Side by side
Roadblock vs Zen
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 ExtensioniPhoneMac
Roadblock combines Safari ad, tracker, and annoyance blocking with custom rules and shareable profiles. A free plan is available, while iCloud sync and other listed premium features require a paid plan.
Visit Roadblock Free plan LinuxMacWindows
Choose Zen if you want free, device based filtering with custom lists and rules across desktop browsers and apps. Look elsewhere if you need every app to be filterable, since apps with their own networking stack or certificate pinning may bypass it or need an exclusion.
Visit ZenThe facts
| Roadblock | Zen | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | Extension, iPhone, Mac | Linux, Mac, Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | Premium Yearly: $5.99 a year | Free or on request |
| Plans published | 4 | 1 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | obiedcorner.com | irbis.sh |
| On ad blockers | #20 of 48 | #16 of 48 |
Roadblock: what it does well
- Blocks ads, trackers, and listed page annoyances.
- Custom rules can force HTTPS and hide page elements.
- Profiles can be shared with friends.
- Optional iCloud sync is off by default.
- Supports ad-blocking rules for 37 languages.
What to know first
- Safari-only browser support is listed.
- iPhone support requires iOS 15 or later.
- Mac support requires macOS Big Sur 11 or later.
- System-wide iOS URL blocking is listed as coming soon.
Zen: what it does well
- Free desktop app for Linux, macOS, and Windows.
- Filters ads, trackers, and malware across browsers and desktop apps.
- Includes 35 regional lists and supports custom rules.
- Supports cookie popup blocking.
- Browsing data and debug logs stay on the device.
What to know first
- Some apps can bypass filtering or need an exclusion.
- VPN support on macOS covers most VPNs, not all.
Alternatives to Roadblock Alternatives to Zen The whole list