Total Adblock vs. Surfshark CleanWeb 2024: Which Is Best For Your Ad Blocking Needs?

Best for ad blocking

4.9

AllAboutCookies writers and editors score products based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.

Editorial Rating

Learn More

On Total Adblock's website

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Ad Blocker

Total Adblock

Special deal: Save 80% off

• Instantly blocks distracting ads on millions of websites, including YouTube video ads
• Blocks third-party trackers to protect your privacy and information
• Improves page load times and enables faster browsing

Best for overall security suite

4.8

AllAboutCookies writers and editors score products based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.

Editorial Rating

Learn More

On Surfshark CleanWeb Ad Blocking's website

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Ad Blocker

Surfshark CleanWeb Ad Blocking

86% off + 3 months free

• Blocks ads, banners, and pop-ups on your browser and apps, including smart TVs
• Enjoy boosted browsing speeds and save money on mobile data with its effective ad-blocking capabilities
• Added benefit of a VPN to encrypt your data, hide your IP address, avoid phishing scams, and minimize malware risks

Total Adblock and Surfshark CleanWeb are both effective ad blockers that also come with extra options if you pay a bit more. But if your main priority is ad blocking, then Total Adblock is the better option.

Here’s everything you need to know about Total Adblock vs. Surfshark CleanWeb so you can find the best ad blocker for you.

Total Adblock vs. Surfshark CleanWeb compared

While Surfshark CleanWeb is an addition to all the other services you get with a Surfshark subscription, Total Adblock can be purchased as a standalone product. It even has a free version you can use (though it’s limited in what ads you can block).

That said, Total Adblock does offer you the option to upgrade to premium, which also includes access to one of the top-rated antivirus programs around — Total AV.

• Total Adblock: Best for ad blocking
• Surfshark CleanWeb: Best for overall security suite

Best for	Ad blocking	Overall security suite
Price	From $0	From $15.95/mo
Ads blocked on Forbes	12	24
Does it block YouTube ads?
Compatibility	Windows, Mac, Chrome, Edge, Opera, Amazon Fire, Safari	Chrome, Firefox, Edge
Mobile compatibility	Android, iOS	Android, iOS
Learn more	Get Total Adblock Read Total Adblock Review	Get Surfshark CleanWeb Read Surfshark CleanWeb Review

Total Adblock pros and cons

Surfshark CleanWeb pros and cons

Total Adblock vs. Surfshark CleanWeb: Prices

		Our Pick
Price range	Free or $1.59/mo (billed annually)	$2.19-$17.95/mo
Best value plan	1-year plan for $1.59/mo (billed annually)	24-month plan for $2.19/mo (billed biennially)
Free version available
Money-back guarantee	Yes — 30 days	Yes — 30 days
Learn more	Get Total Adblock Read Total Adblock Review	Get Surfshark CleanWeb Read Surfshark CleanWeb Review

Total Adblock and Surfshark CleanWeb have vastly different prices and subscriptions. Adblock offers a free plan or an annual subscription for $1.59/mo (billed annually). While on the other hand, Surfshark CleanWeb is part of Surfshark’s overall VPN solution which can cost as little as $2.19/mo (billed biennially) with a 2-year commitment.

Just keep in mind that Total Adblock’s price is a special discount for the first year. After that, you’ll be paying $99 per year, which is $8.25/mo.

Total Adblock vs. Surfshark CleanWeb: Features

	Our Pick
Whitelisting
Malicious ad warning
Ads blocked counter
Paywall blocker
Block pop-up ads
Block tracking
Block video ads
Block banner ads
Learn more	Get Total Adblock Read Total Adblock Review	Get Surfshark CleanWeb Read Surfshark CleanWeb Review

Surfshark CleanWeb and Total Adblock both offer similar services to help you avoid unwanted ads.

While using an ad blocker, you may want to allow some ads to appear, especially if you’re accessing a website that runs on ad revenue to exist. Both Total Adblock and SurfShark allow you to whitelist sites — or give their ads the OK to show up.

In order to whitelist a site with Surfshark, you’ll have to whitelist the site inside the VPN by using the Bypasser feature. However, this is available only on Android and Windows devices.

Total Adblock and Surfshark CleanWeb are effective at blocking video ads, banner ads, and pop-ups. However, there are a few items that Total Adblock can do that Surfshark CleanWeb cannot. This includes blocking tracking from websites.

Neither Surfshark CleanWeb nor Total Adblock are able to bypass paywalls.

Total Adblock vs. Surfshark CleanWeb: Test results

	Our Pick
Adblock Tester score	100/100	96/100
Cover Your Tracks score	2/3	0.5/3
Can You Block It score	3/3	3/3
YouTube ads blocked
Paywalls blocked
Learn more	Get Total Adblock Read Total Adblock Review	Get Surfshark CleanWeb Read Surfshark CleanWeb Review

Overall, Total Adblock performed better than Surfshark CleanWeb during our testing. When we analyze the effectiveness of ad blockers, we look at several different factors.

Total Adblock scored 100/100 when we used the AdBlock Tester. This testing tool allows us to rate ad blockers on several different levels, including contextual advertising, Google AdSense, banner advertising, and more. Surfshark CleanWeb still received high scores on this test, but only 96/100.

Another test we use to assess an ad blocker is Cover Your Tracks. This test evaluates how trackers view your browser and how effectively they can follow your activity. Surfshark CleanWeb’s score on the Cover Your Tracks test was disappointing, with 0.5 out of 3. Total Adblock did better but still had room to improve with 2 out of 3 stars.

Total Adblock and Surfshark CleanWeb are tied when it comes to the Can You Block It test. They both got a perfect 3/3 score. They both also were able to block ads inside of YouTube.

Total Adblock vs. Surfshark CleanWeb Compatibility and customer support

		Our Pick
Windows
macOS
Android
iOS
Linux
Browser extensions	Samsung Browser, Edge, Chrome, Opera, Safari	Chrome, Firefox, Edge
24/7 customer support
Customer support options	Online guides, email, phone, and chat	Online guides, chat, email
Learn more	Get Total Adblock Read Total Adblock Review	Get Surfshark CleanWeb Read Surfshark CleanWeb Review

Both Surfshark CleanWeb and Total Adblock have different nuances when it comes to the devices they support.

With Surfshark, you can use the ad blocking solution in two different ways.

• Surfshark offers a browser extension for its CleanWeb 2.0 offering, which is compatible with Chrome, Edge, and Safari. This allows you to block ads, pop-ups, and more directly from your browser.
• If you want to block ads outside of those browsers, Surfshark’s CleanWeb can be used throughout your device by using the Surfshark app.

Total Adblock is not available as a desktop app, so you’ll be limited to blocking ads inside your browser when not on your phone. Total Adblock also offers limited information on its website when looking for support or additional information on their offerings.

If you want to block ads from a specific browser, you can also check out the best ad blockers for Chrome.

Total Adblock vs. Surfshark CleanWeb FAQs

Total Adblock vs. Surfshark CleanWeb: Which is better?

Overall, Total Adblock wins this competition. Total Adblock is more effective at blocking ads and doing so effectively.

Total Adblock’s free plan is also pretty effective and the $1.59/mo (billed annually) premium plan is affordable. However, the $99 renewal may come as a surprise after the first year.

Total Adblock vs. Surfshark CleanWeb alternatives

If you don’t want Total Adblock or Surfshark CleanWeb, there are several other solutions available. You can also find ad blockers that are effective for specific browsers, such as the best ad blockers for Safari. Here are a couple of others that may work for your needs:

• AdLock: AdLock is another great solution to block ads on YouTube and other websites. AdLock scored 92/100 on the AdBlock Tester and offers a free plan along with a paid solution for additional features.

  Get AdLock | Read Our AdLock Review

• NordVPN Threat Protection: Similar to Surfshark CleanWeb, NordVPN Threat Protection is part of NordVPN’s solution, so you’ll need to purchase the VPN to access the tool. NordVPN Threat Protection scored a 93/100 on the Adblock Tester.

  Get NordVPN Threat Protection | Read Our NordVPN Threat Protection Review

• uBlock Origin: uBlock Origin is a free option that offers several different browser extensions including Chrome, Edge, Opera, Firefox, and Safari. uBlock is an open-source ad blocker which touts improving CPU and memory as part of its solution. uBlock Origin scored a 100/100 on the AdBlock Tester.

  Read Our uBlock Origin Review

Best Basic Adblocker — Including YouTube Video Ads

4.9

AllAboutCookies writers and editors score products based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.

Editorial Rating

Learn More

On Total Adblock's website

Ad Blocker

Total Adblock

Special deal: Save 80% off

• Instantly blocks distracting ads on millions of websites, including YouTube video ads
• Blocks third-party trackers to protect your privacy and information
• Improves page load times and enables faster browsing

Author Details

Andrew Adams

About the Author

Andrew Strom Adams is a freelance writer focused on online privacy and digital security. He writes on various topics to help individuals protect themselves on the internet. Andrew has worked in legal marketing, technology, and startups. He has more than 12 years of experience in marketing and communications. He holds an M.B.A. from Westminster College and a B.A. in journalism from Oklahoma Baptist University. When he’s not writing, he’s playing with his two kids or watching reality TV.