Blokada

About

Blokada is a popular ad blocker and privacy application originating from Sweden, actively supported and developed by an amazing open-source community. It provides system-wide ad blocking and privacy protection across Android, iPhone, Android Tablet, and iPad devices, effectively blocking ads within apps. Its comprehensive feature set includes being lightweight, privacy-focused, requiring no root access, offering the ability to switch and customize DNS servers, blocking trackers, and featuring a dark mode, all while requiring no user registration or tracking. Operating under a Freemium and Open Source license, Blokada was initially praised as 'almost perfect' for its ability to eliminate ads on Android without needing a rooted device and for its inclusion of malware blocklists. However, recent developments indicate a shift towards a paid model, with some users noting that the Google Play version is now paid and that the developers' priorities have evolved to promote their VPN service. This has led some users to consider alternatives like AdGuard or NextDNS, citing concerns about its current effectiveness against all ad types (e.g., server-side ads, YouTube) and the requirement to enable a VPN. Despite these changes, it remains a significant tool for many seeking to block ads and enhance privacy on their mobile devices, competing in the market with solutions like AdGuard and NextDNS.