Privoxy vs wBlock

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.

wBlock is a free, open-source ad blocker for Safari on Apple devices. It distributes filtering across five Safari content blockers, with a stated capacity of 750,000 rules. Users can add AdGuard-syntax, regional, annoyance, and custom filter lists by URL, pasted text, or file, and use an element zapper to remove page elements. Filtering, userscripts, and autoplay can be controlled separately for individual sites. The app includes a Greasemonkey-compatible userscript engine and supports UserCSS themes, including Less, Sass, and Stylus. Tube Cleaner and Player Cleaner add video options such as Picture-in-Picture and background audio. Its script catalog includes SponsorBlock, DeArrow, Dark Reader, Return YouTube Dislike, and TwitchAdSolutions. iCloud can sync lists, custom filters, userscripts, the allowlist, and settings; users can export a local backup instead. The privacy policy says the app does not collect browsing history, telemetry, or device identifiers and has no built-in analytics or crash reporting. It is available through the App Store, Homebrew, and a DMG download.