- Home
- Ad blockers
- wBlock
wBlock
What it is
wBlock is a free, open-source ad blocker for Safari on Apple devices, available for macOS, iOS, and iPadOS. It distributes filtering across five Safari content blockers, with a stated capacity of 750,000 rules. Users can add AdGuard-syntax, regional, annoyance, and custom filter lists; custom lists can be supplied by URL, pasted text, or file. An element zapper removes page elements, while filtering, userscripts, and autoplay can be adjusted separately for individual sites. wBlock also includes a Greasemonkey-compatible userscript engine and supports UserCSS themes, including Less, Sass, and Stylus. Tube Cleaner and Player Cleaner add Safari video options such as Picture-in-Picture and background audio. A built-in script catalog includes SponsorBlock, DeArrow, Dark Reader, Return YouTube Dislike, and TwitchAdSolutions. iCloud can sync lists, filters, scripts, allowlist, and settings, or users can export a local backup. The privacy policy says it collects no browsing history, telemetry, or device identifiers. Install options include the App Store, Homebrew, and a DMG download.
For and against
For
- Free plan; available on macOS and iOS.
- Supports custom lists by URL, paste, or file.
- Site-level controls for filtering, scripts, and autoplay.
- iCloud sync or local backup export.
- Privacy policy says no browsing history is collected.
Against
- Safari requires separate extension enabling for Private Browsing.
- Browser support is listed as single-browser.
The verdict
wBlock combines ad filtering, site controls, userscripts, and Safari video options in a free Apple-device app. Its single-browser focus and the extra Private Browsing setup are worth considering.
Who it suits
It suits Safari users on Apple devices who want configurable filtering and userscript tools. People using Private Browsing should note that Safari extensions must be enabled separately there.
Plans and prices
Free
macOS · iOS · iPadOS · visionOS
Read 5 Oct 2026 · github.com
On the record
- Blocking
- It splits filtering across five Safari content blockers for a stated capacity of 750,000 rules.github.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Browser support
- single-browsergithub.com · read 21 Sep 2026
- Cookie popup blocking
- Yesgithub.com · read 21 Sep 2026
- Custom filter lists
- Yesgithub.com · read 21 Sep 2026
- Device coverage
- desktop-and-mobilegithub.com · read 21 Sep 2026
- Distribution
- The project lists the App Store, Homebrew, and a downloadable DMG as installation options.github.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Element picker
- Yesgithub.com · read 21 Sep 2026
- Filter lists
- It supports AdGuard-syntax lists, regional and annoyance lists, and custom lists added by URL, paste, or file.github.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- iCloud data
- When iCloud Sync is enabled, configuration is stored in the user's private iCloud database and the developer says they cannot read it.github.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The built-in script catalog includes SponsorBlock, DeArrow, Dark Reader, Return YouTube Dislike, and TwitchAdSolutions.github.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Limit
- The README says Safari requires extensions to be enabled separately for Private Browsing, including all five blockers and wBlock Scripts.github.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Maker
- The privacy policy identifies Alexander Skula as the developer.github.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Privacy
- The privacy policy says wBlock has no built-in analytics or crash-reporting service and does not collect browsing history, telemetry, or device identifiers.github.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- wBlock is a free, open-source ad blocker for Safari on Apple devices.github.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Scripts and styles
- It includes a Greasemonkey-compatible userscript engine and supports UserCSS themes, including Less, Sass, and Stylus.github.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Site controls
- Users can separately toggle filtering, userscripts, and autoplay for individual sites and use an element zapper.github.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Support
- Bug reports and feature requests go to GitHub Issues, and other questions can be asked on Discord.github.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Sync
- iCloud syncs filter lists, custom filters, userscripts, allowlist, and settings; users can instead export a local backup.github.com · read 5 Oct 2026
