Side by side
Ghostery vs Privoxy
Both stand on ad blockers. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan Open source AndroidExtensioniPhone+3
Ghostery combines blocking controls with visibility into tracking activity and cookie consent tools. Mobile users should check browser support first, particularly on Android, where Chrome is not supported.
Visit Ghostery Free plan Open source LinuxMacSelf-hosted+1
Privoxy offers configurable filtering and proxy controls at no cost, but it handles only HTTP and HTTPS proxying. It is not a malware-removal tool, and advanced features may need activation.
Visit PrivoxyThe facts
| Ghostery | Privoxy | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Yes | Yes |
| Runs on | Android, Extension, iPhone, Linux, Mac, Windows | Linux, Mac, Self-hosted, Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | Free or on request | Free or on request |
| Plans published | 1 | 2 |
| Maker | Ghostery | Not published |
| Website | ghostery.com | privoxy.org |
| On ad blockers | #1 of 48 | #2 of 48 |
Ghostery: what it does well
- Core ad blocking and tracker protection are free.
- Open-source extension with broad browser support.
- Can be installed on as many devices as users like.
- Never-Consent sends opt-out signals on supported websites.
What to know first
- Chrome for Android does not support Ghostery extensions.
- Private Search is currently in closed beta.
- Mobile support is limited to specific browsers.
Privoxy: what it does well
- Free software under GNU GPL version 2 or later.
- Filters HTTPS requests and responses.
- Can serve multiple clients on a network.
- Includes rule tracing and remote toggling.
What to know first
- Many advanced features are disabled by default.
- Does not handle FTP, SMTP, or messaging protocols.
- Default configuration does not filter malware.
- Project says it lacks trusted build infrastructure.
Alternatives to Ghostery Alternatives to Privoxy The whole list