uBlock Origin

uBlock Origin is the most widely-used tracker and ad blocker as of May 2026 — free, open source, and the lightest on memory of any tool in its category. The Firefox version operates at full capability. Chrome users should know that Google's MV2 phase-out affects the original extension; the MV3 successor (uBlock Origin Lite) exists but has reduced filtering capabilities. If privacy is the goal, Firefox plus uBlock Origin is the cleanest combination.

At a glance

Field	Value
Pricing	Free, open source (GPL-3.0)
Platforms	Firefox (full), Chrome (MV3 transition), Edge
Blocks	Ads, trackers, malware domains, cookie notices
Developer	Raymond Hill (gorhill) — independent maintainer
Last verified by FeedCutter	May 25, 2026

What uBlock Origin does well

• Blocks everything in one pass. Ads, third-party trackers, malware domains, annoyances, and cookie-consent overlays — all blocked from the same rule engine using multiple filter lists simultaneously.
• Lowest memory footprint in the category. Every independent benchmark puts uBlock Origin significantly lighter than Adblock Plus, Ghostery, or Privacy Badger. It’s not close.
• No “acceptable ads” deal. Unlike Adblock Plus, which charges advertisers to get through its filter, uBlock Origin has no commercial relationships with ad networks. The block list is the block list.
• Multiple filter lists. Default install activates EasyList, EasyPrivacy, uBlock’s own filters, and malware domain lists. Advanced users add more — there are community-maintained lists for every region and use case.
• Dynamic filtering (advanced). Point-and-click creation of per-domain or per-script blocking rules. Not needed for most users, but available for those who want surgical control.

What uBlock Origin doesn’t do

• The Chrome MV3 situation. Google has been phasing out Manifest V2 browser extensions in Chrome. uBlock Origin (the original, full-featured version) is MV2. As of May 2026, it still runs on Chrome but the long-term trajectory is uncertain. uBlock Origin Lite is the official MV3 port but loses dynamic filtering and some cosmetic filtering capabilities. The trade-off is real. Firefox explicitly supports MV2 extensions indefinitely — the full-capability install is on Firefox.
• App-level blocking. uBlock Origin runs in your browser. It doesn’t block ads in desktop apps, mobile apps, or system-level traffic. For cross-device tracking protection, a VPN or DNS-level blocker is needed.
• Smart-learning. uBlock Origin uses curated filter lists, not behavioral detection. It blocks what’s on the list; it won’t automatically learn new trackers the way Privacy Badger does. This is usually a strength (lower false positives) but occasionally a gap for brand-new tracking domains.

Best for

Anyone who wants comprehensive ad and tracker blocking on their browser. The default recommendation for any FeedCutter reader who isn’t already using something. If you’re on Firefox, this is the install and you’re done. If you’re on Chrome, it still works well but track the MV2 situation.

Setup in 3 minutes

Firefox (recommended):

1. Install from Firefox Add-ons.
2. The default configuration blocks ads and trackers on every site immediately. No additional setup required.
3. (Optional) Open the dashboard, go to Filter lists, and enable any additional lists for your region or use case.

Chrome:

1. Install from the Chrome Web Store. The original MV2 version may still be available depending on Chrome’s current rollout status.
2. Or install uBlock Origin Lite — the MV3 version with reduced capabilities but full Chrome support.

What this does for Reddit specifically: uBlock Origin removes Reddit’s ad posts, blocks Reddit’s ad network trackers from following you to other sites, and prevents Reddit’s analytics from tracking your reading habits. It doesn’t filter post content — for that, use Ultimate Reddit Filter alongside it.

Pairing with other tools

uBlock Origin and a content filter like Ultimate Reddit Filter solve different problems and don’t conflict:

• uBlock Origin handles: ads, trackers, cookie popups, malware domains — the privacy layer.
• Ultimate Reddit Filter handles: which Reddit posts you see by keyword, flair, and subreddit — the attention layer.

Running both simultaneously is the complete setup for Reddit.

Alternatives

• Privacy Badger — learns to block trackers behaviorally rather than from lists. Better at catching new trackers; weaker at blocking ads. The EFF-made complement to uBlock Origin, not a replacement for it.
• DuckDuckGo Privacy Essentials — simpler, integrated with DDG search, good for users who want one extension that handles tracking, search, and a privacy grade per site.