Best VPNs with Ad Blocking – Only 7 VPNs Pass (2025)

Today we're going to talk about VPNs that have ad blockers built into them. In many cases, using a VPN with ad blocking features is an excellent strategy that offers many advantages over traditional ad blockers.

Unfortunately, finding a quality VPN with a built-in ad blocker can be a time-consuming and annoying task. Many VPN ad blockers that we have tested do not effectively block ads and trackers. Keep reading to find out how an ad-blocking VPN compares to other solutions, or jump directly to our list of the best VPNs with ad blocking.

Ad blocking VPNS vs other solutions

So how does a VPN with ad blocking compare to other ad blocking solutions?

Ad blocking browser extensions are a great solution, but they only work within certain browsers and can be slow and inefficient. Also, some of the most popular ad blocker extensions are known to accept payments to show their users “acceptable ads” rather than blocking all the ads that come your way.

Installing an ad blocker on your router protects everything on your network. However, this can be difficult to set up and a real problem if the ad blocker conflicts with the sites or services you need to access.

A VPN with ad blocking can be the most efficient solution for protecting everything on your operating system (all browsers and apps) through the VPN itself. Typically, this means you need to have the VPN connected or whitelist certain apps or websites that you want to route outside of the encrypted tunnel.

Now that you know why a VPN with built-in ad blocking is your best option, there's still the issue of selecting one that is right for you. To take the guesswork out of that process, and save you a ton of time, we tested a wide range of VPN ad blockers to show you the best solutions. We've also highlighted some supposedly ad-blocking VPNs that you would do well to avoid.

Top VPNs with ad blocking built-in

Here's our list of the best VPNs with ad blocking:

1. NordVPN — Threat Protection Pro and Threat Protection effectively block ads, trackers, and malware on all devices (get the 76% off coupon here).
2. Surfshark — CleanWeb is an advanced and lightweight ad-blocker. 87% off coupon >
3. ExpressVPN — Easy to use VPN with ad blocking and related features. Visit site >
4. Proton VPN — NetShield feature is great for desktop and mobile devices. Visit site >
5. IPVanish — Ad blocking for all your devices, including Apple TV. Visit site >
6. Perfect Privacy — TrackStop blocks ads, trackers, and malware domains. Visit site >
7. VPN.ac — Basic ad-blocking through DNS servers. Visit site >

From here, we give you a quick overview of each VPN, with particular emphasis on its ability to block ads. We also included links to our in-depth review of each VPN if you want to learn more before investing your money.

NordVPN — The best VPN with built-in ad blocking

NordVPN is the best VPN for blocking ads. This audited no-logs VPN is based in Panama. It combines a low price with high performance and a wide range of advanced features. It also looks very sharp.

With its huge (7,600+ RAM-only servers in 164 locations), network and brilliant NordLynx VPN protocol (WireGuard + double NAT), NordVPN is impressively fast and secure. In our most recent testing NordVPN was the overall fastest VPN, with the highest average speed across our tests and a blistering top speed of 892 Mbps on our 1,000 Mbps test system.

NordVPN's ad blocker solutions

NordVPN includes two options for blocking ads: Threat Protection Pro and Threat Protection.

Threat Protection Pro is perhaps the most advanced VPN ad-blocker available today. It eliminates intrusive and potentially harmful ads, blocks access to malicious websites, and stops web trackers. Additionally, it scans new downloads for any threats and identifies potentially harmful applications before they can cause damage.

Even more impressive, you don't need to be connected to a VPN server for Threat Protection to function. It is currently available in the NordVPN Windows and macOS.

Threat Protection offers more limited protection and only works for traffic going through a VPN server. It's available on Linux, iOS, Android, and NordVPN browser extensions. Although it's also on Windows and macOS, we advise using the full Threat Protection Pro feature for better security.

See our NordVPN Threat Protection Ad Blocking tutorial for more details.

Other NordVPN features

Now that we have covered how NordVPN blocks ads, let's examine some other features of this leading VPN service. Here are some of NordVPN's best privacy and security features that we haven't already covered:

• Double VPN server configurations, which pass traffic through two servers for additional security
• Onion-over-VPN servers that add an extra layer of protection through Tor's anonymity
• Obfuscated servers, that make your VPN traffic look like HTTPS traffic to avoid notice by censors. (This is a great feature if you need a VPN for China and anywhere else that blocks VPNs.)
• 100% RAM-disk servers, to enhance your security by ensuring no user data is available on any VPN server.
• P2P servers, which are specifically optimized for torrenting and P2P file sharing. (NordVPN is a top choice if you need the best VPN for torrenting.)
• Leak-free and secure VPN apps, thanks to built-in leak protection with a VPN kill switch.
• Dedicated IP – For an added cost, you can get the dedicated IP VPN, which gives you a static IP dedicated only to you.

See all NordVPN features here >

NordVPN has commissioned multiple independent audits of their security and their compliance with their published no-logs policy. Its encryption is very strong, featuring an AES-256-GCM cipher, and DHE-4096 key exchange for Perfect Forward Secrecy for OpenVPN, and ChaCha20 for WireGuard.

NordVPN is the best VPN for streaming content from major services like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, Disney Plus, and BBC iPlayer. Their large worldwide server network connects you to streaming services, regardless of location. You can use the NordVPN app if you need a VPN for Firestick, TV boxes, Smart TVs, or any other streaming device.

NordVPN provides 24/7 live chat Customer Support, 30-day money-back guarantee on all plans. You can see current pricing here:

NordVPN plans	Basic	Plus	Complete	Prime
1-month	$12.99/month	$13.99/month	$14.99/month	$17.99/month
1-year	$4.99/month	$5.99/month	$6.99/month	$8.99/month
2-year	$3.09/month	$4.39/month	$5.39/month	$7.39/month

Deal: Get 77% OFF NordVPN 2-year plans >

See our NordVPN review for more results and analysis from our testing.

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Surfshark — High-performance, low price VPN with a strong ad blocker

Surfshark is another premium VPN service. It has all the features you expect from a top-rated VPN service: tons of servers, high-end security, an audited no-logs policy, automatic leak protection, the ability to unblock major streaming services, and a variety of specialized servers and advanced capabilities.

Did we mention that Surfshark is on our list of the best cheap VPNs? It's also one of the only VPNs around to support an unlimited number of simultaneous connections (the best VPN for multiple devices).

CleanWeb and CleanWeb 2.0 are Surfshark's VPN ad blockers

Now let's examine how this VPN blocks ads with the CleanWeb and CleanWeb 2.0 features.

Surfshark CleanWeb, much like NordVPN's Threat Protection, operates by maintaining a comprehensive list of domains recognized for malicious activities, tracking, or ad hosting. When your device sends a DNS query, CleanWeb cross-references the domain's IP address against its list. If a match is found, content from that site is blocked.

CleanWeb is currently available for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, and FireTV browsers

Surfshark's CleanWeb 2.0: Enhanced Browsing Protection

CleanWeb 2.0 is included in Surfshark browser extensions. This new version offers significant enhancements:

• Advanced Ad-Blocking: Extends the ad-blocking feature to include video ads on Smart TVs.
• Superior Malware Defense: Provides improved protection against malicious software compared to its predecessor.
• Cookie Pop-Up Management: Automatically deals with cookie consent notifications for a smoother browsing experience.
• Data Breach Alerts: Notifies you if your credentials are compromised in a data breach.

See all Surfshark features here >

See our Surfshark VPN CleanWeb Ad Blocking Tutorial for more information.

Other Surfshark features

In addition to blocking ads and malware with CleanWeb, Surfshark keeps your connection secure by using the strong AES-256-GCM cipher and your choice of the OpenVPN, IKEv2, or WireGuard VPN protocols.

Surfshark's User-Friendly Linux App and Mobile Apps

Surfshark has rolled out an impressive Linux VPN application. This sleek and efficient app eliminates the need for command-line interactions, allowing easy server switching and settings adjustments. This user convenience was highlighted as a key benefit in our Surfshark vs Proton VPN comparison.

Surfshark's Android and iOS mobile applications also include CleanWeb ad-blocking. Surfshark is also one of the fastest ad blocker VPNs. In our tests for the Surfshark vs NordVPN comparison, speeds were similar with Surfshark over 750 Mbps on some servers. That's far more than you would need for streaming HD content or any other high-bandwidth activity. 

Speaking of streaming, Surfshark does a great job unblocking all types of media websites. It is one of the best VPNs for Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime, and many other streaming sites.

As of today, Surfshark has over 3,200 servers spread between 100 countries. As we noted in our ExpressVPN vs Surfshark comparison, Surfshark also runs all servers in RAM-only mode to ensure no user data is ever stored on servers where a hostile entity might try to snag them.

Rounding out the benefits, Surfshark provides support through 24/7 live chat and a full 30-day money-back guarantee with all subscription plans.

Surfshark plans	Starter	One	One+
1-month	$15.45/month	$17.95/month	$20.65/month
1-year	$3.19/month	$3.09/month	$6.09/month
2-year	$1.99/month	$2.49/month	$3.99/month

Deal: Get 87% OFF Surfshark 2-year plans >

See our Surfshark review for more test results and analysis.

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ExpressVPN — Easy to use VPN with ad blocking and related features

ExpressVPN has long been one of the top VPN services. It isn't flashy in that it doesn't have all the advanced features that some other services include. But it handles all the basic VPN features with rock-solid apps, 3,000+ RAM-only servers, and strong performance. In addition, it is an excellent VPN for streaming and torrenting, as well as offering a fast VPN router with ExpressVPN built in.

Ad blocking and Threat Manager

That all said, ExpressVPN was a bit behind the leaders when it came to integrating ad-blocking capabilities into their service. Then they brought out their Threat Manager feature. It uses DNS filtering to block ads.

As you can see in the image below, you can combine the Ad blocker capability with ExpressVPN's Threat Manager and Parental controls. When you have access to all of these features in one place, such as the Windows VPN app shown above, you can get a great range of protection. However, not all of these features are available in all of the ExpressVPN apps, so you will want to check to see whether ad blocking and related features are available in the specific apps you will be using.

See our ExpressVPN Ad Blocking tutorial for more details.

Other ExpressVPN features

As we previously mentioned, ExpressVPN doesn't sport a lot of extra features. They do offer split tunneling in some of their apps. And they are one of the most heavily audited services out there, constantly getting every aspect of their service tested to be sure it performs as specified.

They have also developed and deployed the Lightway protocol, a custom VPN protocol that has made ExpressVPN much faster, and arguably more secure than before. Even more recently, they released Lightway Turbo, bringing even more speed.

Lightway is available across every one of their apps and in every one of their VPN servers, which are now deployed in 105 countries around the world.

Depending on your use case, ExpressVPN does have a couple of potential drawbacks. The first is the lack of advanced features that we noted previously. The second is its price. Even with the discount coupon below, ExpressVPN remains one of the more expensive VPN services on the market. But if built-in ad blocking combined with ease of use and reliability are top priorities for you, ExpressVPN could be worth a look.

ExpressVPN plans	Price
1-month	$12.95/month
1-year	$6.67/month
2-year	$4.99/month

Deal: Get 61% OFF ExpressVPN 2-year plans >

You can get more information about this quality VPN service in our ExpressVPN review.

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Proton VPN — Secure Swiss VPN that blocks ads and trackers

Proton VPN was created by the same team behind the popular encrypted email service Proton Mail. Proton VPN offers a secure, user-friendly experience, with attractive, reliable apps.

This VPN has a strong focus on security, with excellent encryption, an audited no-logs policy, and Secure Core servers (a type of double-VPN server), which route your traffic through VPN servers in privacy-friendly jurisdictions. And of course, the NetShield ad blocker.

NetShield with Privacy Panel

Like other VPN ad blockers, Proton VPN's NetShield filters DNS queries and blocks the IP addresses of known ad and malware domains. The NetShield Privacy Panel offers real-time blocking statistics for your current VPN session.

Other Proton VPN features

ProtonVPN has a gigantic network of over 14,900 servers spread across 122 countries. While they do offer both free and paid plans, the free plan is very limited and doesn't include NetShield or any other of this VPN's best features.

The paid Proton VPN plans support P2P file sharing and torrenting. Proton VPN has also significantly boosted its support for streaming content from Netflix and other major services. Don't be surprised if it appears on our next list of the best VPNs for streaming.

Proton VPN plans	Proton VPN Plus	Proton Unlimited
1-month	$9.99/month	$12.99/month
1-year	$3.99/month	$9.99/month
2-year	$3.59/month	$7.99/month

Deal: Get 64% OFF Proton VPN 2-year plans >

Learn more about this VPN service in our Proton VPN review.

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IPVanish — Ad blocking for all your devices, including Apple TV

IPVanish is a revitalized VPN service. They seemed to be falling behind the industry leaders for a while, but have made several major improvements in many areas, from the reliability of their apps, to the ability to stream content they were previously blocked from, IPVanish has transformed itself into a contender.

IPVanish also turned in the second fastest speed test result ever recorded in our lab. They definitely deserve credit for this achievement. But our speed test results showed great variability across the IPVanish network, so test carefully to be sure you are happy with the results you receive.

IPVanish is worth consideration for a wide range of users. And of course, they also have an ad-blocking feature, called Threat Protection (yes, the same name as with NordVPN).

IPVanish Threat Protection

IPVanish's Threat Protection mirrors NordVPN's, blocking ads, trackers, and malware within the VPN tunnel. Both are user-friendly but differ in handling ad-blocker-blocking websites. NordVPN lets you pause its ad blocker, which reactivates automatically, while IPVanish requires manual reactivation. Notably, IPVanish pioneered VPN support for Apple TV and offers unique onscreen ad-blocking controls for Smart TVs.

See our IPVanish Ad Blocking Tutorial for the latest information.

Other features of IPVanish

In most ways, IPVanish is very comparable to other leading VPN services. It uses the WireGuard VPN protocol like NordVPN. It is inexpensive and supports unlimited simultaneous connections like Surfshark. Like ExpressVPN, IPVanish doesn't support a lot of advanced features, but its apps work well, and it does a great job of unblocking content from a variety of popular streaming services including Netflix and BBC iPlayer.

IPVanish plans	IPVanish Essential	IPVanish Advanced
1-month	$12.99/month	$14.99/month
1-year	$3.33/month	$4.49/month
2-year	$2.19/month	$3.29/month

Deal: Get 83% OFF IPVanish 2-year plans >

Get all the facts and figures about this revitalized service in our IPVanish review.

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Perfect Privacy — Extra security, privacy, and ad-blocking protection

If the highest levels of privacy and security are your goal, Perfect Privacy merits consideration. Like NordVPN and Surfshark, Perfect Privacy has a strict no-logs policy, a kill switch, strong encryption, and several specialized features, including the intriguing NeuroRouting feature.

TrackStop is Perfect Privacy's highly customizable ad blocker

Perfect Privacy's ad-blocking feature, TrackStop, stands out by offering more than just ad and malware blocking. It screens DNS queries for harmful and advertising domains, akin to other VPN ad-blocking services.

However, TrackStop does have a limitation: it lacks a white-listing feature. This means that if TrackStop inadvertently blocks a site you need, the only workaround is to deactivate the VPN, potentially compromising your privacy and security. In contrast, NordVPN and Surfshark offer white-listing on both desktop and mobile apps, letting you exempt certain sites or apps from the ad blocker without disabling VPN protection.

Perfect Privacy also leads with full IPv6 support, preparing users for the inevitable transition as the number of internet-connected devices grows. This forward-thinking approach ensures that users won't face compatibility issues as the internet evolves.

See the Perfect Privacy review for more test results and analysis.

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VPN.ac — Fast, secure ad blocking at a low price

VPN.ac is a Romanian VPN service with some great features at a reasonable price. In addition to being one of the best VPNs with ad blocking, it has earned a place on our list of the best cheap VPNs. But before we get into the full range of what VPN.ac can do, let's talk about their ability to block ads.

SecureDNS, VPN.ac's ad blocker

The VPN.ac ad blocker feature is named SecureDNS. It too uses DNS filtering to decide which content to pass on to your devices and which to block. Using its list of known problem domains, SecureDNS blocks:

• Ads
• Trackers
• Malware and phishing domains

SecureDNS is effective but could improve with features like TrackStop’s customizable filter lists and a whitelist to allow access to filtered sites without disabling the VPN. Currently, users must turn off the VPN to visit blocked sites, which is inconvenient.

VPN.ac’s server network, though small with about 130 servers across 26 countries, is fast, secure, and includes Double-hop servers, obfuscated servers for bypassing restrictions like China’s Great Firewall, and private DNS. While WireGuard is supported on the network, it requires manual configuration with a third-party app, as VPN.ac’s apps don’t yet support it.

VPN.ac has a few drawbacks

VPN.ac has many benefits but has a few potential drawbacks too. They include:

• A small network with limited features
• No 24/7 live chat support
• A 7-day money-back guarantee

See our VPN.ac review for more testing results and analysis.

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Some VPN ad blockers we do not recommend

There are other ad-blocker VPNs available, but I don't recommend them. Here are two VPN services that claim to be ad blockers but that you should avoid:

CyberGhost ad blocker (traffic manipulation)

CyberGhost's ad blocker filters ads and malicious content by redirecting certain domain requests, but this traffic manipulation raises concerns, as trustworthy VPNs should not alter user traffic. The ad blocker is limited to HTTP connections and struggles with HTTPS, the standard for secure browsing, rendering it ineffective on most modern websites.

Previously, CyberGhost faced criticism for installing a root certificate to intercept and modify HTTPS traffic, a practice resembling a man-in-the-middle attack. While this no longer occurs, the ad blocker's HTTPS limitations persist. Additionally, CyberGhost struggles with streaming (e.g., blocked by Netflix US servers) and underperforms in speed, as detailed in our CyberGhost vs. NordVPN comparison.

PureVPN's ad blocker (does it even exist?)

PureVPN claims to have a content filtering (ad-blocker) system. When we tested PureVPN in the past, we found no signs of such a system, found that no ads seemed to be blocked, and were unable to get help in resolving the confusion from the PureVPN support team.

Considering that PureVPN has also handed data logs to the FBI while claiming to be a “zero logs” VPN service (see our review of PureVPN) and is also rather slow (see our PureVPN vs NordVPN comparison) we cannot recommend this VPN for ad-blocking or anything else.

Conclusion: Combine a VPN with ad blocking for more privacy and security

The internet is clogged with annoying video ads, trackers, and junk of every type. Go to any major website and while you are looking at the content, your device will quietly be getting bombarded with junk of every type in the background. For example, I just popped over to CNN.com, where uBlock Origin reported that it blocked more than 50 ads or trackers trying to get into my computer.

Our top recommendation for the best VPN ad blocker is NordVPN with the Threat Protection feature. This not only blocks ads and trackers on all your devices, but it also includes a powerful anti-malware tool. And unlike other VPN ad blockers, Threat Protection Pro on Windows and iOS devices can even protect traffic that doesn't go through the VPN tunnel. Click this link to get the best available price on NordVPN.

Best VPNs with ad blockers — FAQ

Here are some Frequently-Asked Questions related to the best VPNs with built-in ad blocking:

Why do ads track my online activities?

Most ads today do two things: sell you something and track your online activities. The first function is annoying, but not all bad. Ad revenue is the only source of income for many sites.

The “track your online activities” function is a real privacy threat. The online ads you see are usually accompanied by invisible bits of code called trackers. The trackers allow their creators to track where you go and what you do online. Data like your IP address and browsing habits is gathered by tracking cookies and then used to send you highly-targeted ads, hoping to get you to buy stuff.

How do ads track my online activities?

Tracker code embedded in ads, not the ads themselves, collects user data through various methods to monitor online activity.

• Cookies: Small browser files that store data like IP addresses to identify users and aid site navigation.
• Beacons: Invisible 1×1 pixel images in ads that track page loads and ad impressions for campaign monitoring.
• Fingerprinting: Collects browser and device settings to identify users without storing data on the device. (We have a guide on how to mitigate browser fingerprinting.)

How does a VPN with ad blocking protect my privacy?

The best ad blocker VPNs protect your privacy by blocking ads and other content that could install trackers on your device. By blocking the trackers, the VPN prevents the people sending the trackers to you from collecting data about you. Note that you can also find discussions on the best VPN with ad blocker on Reddit.