Verdict
AdGuard blocks ads and trackers effectively for most users and adds real privacy controls like DNS filtering, but a notable minority report it missing ads on specific sites or breaking after iOS updates.
Best for
Someone who wants DNS-level ad and tracker blocking in Safari with granular privacy controls, not just a simple content blocker.
Dealbreaker
Some reviewers report it stops reliably blocking certain sites (like NYT) after iOS updates, and a few describe DNS filtering freezing or disconnecting when switching networks.
The facts.
Pulled from the App Store, not written by hand.
Price
$9.99 once
In-app purchases
Unknown
Ads
Unknown
Platforms
iPhone, iPad
Rating
4.4★ (3,142)
Version
4.5.23
Last updated
Sep 28, 2026
Released
Sep 30, 2016
Attributes
Native appOne-time purchaseNo subscription
Category
Utilities, Productivity
What reviews consistently say.
Themes grouped from 200 App Store reviews. Source feed ›
Praised for
Privacy and data handling10 reviews
Blocks ads effectively6 reviews
Battery and performance4 reviews
Value for money4 reviews
Subscription pricing and paywalls4 reviews
Complained about
Misses some ads14 reviews
Battery and performance4 reviews
Subscription pricing and paywalls3 reviews
Crashes and stability2 reviews
Notifications and reminders2 reviews
Customer support2 reviews
Too expensive2 reviews
Where this comes from
14 of 200 recent reviews raised: Misses some adsApp Store reviews ›
10 of 200 recent reviews raised: Privacy and data handlingApp Store reviews ›
6 of 200 recent reviews raised: Blocks ads effectivelyApp Store reviews ›
4 of 200 recent reviews raised: Battery and performanceApp Store reviews ›
2 of 200 recent reviews raised: Crashes and stabilityApp Store reviews ›
Listed at $9.99 once on the App StoreApp Store listing ›
Where we recommend it
Safari ad blockers you buy once ›Content blockers for Safari with no yearly fee.
Alternatives with the same rule.
Every app here is a single purchase. None of them can start charging you monthly for what you already bought. Also with a catch.
$4.99 once · 4.7★ (1,345) · Updated Oct 22, 2026
Verdict. Wipr blocks ads and trackers effectively for most people, with reviewers praising its speed and lack of subscription nagging compared to rivals like 1Blocker or AdBlock Pro. A minority report crashes on certain sites and gaps where some ads still slip through, especially on streaming services.
Best for. Someone tired of ad blockers that turn into subscription upsells, who wants a set-it-and-forget-it Safari content blocker without tuning filter lists constantly.
Dealbreaker. A small but consistent group of reviewers report Safari crashing on certain sites while Wipr is active, and some say ads still get through on streaming apps like Hulu and HBO.
$1.99 once · 4.3★ (34,044) · Updated Jul 27, 2021
Verdict. Reviewers report it increasingly fails to block ads on Safari and Chrome, and several describe the app as abandoned with no recent updates fixing the problem.
Best for. Someone who already owns this app from years ago and wants a cheap backup blocker, not someone shopping for reliable ad blocking today.
Dealbreaker. Multiple recent reviewers say it no longer blocks ads reliably and the app appears to have gone without meaningful updates.
$1.99 once · 4.8★ (1,037) · Updated Sep 21, 2026
Verdict. There's little review detail beyond a couple of complaints that it doesn't catch every ad. The high rating suggests it works for most people, but the mined reviews don't tell us much about what makes it stand out.
Best for. Someone who wants a cheap, basic Safari ad blocker and isn't expecting every single ad to disappear.
Dealbreaker. A few users report it still lets some ads through.