Overview

Ghostery combines ad blocking, tracker protection, cookie consent handling, and tools for understanding which companies track a page. It blocks banners, video ads, pop-ups, and sponsored content; its anti-tracking feature replaces personal identifiers with random values and masks identifying signals. That makes it a broader privacy tool than an ad blocker alone, while still centering on browser-based protection.

The company, Ghostery GmbH, is based in Munich and was founded in 2009. Ghostery reports more than 100 million downloads across platforms. Its free core includes ad and tracker blocking, cookie consent handling, and tracker insights, with no subscription required.

Key features

Blocking and page controls

Custom filter lists and an element picker give users more control over what the extension blocks. These are useful for people who want to tune protections rather than accept a fixed set of rules; users who only need a basic blocker may not need that extra control.

Cookie controls and tracker visibility

Never-Consent rejects tracking cookies and sends opt-out signals on supported websites. The Tracker Panel shows trackers Ghostery identifies and neutralizes on a page, while WhoTracks.Me adds context about the tracking industry. This pairing makes the product useful for users who want to see what is happening as well as block it.

Ghostery integrates WhoTracks.Me information into its privacy tools and reports observed tracking information to the service under its stated policy. The extension says its telemetry is non-personal; additional telemetry is sent if users opt in. For phishing and malware protection, Ghostery says it sends a partial URL checksum to its backend rather than the full URL.

Ghostery Private Search is in closed beta. Users can consult its FAQs, contact support, report bugs, and submit tracker data requests.

Pricing

Ghostery Tracker & Ad Blocker: 0.00 USD per free. All features are free, with no subscription required. There is no paid tier to weigh against the free offer, and users can install the extension on as many devices as they like. That makes it a straightforward choice for individuals and teams seeking browser protection without a per-device cap or recurring fee.

Platforms

Ghostery supports Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera, Safari, and Brave, with extensions across major desktop and mobile browsers. On iOS and iPadOS, protection is through Safari. On Android, it supports Edge and Firefox; Chrome for Android does not allow extensions, so Ghostery is not available there. Android users who rely on Chrome should choose a different route to browser protection.

Who it's for

Ghostery is a good fit for users who want free ad and tracker blocking alongside cookie consent controls and page-level tracker insight. Its unlimited device installation also suits people using several devices. It is less suitable for anyone who will not switch from Chrome on Android, or who needs a private search product outside a closed beta.

Pros and cons

Pro: The core protections and tracker insights are free, with no subscription requirement.
Pro: Custom filter lists, an element picker, and the Tracker Panel add control and visibility beyond basic ad removal.
Pro: Users can install it on as many devices as they like, avoiding a device-seat ceiling.
Con: Android support is limited to Edge and Firefox, excluding Chrome users who do not want to change browsers.
Con: Private Search is not generally available, as it remains in closed beta.

Alternatives

For a wider category comparison, browse Ad blockers or Ad Blocking Software.

Disconnect is a freemium alternative with a free plan and a Premium plan at 5.00 USD per month; its Basic Extension is for a single browser. Choose it if a single-browser entry plan or its paid tier better fits your requirements.
uBlock Origin is free and open source. Choose it if you want an alternative in that model; Ghostery's distinguishing emphasis is cookie consent handling and tracker transparency.
AdLock is freemium and supports Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows. Choose it if those platforms and its paid plans are a better fit; its 1 month plan is 9.95 USD per month and covers 5 devices.
Blokada offers a free ad blocker for Android 5 or newer as Blokada 5, plus a paid Blokada Plus plan. Choose it if that Android-specific free option suits your setup.
Adblock Plus is freemium and spans Android, iOS, macOS, Windows, Linux, and browser extensions. Choose it if that cross-platform option fits your needs.
AdGuard is freemium and offers Personal and Family annual plans for 3 and 9 devices, respectively. Choose it if you need a defined multi-device plan structure.
AdBlocker Ultimate is freemium, offers a free trial, and has Personal and Family plans for 3 and 10 devices. Choose it if those seat counts or the trial fit your decision process.
wBlock is a free option for macOS, iOS, iPadOS, and visionOS. Choose it if that Apple-device focus matches your setup.

Verdict

Choose Ghostery if you want free, open-source browser protection that combines blocking with cookie controls and tracker visibility, without a device cap. Look elsewhere if Android Chrome is essential, or if you need a private search service that is generally available rather than in closed beta.

	Ghostery	Metiix Blockade
Free plan	Yes	Yes
Free trial	No	No
Paid from	Free	Free
Open source	Yes	No
Platforms	Android, extension, iOS, Linux, macOS, Windows	Linux, Windows
Free plan	Yes	Yes
Element picker	Yes	—
Platform coverage	—	cross-platform
Tracker blocking	—	Yes
Custom filters	—	Yes
Filter-list control	—	basic

Ghostery vs Metiix Blockade

Ghostery

Metiix Blockade