not handle FTP, SMTP, instant messaging, IRC, or ICQ. It is not designed as a malware-removal tool, and the default setup does not filter malware. The project says it lacks trusted build infrastructure; individual project members or external contributors build and upload binary packages.
uBlock Origin
uBlock Origin is a free, open-source content blocker for desktop and Android versions of Firefox, as well as Chromium and Thunderbird versions. It blocks ads, trackers, coin miners, popups, anti-blockers, and malware sites by default. Several filter lists are built in, and users can add lists and hosts files or create custom rules using EasyList syntax with uBlock Origin extensions. If blocking is too broad, users can disable preselected lists. The basic and advanced popup interfaces include a per-site point-and-click firewall. The project’s stated purpose is to help users neutralize privacy-invading methods in the browser, and it is described as CPU- and memory-efficient, fast, and lean. It works best on Firefox and also supports Chromium-based browsers, including Edge and Opera. In Thunderbird, it affects feeds but not email. The project advises against running it alongside another content blocker. It is licensed under GPL-3.0/GPLv3, and enterprise deployment documentation is available.