Updated October 14, 2026 · ShieldCue Editorial Team
Ghostery vs Privacy Badger
Ghostery
Higher score in this comparison
Privacy Badger
What sets them apart
| Compare | GhosteryReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives | Privacy BadgerReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan limits | All features free with no limitations; optional contributions support development | No usage limits and no paid tiers; free for all users, funded by donations |
| Platforms | Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, Opera, Brave, iOS, IPadOS, Android, Meta Quest | Chrome, Firefox, Microsoft Edge, Opera, Brave, Firefox for Android, Edge for Android |
| Logging policy | No personal data collected; daily non-personal extension telemetry (opt-in extra telemetry); website access data kept four weeks | No browsing data collected or shared; data is only sent if the user chooses to file a broken site report |
| Jurisdiction | DE | US |
| Privacy tool type | Ad blocker, Search | Ad blocker, Browser |
Same on both: Free plan (Yes), Open source (Yes).
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Key differences
- Platforms: only Ghostery offers Safari, Edge, iOS.
- Platforms: only Privacy Badger offers Microsoft Edge, Firefox for Android, Edge for Android.
- Support channels: only Privacy Badger offers Community.
- Founded is lower at Ghostery: 2009 vs 2014.
- Privacy tool type: only Ghostery offers Search.
- Privacy tool type: only Privacy Badger offers Browser.
Our verdict on each
Ghostery
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.
Privacy Badger
Privacy Badger is a browser extension created by the Electronic Frontier Foundation. It algorithmically blocks trackers, receives periodic learning updates from Badger Sett by default, can replace blocked social or media widgets with click-to-activate placeholders and sends the Global Privacy Control signal.
Score breakdown
| Area | Ghostery | Privacy Badger |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.1 | 9.1 |
| Offer | 9.1 | 9.3Higher |
| Privacy | 9.4Higher | 9.1 |
Where they rank in our lists
| Ranking | Ghostery | Privacy Badger |
|---|---|---|
| Privacy tools | 69 of 281 | 74 of 281 |
| Ad blockers and private DNS | 23 of 63 | 25 of 63 |
| Private browsers and search engines | 13 of 55 | 15 of 55 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Ghostery | Privacy Badger |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Free | Free |
| Legal entity | Ghostery GmbH | Electronic Frontier Foundation |
| Headquarters | Germany | United States |
| Founded | 2009Lower | 2014 |
| Support channels | Email, Help centre | Email, Help centre, CommunityCovers more |
Pros and cons
Ghostery
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
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
Privacy Badger
Pros
- Privacy Badger uses an algorithmic tracker-blocking approach.
- It can replace blocked widgets with click-to-activate placeholders and sends a Global Privacy Control signal.
Cons
- Periodic tracker-learning updates from Badger Sett are enabled by default.
Who each suits
Ghostery
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+
Privacy Badger
Who it suits
- Users seeking a browser extension with tracker controls and Global Privacy Control signaling.
Questions about each
Ghostery
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.
Other options to compare
Other matchups
Ghostery
Privacy Badger