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Productivity & Business · Security, Privacy & Backup

Ghostery

Ghostery is a privacy-focused browser extension and application that detects and blocks tracking technologies.

Our take: Ghostery is a fully free, open-source tracker and ad blocker that gives users unusually granular visibility into who is tracking them on any given page.

Best forGhostery is ideal for internet users who prioritize online privacy, seek to avoid targeted advertising, and desire a faster, cleaner browsing experience
ReviewedPricing: Free
7.8 out of 105 criteria · see breakdown
Try GhosteryFree (open-source; optional donations)
The bottom line

The most transparent free tracker blocker available — everything is free, open-source, and now entirely account-free.

Our score

Reviewed by the Conversion Gems editorial team. Hover a facet to focus it; click to pin.Tap a facet to focus it.

Community ratings

Shown for context only. Our score is independent.

Capterra
4.9 out of 5
5+ reviews
Trustpilot
2.9 out of 5
5+ reviews

3.9 / 5 aggregate · across 2 sources

Third-party ratings shown verbatim; aggregate weighted by review volume.

What it is, and why we rate it

One line each. Open a row for detail.

What it really isGhostery — open-source browser extension for blocking ads and trackers.
Our takeGhostery is a fully free, open-source tracker and ad blocker that gives users unusually granular visibility into who is tracking them on any given page.
Ghostery discontinued paid tiers entirely, removed user accounts in October 2025, and dropped its standalone mobile browser to focus exclusively on free, account-free browser extensions. Funding is now entirely via voluntary community donations.
Why we rate itGhostery earns its place by combining best-in-class tracker transparency with zero cost and zero account requirements.
The October 2025 account removal and full open-source pivot removed the last meaningful trust concerns for privacy purists.
The catchDefault settings are intentionally conservative — users must manually enable stricter blocking to get maximum protection.
YouTube and some heavily-scripted sites occasionally break. Firefox performance trails uBlock Origin on pure blocking efficiency.

Best / not good for

Best for
  • Privacy-conscious everyday users who want to understand and control who tracks them
  • Users wanting automatic cookie-consent rejection without configuration
  • Anyone seeking a zero-cost, account-free, open-source ad blocker across all major browsers
Not good for
  • Power users needing the deepest custom filter-list control (uBlock Origin wins there)
  • Users who relied on Ghostery's former VPN or anti-phishing add-ons — those are gone
  • Enterprise teams needing centralised policy management or dedicated support
Trade-offs

Friction report

Trade-offs to know before signing up.

  1. Time to value
    Fast: install the extension in under 60 seconds; tracker blocking activates immediately with no account or signup required.
  2. Scale breakpoint
    Single-user tool by design — no team seats, no centralised management, no dashboard for fleet deployment.
  3. Walled garden
    Low: open-source codebase, no account lock-in, and no proprietary data format — switching to another extension costs nothing.
Still a fit?
If none of these block you, start on the free plan.
Try Ghostery

A look inside

Ghostery product screenshot

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Ghostery and what does it offer?

Ghostery is a privacy and ad-blocking browser extension designed to help users detect, block, and control online trackers. It improves browsing speed while enhancing privacy and transparency.

How does Ghostery protect user privacy?

Ghostery identifies trackers, scripts, and ads running on websites and allows users to block them. By limiting data collection, it helps reduce tracking and protects personal information while browsing.

Is Ghostery easy to use?

Yes, Ghostery is beginner-friendly with a clean and intuitive interface. Users can enable automatic blocking or customize settings easily without needing technical knowledge.

Can Ghostery be used with other privacy tools?

Yes, Ghostery works well alongside VPNs, secure browsers, and other privacy extensions, providing an additional layer of online privacy and security.

Who should use Ghostery and what are the benefits?

Ghostery is ideal for users who value online privacy and faster browsing. Benefits include reduced tracking, improved page load speeds, better control over data sharing, and a more private web experience.

Alternatives

  • Step up

    uBlock Origin for deeper filter-list control and stronger Firefox performance.

  • Lighter alternative

    Browser's built-in Enhanced Tracking Protection (Firefox) for zero-install baseline privacy.

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Tags

#Privacy#TrackingProtection#Security

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