Are VPNs Good Ad Blockers

You might think using a VPN is all you need to stop those relentless online ads, but it’s not that simple. VPNs can block a surprising amount of advertising and tracking, yet they don’t always cover everything you’d expect. If you’re wondering just how close VPNs really get to acting like true ad blockers—and where they fall short—you’ll want to know exactly what’s happening behind the scenes.

What Do VPNs Actually Block?

When you activate a VPN, it primarily functions to conceal your IP address and encrypt your internet traffic. This helps protect your online identity from being monitored by Internet Service Providers (ISPs), governments, and advertisers. Some VPNs, such as NordVPN or Surfshark, also offer integrated ad-blocking features that filter DNS requests.

This capability allows them to block a significant portion of banner and video advertisements, as well as third-party trackers. Users can expect these features to effectively block over 90% of ads and harmful domains. However, it's important to note that VPNs don't eliminate first-party advertisements embedded directly into website content or featured on certain streaming platforms.

The primary strength of these VPNs lies in their ability to block external trackers and ad-hosting networks across devices.

Can VPNs Replace Dedicated Ad Blockers?

VPNs and dedicated ad blockers serve different purposes and aren’t true substitutes for one another. Many VPNs block ads at the DNS level, and popular services like NordVPN or PIA include built-in ad-blocking tools that can filter out a large portion of intrusive ads—often over 90%. However, these VPN-based blockers still miss certain formats, especially on platforms like YouTube, Twitch, and Spotify.

This limitation exists because VPNs focus primarily on privacy and traffic security. Their DNS-level filtering isn’t as precise when dealing with cosmetic elements or first-party ads—areas where dedicated blockers such as uBlock Origin excel with script-level controls and advanced filter lists.

Dedicated ad blockers provide more comprehensive filtering, while VPNs focus on encrypting your traffic, masking your IP address, and improving online privacy. For that reason, the best approach is a combination: use a VPN with ad-blocking capabilities along with a dedicated ad blocker. This pairing maximizes privacy protection while delivering a far cleaner browsing experience.

How VPN Ad Blockers Work

A VPN ad blocker functions by monitoring your internet traffic at the network level and filtering out requests to known ad and tracker domains before they reach your device. This process involves DNS filtering, where each request is compared to a continuously updated blocklist of ad servers.

Once a match is identified, the VPN blocks the connection, thereby preventing third-party ads and trackers from accessing your device. This method of protection extends to every device on your network, including applications, smart TVs, and IoT devices, by routing all traffic through encrypted servers.

However, it's important to note that VPN ad blockers are unable to block first-party ads that are embedded directly within site code. Despite this limitation, they effectively enhance privacy across various platforms.

Real-World Testing: VPN Ad Blocker Performance

In real-world testing, the effectiveness of VPN ad blockers varies significantly among different services. PIA’s MACE demonstrated strong performance, successfully blocking 95% of ads and trackers, even on challenging platforms such as Google and Spotify. NordVPN’s Threat Protection also performed well, consistently blocking more than 90% of ads.

Windscribe’s R.O.B.E.R.T. was effective in blocking 89% of ads, although it missed some ads on YouTube and Spotify. However, no VPN was able to block ads universally across all platforms. Some VPNs, such as Hotspot Shield and TunnelBear, didn't perform well in these tests, failing to block a significant number of ads.

The Best VPNS With Built-In Ad Blocking

Several leading VPNs offer built-in ad blockers that provide significant protection against intrusive ads and trackers during browsing. NordVPN's Threat Protection effectively blocks approximately 92% of ads and trackers, with particular efficacy on major platforms like YouTube and Google.

Similarly, Private Internet Access's MACE demonstrates a substantial blocking rate of 95% and can be easily activated through its privacy menu. Windscribe's R.O.B.E.R.T. achieves an average ad-blocking rate of 89% and allows users to customize filters independently from the VPN connection.

Surfshark’s CleanWeb 2.0 blocks ads at the DNS level, minimally impacting performance, while Proton VPN’s NetShield emphasizes privacy-focused DNS ad and tracker blocking.

Limitations of VPN-Based Ad Blocking

VPNs with built-in ad blockers offer an additional layer of privacy but have limitations in their effectiveness. Even leading services like PIA and NordVPN may miss approximately 20% of ads, allowing some unwanted content to remain visible.

These ad blockers often struggle with first-party ads and may not adequately address the empty spaces left by blocked ads, which can result in cluttered page appearances. They show inconsistent performance on major platforms such as Google, YouTube, and Spotify, and face challenges with ads directly served from a site's own servers, such as those on Twitch or Spotify Premium.

More aggressive blocking modes, like IVPN's Hardcore Mode, might inadvertently restrict access to essential websites.

VPN Ad Blockers Compared to Browser Extensions and DNS Solutions

VPN ad blockers, such as NordVPN’s Threat Protection, are designed to block ads across entire devices. However, they tend to miss approximately 20% of ads, particularly struggling with first-party or YouTube ads. In contrast, browser extensions like uBlock Origin employ script-level blocking, which results in more effective ad removal on browsers and improved handling of in-video ads.

DNS solutions provide network-wide ad blocking and allow for greater user control via custom lists and privacy features, though they require user configuration. While VPN ad blockers offer convenience, they lack the precision and transparency found in other solutions.

How to Maximize Ad Blocking and Online Privacy

To effectively block ads and enhance online privacy, it's advisable not to depend solely on a VPN. While VPNs offer some level of ad blocking, combining them with other tools can lead to more comprehensive results. For instance, using a VPN with an integrated ad blocker, such as NordVPN's Threat Protection, can be beneficial. Additionally, employing a browser extension like uBlock Origin can help cover the gaps that most VPNs might leave.

Furthermore, utilizing built-in features provided by various VPNs, such as Surfshark's CleanWeb or IVPN's Hardcore Mode, can enhance privacy measures. Incorporating anti-tracking tools and using private browsers are also recommended strategies. Testing the effectiveness of your setup on platforms like YouTube and Google can help identify any ads that might still slip through. For managing cookie consent pop-ups, tools like Ghostery’s Never-Consent can be effective.

Conclusion

VPNs do a solid job blocking most third-party ads and trackers, but they're not perfect—especially when it comes to stubborn first-party ads like those on YouTube or Spotify. If you want the best ad-free experience, don't rely on just a VPN. Combine a top VPN with a dedicated ad blocker or DNS solution. This way, you'll cover more ground, keep your browsing cleaner, and boost your online privacy at the same time.