Ghostery review
Updated September 28, 2026 · ShieldCue Editorial Team · Facts checked September 26, 2026
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Our verdict
Ghostery is the pick if you want ad blocking and private search with nothing to pay: free covers every feature, while tools in the same group often sit near €7.89 a month. The extension is open source, runs on Chrome, Firefox and Safari, and the company behind it answers under DE.
Key facts
- Best for
- Free ad blocking and private search across every major browser, with no subscription to track.
- Free plan
- Yes (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Free plan limits
- All features free with no limitations; optional contributions support development (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Platforms
- Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, Opera, Brave, iOS, IPadOS, Android, Meta Quest (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Logging policy
- No personal data collected; daily non-personal extension telemetry (opt-in extra telemetry); website access data kept four weeks (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Jurisdiction
- DE (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Open source
- Yes (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Privacy tool type
- Ad-blocker, Search (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Legal entity
- Ghostery GmbH (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Headquarters
- Germany (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Founded
- 2009 (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Support channels
- Email, Help-centre (Source, checked September 26, 2026)
- Pricing model
- Free
- Official website
- ghostery.com
Pros and cons
Pros
- free pricing with every feature free and no limits on the free plan, contributions optional
- Open source, so the extension can be read and rebuilt by anyone
- Runs on Chrome, Firefox and Safari
- The logging policy collects no personal data, and website access data is kept only for a set period
Cons
- Support runs on email and help centre only, so there is no live chat and no phone line
- free is the whole pricing model, so there is no paid tier with added features or priority support
- Logging is light but partial: daily non-personal extension telemetry runs, extra telemetry is opt-in, and website access data is kept for a set period
Who it suits
- People who want ad blocking and private search without paying
- Readers who care that the extension is open source and inspectable
- Multi-device households, since Chrome, Firefox and Safari covers desktop browsers, phones, tablets and headsets
Who should look elsewhere
- EasyOptOuts, if your goal is data-broker opt-out requests rather than blocking ads, since it has no free plan
- Apple Hide My Email, if you want email aliases: they are free with an Apple Account, though changing the forward-to address needs iCloud+
- Apple Inc. for the same reason, as its free aliases come with an Apple Account and forward-to changes need iCloud+
What it does well
Ghostery gives every feature away at no cost, with no limits on the free plan, and contributions are optional if you want to back development. The reach is equally wide: Chrome, Firefox and Safari means the same free blocking and private search can move from a desktop browser to a phone, tablet or headset. Nothing here is held back for a paid tier.
How Ghostery compares
9.2 vs 9.1
9.2 vs 8.8
9.2 vs 8.5
9.2 vs 9.5
9.2 vs 9.4
9.2 vs 9.1
9.2 vs 9.2
9.2 vs 9.4
9.2 vs 9.2
9.2 vs 8.8
9.2 vs 9.3
9.2 vs 9.0
9.2 vs 9.0
9.2 vs 9.4
Frequently asked questions
How much does Ghostery cost?+
Ghostery runs on free pricing, so the extension costs nothing and the free plan has no limitations. Contributions are optional and go toward development, so there is no subscription to renew or cancel. Tools in the privacy group commonly sit at €7.89 a month, which is the cost Ghostery does not charge.
Which devices can I run Ghostery on?+
Chrome, Firefox and Safari are all supported, so the same free plan covers desktop browsers, phones, tablets and Meta Quest. The extension blocks ads and trackers and handles private search on each of those platforms, with no difference between the mobile and desktop builds.
What does Ghostery collect about me?+
The logging policy collects no personal data. Daily non-personal extension telemetry is recorded, extra telemetry is opt-in, and website access data is kept for a set period. The company behind the extension is Ghostery GmbH, headquartered in Germany.
Is Ghostery open source?+
Yes, Ghostery is open source, so the extension code is published for anyone to read and rebuild. The project dates back to 2009 and the company behind it, Ghostery GmbH, answers under DE.
How do I get help from Ghostery?+
Support runs on email and help centre. Written answers arrive by email, and a help centre holds the setup and filter articles. There is no live chat window and no phone line, so help comes in writing rather than in real time.
Who is Ghostery good for?+
Ghostery suits anyone who wants ad blocking and private search without paying, since ad blocker and search covers both in the same extension and the pricing model is free. It also fits readers who want open source blocking across Chrome, Firefox and Safari rather than a bundle sold by subscription.
How does Ghostery compare with Apple Hide My Email?+
They solve different problems. Apple Hide My Email creates aliases free with an Apple Account, though changing the forward-to address needs iCloud+, while Ghostery blocks ads and trackers and keeps private search free under free pricing. Neither tool stands in for the other.
Why does Ghostery ask for contributions?+
The free plan has no limitations, so contributions are purely optional and go toward development. That is what keeps the pricing model at free with no paid tier to upgrade to, which suits readers who would rather not track a subscription.
Sources
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghostery checked September 26, 2026
Backs: Founded
“Release 2009”
- ghostery.com checked September 26, 2026
Backs: Pricing model
“Yes. Ghostery is a free ad blocking browser extension that you can install without paying a subscription.”
- ghostery.com/ghostery-ad-blocker checked September 26, 2026
Backs: Free plan, Free plan limits, Open source, Platforms, Privacy tool type, Support channels
“All of Ghostery's features are completely free to use, with no subscription required.”
- ghostery.com/privacy/imprint checked September 26, 2026
Backs: Jurisdiction, Legal entity
“Ghostery GmbH is registered under the registration HRB 230794 at the Registration Court Amtsgericht Munich”
- ghostery.com/privacy/policy checked September 26, 2026
Backs: Headquarters, Logging policy
“Ghostery GmbH, Arabellastraße 23, 81925 München, Germany”
Compiled from 5 source pages, checked September 26, 2026. We did not open an account.
Not confirmed yet: Price from.
Related by the facts
Ghostery
Free ad blocking and private search across every major browser, with no subscription to track.